Mattie T’s Week 14 NFL Predictions

I pulled out one of the most improbable wins of the season in Week 13, as i was able to hold on 41-39 despite getting no points out of three (Dwayne Bowe, Chris Johnson & Kevin Boss) of my starters. I also left 4 touchdowns on my bench, which is going to be a very nice option for me come playoff time next week.

Thanks to the win, i have clinched the #1 seed, but still want to win on Sunday so i can enter the postseason on my 3rd different four-game win streak.

I might even end up playing a certain owner from this site in Round 1, so we’ll see what happens! 🙂

Week 13: 10-6

Overall: 119-73 (.619)

Colts/Titans:

Must-win game for Tennessee, as they have to win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

As for Indianapolis, they need to win in order to stay just 1 game behind the AFC South leading Jacksonville Jaguars.

Peyton Manning has been alarming in the past three weeks, as he’s thrown 11 of his 15 interceptions.

Chris Johnson (58 yards in last 2 games) has struggled of late, but this is a chance for him to get right as he goes up against the Colts’ 29th-ranked run defense.

Manning needs to throw one touchdown pass on Thursday to become the first player ever in league history to throw for 25 TD’s or more for 13 consecutive seasons.

This will be a close game, but i think the Titans will go back to becoming a run-first team despite the return of WR Kenny Britt, which spells good news for Johnson.

Whatever magic Indianapolis had from their Super Bowl run last season has run out.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tennessee

Buccaneers/Redskins:

Washington will play Sunday’s game without the services of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who is suspended for the final 4 games of the regular season after constantly bickering with head coach Mike Shanahan & his staff.

The Redskins have one of the worst defenses in football, so look for Josh Freeman his Buccaneers offense to take advantage and improve to 8-0 against losing teams.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Browns/Bills:

Enticing matchup here for Peyton Hillis & the Browns offense, as they’ll face a Bills run defense that ranks dead-last allowing 170.9 yards per game.

Look for Cleveland to force turnovers off Ryan Fitzpatrick, as they’ll win to inch closer to the .500 mark.

Mattie T’s Pick: Cleveland

Giants/Vikings:

If Brett Favre (shoulder) is healthy enough to play on Sunday, he’ll have to try and figure out the Giants’ 2nd ranked pass defense.

New York has also forced a league-high 25 fumbles & is tied for the NFC lead with 35 sacks, so they’ll be after Favre quite often.

I like the Giants to win in a close one here.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Giants

Packers/Lions:

Drew Stanton will be in for a long afternoon, as he’ll go up against the Packers’ 6th ranked pass defense.

That Green Bay defense might be missing a key player though, as Charles Woodson injured his ankle during their Week 13 win over San Francisco & is uncertain to play on Sunday.

Not even the Ford Field faithful will stop Detroit from losing their 6th straight game.

Mattie T’s Pick: Green Bay

Raiders/Jaguars:

Jacksonville is flying high after winning 4 of their last 5 games & will look to maintain 1st place in the AFC South with a win.

Oakland has the dreadful task of trying to win a 12pm game on the road. The only other time they started at noon,  they got blasted 35-3 by Pittsburgh in Week 10.

The Jaguars defense will be focused on shutting down Darren McFadden after they limited Chris Johnson to just 58 rushing yards in Week 12.

I like for Jacksonville to stay hot, as they’ll have a showdown at Indianapolis next week.

Mattie T’s Pick: Jacksonville

Bengals/Steelers:

Despite a broken nose that was suffered in Week 13, Ben Roethlisberger looks ready to go on Sunday.

Pittsburgh’s defense shouldn’t allow much running room for Cedric Benson, and their vicious pass rush (leads NFL with 36 sacks) will be after Carson Palmer all afternoon.

Steelers in a big win here.

Mattie T’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Falcons/Panthers:

Atlanta looks to reel off their 7th straight win on Sunday against a Carolina team that’s lost 6 straight since winning their only game to date on October 24th against San Francisco.

The Panthers’ bad run defense (133.1 yards per game) should allow for Michael Turner to have another big game, especially since Tony Gonzalez (elbow) is uncertain for Week 14.

I like for the Falcons to stay red & keep pressure on New Orleans in the NFC South.

Mattie T’s Pick: Atlanta

Seahawks/49ers:

The 49ers are switching back to Alex Smith at quarterback for a must-win game against a Seahawks team that he faced back in Week 1.

In that game, Smith completed just 26 of 45 passes for 225 yards while throwing 2 interceptions for a 52.5 rating (season-low).

With Seattle’s bad secondary, look for Smith to target Michael Crabtree & Vernon Davis, as San Francisco wins to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Francisco

Rams/Saints:

The Rams’ secondary is battered & bruised at the wrong time, as Ron Bartell (stinger), Justin King (shoulder) & Craig Dahil (knee) could be all limited or unavailable against a Saints’ offense that has scored 30 or more points in 4 straight games.

Drew Brees is also getting hot at the right time, as he has five 300-yard passing games in his last 6 games.

Sam Bradford will have a rough time against New Orleans’ 3rd ranked pass defense, as the Saints win big at home.

Mattie T’s Pick: New Orleans

Patriots/Bears:

Marquee matchup here, as the Patriots’ high-powered offense (31.6 PPG) goes up against a Bears defense that’s allowed just 300.3 yards per game, which is good for 3rd best in the NFL.

This will be a close game, but New England has the big advantage on 3rd downs. Their percentage clip of 44.8% ranks 4th in the NFL, while Chicago’s clip of 33.6% is the 5th-lowest total in the league.

Patriots in a squeaker.

Mattie T’s Pick: New England

Broncos/Cardinals:

Big changes will be made in this game, as Cardinals rookie quarterback John Skeleton will make his first NFL start on Sunday & will try to spoil Eric Studesville’s interim head coaching debut.

Both teams are awful at stopping the run, but Arizona’s defense is slightly better overall.

With Larry Fitzgerald sure to be draped by Champ Bailey, look for the Cardinals to ride Beanie Wells & Tim Hightower to a nice home win.

Mattie T’s Pick: Arizona

Dolphins/Jets:

Jets should be angered following their embarassing 45-3 loss to New England in Week 13 & could face a Miami team that could get Brandon Marshall (hamstring) back for Sunday.

The Dolphins’ defense has just 9 interceptions on the season, so look for Mark Sanchez to bounce back from a dismal outing & lead New York to a win.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Jets

Chiefs/Chargers:

Must-win game for San Diego against a Kansas City team that might be forced to start Brodie Croyle following Matt Cassel’s emergency appendectomy on Wednesday.

If Croyle plays, he’ll be facing a Chargers pass defense that ranks 1st in the NFL, while Philip Rivers looks to shake off back-to-back subpar outings with a big game against the Chiefs’ shaky pass defense (233.1 ypg).

San Diego knows that they need to win out in order to have a shot at the playoffs. That first step begins Sunday with a season-saving win over Kansas City.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Diego

Eagles/Cowboys:

After getting an extended amount of rest, Michael Vick & the Eagles offense should have another field day against Dallas’ 28th ranked pass defense.

Philadelphia will also get two key members back on their defense, as cornerback Asante Samuel (knee)  & defensive end Juqua Parker (hip) will play Sunday after missing the team’s last 2 games.

With Dez Bryant sidelined for the rest of the season, look for Roy Williams to get more touches from his former Lions teammate Jon Kitna.

This has the potential of a shootout, but the Eagles’ offense will be too much for the Cowboys to handle.

Mattie T’s Pick: Philadelphia

Ravens/Texans:

Big game for Baltimore following a tough Week 13 loss, as they’ll try to nail down their first road win against a plus .500 team since Week 4 against the Steelers.

This should be a close game, but Joe Flacco should have himself a big game against Houston’s league-worst pass defense.

Mattie T’s Pick: Baltimore