NFL - Week 14 predictions

Drama was in New York this week as Plaxico Burress's season has effectively ended following a four-game suspension from the Giants front office. Burress may have more troubles ahead with a bigger authority: the law.

Even more player suspensions are in the news as the NFL suspended six players for the same doping violation. Among those six are big names in the Vikings' Pat and Kevin Williams and the Saints' Will Smith and Deuce McAllister.

Meanwhile, Sunday night features a huge local game as the Ravens and Redskins clash to determine who has bragging rights over the DMV. Our experts are continuing to look strong, each with winning records last week. Kevin adds another win to his lead, putting him five above Anshul. Only three more weeks - can he go wire-to-wire?

Standings:

	This week	Season total
Anshul	8-5	121-68
Kevin	9-4	126-63
Sean	9-4	111-78

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008

Oakland Raiders (3-9) at San Diego Chargers (4-8)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
San Diego	San Diego	San Diego

Anshul says:
I anticipate a lot of running. And who has the better running game? Why, the team with one of the NFL's best running backs, of course.

Kevin says:
Hubba hubba.

Sean says:
L.T. is a B.A. That is all.

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) at Chicago Bears (6-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Chicago	Chicago	Chicago

Anshul says:
Chicago is still hunting for a playoff spot and it's going to be hard for them to earn it. A win over the Jags will help them stay on track.

Kevin says:
The Jaguars need some help for next year. Might as well play for draft position.

Sean says:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news. (Ha ha, Bear-er.) But the Jags aught to sit this one out.

Minnesota Vikings (7-5) at Detroit Lions (0-12)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Minnesota	Minnesota	Minnesota

Anshul says:
The two big Williamses have been suspended, leaving the core of the Vikings' defensive line shaken. But that won't matter when they play the winless Lions.

Kevin says:
The Lions are failing as badly as the auto industry in the same city.

Sean says:
Today, Congress rejected Detroit's plea for a bailout of its team, citing lack of vision, planning and focus as their reasons. "They got Duante Culpepper and now they want more?" said Representative Henry Waxman (D-California). "Unbelievable."

Houston Texans (5-7) at Green Bay Packers (5-7)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Houston	Green Bay	Houston

Anshul says:
I love the play of Andre Johnson and rookie Steve Slaton this season. That offensive duo is dangerous and could push the Texans over the Pack.

Kevin says:
Johnson is quite good. As a team, the Packers are stronger under a good quarterback, even though they may be more inconsistent. They need this win to stay alive.

Sean says:
I'd say that the Texans have improved much from last year and they have been very consistent. Houston will take this.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-10-1) at Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Indianapolis	Indianapolis	Indianapolis

Anshul says:
Remember earlier in the season when everyone was counting the Colts out of the playoffs? Cincy does and they're sad that those days are long gone.

Kevin says:
This will either be the blowout of the week or a tie.

Sean says:
That's a bit of a stretch don't you think, Kevin? I say that the Colts will not win by more than two touchdowns.

Atlanta Falcons (8-4) at New Orleans Saints (6-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Atlanta	Atlanta	Atlanta

Anshul says:
The return of Reggie Bush will boost the Saints, but the loss of McAllister is going to hurt them a lot.

Kevin says:
Matt Ryan, anyone?

Sean says:
Atlanta seems to be doing surprisingly well and the Saints are going to struggle to have a winning season. The answer is clear.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) at New York Giants (11-1)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	New York

Anshul says:
The Giants killed the Skins without Plax; they can handle the Eagles without him. No wonder this team is the defending champion.

Kevin says:
Even though the Giants weren't playing at their top level against the Redskins, the Eagles have proven inconsistent and overall, pretty bad.

Sean says:
I'm pretty sure more people are interested in what Burress did than the outcome of this game. Pro-tip: the Giants will win.

Cleveland Browns (4-8) at Tennessee Titans (11-1)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tennessee	Tennessee	Tennessee

Anshul says:
No more Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn means no more hope for the Browns this season.

Kevin says:
Are the Browns good enough to beat this team? If they play as they played against the Giants, maybe. If they play as they played against anyone else, no.

Sean says:
How now, Brown cow? How will you win this game?

Miami Dolphins (7-5) at Buffalo Bills (6-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Miami	Miami	Miami

Anshul says:
The Bills started the season 4-0, but since then they've been 2-6. Miami has been up-and-down all season but should be able to handle the Bills.

Kevin says:
Who knew that the Dolphins would have a winning record this late in the season? I think they can pull this one off away against the Bills.

Sean says:
His Holiness the Bill Parcells informed me via meditation that the Dolphins are doing well under his divine intervention. All is going according to plan - muahahahaha.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-10) at Denver Broncos (7-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Denver	Denver	Denver

Anshul says:
Jay Cutler is the new Brett Favre of the NFL.

Kevin says:
The Chiefs beat the Raiders, but that does not mean much. The Broncos may lose this one if they are inconsistent as they have been in the past. Time to make the NFL proud, Cutler.

Sean says:
Unforgiving is the mile high city to teams that have been playing badly - so yeah, Denver's got this in the bag.

New York Jets (8-4) at San Francisco 49ers (4-8)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	New York

Anshul says:
The Niners are better with Mike Singletary at the helm, but not good enough to take out the Jets.

Kevin says:
I am quite surprised that Favre has been able to adapt to the team so well (or the team to him). One day, though, his arm is going to quit on him just like he quit on the Packers. The Niners should be good practice for the Jets' post-season.

Sean says:
I smell a blowout.

New England Patriots (7-5) at Seattle Seahawks (2-10)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New England	New England	New England

Anshul says:
Matt Cassel is breathing easy now that he isn't facing that Pittsburgh defense anymore.

Kevin says:
The Seahawks? CHEHHHHHHH.

Sean says:
I see no victory at Qwest field for the rest of the season.

St. Louis Rams (2-10) at Arizona Cardinals (7-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Arizona	Arizona	Arizona

Anshul says:
The Cardinals are running away with their division, but they will continue to play hard all season long. No rest time for Arizona.

Kevin says:
The Rams? They did have two good games, but still, CHEHHHHHHH.

Sean says:
Oh karma, you cruel, cruel mistress. The moment I celebrate the Rams' first victory, you make me mourn their second. Your lesson was clear, but let's be honest - the Rams don't have a chance of taking home another victory until they play Seattle.

Dallas Cowboys (8-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh	Dallas

Anshul says:
Tony Romo will feel the wrath of the Iron Curtain 2.0.

Kevin says:
The Steelers can make easy work of the Cowboys and stop their streak, especially at home.

Sean says:
Considering how many games the Steelers have narrowly won this season, I have to say I am not able to believe the hype.

Washington Redskins (7-5) at Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Washington	Washington	Baltimore

Anshul says:
The Redskins need every win they can get to make it to the playoffs. The battle for local supremacy will hopefully find D.C. on top.

Kevin says:
This one should be interesting, but it better not end up like the Giants game last week. The Redskins need to take this in order to keep their postseason hopes in their own hands.

Sean says:
Jason Campbell is a great QB and despite my pure, unrelenting dislike of my team's rival, I think that the Skins should go to the playoffs. Jim Zorn has certainly earned his stripes. However, the Ravens have a defense reminiscent of the Great Wall and have stepped their offense significantly from last season. This one goes to Baltimore.

Monday, Nov. 17, 2008

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) at Carolina Panthers (9-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Carolina	Carolina	Carolina

Anshul says:
Excellent choice for a national-audience game NFL. Either team can take this game, but I cannot pick against the Panthers at home.

Kevin says:
Game of the week right here, on a Monday. The Buccaneers are pretty good all around, but the Panthers have Steve Smith.

Sean says:
The Panthers are a very strong team with or without Steve Smith. I think the Buccaneers are not as good as their record suggests.