TAMPA, Fla. — We’ll be in Tampa this Sunday to watch the Sanchez-less Jets take on the Freeman-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Remember, last week Josh Freeman threw five interceptions in the red zone? This game will be fun — just for the laughs.
As we head into Week 14, here are three things to keep in mind:
1) Some teams are just destined for greatness. The New Orleans Saints seem like a team of destiny.
Last Sunday in Washington the Saints were often sloppy and lethargic and with three minutes remaining in regulation, the 11-0 Saints trailed the Redskins 30-20. But a couple of breaks, one great pass from Drew Brees to Robert Meacham and finally an 18-yard field goal by Garrett Hartley in overtime gave New Orleans a 33-30 win and a 12-0 record. Yep, that’s a team of destiny.
2) Want to know how to beat the Tennessee Titans? Force them into turnovers.
When the Titans were going 0-6, they turned the ball over 18 times. The Titans then won five straight and turned the ball over three times in total. Then last Sunday, in a 27-17 loss to Indianapolis, Tennessee turned the ball over twice, including a Vince Young interception that the Colts converted into a touchdown. If the Titans win the turnover battle, they win the game. If they turn it over too often, they lose. Simple as that.
3) So what’s happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers? Obviously, the defending Super Bowl champions are 6-6 and have suffered at least six fourth-quarter collapses, but the biggest problem is the absence of Troy Polamalu.
The Steelers have been very weak on the back end of the defence and without Polamalu, they won’t win many football games. Luckily, they get the Browns this week.
All set? let’s take a closer look at Week 14…
THURSDAY NIGHT
Pittsburgh Steelers 6-6 at Cleveland Browns 1-11 (+9.5)
Mike Tomlin said he would “unleash hell” in December. Well, not so much last week, but they’ll be ready Thursday night. This is an absolute must-win for the Steelers, but if anyone is worried about that “road team” thing, the Pittsburgh to Cleveland commute isn’t a long one, and you can bet that there will be more Steelers fans in the stands than Browns supporters. This will essentially be a home game for Pittsburgh.
Dr. Sports: Steelers to win and cover
The Coach: Steelers to win and cover.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
New Orleans 12-0 at Atlanta 6-6 (+9.5)
Think Drew Brees will have any problems shredding the Falcons’ defensive backfield with his collection of weapons?
Dr. Sports: Saints to win and cover.
The Coach: Saints to win and cover.
Detroit Lions 2-10 at Baltimore Ravens 6-6 (-12.5)
The Ravens looked like they couldn’t care less on Monday Night. They didn’t look like they even want to get out of the huddle let alone run the offense. The Ravens need to win in order to remain in the AFC Wildcard race. If they have proven anything in 2009, it’s that they perform well against lesser competition.
Dr. Sports: Ravens to win and cover.
The Coach: Ravens to win and cover.
Green Bay Packers 8-4 at Chicago Bears 5-7 (+2.5)
This is a difficult one for the Packers. They are traveling on a short work week to battle a Bears team that will be playing its Super Bowl. Chicago has no chance at the playoffs, but it can at least knock arch rival Green Bay out of a wild card spot. That being said, the Bears stink and will ultimately find a way to lose. Football games are won in the trenches, and that’s an area where Chicago is incredibly weak right now.
Dr. Sports: Packers to win and cover.
The Coach: Packers to win and cover.
Seattle Seahawks 5-7 at Houston Texans 5-7 (-5.5)
Houston’s fourth-ranked passing offense challenges the Seahawks 25th-ranked passing defence. The Seahawks are also 1-5 on the road.
Dr. Sports: Texans to win and cover.
The Coach: Texans to win and cover.
Denver Broncos 8-4 at Indianapolis Colts 12-0 (-6.5)
Denver’s chances against Peyton are slim and none. Slim is out of town.
Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.
The Coach: Colts to win and cover.
Miami Dolphins 6-6 at Jacksonville Jaguars 7-5 (-2.5)
The Jaguars are one of the league’s best home teams at 5-1. Even though they play in front of sparse crowds. The Dolphins are 2-4 on the road. Both teams have rushing attacks that are in the top 25 per cent of the NFL. The differences between the two teams’ run defences are negligible. Home field will be the advantage here.
Dr. Sports: Jaguars to win and cover.
The Coach: Jaguars to win and cover.
Buffalo Bills 4-8 at Kansas City Chiefs 3-9 (PK)
This Chiefs are reeling right now after two losses as big underdogs to their divisional rivals. After getting blown out against the Broncos and Chargers, the Chiefs are done. But the Bills ain’t much better.
Dr. Sports: Bills to win.
The Coach: Chiefs to win.
Cincinnati Bengals 9-3 at Minnesota Vikings 10-2 (-6.5)
The Bengals are getting seven points and sport one of the league’s top five defences. The Vikings strength of schedule has come into question with losses against Pittsburgh and Arizona. It should be a close game.
Dr. Sports: Vikings to win, but not to cover.
The Coach: Vikings to win and cover.
Carolina Panthers 5-7 at New England 7-5 (-13.5)
The Patriots seldom lose two in a row, and they never lose three in a row. The last time Belichick and Brady dropped two consecutive games, they rebounded with a 35-0 victory over the Packers in 2006.
Dr. Sports: Patriots to win and cover.
The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.
New York Jets at 6-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-11 (+3.5)
This seems like a really horrible spot for the Jets. This is their last “easy” game before taking on the Falcons, Colts and Bengals. Following a win over the Bills, I don’t think they’ll be focused for the Buccaneers, especially with Kellen Clemens replacing the injured Mark Sanchez at quarterback.
Dr. Sports: Buccaneers to win.
The Coach: Bucs to win.
St. Louis Rams 1-11 at Tennessee Titans 5-7 (-12.5)
Little known fact, the Rams are a feisty 4-1 against the spread in their past five games. In fact, they haven’t lost by more than 10 points since battling the Colts on Oct. 25. The Titans have a conservative offense, so asking them to cover a 13-point spread is too much.
Dr. Sports: Titans to win, but not cover.
The Coach: Titans to win and cover.
Washington Redskins 3-9 at Oakland Raiders 4-8 (+1.5)
A team that has had so many close calls with stronger teams should be able to overcome a below average Raiders team, shouldn’t they? Don’t count on it. The Redskins have to travel cross country and the Raiders have momentum from defeating the defending champions. With the way 2009 has gone, the Skins will stumble against the Oakland Raiders. The Eagles did when they traveled west.
Dr. Sports: Raiders to win.
The Coach: Raiders to win.
San Diego Chargers 9-3 at Dallas 8-4 (-2.5)
Dallas starts December with… a loss! After losing 31-24 to the Giants, the Cowboys look like they may continue their December trend of losing their way out of the playoffs. The Chargers come into Dallas with a seven game winning streak and are looking to secure a bye week over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys are 5-1 at home. The Chargers are 5-1 on the road. But since it is December and the Chargers don’t lose in December.
Dr. Sports: Chargers to win.
The Coach: Chargers to win.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Philadelphia Eagles 8-4 at New York Giants 7-5 (-1.5)
The Eagles enter the game on a three game winning streak. In week 8, the Eagles defeated the Giants 40-17. The Eagles do play well on the road. The Giants must win to remain in the heart of the NFC Wildcard race. One week, the Eagles can look like the elite of the NFC. The next, they are losing to the Raiders.
Dr. Sports: Giants to win and cover.
The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.
MONDAY NIGHTER
Arizona Cardinals 8-4 at San Francisco 49ers 5-7 (+2.5)
The 49ers will be pumped to host their first Monday night game since Week 1, 2007. This will be their chance to show everyone that they are a legit team.
Dr. Sports: 49ers to win.
The Coach: Cardinals to win and cover.
The Doc is 128-64 overall and 104-86 against the spread. The Coach is 121-71 straight up and 100-90 against the spread.
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