Week 14: Decision Points

In honor of GW's new book...ha.

We have come to the end of the season when playoff brackets are being more defined, when head coaches are deciding whether to keep members of their coaching staff, when owners are deciding whether to keep their head coaches, and when teams are seeing where they need new draft picks/trades...

So what's brewing for the this week?

Titans/Colts
The Titans are done. Maybe not "mathematically", but in Julie-land, they are. Who would have ever guessed the Colts would be fighting for a mere wild card in the playoffs? Things are not looking swell in Indy. I said I would start picking against the Colts if they lost to the Boys, but I just can't see them dropping this one even at LP Field.
Colts by 10.

Browns/Bills
This might as well be a preseason game as both teams are finished, but it means more to the Browns. The Browns are actually playing for a little something...to get out of the conversation of being a bottom feeder team in the NFL. If anyone is rising, it's them. It would be great to get McCoy back to continue working on what they have started.
Browns by 7.

Steelers/Bengals
The banged up Steelers will host a talented (yet underperforming) Bengals team desperate for a win after dropping a heartbreaker to the Saints last week. Could this be an upset? I don't see the Steelers who just fought a hard AFC North battle with the Ravens giving up this one at Heinz Field.
Steelers by 7.

Packers/Lions
Lions are plagued with injury. After desperate attempts to draft franchise players, they can't keep them healthy enough to see if they can restore a withering franchise. How sad it must be to be a Lions' fan....this will be the 9th of 10 seasons with 10 or more losses...
Pack by 14.

Giants/Vikings
Tough one to call as the Vikings just figured out how to win again. They had a nice showing against...well, it was against the Bills. The Giants had an equally impressive showing against...well, ok it was against the floundering Redskins. It's anybody's game. Brett Favre gives the Vikes a better chance if he can keep his body parts from detaching and crushing. From now on, anyone who tries to defy the odds and fails miserably will be known as pulling a Brett Favre. (at least Urban Meyer can share in the retire, come back, retire game)
Giants by 3.

Bucs/Redskins
......
Bucs by 14.

Falcons/Panthers
Are you serious?
Falcons by 17 (at least).

Raiders/Jags
Interesting matchup as both teams have had fine moments and not fine moments all season. Although, I think the Jags have had a few more fine moments...and home field advantage.
Jags by 4.

Seahawks/49ers
Both are having less than stellar seasons. I'll give the Seahawks the advantage as I have more faith in Matt Hasselbeck than Alex Smith. Although, I don't expect Smith to go down without a fight as he is a major decision point for the 49ers in the offseason.
Seahawks by 3.

Rams/Saints
Oddly enough, the Saints have not played well against rookie QBs in the Dome. Who would have thought this? And Sam Bradford is the best rookie QB they have faced. Although, I don't see them dropping this one. Also, their play has picked up in the last few weeks. The backfield looks to be stacked with Bush and Thomas back, and Chris Ivory is more than efficient. Julius Jones has also made some decent contributions.
Saints by 14.

Dolphins/Jets
Before last week, I likely would not have hesitated to pick Rex Ryan and his "dream team," but we saw some true colors against he Pats. They turned out to be a splash of luck with some nice rhetoric. I'm still sticking with them for this game, but this will reveal loads about their character, true skill, maturity, and ability to bounce back.
Jets by 4.

Broncos/Cards
Well, in following this season's traditions I must pick the Broncos as they fired their head coach this week. But it mostly has to do with the fact that the Cards are terrible in the red zone and are likely starting a rookie QB with little playing time (see Titans in Week 12).
Broncos by 14.

Chiefs/Chargers
This will be the battle of their lives as the Chiefs are playing for a surprising divisional title, and the Chargers are playing to make the playoffs. It would be a shame to see the Chiefs not have QB Matt Cassel, who has been a star for them this season. (Cassel had an appendectomy this week) I always love how sports analysts call certain players "fierce competitors" as if there are players in the NFL that are not competitive. I don't care if you are there for the money, you won't make it 5 seconds in the NFL without being at least a little competitive. However, Philip RIvers does have an extreme love for the game and an undying winning spirit. I call the Chargers upset in this divisional race.
Chargers by 3.

Pats/Bears
These are two teams separated by only one game, and the Pats are coming off a feeling of ecstasy as they obliterated their "biggest rival this season." However, the Pats are on fire, and the Bears have been inconsistent. They come out with a win more times than not, but they don't always look sharp doing it. They will have to be on top of their game to defeat the Patriots.
Patriots by 14.

Eagles/Cowboys
The Cowboys lost what had become their favorite receiver in Dez Bryant. Things were looking up for them especially after taking down Peyton Manning in Indy, but they are about to meet their kryptonite in Michael Vick and Company even at Cowboys Stadium.
Eagles by 7.

Ravens/Texans
The Ravens are looking to avenge themselves after a let down on their own turf. Look for them to do so and do it well against the Texans. The Texans have several holes and the Ravens don't have many.
Ravens by 10.

Well that's all, folks...