2012 NFL Picks: Week 14 NFL Picks and Analysis 

Week 14. When contenders become pretenders. The Saints, The Jets. The Dolphins. Losses this weekend would end any shallow postseason hopes for them and others.

In our first week of the Mike vs. Tom mini head-to-head picks competition, Michael Cellars showed Tom McFeeley where the basement was. Though they both had solid weeks; Mike went 11-5 and Tom was 10-6. Late wins by the Colts and Seahawks saved them from mediocrity.

Mr. Cellars has the honors and will pick each game first this week:

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

MICHAEL: Now that the Broncos have the AFC West wrapped up, will they rest Peyton Manning at all for the playoffs? Then again, with a 9-3 record (same as the Patriots and Ravens) there’s incentive to play for that first-round bye. BRONCOS 30-13

TOM:  The Broncos are just too good and it’s too early to let the foot off the accelerator. BRONCOS: 24-17

St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills

MICHAEL: The Rams are not a bad team, and they proved they can compete with anybody when they beat the 49ers on Sunday. But they can be inconsistent due to an average offense. And at 5-6-1 their playoff chances are slim, then again so are the Bills’ at 5-7. Toss up! BILLS 19-17

TOM: The Rams are worth watching now. The Bills, the forgotten team in the AFC East, have some talent as well. In the Below the Radar Bowl, I’ll take the BILLS, 21-18

Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals

MICHAEL: To put it simply, I like the way the Bengals are playing right now and I think they are going to go to the playoffs. BENGALS 27-17

TOM: I do like the desperate teams, and that would be the Cowboys. But they are on the road and the Bengals have their eyes on a bigger prize. Another tragic loss for Romo and The Gang. BENGALS 28-27

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns

MICHAEL: Peyton Hillis’ return to Cleveland. The Browns will show him they’re much happier with Trent Richardson. BROWNS 16-9

TOM: Truth is the Chiefs are really bad, and this is the week for the emotional letdown. The Browns will stand up and show they are much better than people think. Statement game for them. BROWNS 33-6

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts

MICHAEL: Somehow, someway, Andrew Luck keeps leading the Colts to wins, and they are in the driver’s seat for a wild card berth. I think they’ll get one step closer to it hosting the Titans. COLTS 34-20

TOM: Let’s hope the Titans take a brief plane ride to the game. Otherwise they’ll have to drive through Kentucky. And that can temporarily affect anyone, even a conditioned pro athlete. COLTS 30-14

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

MICHAEL: Alright, this one could be interesting. The Bears are probably still in shock they lost at home to the Seahawks, and Adrian Peterson is probably still in shock for his team losing despite rushing for 200+ yards. I’m taking Peterson and the Vikings at home in this one for the upset. VIKINGS 26-23

TOM:  The Bears need this one. Losers off 3 of the last 4. Offensive line in disarray. Urlacher’s Bears career might be over. Forte’s not right. Marshall’s their only legit receiver. I’m taking them anyway. If Percy Harvin were playing it might be different, but the Bears can try to contain AP and make Ponder beat them. He won’t BEARS 26-19

San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers

MICHAEL: I’m still going to take the Steelers regardless if Ben Roethlisberger starts at quarterback or not. I don’t get how the Chargers constantly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. STEELERS: 20-16

TOM: I can’t defend the Chargers anymore. I know somehow, someway this story line ends with Norv Turner in charge of the Jets offense next season. Yikes. STEELERS 24-13

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MICHAEL: Which defensive coach or player does Andy Reid give the ax to after this game? BUCCANEERS 28-10

TOM: What the hell. Tired of agreeing with Michael. EAGLES 24-23

Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins

MICHAEL: This is probably the hardest game to pick this week. As much as I want to go with RG3 and the Redskins (again), I just have a feeling the Ravens are going to come out with a vengeance in this one. RAVENS 24-17

TOM: Last week, I said the Lions game was the type that Andrew Luck needed to show us why he was drafted first. This is RG3’s opportunity to show he’s here to stay. After  a Monday night triumph, adrenaline and a playoff race give the home team incentive against a struggling Ravens team. REDSKINS 20-17

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

MICHAEL: How will the Falcons find some crazy way to win this game late and still only have one loss on their record? FALCONS 22-21

TOM: Cam Newton is playing well of late. Really well. Sooner or later, Matty Ryan falls short. PANTHERS: 31-30

New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars

MICHAEL: Two words: Greg McElroy. JETS 13-7 (Edit: Now that I know that Sanchez is the starter again, I can only hope McElroy comes back in to save the Jets.)

TOM: The Jets defense gave up just over 100 yards last week, including a 40-foot fake punt. The Jets should be able to beat the Jags if they started Tim Tebow and made him throw right-handed. If they can’t win this game, nobody’s job is safe. And look out they’d be 6-7 and creeping.  JETS 33-10

Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers

MICHAEL: Like the Ravens, the Harbaugh-coached 49ers have got to be furious. 49ERS 34-13

TOM: The Niners are such a higher level among these clubs that if Miami took the stairs, they’d be too winded to play. They’re actually not THAT bad, but SF needs it, Miami is going cross-country. 49ers 17-7

New Orleans Saints at New York Giants

MICHAEL: I bet this game looked so much better on the calendar back in September. I think the 7-5 Giants are way more desperate than the 5-7 Saints, and that’s all I need to think to pick them (well, that and Tom Coughlin’s probably shoving boots up asses this week at practice). GIANTS 24-20

TOM: Giants don’t lose back-to-back games in December. This weekend they remind us that they are the champs and get to put the Saints out of their misery. GIANTS 39-20

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks

MICHAEL: There’s really no debate in this one. SEAHAWKS 21-3

TOM: I just like to watch Russell Wilson play. So much so that I even intend to watch THIS game. SEAHAWKS 28-7

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers

MICHAEL: Lions are reeling and Packers have chance to continue to stay atop the division before they play the Bears. PACKERS 30-20

TOM: The Discount Double Check has revealed the Packers are the class of this division and the Bears are only great when their defense scores. Bears are on the ropes and Aaron Rodgers can start thinking about playoff seeding. PACKERS 38-13

Houston Texans at New England Patriots

MICHAEL: Easily the best game of the week, and I am so pumped to watch what could be an AFC Championship Game preview. I like the Texans a lot this season, but I’ve learned to never bet against Tom Brady (unless he’s playing Eli Manning). Actually, I’m rolling with Brady because he has too many weapons for the Texans to try to cover; remember that Packers-Texans game earlier this season? PATRIOTS 37-24

TOM: Ever notice all these clashes of the AFC titans are played AT New England, usually when it’s cold? I don’t like the Patriots that much this year, but they score points like an NBA team, covering up the weaknesses of a young, but improving defense.  Home field is the difference. PATRIOTS 31-27