NFL picks Week 14: Falcons-Panthers and every other game

Dec 7, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) breaks a tackle from Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Terence Newman (23) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears (-3.5)

Washington (5-7) had a great opportunity to pull away in the NFC East, but a loss to Dallas keeps them tied at the top. Chicago (5-7) threw one away against San Francisco, but they will get back on track at home.

Pick: Chicago 23, Washington 19

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

This is the game of the week, and should be a great one. Cincinnati (10-2) is playing some great football, and it’s tough to pick against them at home. Pittsburgh (7-5) has arguably the best offense in football even without Le’Veon Bell, and I’m picking them to upset the Bengals.

Pick: Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 24

San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns (EVEN)

Oh boy. Which team wants to lose the least? It’s impossible to pick Cleveland (2-10) to win. San Francisco (4-8) wins back-to-back.

Pick: San Francisco 20, Cleveland 17

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (NO LINE)

Andrew Luck will likely still be out for the Colts (6-6), which makes this game close. Still, Matt Hasselbeck has played well enough and should have a good game against the Jaguars (4-8) defense.

Pick: Indianapolis 23, Jacksonville 17

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-11.5)

The Chiefs (7-5) are red hot after winning six straight. The Chargers (3-9) have all sorts of problems on both sides of the ball. At Arrowhead, there’s only one winner.

Pick: Kansas City 30, San Diego 10

Tennessee Titans at New York Jets (-7.5)

The Jets (7-5) have good balance throughout their team, and finally have an offense that can pull them back into games when they are down. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall should help them get ahead early against the Titans (3-9) and pick up an eighth win on the year.

Pick: New York 28, Tennessee 13

Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles (EVEN)

Let’s not get carried away by the Eagles’ (5-7) shock win over the Patriots. The Bills (6-6) are playing well at the moment, and they are a better football team than the Eagles. They should get the win.

Pick: Buffalo 32, Philadelphia 24

Detroit Lions at St. Louis Rams (EVEN)

The Lions (4-8) have improved a lot in the second half of the season despite throwing away a 20-0 lead over the Packers last week. The Rams (4-8) are in free fall, and will continue to lose this week.

Pick: Detroit 21, St. Louis 13

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)

Jameis Winston has played well recently, and he should have a good day against a poor Saints (4-8) defense. The Bucs (6-6) stay alive in the wild-card race.

Pick: Tampa Bay 25, New Orleans 20

Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens (NO LINE)

Without Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett and Steve Smith, what chance do the Ravens (4-8) have against a Seahawks (7-5) team getting hot at the right time? None.

Pick: Seattle 24, Baltimore 7

Next: Late games and primetime