2014 NFL SEASON WEEK 12

WINLESS WATCH

Raiders (0-10): vs. Chiefs

MUST WATCH GAMES

Chiefs at Raiders

With their loss to the Chargers, the Raiders became the first team this season to be eliminated from playoff contention. They are currently in the lead position for the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

The Chiefs in their 24-20 over Seattle last week continued their trend of not giving up a touchdown by a running back or wide receiver this season. Despite Alex Smith passing for 108 yards, running back Jamaal Charles carried the ball 20 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Kansas City is fourth in the league in rushing yards and leads in rushing touchdowns.

Bengals at Texans/Jaguars at Colts

Indianapolis is 6-4. Houston is 5-5.

And the race for the AFC South is probably the least talked about in the NFL right now.

Houston should exceed my prediction of 6 wins given that they play the Titans and Jaguars twice in their final six games. Linebacker J.J. Watt should be in the discussion for league MVP given that his play is why the Texans are in the middle of the playoff chase.

Another player who should be looked at for NFL MVP is Colts quarterback Andrew Luck who still leads the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

The Colts have followed their 5 game winning streak by dropping two of their last three. Their next two games are the Jaguars this Sunday and then Washington followed by at a surprisingly decent Browns squad and their home finale against the Texans and close out the season on the road at Dallas and at Titans.

Lions at Patriots

Since their 41-14 humiliation on Monday Night Football in Week 4, New England has won 6 straight. The Patriots own the second half of the season according to the nerds at FiveThirtyEight.

Dolphins at Broncos

For a team that is 7-3 and leading their division, you would think that this team would be in good position.

Then again I am talking about the Denver Broncos.

Denver lost to the Rams in St. Louis last Sunday and the press is sounding the alarm.

The Rams gave it their best shot. Remember, they did beat Seattle and San Francisco.

If the Broncos are to rebound, it will start with this game against a Dolphins team that is eying their first playoff appearance in six years. From there Denver's schedule does not look any easier. At Kansas City, hosting the Bills, at Chargers and at Bengals before closing out the season at home against the hapless Raiders.

Rams at Chargers/Cardinals at Seahawks

All these teams have one thing in common: desperation.

The Rams are pretty much playing for the playoff lives. Making the playoffs out of the NFC West is a daunting task.

The Cardinals lost Carson Palmer for the season due to a knee injury and are relying on Drew Stanton to take them to the playoffs. Their defense is playoff caliber, but without Palmer I don't think it will be enough to play in the Super Bowl.

The Seahawks could miss the playoffs. 5 of Seattle's final 6 games are against divisional opponents: Arizona and San Francisco twice and the Rams on the final Sunday of the season.

The Chargers are 6-4 with 5 of their final 6 against teams .500 or better. The Rams are below .500, but as shown in their wins against the Broncos and Seahawks record sometimes does not matter.

Cowboys at Giants

Last week the Cowboys were off while the entire NFC East lost. Washington imploded against the Buccaneers. The Eagles were blown out at Lambeau. Eli Manning turned in a 5 interception performance against the 49ers.

Dallas has been in the middle of the playoff hunt for some time now and these final 6 games could tell if this is a special season or yet again another 8-8 dumpster fire.

Ravens at Saints

The last time the Ravens were in the Superdome it was when they won Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013.

Despite being 4-6, the Saints could still make the playoffs as the NFC South champion.

And now the picks.

Kickoff times are mountain time, games airing in Denver are noted by (DEN), and picks are in BOLD.

NFL Television Schedule Map

	Me	Monica	Luke
WEEK 11	9-5	8-6	5-9
TOTAL	108-52-1	101-59-1	99-61-1

BYE WEEK

Panthers, Steelers

THURSDAY NIGHT, NFL 6:15 PM

Chiefs at Raiders

CBS 11AM

Bengals at Texans (DEN)

Browns at Falcons

Jaguars at Colts

Titans at Eagles

FOX 11AM

Lions at Patriots (DEN)

Buccaneers at Bears

Packers at Vikings

CBS 2PM

Dolphins at Broncos (DEN)

Washington at 49ers

FOX 2PM

Cardinals at Seahawks

Rams at Chargers

SUNDAY NIGHT, NBC 6:15 PM

Cowboys at Giants

MONDAY NIGHT

Jets vs. Bills, at Detroit, airs on CBS at 5 PM (MT) in teams' markets
Ravens at Saints, ESPN 6:15 PM (MT)