PIGSKIN 2017: Week Fourteen

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Fourteen

RESULTS

Week One 

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

Week Eight

Week Nine

Week Ten

Week Eleven

Thanksgiving Day
Week Twelve
Week Thirteen

Scoreboard:

Week Thirteen Record:  5-9

Overall Record:  72-90-4

Schmear of the Week:  8-5
Bagels in the Basket:  -13

• AFC - The battle for the AFC South is still neck and neck between the Titans and Jaguars.  Expect one or the other to secure the first Wild Card spot.  Baltimore (7-5) would presently qualify as the second Wild Card.  There's four teams following the Ravens with 6-6 records.  Then come the Jets, Dolphins, and Bengals, with 5-7 records.  The Patriots and Steelers, meanwhile, continue cruising along in the AFC East and North with respective 10-2 records.

• NFC - Keep an eye on the Eagles/Rams game.  I said the Seahawks and Rams would expose Philly.  It's now LAR's turn.  Otherwise, the Eagles own a comfortable four game lead in the NFC East.  The Seahawks keep pushing the Rams in the NFC West, leaving first place LAR with little room for error. The Saints are barely clinging to first place in the NFC South after losing Thursday to the Falcons, and dropping two of their last three.  Panthers can force a tie with the Saints with a victory over the Vikings.  The Vikings in turn continue leading the NFC North with little resistance from the Lions and Packers.  The two Wild Cards will likely emerge from the South or West.

• Gronk got off light for his actions last week against the Bills.  And the optic of Tom Brady screaming at his OC was clearly negative.  They clearly belong in the greater double-standards debate.
• Roger Goodell wins; Jerry Jones loses.

WEEK FOURTEEN
Friday Line ~ NYDN

Cowboys -3 1/2 (GIANTS)

Eli is back in the saddle again, but I'm not so sure that changes much.  The offensive line is still what it is.  The Giants defense played well last week against the underachieving Raiders, but don't count on them having much left in the tank.  Dak Prescott is learning to keep his cool in the absence of Ezekiel Elliott.  Cowboys secondary will need to be completely inept in order for GMen to pull this out.
WIN  30-10 Coyboys

Jets -1 (BRONCOS)

The Jets are only 5-7 but feeling really good about themselves.  They play hard for Todd Bowles and have indeed exceeded expectations this season.  I like Leonard Williams' chances of getting hold of Trevor Siemian.  After a few days of self-reflection, perhaps Muhammad Wilkerson opts to get naysayers off his back with a redeeming effort.
Loss  23-0 Broncos  

Lions PK (BUCS)

The Bucs had lofty expectations this season.  How did that work out?  They are 4-8 against the spread.  Straight up, I think the Lions are better.  Stafford has a hand injury, though.  You've been warned.
WIN  24-21 Lions

BENGALS -6 (Bears)

Not comfortable laying six here, but I have zero confidence in the Bears.  This is my stay away game of the week because Bengals have a history under Marvin Lewis for losing huge games at home.
Loss  33-7 Bears

BILLS -7 (Colts)* Saturday Line

This game was Pick Em on Friday.  Weather conditions in Buffalo will put the indoor Colts at a disadvantage.
Loss  13-7 Bills

Seahawks +3 (JAGUARS)

Jags are really good at stopping the run.  Only problem is Seattle has no intention of rushing much.  Experience and Russell Wilson get the Seahawks over.  I like what Russell did last week against the Eagles.
Loss  30-24 Jaguars

CHIEFS -4 (Raiders)

Look who all of a sudden is in a three way tie for first place!  The Chiefs have lost four straight against somewhat crappy teams.  I'm thinking Andy Reid is too good a coach too allow this streak to hit five.  They really are better than they've shown.  Raiders were woefully unimpressive against a moribund Giants team.  Obviously no surprise if the Raiders win, though.
WIN  26-15 Chiefs

Vikings -3 (PANTHERS)

Okay, I've tried putting the whammy on Minnesota twice this season and got burned each time.  I get it.  In the meantime, Carolina is obviously good, however, Cam Newton's bipolar season continues...
Loss  31-24 Panthers

Packers -3 (BROWNS)

At 6-6, the Packers still have a lot to play for.  They'd love to win and potentially get Aaron Rogers back next week.
WIN  27-21 Packers  o.t.

TEXANS -3 (49ers)

Pretty standard ... home team laying three points.  But Houston is actually 7-5 vs spread.  I'll take that as Niners still need more than Jimmy Garoppolo.
Loss  26-16 Niners

CHARGERS -6 (D.C. Hogs)

After starting the season 0-4, the Bolts have gone 6-2 since, and are winners of three in a row.  They know the AFC West is now up for grabs especially considering the Chiefs/Raiders game.  So I'm sure the LAC wanna maximize this game against the Hogs, who were a complete a mess last week against the Cowboys.
WIN  30-13 Chargers

Titans -3 (CARDINALS)

I've consistently treated the Titans points differential as a red flag.  Yet here they are still tied for first place.  Therefore, I'm going with the team with something to play for over the team with more problems than a math book.  If this game were in Tennessee, the Titans would be favored by at least six.
Loss  12-7 Cardinals

RAMS -2 1/2 (Eagles)

I said last week the Seahawks and Rams would prove to be Philly's truest test of the regular season.  Eagles failed last week, and they'll fall again this week.
Loss  43-35 Eagles

Ravens +5 1/2 (Steelers)

The Steelers should be be favored by -4 at best.  Counting on Baltimore keeping this close in what should be a second straight bar brawl for the Steelers.
WIN  39-38 Steelers

Schmear of the Week:
Jets -1
LOSS


Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday, everybody!

Post Game:
Week Fourteen Record:  6-8
Overall Record:  78-98-4
Schmear of the Week:  8-6
Bagels in the Basket:  -18