NFL WEEK FOURTEEN



Wondering wot happened to Week 13 predictions? Well they were there all along, subliminally of course whilst the crew were away in America. Now, back to the familiar time zones and the lush green landscapes as opposed to the soot and brown and grey of Manhattan, Sports Amnesia boldly enthuses that this week, what used to be the final week of the season back in the old days when the Dolphins were winning 14 games in a row to finish the season unbeathen, is the week we will see what the men are made of. We will also see who will emerge out of the pile on that is the AFC wildcard race and find out which of the limping NFC teams still have a prayer. With most of the division titles already decided, this is THE WEEK OF THE WILDCARDS.

THIRSTY NIGHT GAME

PITTSBURGH (-9) vs. Cleveland - Since 1950, the Steelers (5-7) have never had a chance until now to catch the Browns (4-8) in the all-time series. The Browns lead 55-54, mostly on the strength of winning the first eight games and 12 of the first 13. The Steelers, winners of the last six, have taken control by beating the Browns 20 times in 25 games since coach Bill Cowher took over in 1992. Pick: Cleveland.


Atlanta (-3) vs. TAMPA BAY - All of Tampa Bay's wins this season have come at Raymond James Stadium, and the Bucs are 4-1 at home against the Falcons since 1999. Pick: Tampa Bay.

KANSAS CITY (-2½) vs. Baltimore (37) - Kansas City has won each of its three meetings against the Ravens, all in Baltimore. The Chiefs have won 18 straight home games in December. Pick: KC

N.Y. JETS (-3½) vs. Buffalo - Princess, the pigskin prognosticating camel of Popcorn Park Zoo, will make her prediction on the Dec. 10 New York Jets-Buffalo Bills game Monday at the zoo. She will do so by eating a graham cracker off one of the team-labeled hands of Kevin Williams, longtime sports director at WOBM-FM (92.7). Well, that's enough zaniness to last a lifetime. How they made a season of it is beyond me. Pick: Jets.

Indianapolis (-2) vs. JACKSONVILLE - "We're into the last quarter of the season, and I think this will be the part of the season that defines us," coach Tony Dungy said Monday. "We've lost our margin for error, and I think we'll respond.". The Colts record in meaningful games isn't too bright but this time, I think they'll respond. Pick: Colts.


DETROIT (-2½) vs. Minnesota - A turnover extravaganza. The Vikings have won nine straight over the Lions, with Detroit last scoring a victory over their longtime division rival on Dec. 16th, 2001. The NFC North didn't exist the last time the Lions beat the Vikings, Ford Field had yet to open its doors, and Joey Harrington was preparing for a bowl game as a member of the Oregon Ducks. Isn't it time yet? Nope. Pick: Vikings.

New England (-3½) vs. MIAMI - Just think about how excited Dolphins fans must have been at the start of the season holding tickets to this game thinking it might decide the AFC East. Now the market value on a team destined to play out the string after their disappointing loss last week derailed their winning streak is down to well, selling those tickets to Patriots fans. Pick: New England.

DALLAS (-6½) vs. New Orleans - You know this is important because the NFL has moved it to Sunday Night Flex. New Orleans has won the last four meetings between these teams, including a 27-13 victory at Dallas on Dec. 12, 2004, in the last matchup. The Saints had lost their previous nine games at Texas Stadium before the win. Two big offences facing each other and only one big defence. Pick: Cowboys.

CAROLINA (-3½) vs. N.Y. Giants - "I would probably say this is a one-and-done situation,'' Keyshawn Johnson said earlier this week of this importance of this game between two teams desperately trying to hold on to hope. "You win one, you move forward. If you lose, you've probably just about put yourself in the back seat of the car and you can go on and drive off the bridge.'' So whose going to pull the Teddy Kennedy? Pick: Giants.

CINCINNATI (-10½) vs. Oakland - After that humiliating second half against the Chargers a few weeks ago the Bengals defence has been in renaissance mode, looking palatable for the playoffs. The Raiders complicated offensive scheme of continuing to try and figure out how to score negative points in a game will provide an easy foil. Pick: Cincinnati.

WASHINGTON (-1½) vs. Philadelphia - The Iggles bashed these Skins at home a few weeks ago back in the days of glory before McNabb took a McKnee on his career. The Redskins simple facts are they need to run and run and run, Joe Gibbs-style to have a prayer. It IS a weak Eagles run defence after all. Pick: Washington.

HOUSTON (-2) vs. Tennessee - AH yes, is this Vince Young's homecoming? Is this Young's chance to spit on the Texans for failing to take him in the draft and let him stay home? Oh yeah, the Texans have not won two in a row since 2004. Pick: Tennessee.

SAN FRANCISCO (-4½) vs. Green Bay - Brett Favre is 10-1 in his career against the 49ers, and has beaten San Francisco five straight times since suffering his only loss to them in a 1998 playoff game best remembered for Terrell Owens' touchdown catch in the closing seconds. But the 49ers are 4-2 at home this season and Favre is not the Favre of old. Pick: 49ers.

Seattle (-3½) vs. ARIZONA: Oh c'mon. Is anyone seriously fooled by the suddenly resurgent Cardinals? Has Matt Leinart learned the ropes in a matter of weeks? The Seattle Seahawks have a chance to become the first NFC Champions to make it back to the playoffs the following season in six years when they face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The last five NFC champions were unable to make it back to the playoffs the following year, but Seattle can end that sequence by clinching their third straight West Division title with a victory over Arizona and a San Francisco loss to Green Bay. Pick: Seattle.

SAN DIEGO (-6) vs. Denver - Well, the wunderkind was a little underwhelming last week proving yet again that the NFL exhibition games are a little more intense than the regular season. Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky has said the Broncos linemen are "wussies" and offered that the Broncos have had success running the ball only because the linemen hold so often. Oh yeah, and the Broncos haven't been swept by the Chargers in the season series since 1982. Pick: Denver.


MNF

Chicago (-6½) vs. ST. LOUIS - Oh my, another chance to hear Al Michaels and John Madden attempt to bore away the long hours of another ho-hum matchup with witless observations that have nothing to do with the game at hand. The Bears have lost four straight against the Rams, the last two with Lovie Smith on the other side in '02 and '03. Let's face it though, this is just Week 14 of the Griese Watch. Rex Grossman, see what happens when you don't get injured? Bad things. Pick: Rams.


Last week 8-8
Season to date: 91-96-4