My friend Chad and I were discussing the Fantasy Football potential of some of the wideouts he had the option of starting in Week 14. So, as a sort of introduction, I thought I’d play around with a new feature and see if I could get any of my readers to respond to a poll. Just choose the WR you think will do the best this week, then, if you wish, you can also comment below or tweet to me @GFHowie. Hope to hear from you, and enjoy Week 14.

Colts at Bengals

What’s cooler than being cool? Ice Colt (Go ahead… roll your eyes). Sure, Indy’s been 3-2 since their bye, but their wins were squeakers against the Texans (they of the now 10-game losing streak) and the Titans (x2), and they were hammered by the Rams and Cardinals. The Bengals have been hot and cold, have had to deal with devastating injuries on defence, but appear to have turned a corner. That’s what good teams do. Winner: Bengals

Lions at Eagles

The Eagles are a team on the rise. They seem to have their offence figured out now that Nick Foles has settled in as starting QB. Do I even have to say anything else about the Lions at this point? Winner: Eagles

Raiders at Jets

To say that the Jets have struggled on offence lately would be putting it mildly. Still, the Raiders aren’t what I’d call good, so there’s no way I’m picking them on the road in “Joisy.” Now, if Terrelle Pryor were playing… Winner: Jets

Vikings at Ravens

The Ravens have decided that they’re not quite finished defending their title, and are inching closer to a Wild Card berth. I’m invoking “The Joe Rule” here; Baltimore wins at home. Winner: Ravens

Bills at Buccaneers

Before they ran into a buzzsaw in Carolina last week, the Bucs had been playing some pretty good football. The Bills haven’t been, having most recently blown one to the Falcons in their annual “Home Game in Hogtown.” Winner: Buccaneers

Browns at Patriots

So, the Browns could not overcome Brandon Weeden last week, so it’s back to the bench for him, as Jason Campbell steps behind centre again. No danger of the Pats losing focus here; with only four weeks to play, they are in prime position for a top 2 seed and its concomitant first round bye. Winner: Patriots

Chiefs at Washington

Tough stretch for the once 9-0 Chiefs, losers of three straight. They experienced some key losses on defence due to injury, and their weakened pass rush resulted in sound thrashings at the hands of Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning. A trip to Washington to face Sir Robert Griffin the Third, Duke of (in a) Funk (anyone get that reference?) should be just the thing to stop that pesky losing skid. Winner: Chiefs

Dolphins at Steelers

Let’s see what we have in this mish-mash:  two teams with faint (and fainter) playoff hopes; Dolphins team that’s competitive every week; Steelers team that has gotten better after a slow start; game in Pittsburgh. The deciding factor for me is an odd one: the “Everyone hates us because our coach cheated,” factor. Sometimes, issues like this cause major distractions, other times, they bind teams together. Mike Tomlin’s players like him, I think. Winner: Steelers

Falcons at Packers

Packers’ hopes are fading fast. Personally, I kind of hope they shut Aaron Rodgers down for the season now. Even with him, I don’t believe that Green Bay is good enough to go very far in the playoffs. If they can’t beat the Falcons, even without Rodgers, the Pack doesn’t deserve to be there anyway. Winner: Packers

Titans at Broncos

I still say this Broncos team can be had. The Colts and the Pats proved it. They’re a bit out of Tennesee’s league, though. Winner: Broncos

Rams at Cardinals

The Cards’ defence, and their starting QB’s un-CarsonPalmery play of late, makes Arizona a tough match for anyone right now. Winner: Cardinals

Giants at Chargers

Oh Tom Coughlin, you seductive bastard. You think you can win a few games, bat your eyes at me, and make me think your Giants can beat the Chargers on the road. What, is that cologne I smell? Forget it. I can’t be had that easily, even if I want to be. Winner: Chargers

Seahawks at 49ers

Seattle has been beating up on weaklings lately, and yes, that includes New Orleans and their overrated defence (coached by the overrated Rob Ryan). The 49ers defence is a serious step-up in opposition. That, plus the return of San Fran WR Michael Crabtree, be it as difference-maker or decoy, will swing this close contest. Winner: 49ers

Panthers at Saints

Big test for Carolina this week. I like the matchup. They have the tools and the talent. If they’re prepared and focused, they can beat the Saints easily. Winner: Panthers

Monday Night

Cowboys at Bears

I see no reason why Romo and Co. can’t light up this Bears’ defence. LB Sean Lee, arguably the Cowboys’ most important player, returns to the lineup. That’s the game in a nutshell, folks. Winner: Cowboys

I would be remiss if I started this week’s picks without mentioning that I was wrong about my Thursday pick of the Bengals over the Dolphins. Dolphins’ fans the world over rejoiced:

(Above: Wes Welker, plays a mean mandolin)

 

Years ago, some friends of mine and I often wondered why, when there have been so many signature celebrations in the NFL, no one has ever broken out “The Safety Dance” after recording a safety. In a league where players routinely leap into the stands, kiss their biceps, mime home run swings, and even dance like Pee Wee Herman, it’s high time for “The Safety Dance” to make an appearance. If any player does it, I will instantly become his number one fan.



Chargers at Washington

Washington’s offence has shown some signs of life in recent weeks, but even Denver’s defence was able to stiffen against RGIII and Co. in the 4th quarter last week. I doubt Washington can keep pace with the Chargers. Winner: Chargers

Falcons at Panthers

An interesting matchup of division rivals going in opposite directions; the Panthers are on a roll now that they have adopted a more aggressive attitude on offence to match their defence, while the Falcons are in the middle of a nightmare campaign, their high expectations lost in a morass of injuries. Winner: Panthers

Saints at Jets

Even if the Jets’ destruction last week at the hands of the Bengals was an aberration, they will still be hard-pressed to keep pace with this New Orleans offence. Winner: Saints

Chiefs at Bills

Buffalo’s defence is tough, but their offence will have a tough time against KC’s D, especially without Thad Lewis at QB. Winner: Chiefs

Titans at Rams

It seems to me that lately, when the AFC playoff picture has been discussed, the Titans have been overlooked. When I look at the way they’ve played, particularly when Jake Locker is behind centre, as well as at their remaining schedule, they look like, minimum, a 9-win team. I good thumping of the Rams this week might get people to take some notice. Winner: Titans

Vikings at Cowboys

OK, Cowboys. You’ve been down this road many times before. Time to shake off yet another heartbreak and get back to business. You have to make the playoffs so that you can crush your fans again. Winner: Cowboys

Eagles at Raiders

Philly’s offence has evaporated. Denizens of The Black Hole must be loving Terrelle Pryor by now. I know I am. Winner: Raiders

Buccaneers at Seahawks

Bad Bucs. Twelfth Man. How much? Winner: Seahawks

Steelers at Patriots

Two QBs with five rings between them, whose teams have seen better days. Pittsburgh will give them all they can handle, but New England should prevail, based on its superior running game. Winner: Patriots

Ravens at Browns

This looks like a tricky one to call, with the lacklustre Ravens playing on the road against a tough Cleveland defence. I just don’t think the Browns’ offence is good enough to pull this one out. Winner: Ravens

Colts at Texans

When last we saw the Colts, they were celebrating yet another decisive win against one of the league’s top teams (Denver), and heading into their bye with the enormous challenge of moving on without top receiver Reggie Wayne. I think they’ll be fine. They are well-coached, play excellent defence, and have the superb Andrew Luck behind centre. Houston? What the hell happened? Winner: Colts

Monday Night

Bears at Packers

Here are the facts: Aaron Rodgers, plus Eddie Lacy and the Packers’ vastly improved running game, against a Bears team with a defence that gives up a lot of points, and without Jay Cutler to answer back on the scoreboard. This could get ugly. Winner: Packers