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
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
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