NFL Week 14 - Sunday Preview Part 2

San Diego Chargers (5-7) @ Carolina Panthers (8-4) - Bank Of America Stadium

It's a battle between two of the most disappointing team of the NFL in 2016 when the Chargers head to Carolina to take on the Panthers. The Chargers are now near on assured of a second straight season at the bottom of the highly geared AFC West, with numerous close losses dooming their season. The Panthers are dealing with a number of issues after an embarrassing 40-7 blow out loss at Seattle effectively ended their season. Rumours of a rift between Head Coach Ron Rivera and Cam Newton were brought back to the surface when Rivera benched Newton for the first series of the game due to a dress code violation. 

Verdict  Chargers 33 Panthers 23

I don't like the noises coming out of Carolina right now. Motivation does not appear to be high at Carolina and that could really drop off over the final month. Chargers have been trading losses with wins and I expect that streak to continue here. 

Minnesota Vikings (6-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) - EverBank Field

The Vikings are in free fall as they head to Jacksonville to take on what has been a terribly performed Jaguars team. The Vikings started the season with 5 straight wins behind an elite defence and some efficient play by new quarterback Sam Bradford. In their 6 losses the Vikings have averaged just 14 points a game, with their running game non-existent and Bradford's season coming apart somewhat. The Jaguars have been flat out terrible this season, after being tipped as a big improver by many pundits in the off-season. The Jaguars have lost seven straight games which is the most since they opened the 2013 season 0-8. 

Verdict - Viking 23 Jaguars 10

This will be an ugly game, but I am going for the Vikings to eek out a win. How could you tip the Jaguars. 

New York Jets (3-9) @ San Fransisco 49ers (1-11) - Levi Stadium

It's a match up between two of the NFL's worst teams when the Jets visit the 49ers on Sunday. The Jets were truly embarrassing in their home 41-10 blow out loss to the Colts on Monday Night Football. Worryingly, Todd Bowles said his team lacked effort as the Jets appeared to quit on their besieged Head Coach. The 49ers played a particularly ugly game in going down 26-6 in snowy Chicago, as they slumped to their eleventh straight loss. Despite starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick being benched during the 4th quarter of the game, he remains the starter as the 49ers seek their second win of the season. 

Verdict - 49ers 22 Jets 14

This game is a real stinker. I can't believe this but I am tipping the 49ers. Jets were so bad last week it's convinced me the 49ers can win this game at home. 

Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1) @ Green Bay Packers (6-6) - Lambeau Field

It's a massive game for the Packers as they welcome in Seattle to Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Packers remain two games behind the Lions, who sit atop the NFC North, however just one game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC Wild Card race as the season enters its final four weeks. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has rediscovered his form of late, throwing for 17 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions in his last 6 games as the Packers make a late playoff push. The Seahawks seem to have total control of their Division, however they will be looking to sew up the Number 2 seed in the NFC behind the all conquering Dallas Cowboys. The Seahawks played their most dominant game of the year last week with a 40-7 victory over the Panthers at home. 

Verdict - Seahawks 28 Packers 23

Not really buying the Green Bay hype. I think they get brought back to to earth here by a Seahawks' team that means business at this time of year. Expect Rodgers to play well and keep it close, but I still like Seattle. 

Atlanta Falcons (7-5) @ Los Angeles Rams (4-8) - Los Angeles Coliseum

The Falcons will be looking to steady the ship as they head to Los Angeles to take on the reeling Rams on Sunday. After starting the season 5-2, the Falcons have dropped some close games including last week's bitterly disappointing 29-28 loss to the Chiefs. Quarterback Matt Ryan has had a stellar season, however threw a pick 6 and a pick 2 as the Chiefs stole victory, to leave Atlanta tied at the top of the NFC South with Tampa Bay. The Rams are in familiar free fall after back-to-back shocking performances in blow out losses to the Saints and Patriots. Despite another doomed season, Head Coach Jeff Fisher was bizarrely rewarded with another contract extension. 

Verdict - Falcons 31 Rams 13

The Rams look to have thrown in the towel for the year. Falcons by as many as they want. 

New Orleans Saints (5-7) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) - Raymond James Stadium

The Bucs are shooting for five straight wins when they welcome in Division rivals the Saints on Sunday. The Bucs unlikely 4-game winning streak has been built on some bruising defence, with the Bucs holding their opponents to just 13 points per game in the last month. The Saints missed an opportunity to get within a game of the Falcons and Bucs with a bitterly disappointing 28-13 home loss to the Lions. With 3 of their final 4 regular season games on the road, the Saints have a huge mountain to claim a last gasp playoff berth. 

Verdict - Buc 28 Saints 21

The Bucs are riding a wave at the moment and I think at home they can get it going here. The Saints have been mainly awful on the road, and I think their season will be put to bed here. 

Dallas Cowboys (11-1) @ New York Giants (8-4) - MetLife Stadium

It's a massive clash between bitter NFC East rivals as the Cowboys head to New York to take on the Giants. The Giants were the only team to beat the Cowboys with a 21-20 win in Dallas way back in Week 1 of the season. The Giants 6-game winning streak was brought to a shuddering holt last week as they were thumped 21-7 at the Steelers. The Giants still have a one game lead in the Wild Card race, but face a tough schedule over the final month. The Cowboys are currently the best ranked team in the NFL after another bruising 17-15 road win over the Vikings in their last start. Dallas can officially lock up the NFC East title with another victory on Sunday. 

Verdict - Giants 24 Cowboys 21

The Cowboys have to lose eventually you would think. This is a massive game for New York and I am plumping  for Eli Manning to have a big game and get the signature win they need to make the big teams step up and take some notice of the Giants.