2019 Week 14 Predix

Written by Sam DeCoste

December football is in full swing, and this week has some must watch heavyweight battles in the NFL. It begins on Thursday night when the Dallas Cowboys battle the Chicago Bears in a must win game for both teams. On Sunday, the 49ers battle the Saints in the Big Easy, the Ravens take on the Bills in a heavyweight AFC clash, and the Chiefs will look for vengeance against the Patriots in New England in a rematch of last season's AFC Championship.

Last week produced an abundance of upsets, which led to an excess of losses in my record. I finished last week at 7-9, which makes the final four weeks even more important if I am going to avoid my least accurate Predix season yet. It begins this week, with a competitive slate of games. So without any further delay, let's get right into it!

Here are my records over this season:
My record last week: 7-9
Regular season record: 117-74-1
Lock of the Week record: 9-4

DAL @ CHI

The Cowboys need to win now, and as long as their number one ranked offense can move the ball in Chicago, they will produce enough offense to outlast Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears.

Prediction: DAL 20, CHI 14

SF @ NO

New Orleans is the hardest place to win in the league, and the 49ers defense will be overwhelmed on the road this week. The Saints have been a machine in December the past two plus seasons, and it begins this week with a blockbuster head to head clash. The Saints will prevail, and continue the 49ers spiraling second half of 2019.

Prediction: SF 23, NO 33

BAL @ BUF

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, two supposed raw projects coming out of the 2018 draft class, have emerged to be the two best signal callers from the class, and lead each other's teams into a heavyweight showdown in Buffalo this week. Coming off a dominant Thanksgiving victory, the Bills will be confident that they can continue their winning run. But Baltimore has the dynamic running game to exploit the 14th ranked Bills rushing defense. The Ravens running game is too powerful, and the Bills will not have an answer.

Prediction: BAL 26, BUF 19

IND @ TB

The Colts season is quickly spiraling out of playoff contention, and this week will be no cupcake. The Bucs have two of the top three leading receivers in the league this year in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and the explosiveness of the Bucs offense will be too overwhelming for the Colts defense to handle. Tampa Bay will come up with another upset win, and earn their third straight victory. 

Prediction: IND 17, TB 27

LAC @ JAX

The Jags are making a good choice in rolling with Gardner Minshew under center for the rest of the season. Minshew gave a spark to the team when he entered the game late in the second half, and has the chance to lead the Jags to another win. But as long as Philip Rivers does not turn the ball over, the Chargers talent will shine through in Duval. 

Prediction: LAC 20, JAX 17

DET @ MIN

It was a heartbreaker in Seattle last week, but the Vikings still have a chance to win the NFC North. It begins with a home game against the Lions, led by David Blough making his second career start. Kirk Cousins has been playing at a high level all year long, and he will keep his hot streak going against the Lions.

Prediction: DET 16, MIN 24

CAR @ ATL

The Falcons two onside kicks on Thanksgiving saved them the embarrassment of another defeat. But they should handle the Panthers at home after throttling them 29-3 just three weeks ago. The health of Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones will be key, because the offense is average without them.

Prediction: CAR 10, ATL 20

DEN @ HOU

The Texans are coming off an all time emotional high after prevailing over the Patriots. But they need to be careful of an emotional letdown against the Broncos who are starting a rookie quarterback, Drew Lock. But Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are playing at such a high level that there is one clear favorite this week.

Prediction: DEN 13, HOU 29

MIA @ NYJ

The Dolphins defense this season is as productive as a squad of 11 actual dolphins, and Sam Darnold is capable of carving them up this week. Darnold is 0-3 in his career against the Dolphins, but this week is the best opportunity for him to lead the Jets to a win. Not to mention it would be the most Jets thing ever to beat a divisional opponent the week after losing to an 0-11 team.

This is my Lock of the Week.

Prediction: MIA 14, NYJ 23

WSH @ GB

Aaron Rodgers bounced back with a prolific performance in the air against the Giants, and he should continue that into this week against the Redskins at Lambeau. The Redskins are playing like a Pop Warner team this season, and the win last week over a Panthers team in shambles does not change anything. The Packers should obliterate the Redskins.

Prediction: WSH 6, GB 23

CIN @ CLE

The Browns need to keep playing until they are officially eliminated, and this week will just delay the inevitable. Baker Mayfield will connect with Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, Jr. against the league's most inefficient defense, which ranks bottom in total yards allowed this season, and they will handle the Bengals at home.

Prediction: CIN 14, CLE 20

KC @ NE

Last year, the Patriots outscored the Chiefs 80-71 in two high octane offensive contests. This time around, the Patriots have an abominable defense which has the capability and the track record of shutting down offensive powerhouses like the Chiefs. If Stephon Gilmore can cope with the speed of Tyreek Hill, and Brady can make lemonade out of the squashed lemons he has in the receiving corps, the Patriots will prevail once again.

Prediction: KC 20, NE 24

TEN @ OAK

The Tennessee Titans are on a roll and are on pace to make it back to the playoffs for the second time in three years, due to the career resurgence of Ryan Tannehill and the beast mode run Derrick Henry is going on for the past month. After earning a gritty divisional win on the road in Indy, the Titans can take a huge step forward this week with a win against another team in the thick of the playoff hunt. The Raiders were exposed after being throttled by the Jets 34-3, and their stumbles will continue against the scorching hot Titans.

Prediction: TEN 27, OAK 20

PIT @ ARZ

Devlin Hodges, Benny Smell, and James Washington was the offensive trio leading the way for the Steelers last week against the Browns. What a fall from grace after having the Killer Bees for half a decade. Against the Cards this week, the Steelers will not have enough offensive firepower to get the win. Kyler Murray will have a bounce back game after being stifled by Seattle, and lead the Cards to an upset win.

Prediction: PIT 13, ARZ 21

SEA @ LAR

The Rams were a field goal away from beating the Seahawks in the first meeting back in Week 5. But since then, the Rams season has crumbled, and Sean McVay may have been found out. Back in LA this week, the Rams are desperate for a win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, but the same defense which was scorched by Lamar Jackson will not have an answer for Russell Wilson. The Hawks will sweep the Rams for the first time since 2013.

Prediction: SEA 28, LAR 24

NYG @ PHI

Eli Manning's return will not be a memorable one. Philadelphia is historically a formidable venue for Manning to win in, and the Eagles will be desperate to come out guns blazing against a weak divisional foe. The Eagles offense scored 31 points in the loss in Miami last week, and the Giants defense is equally as leaky. The Eagles will sweep the Giants and keep pace with the Cowboys in the NFC East.

Prediction: NYG 17, PHI 23