Gridiron Blitz: Week 14 NFL Preview

Time for this week’s NFL predictions

Music to listen to: Broken English (cover) by The Mars Volta

Here are the picks (home team in CAPS)

JACKSONVILLE (-4) Oakland: Seeing the Jags dismantle the Titans last Sunday so easily made me sad in a way because it looks like the Jeff Fisher-era in Tennessee. The team has obviously quit on him and its time for all parties to move on. Vince Young needs to go as well.

PITTSBURGH (-8.5) Cincinnati: Speaking of teams that have quit on their coach, the Bengals haven’t been inspiring themselves. I think the one elite team in the NFL that no one is talking about is Pittsburgh. We’ve heard about New England, the Jets, Baltimore, Atlanta, Green Bay, etc. but not the Steelers. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Steelers make a run.

CHICAGO (+3) New England: I think the Bears get the upset because they’re defense will be able to keep the game close and use a running attack led by Matt Forte to keep the ball away from Tom Brady, who is playing at his highest level ever in his career. Also, I’m not ready to re-instate the March to Canton for Jay Cutler but he has improved his play as well, mainly limiting his turnovers.

BUFFALO (-1) Cleveland: You have to think that the Bills can get it together at home and beat the Browns…you would think

Minnesota (+3) NY Giants: I’m done writing about Brett Farve and don’t understand why he’s still starting but whatever. What I will talk about is Leslie Frazier finally getting his shot at the top and realizing that when you have Adrian Peterson, it’s a good idea to base your offense around him.

Green Bay (-6.5) DETROIT: Hang in there, Calvin Johnson. The Lions are heading in the right direction.

Atlanta (-7) CAROLINA: The question you have to ask yourself if you’re Carolina is if Jimmy Clausen is the answer at quarterback or do you draft Andrew Luck in this year’s upcoming draft. I say the latter.

Another thing. I’m getting tired of Falcons’ fans complaining about the national sports media not acknowledging the team as the best in the NFL, particularly in power rankings.

The only power ranking that matters is playoff seeding and ultimately winning the Super Bowl. I know the Falcons have had some rough times in its history as recently as three years ago with the Michael Vick situation and they want to enjoy the good times but let the animosity go and enjoy having the top record in the NFC.

Washington (+2) Tampa: I would have taken Tampa but the Bucs just lost their center and starting cornerback for the year. However, you can argue that the Redskins are a complete mess right now in light of the Albert Haynesworth fiasco. I’m going to take the home team.

NEW ORLEANS (-9) St. Louis: The Rams have been a nice story this year but they aren’t ready for this contest with the Saints rounding into playoff form.

SAN FRANCISCO (-5) Seattle: Any NFC West battle can go either way so I’ll take the home team.

NY JETS (-5.5) Miami: I think the home cooking will help the Jets lick their wounds after getting beaten down at New England.

Arizona (+4) DENVER: Josh McDaniels had to go. You don’t get rid of two Pro Bowl players (Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall) before you coach your first game, let another one go (Peyton Hillis) for practically nothing and than draft a project at quarterback (Tim Tebow) in the first round who won’t make a major contribution to your team for a few years and even that estimation is optimistic.

SAN DIEGO (-7) Kansas City: I would have seriously considered taking the Chiefs in this contest before Matt Cassel decided to get major surgery days before the game.

DALLAS (+3.5) Philadelphia: The Eagles are catching the Cowboys at the wrong time.

Baltimore (-3) HOUSTON: Here are my rankings of best available head coaching positions that will be open this offseason.

1- Dallas

2- Houston

3- Minnesota

4- San Diego

5- Denver

6- San Francisco

7- Cincinnati

8- Carolina

I was surprised when the Texans came in second but when you have top talent at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive line and linebacker, plus you’re in a state without an income tax, rebuilding can happen quicker than you think.

Those are my thoughts, what are yours?

Last Week: 10-5-0

Season: 105-81-3