"The Stack" 12-9-16
Tyreek Hill scored two touchdowns (one receiving and one punt return) as the Chiefs beat the Raiders 21-13 to sweep the season series over Oakland and move into first place in the AFC West.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a Football Friday and The Stack is here with a week 14 NFL preview I hope you demand. We are off to a 1-0 stat for the week thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs and their 21-13 win over the Oakland Raiders. Tyreek Hill had two touchdowns, one receiving and one punt return. He is fun to watch. What an explosive player. Who else will have an explosive week in the NFL? Find out now as we predict what will happen this week in “the stack” for today, Friday, December 9th:
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills 1 PM ET CBS
The Bills season is quickly unravelling while the Steelers are hanging around in the AFC North. They have more offensive fire power and their defense is starting to play pretty good too. They get the win over the Bills in a fairly close game.
Prediction: Steelers 27 Bills 17
San Diego Chargers @ Carolina Panthers 1 PM ET CBS
Philip Rivers return to the state where he played college ball. It might be a pretty nice homecoming if the Panthers fail to show up. They mailed it in last week against the Seahawks, but at home, Cam Newton and company find a way to show they still have pride left in the season. Head coach Ron Rivera is worried about his team’s mental state. It will be better with a win.
Prediction: Panthers 24 Chargers 20
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns 1 PM ET CBS
The Browns have had two weeks to prepare for this rematch against their in-state rivals. The Bengals are a little undermanned and maybe wide receiver A.J. Green will play in this one. Will R.G. III be quarterbacking the Browns? Don’t know for sure. We’ll soon find out.
Prediction: Bengals 19 Browns 13
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions 1 PM ET CBS
This is a game the Lions shouldn’t lose. This feels like a game they could if they are feeling high and mighty about themselves. After last week’s complete game I expect them to fall back a little bit, but they are the much better team in this matchup and they will pull away from the Bears late.
Prediction: Lions 34 Bears 20
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts 1 PM ET CBS
Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler says he and the Texans are ready for this big game. HAHAHAHAHA!! He is terrible on the road. The Colts looked great last week and they have a chance to take first place in the AFC South with a win over the Texans. They should have beat this team the first time these two teams met earlier this year. Andrew Luck and company take control of the division with a win.
Prediction: Colts 30 Texans 17
Minnesota Vikings @ Jacksonville Jaguars 1 PM ET FOX
If the Vikings can’t beat the two-win Jaguars, they don’t deserve to be in the playoff discussion. That defense has to be licking its chops against Blake Bortles and the Jaguars offense even if Harrison Smith isn’t playing. The offense will do enough and the Vikings keep their playoff hopes alive.
Prediction: Vikings 23 Jaguars 13
Arizona Cardinals @ Miami Dolphins 1 PM ET FOX
The Cardinals have not proven that they can go on the road and win these early kickoff games so why would I pick them to beat the Dolphins even though they were impressive in their win last week against Washington while the Dolphins laid a dud against the Ravens? Miami wins, but maybe that isn’t a smart pick.
Prediction: Dolphins 27 Cardinals 20
Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles 1 PM ET FOX
The Eagles are tough to play at home, but Washington needs a win big time to keep their place in the NFC playoff discussion. They have more offensive firepower than the Eagles do and if Jordan Reed can play through the pain, it makes them that much more difficult. Washington wins.
Prediction: Washington 27 Eagles 16
Denver Broncos @ Tennessee Titans 1 PM ET CBS
The Broncos have a good defense, but their offense is suspect. The Titans love to ground and pound. Play smash mouth football. We are in for a low-scoring affair in Nashville, but I think the Titans can pull off the upset over the Broncos.
Prediction: Titans 16 Broncos 10
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers 4:05 PM ET CBS
This is perhaps the biggest dud of a game this season. I thought for sure I would be picking the Jets, but after that performance Monday night, how can I? Bryce Petty is starting I think and despite the putrid performance last week, Colin Kaepernick is going to start for the 49ers. They can find a way to beat the Jets.
Prediction: 49ers 20 Jets 17
Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers 4:25 PM ET FOX
I should never doubt Russell Wilson and the Seahawks winning games against teams like the Patriots or Packers, but losing Earl Thomas for the season could be a crushing blow. It hurts especially when you are facing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. That injury is the difference in this one.
Prediction: Packers 27 Seahawks 23
Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Rams 4:25 PM ET FOX
The Falcons had a devastating loss last week against the Chiefs. It is going to be tough to come back from that and Julio Jones may not play, but the Rams are a team in complete dysfunction (between coach and front office that is) and their losing streak will continue.
Prediction: Falcons 27 Rams 13
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4:25 PM ET FOX
The Saints lost a golden opportunity to be real players in the NFC playoff chase last weekend against the Lions. The Bucs are playing really good football right now on both sides of the ball. Jameis Winston is playing terrific and showing tremendous leadership. The defense is playing pretty good too. They keep winning.
Prediction: Buccaneers 31 Saints 24
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants 8:30 PM ET NBC
The Cowboys lost to the Giants week one. They haven’t lost since. Eli Manning and the Giants need to win this week after losing last week at Pittsburgh and looking bad for the most part. They have the Cowboys’ number. No Jason Pierre-Paul. That will hurt, but they’ll find a way to slow down Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott and win another game for the G-Men.
Prediction: Giants 24 Cowboys 20
Coming up Monday: Week 14 NFL reaction plus MNF preview
Listen to this week's "The Sports Block" podcast here.
