THIS WEEK TWO years ago, the Oakland Raiders were pretty much the laughing stock of the entire NFL as they sat at 1-11, coming off the back of a 52-0 hammering at the hand of the then St. Louis Rams.
Over the previous 11 seasons the Silver and Black had not just failed to reach the playoffs but they had not even managed to finish a season with the same quarterback they started with in September.
But a 24–13 win over the San Francisco 49ers — a team that had reached three straight NFC Championship Games — gave a glimpse of what might be to come for the Raiders with rookies on both sides of the ball, Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, proving they could be the future of the franchise down the stretch.
This year, the Raiders come into their week 14 Thursday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs with a chance to cement their position as the number one seed in the AFC and take control of the AFC West.
It won’t be easy, the hosts handed the Raiders one of their two losses this season and have an ability to make game-changing plays on defence on any snap.
Verdict: The Raiders have a perfect record on the road this season but the Chiefs go into the game as three-point favourites. That seems about right. Kansas City by 3.
DeMarco Murray will be hoping to continue his fine form. Nam Y. Huh
Nam Y. Huh
Sunday’s early game sees a battle between two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt but the Broncos travel to Tennessee at least knowing that, if the division is beyond them, they still have a great shot at a wild card.
The hosts don’t have such a cushion and, having won just one of four divisonal games so far, will probably need to go 3-1 down the stretch to secure a place in the postseason.
The Broncos with Trevor Siemian at quarterback is a much different proposition than a Paxton Lynch-led side but, as usual with Denver, the key will be how well the defence plays.
Verdict: The Raiders have already provided the format for beating Denver (-1) on the ground and the Titans have one of the best run games in the NFL. Tennessee by 3.
Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1) @ Green Bay Packers (6-6) – 9.25pm, Sunday
Earl Thomas will be a big loss for Seattle. Matt Ludtke / AP/Press Association Images
Matt Ludtke / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Speaking of teams needing to run the slate to make the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers are unlikely to make the postseason if they put another loss on their books before January.
It won’t be easy as they face the Vikings and Lions in the last two weeks of the season — they should take care of the Bears next week — but it’s crucial they build on the back of two impressive wins do the business against Seattle this weekend.
The loss of Earl Thomas in the secondary for the Seahawks can’t be overstated as he was the glue that held that defence together. How they cope without him down the stretch will be fascinating.
Verdict: The Seahawks are 2.5 point favourites but in Lambeau, against a Packers team needing a win, I don’t see it. Green Bay by 5.
Dallas Cowboys (11-1) @ New York Giants (8-4), 1.30am, Monday
The Giants are the only team to beat the Cowboys this season. Michael Ainsworth
Michael Ainsworth
The NFL’s best team takes on the team with the most misleading record in the league in Sunday night’s prime time slot.
The Cowboys almost came a cropper last weekend against the Vikings but benefited from some poor officiating and even worse punting.
The Giants are not an 8-4 team, despite their record, and Eli Manning’s arm strength has reduced dramatically this season. He still has Odell Beckham Jr making amzing plays to bail him out, however.
Verdict: The Cowboys (-3) are absolutley due a slip up. But it won’t be in this game. Dallas by 7.
And the rest (picks against the spread in bold)
Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles (scratch)
Minnesota Vikings (-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2) @ Buffalo Bills
Arizona Cardinals @ Miami Dolphins (-1)
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions (-7.5) San Diego Chargers @ Carolina Panthers (-1)
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) Atlanta Falcons (-5.5) @ LA Rams Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots (-7)
A winner (nearly) takes all AFC West battle highlights week 14
Oakland Raiders (10-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) – 1.30am, Friday
THIS WEEK TWO years ago, the Oakland Raiders were pretty much the laughing stock of the entire NFL as they sat at 1-11, coming off the back of a 52-0 hammering at the hand of the then St. Louis Rams.
Over the previous 11 seasons the Silver and Black had not just failed to reach the playoffs but they had not even managed to finish a season with the same quarterback they started with in September.
But a 24–13 win over the San Francisco 49ers — a team that had reached three straight NFC Championship Games — gave a glimpse of what might be to come for the Raiders with rookies on both sides of the ball, Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, proving they could be the future of the franchise down the stretch.
This year, the Raiders come into their week 14 Thursday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs with a chance to cement their position as the number one seed in the AFC and take control of the AFC West.
It won’t be easy, the hosts handed the Raiders one of their two losses this season and have an ability to make game-changing plays on defence on any snap.
Verdict: The Raiders have a perfect record on the road this season but the Chiefs go into the game as three-point favourites. That seems about right. Kansas City by 3.
Denver Broncos (8-4) @ Tennessee Titans (6-6) – 6pm, Sunday
Sunday’s early game sees a battle between two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt but the Broncos travel to Tennessee at least knowing that, if the division is beyond them, they still have a great shot at a wild card.
The hosts don’t have such a cushion and, having won just one of four divisonal games so far, will probably need to go 3-1 down the stretch to secure a place in the postseason.
The Broncos with Trevor Siemian at quarterback is a much different proposition than a Paxton Lynch-led side but, as usual with Denver, the key will be how well the defence plays.
Verdict: The Raiders have already provided the format for beating Denver (-1) on the ground and the Titans have one of the best run games in the NFL. Tennessee by 3.
Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1) @ Green Bay Packers (6-6) – 9.25pm, Sunday
Speaking of teams needing to run the slate to make the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers are unlikely to make the postseason if they put another loss on their books before January.
It won’t be easy as they face the Vikings and Lions in the last two weeks of the season — they should take care of the Bears next week — but it’s crucial they build on the back of two impressive wins do the business against Seattle this weekend.
The loss of Earl Thomas in the secondary for the Seahawks can’t be overstated as he was the glue that held that defence together. How they cope without him down the stretch will be fascinating.
Verdict: The Seahawks are 2.5 point favourites but in Lambeau, against a Packers team needing a win, I don’t see it. Green Bay by 5.
Dallas Cowboys (11-1) @ New York Giants (8-4), 1.30am, Monday
The NFL’s best team takes on the team with the most misleading record in the league in Sunday night’s prime time slot.
The Cowboys almost came a cropper last weekend against the Vikings but benefited from some poor officiating and even worse punting.
The Giants are not an 8-4 team, despite their record, and Eli Manning’s arm strength has reduced dramatically this season. He still has Odell Beckham Jr making amzing plays to bail him out, however.
Verdict: The Cowboys (-3) are absolutley due a slip up. But it won’t be in this game. Dallas by 7.
And the rest (picks against the spread in bold)
Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles (scratch)
Minnesota Vikings (-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2) @ Buffalo Bills
Arizona Cardinals @ Miami Dolphins (-1)
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions (-7.5)
San Diego Chargers @ Carolina Panthers (-1)
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Atlanta Falcons (-5.5) @ LA Rams
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots (-7)
Analysis: Your favourite NFL team is rubbish… 2-point conversion edition
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow on track to make MLB breakthrough
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
American Football four and out NFL Pick Six Preview US sports Week 14