It\u2019s hard enough watching our beloved Skins lose games they should have won \u2013 and we\u2019ve seen entirely too much of that lately. To add to our madness, there are the one or two games each week that truly qualify as surprising upsets. The Browns over the Chiefs and the Titans over the Colts \u2013 are you kidding me? When trying to hognosticate, one learns to live with an upset or two each week. What\u2019s almost as hard to tolerate as a Redskin collapse are the games where \u2018believed to be\u2019 superior teams lose to \u2018believed to be\u2019 inferior opponents, at home no less. Cases in point this past week were the Cardinals defeating the Rams in St. Louis and the Jaguars defeating the Dolphins in Miami. Granted the latter is a much closer judgment call of overall team talent. Obviously there are intricate variables that can dictate an outcome in the NFL that often trump what even the \u2018so called\u2019 experts or the hardcore fan believes to be a favorite based on the overall team composite. What?!? You guessed it; I\u2019m digging real deep trying to find an explanation for my pathetic position in the Hognostication standings. Can it all just be explained by league parity? Love it or hate it, parity is alive particularly in the NFC. Unbelievably, in week 14, 20 of the 32 teams still have a mathematical shot at making the playoffs. Maybe I should lobby for some parity rule changes to get me back in the Hognostication hunt. Good luck with your picks this week. <\/p>\n
Cleveland at Pittsburgh<\/b>
\nAlthough the Steelers are without their two starting safeties (the much missed Ryan Clark \u2013 groin and Troy Polamalu \u2013 knee), they\u2019ll still blitz often against first time starter Browns backup QB Derek Anderson – who will likely start for the injured Charlie Frye. The Steelers have dominated this match up winning 12 over the last 13.
\nPick \u2013 Steelers <\/p>\n
New York Giants at Carolina<\/b>
\nThe Panthers may get DeShaun Foster back this week. Jake Delhomme is currently listed as questionable with a sprained thumb on his throwing hand. Some Panther fans might believe that\u2019s a blessing, I don\u2019t. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives in this one, and it ought to be a good game.
\nPick \u2013 Giants <\/p>\n
Oakland at Cincinnati<\/b>
\nCould this be one of those games that I whine about in my introduction next week? For the Bengals sake, I hope not. Those of you that pick the Raiders are much better gamblers than I.
\nPick \u2013 Bengals <\/p>\n
Minnesota at Detroit<\/b>
\nThis game is being called the \u2018lame of the week\u2019. It\u2019ll be interesting to see if Childress has had enough of Brad Johnson\u2019s poor play and goes with rookie, Tarvaris Jackson, who is considered to be the Vikings QB of the future. Chester Taylor\u2019s absence will hurt the Vikings. I expect Kitna and Roy Williams to have some success against the Vikings struggling secondary. It appears problems continue to follow Smoot around and expectations are he\u2019ll be on the move again next off-season. Could a return to the Redskins be an option? Lord knows we need CB depth.
\nPick \u2013 Lions <\/p>\n
Tennessee at Houston<\/b>
\nTexan rookie LB, DeMeco Ryans \u2013 if you haven\u2019t heard of him, you will. Check out his stat line for last Sunday in Oakland \u2013 15 tackles, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, a sack, a QB pressure and three pass breakups. He\u2019ll get his turn chasing around and trying to catch Vince Young this Sunday.
\nPick \u2013 Titans <\/p>\n
Indianapolis at Jacksonville<\/b>
\nThis is going to be a great game. It is extremely difficult to pick the Jags and foresee the Colts losing two straight, but what the hell.
\nPick \u2013 Jags <\/p>\n
Baltimore at Kansas City<\/b>
\nThe Chiefs are back to their old ways with a defense that struggles to finish the season. That defense gave up over 400 yards to the leagues 2nd worst offense last week. Although the Chiefs have won 18 straight home games in December, I\u2019m picking the Raisins.
\nPick \u2013 Raisins <\/p>\n
New England at Miami<\/b>
\nTwo good defenses, but only one good offense. Although Miami has been the only team that has handed the Patriots their only two regular season losses in December and January over the last four seasons, I just can\u2019t see Harrington winning a match up against Brady. The Pats win a close one.
\nPick \u2013 Patriots <\/p>\n
Atlanta at Tampa Bay<\/b>
\nThis is a tough pick. Tampa has historically dominated in this match up and all of the Bucs\u2019 wins this season have come at home. But the Falcons having possible playoff motivation ought to find a way to win this one against a team they beat in week 2 and one that has really struggled offensively this season.
\nPick \u2013 Falcons <\/p>\n
Philadelphia at Washington<\/b>
\nJC meet our second most hated rival. It\u2019s time to end the ridiculous talk about the Eagles still being in the playoff hunt. We should be able to run the ball against the Eagles. The question is can our defense keep Garcia contained and shut down Westbrook and Stallworth. Stallworth is listed as questionable with a tweaked hamstring. My bet is he\u2019ll play \u2013 but won\u2019t be a factor, as our secondary is playing better thanks to Shawn\u2019s return and some resemblance of a pass rush.
\nPick \u2013 Redskins <\/p>\n
Seattle at Arizona<\/b>
\nThe Seahawks get a couple of nice confidence building games this week at Arizona and hosting the 49ers next week. Although, the 49ers beat them in week 11. They need a win this week to stay tied for the second seed (first round bye) in the NFC with either the Pukes or Saints.
\nPick \u2013 Seahawks <\/p>\n
Green Bay at San Francisco<\/b>
\nThis is difficult game to get excited about. Favre has owned the 9ers in the past. If he falters this week, it could be a strong factor in his decision not to return next season after ankle surgery. Look for Gore to open up the passing game for Alex Smith and Antonio Bryant against the 30th ranked Packer pass defense.
\nPick \u2013 49ers <\/p>\n
Buffalo at New York Jets<\/b>
\nJauron vs. Mangini. Both these rookie coaches have done well this season, with Mangini even giving Jet fans playoff hopes.
\nPick \u2013 Jets <\/p>\n
Denver at San Diego<\/b>
\nThe Chargers put up 35 and beat the Broncos in week 11 in Denver. They\u2019ll sweep the series and win at home this Sunday. Jay Cutler meets the Terrapin nightmare. Despite his suspension, a fresh Merriman still has 11 sacks this season. He\u2019ll add to that total this week and make up for the lost playing time. Shawne reminds me of the player I always wanted Arrington to be.
\nPick – Chargers <\/p>\n
New Orleans at Dallas<\/b>
\nOh how I look forward to the downfall that awaits the pukes at whatever point this season. I\u2019m not sure when it\u2019ll happen, but when it does, won\u2019t it just be sweet. Here\u2019s to the pukes maintaining their streak of not winning a playoff game in the last 10 years. I always dread picking the pukes and rooting against my own pick \u2013 but at least if they do win, I can take one small and virtually meaningless positive from it. Go Saints!
\nPick \u2013 Pukes <\/p>\n
Chicago at St. Louis<\/b>
\nThe Rams defense is just plain lousy. If Grossman is going to win back the confidence of his teammates, coach and fans \u2013 this\u2019ll be the game to do it in. This one could and should be an ugly one-sided Monday night affair.
\nPick – Bears <\/p>\n
Last Week\u2019s Results: 8-8
\nSeason to Date: 109-82<\/p>\n
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Frank Hastings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"