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Linus O'Howell

2023 NFL Week 14 Preview and Predictions: Part 1

Teams on Their Bye (Week):

Washington Commanders (4-9)

Arizona Cardinals (3-10)



(2-10) New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)


This week’s Thursday Night Football clash sees the New England Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a really disappointing defeat at home to the Arizona Cardinals last weekend and if the season ended today, second in the AFC North with a 7-5 record would be enough for The Steelers to take the Number 5 seed in the Playoffs (on the AFC side of things). As for New England, they lost for the fifth-straight game last time out (6-0 against the LA Chargers) and they currently sit bottom of the AFC East with a shambolic record of 2-10. As it stands, The Patriots have the worst record in the AFC and the second-worst record in the entire league! In terms of my Prediction, I expect Pittsburgh to win this game. Even though Kenny Pickett’s out with an injury, The Steelers are still a much better footballing side than The Patriots.



(5-7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (6-6)


The Atlanta Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a huge game for both sides. The Atlanta Falcons won in New York (against The Jets) last weekend and they currently lead the NFC South at .500. As it stands, The Falcons currently occupy the Number 4 seed in the NFC. As for Tampa Bay, they just about edged past the Carolina Panthers last time out, and if the season ended today, being second in the NFC South with a 5-7 record would not be enough for them to make the Playoffs. In terms of my Prediction, I’m picking The Falcons over The Bucs. Atlanta are a better team than Tampa Bay and this is a really good opportunity for them to boost their Playoff chances.



(9-3) Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (4-8)


The Chicago Bears enter Week 14 off the back of their Bye Week and they currently sit bottom of the NFC North with a not great 4-8 record. As it stands, The Bears are the 4th-worst team in the NFC. As for Detroit, they picked up a good win in New Orleans last time out and if the season ended today, The Lions would take the Number 3 seed in the NFC thanks to leading the NFC North with a really good 9-3 record. In terms of my Prediction, I do expect Detroit to win this game. It would be a major L for them if they didn’t pick up the victory here.



(7-5) Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-6)


The Cincinnati Bengals picked up a huge win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in last week’s Monday Night Football, but they are still bottom of the AFC North with a mediocre 6-6 record. If the season ended today, The Bengals would just miss out on a Playoff spot. As for Indianapolis, they picked up their 4th-straight win last time out (in Tennessee) and they currently sit second in the AFC South with a good 7-5 record. As it stands, The Colts are currently occupying the Number 6 seed in the AFC Playoffs. In terms of my Prediction, I am going to back The Colts to win this game. I certainly didn’t think I’d be writing this at the start of the season, but there you go!



(8-4) Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cleveland Browns (7-5)


The Cleveland Browns host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a really crucial AFC matchup. The Cleveland Browns got thrashed by the Los Angeles Rams last weekend and they currently sit third in the AFC North with a decent 7-5 record. As it stands, The Browns are just about clinging onto a Playoff spot. As for Jacksonville, they suffered a frustrating loss at home to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, and if the season ended today, The Jaguars would take the Number 4 seed in the Playoffs courtesy of leading the AFC South with a good 8-4 record. In terms of my Prediction, I’m going to back The Browns to beat The Jags. For me, the result of this game fully comes down to whether Trevor Lawrence plays, and right now, it doesn’t look like he will.



(1-11) Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (5-7)


The New Orleans Saints lost at home to the Detroit Lions last time out, and if the season ended today, finishing third in the NFC South with a disappointing 5-7 record would not be enough for The Saints to make the Playoffs. As for Carolina, they suffered their 5th consecutive loss last weekend (at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and they currently sit bottom of the NFC South with a woeful record of 1-11. As it stands, The Panthers have the worst record in the entire league. In terms of my Prediction, I fully expect New Orleans to leave this game as the victors. Their season’s over if they don’t!



(7-5) Houston Texans @ New York Jets (4-8)


The New York Jets lost for the 5th-straight game last time out (at home to the Atlanta Falcons) and they currently sit third in the AFC East with a pretty disappointing 4-8 record. As it stands, The Jets have the third-worst record in the entire AFC. As for Houston, they managed to beat the Denver Broncos last weekend, and if the season ended today, being third in the AFC South with a (good) 7-5 record would see them just miss out on the Playoffs. In terms of my Prediction, The Texans will definitely win this game. Considering how they’ve performed this year, I expect Houston to handle The Jets quite easily.



(6-6) Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore Ravens (9-3)


The Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams in what is all of a sudden quite an intriguing game. The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 14 off the back of 2 wins and a Bye and they currently lead the AFC North with a really good 9-3 record. If the season ended today, The Ravens would receive the Number 2 seed in the AFC. As for LA, they picked up their third-straight win with a comfortable victory over the Cleveland Browns last weekend and they currently sit second in the NFC West at .500. As it stands, The Rams are just outside the Playoff places. In terms of my Prediction, I do expect Baltimore to win this game. The Rams may give it a good go, but The Ravens are the better side right now.

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