NFL Picks 2013: Week 14

Well, the end of week 13 put us three-quarters of the way through the season. As we head toward the home stretch, we all seem to be at least semi-catching on to what the NFL looks like in 2013.

Two of us hit 12 and the other two of us got 10 of 16 games correct. While there is some separation between the top and bottom of our standings, each of us is holding our own throughout the long, strange trip the NFL season typically becomes.

Here are the standings after week 13:

Now that I’ve bragged up our proficiency, we’ll undoubtedly run into a weekend in which three quarters of the game end up in upsets. It happens all the time. Just when you start to think you’ve got things figured out …

So, here’s who we think will win in week 14:

Game of the Week: Carolina at New Orleans – The Saints got bludgeoned in Seattle Monday night, but they still control their own destiny as far as earning the NFC’s second seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. That could change this weekend, however, as the red-hot Carolina Panthers come to town with their eight-game win streak. After starting 1-3, Carolina has won eight straight to pull into a tie with the Saints. This game is huge for both teams, but particularly for the Saints as they try to defend their home turf and rebound from the Monday debacle. San Francisco’s rematch with Seattle is an easy runner-up, but the Saints and Panthers game is the biggest of the weekend.

Game of the Weak: Houston at Jacksonville – For such a late week in the season there are a lot of mediocre games this weekend. We’ll go with the Texans and Jaguars, in part, because it’s being featured as the Thursday night game. The Jaguars have gotten on a bit of a hot streak of late, winning three of four after starting 0-8. But the Jags are doing nothing but hurting their draft positioning right now by winning. The Texans, expected by many to challenge for the AFC Championship this season, have lost 10 straight and are the leader in the Tank for Teddy race right now. Mike Mayock and Co. have their work in store to keep this game interesting.

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