NFL picks

Championship Saturday ended up being crazy in college football. I thought Missouri's defense would be able to stand up to Auburn's offense but it could not stop it at all and the Tigers won the SEC title, 59-42. They then got the result they needed in the Big Ten title game as the Michigan State defense did do enough (and its offense did as well) to edge Ohio State, 34-24. As expected, Duke had nothing for Florida State in the ACC championship and the Seminoles trounced the Blue Devils, 45-7, setting up a BCS title game matchup of Florida State vs. Auburn. The NFL will once again have a lot to live up to in Week 14. I last did NFL picks two weeks ago and went 3-3 and am now 35-29 on the season.

Colts at Bengals, 1 p.m. CBS
Can't trust the Colts on the road in this one. Cincinnati has been inconsistent overall, but is undefeated at home. Indianapolis got blown out, 40-11, by Arizona in its last road game.
Bengals 28, Colts 21

Lions at Eagles, 1 p.m. FOX
As a Cowboys fan, I really need the Lions to win this one to take some pressure off the 'Boys on Monday night in Chicago. Philadelphia is hot, and its defense is improved, but its pass defense still ranks last in the NFL and Detroit brings the Matt Stafford-to-Calvin Johnson connection to town.
Lions 28, Eagles 27

Dolphins at Steelers, 1 p.m. CBS
Two teams that have been inconsistent but are not out of the AFC playoff race. Loser of this one takes a big blog, though. I like Pittsburgh to have the edge at home.
Steelers 20, Dolphins 17

Seahawks at 49ers, 4:25 p.m. FOX
Should be a great game and I think San Francisco will come out swinging after losing 29-3 in Seattle earlier this year. But the Seahawks have been dialed in recently with 33-10, 41-20, and 34-7 victories their last three games.
Seahawks 27, 49ers 23

Panthers at Saints, 8:30 p.m. NBC
Carolina has won eight games in a row, including legit wins over the 49ers and Patriots. Taking on the Saints in New Orleans is a different beast and I have a lot of respect for Carolina, but I think New Orleans wins this game in the Superdome.
Saints 24, Panthers 20

Cowboys at Bears, 8:30 p.m. Monday night ESPN
Jay Cutler will once again not play and while QB Josh McCown has been an admirable fill-in, the Bears offense just isn't quite the same without Cutler. I think that gives Dallas just enough edge to pull this game out at Soldier Field. The Bears have a terrible rush defense so Dallas should feed DeMarco Murray the ball a lot and let Tony Romo manage the game and make a few throws when he needs to. Unfortunately, the Cowboys will be without the services of backup running back Lance Dunbar, who ran for more yards than Murray against the Raiders but had to leave the game with a knee injury and is now out for the season.
Cowboys 27, Bears 24

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