NFL picks Week 14: Predicting the Chiefs-Redskins and all other games

After three straight losses, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to bounce back against one of the worst teams in football.

The Washington Redskins are a struggling group with an angry quarterback and a coach who knows he is living on borrowed time. Despite being banged up, most expect the Chiefs to come out and take care of business on the road against a team freshly eliminated from playoff contention.

Do our guys agree?

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at Washington Redskins

Matt Verderame: Chiefs 30, Redskins 17

This is a game Kansas City has to win. While it is true the Chiefs playoff positioning probably won't be affected by a loss, beating the Redskins is a must. After losing three straight, Kansas City has to get off the mat and get that winning feeling back.

Washington might be the worst team in the league right now, and needs to be taken advantage of. The offensive line is a sieve, something that hopefully sparks a resurgence in the Chiefs' pass-rush. I'd also love to see Alex Smith throw the ball well again, something that is becoming a huge development.

Joel Thorman: Chiefs 23, Redskins 13

The Chiefs defense has a "get right" game going plus-three in the turnover department. All is well again in Kansas City.

MNChiefsFan: Chiefs 38, Redskins 14

Alex Smith continues to do what he's been doing, only this time against a bad Redskins defense it doesn't matter if receivers drop a couple of passes.  We start seeing a little MOAR of Knile Davis, and Jamaal Charles does Jamaal Charles things all day.  In my wildest dreams, Jerrell Powe comes right in and gets a chance to help draw blockers off Dontari Poe.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 21, Redskins 17

The Chiefs turn back a losing streak even though the road win will be a bit closer than what a 9-3 vs. a 3-9 team should be.

Clay Wendler: Chiefs 28, Redskins 24

The Chiefs troubles on defense continue, and they don't pressure RGIII, leading to a huge day. The offense takes advantage of a weak Redskins defense, however. Jamaal Charles has his best game of the year.

Now, back to Matt Verderame for the rest of the picks:

Houston Texans (-3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

The NFL should be forced to issue a public apology for airing this at all, let alone in primetime. Also, how is Houston (2-10) favored on the road over Jacksonville (3-9)? Did the Jaguars not just beat the Texans in Houston? Show the Jags some damn respect!

Pick: Jacksonville 23, Houston 17

Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)

Baltimore is currently in the No. 6 spot. The Ravens (6-6) know they could really be in the drivers seat if they win and Miami loses to Pittsburgh, since Baltimore holds the tiebreaker. Minnesota (3-8-1) has nothing to play for. Worse yet, the Vikings have this.

Pick: Baltimore 20, Minnesota 16

Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals (-7)

This is a game every Chiefs fan should be watching intently. It is almost guaranteed that the loser will be hosting Kansas City come wild card weekend. Cincinnati (8-4) is playing much better football than Indianapolis (8-4) and is undefeated at home. It will take a great Andrew Luck performance for the Colts to win, as it does most weeks.

Pick: Cincinnati 24, Indianapolis 19

Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots (-13)

New England (9-3) knows it can win out and earn a bye, and that is exactly what I expect to happen. It starts this week against the Browns (4-8), who went from frisky to awful in a month. Why? All of this. It is tough being a Chiefs fan some years, but damn I feel for those Clevelanders.

Pick: New England 27, Cleveland 13

Oakland Raiders at New York Jets (-1.5)

Rex Ryan came out this week and said his draft class is an A+ group. Apparently, Ryan has lost his mind. Has he not watched Geno Smith? How about Dee Milliner? The Jets (5-7) have benched the kid FOUR TIMES this year. Meanwhile, Oakland (4-8) is Oakland. Should be a fascinating game.

Pick: Oakland 20, New York 13

Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5)

Quietly this could be a very important game. Detroit (7-5) needs to win to stay atop the NFC North. Meanwhile, Philadelphia (7-5) is tied for the top spot in the NFC East. Both teams have good offenses and suspect secondaries, making this a prime candidate to be a shootout.

Pick: Detroit 34, Philadelphia 28

Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)

If Pittsburgh (5-7) wins this game and the Chiefs take care of business, Kansas City is back in the playoffs. Miami (6-6) desperately needs this victory, because with a loss and Ravens win it would fall a game back with three to play and not have the tiebreak in its favor. Could be a rough week in south Florida.

Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Miami 17

Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)

Tampa Bay (3-9) is actually playing pretty good football. Conversely, Buffalo (4-8) is still a raging dumpster fire for what seems like the 30th consecutive year. This game is for nothing more than draft positioning, making this the rare time when both fan bases are hoping to lose.

Pick: Tampa Bay 24, Buffalo 20

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers (NO LINE)

Assuming Aaron Rodgers does not play, the Packers have no chance. Green Bay (5-6-1) is terrible without Rodgers, like 2012 Chiefs awful. Meanwhile, Atlanta (3-9) blows but still has a quarterback. Tough to see Matt Ryan losing to Matt Flynn.

Pick: Atlanta 27, Green Bay 17

Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos (-13)

Denver only needs to win out against Tennessee, Houston, Oakland and San Diego to be the top seed in the AFC. Considering Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting this week, it's tough to see any hope for the Titans in this game. Of course, they have this guy, so who knows what breaks out.

Pick: Denver 38, Tennessee 23

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals (-7)

Arizona (7-5) is facing a must-win if it wants any chance of making the playoffs. Luckily, they are facing Kellen Clemens. St. Louis (5-7) is actually a quality team but still needs some pieces to be a truly good group. The Cardinals will find a way to get this done with Larry Fitzgerald going off.

Pick: Arizona 28, St. Louis 20

New York Giants at San Diego Chargers (-3)

San Diego (5-7) has a team that can win any week, but can also find a way to lose. This time around, it is tough to see the Chargers losing to a very uninspiring Giants (5-7) squad that is coming all the way across the country. As you can see here, the fans are ready to go nuts in San Diego for their team.

Pick: San Diego 31, New York 20

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)

This should be a really fun game to watch. These two teams flat do not like each other and could be thinking about a potential playoff matchup down the road. Seattle (11-1) does not need this game but would love to beat San Francisco (8-4) and perhaps knock them from the playoff road. Still, the 49ers must win badly.

Pick: San Francisco 20, Seattle 17

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-3)

This is one of those games you really look forward to. The Panthers (9-3) are very similar to the Chiefs in the sense we know they are good, but are they good enough to win in a spot like this? Carolina has a great defense but it will be tested against New Orleans (9-3) and that awesome passing attack.

Pick: New Orleans 27, Carolina 24

Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears (EVEN)

Dallas (7-5) is the most unpredictable team in the league along with Detroit. On a side note, I'm rooting for those two somehow to meet in the playoffs. Jason Garrett vs. Jim Schwartz. Tremendous comedy. As for this game, Chicago (6-6) blows. I'll take the Cowboys with one eye shut.

Pick: Dallas 30, Chicago 24

Last week: 9-7 (6-9 ATS)

Season: 114-76