NFL Schedule - Team vs. Team - Week 14
Arizona Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks
These sides met way back in week 1 of the 2012 NFL schedule. In that meeting Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb led the Cardinals on a game-winning fourth quarter drive in the 20-16 victory. The win was the start of a four game winning streak for the Cardinals but since that streak was snapped they have struggled. The Seahawks have sprung some big upsets this season and their defense has developed into an elite unit. The Cardinals will have trouble scoring points and the Seahawks are a good bet to win this game comfortably.
Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers
The Atlanta Falcons have won their last four meetings against the Panthers and should be able to continue this streak in 2012. The Falcons have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season and are one of the leading contenders to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The Panthers have struggled this season with quarterback Cam Newton failing to replicate the heroics of his rookie season. Newton will need to produce a big performance if the Panthers are going to be any chance in this game. The Falcons are a very safe bet and would be a good addition to NFL accumulator bets.
Baltimore Ravens vs Washington Redskins
This will be just the fifth meeting between these sides since the Ravens entered the NFL in 1996. This will be an interesting match-up with Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III taking on the strong Ravens defensive unit. RG3 has revamped the Redskins offense but it hasn't really led to victories. The Ravens defense should be strong enough to contain the exciting quarterback while running back Ray Rice is expected to carry the majority of the Ravens offense. The Ravens should be available at good odds with Online Sportsbooks.
Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings
This is a very important game between these divisional rivals who are both in the hunt for the playoffs. The Chicago Bears have excelled on defense this season but have been inconsistent offensively. Brandon Marshall has given Jay Cutler an elite receiver to throw to but the unpopular quarterback has struggled to turn this into big numbers. The Vikings defense has also been strong while their offense has been carried by star running back Adrian Petersen. Both sides will look to run the ball in this game so whoever wins the battle up front will likely walk away from this game with the victory.
Dallas Cowboys vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Cowboys and the Bengals both had slow starts to the season and need to win the majority of their remaining matches to qualify for the playoffs. The Cowboys have been very good at times but generally their star-studded offense has failed to click. The Bengals have relied heavily on star wide receiver AJ Green who is having a phenomenal season. The Cowboys should be able to win this game, if they can shut down Green, and will be available at good odds at Online Sportsbooks.
Denver Broncos vs Oakland Raiders
The Denver Broncos will be hoping they can cruise to another easy victory over the Oakland Raiders. In week 4 Peyton Manning, with 338 passing yards and three touchdown passes, led the Broncos to a 37-6 victory over the Raiders. The Raiders have improved since that meeting, at least offensively, and this game has the potential to be a real shootout. Manning has an excellent record in these sorts off games so is difficult to go past the Broncos in this game and they are one of the safest bets of the week.
Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers
This is the second meeting between these teams in the last month. This is almost a must win game for the Lions who need to win the majority of their remaining matches, especially against their divisional rivals, to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs for the second year in a row. This game is likely to be a shootout similar to their meeting at the end of last season when the Packers defeated the Lions 45-41. The Packers are really clicking into gear and should be good enough to win this game.
Houston Texans vs New England Patriots
This will be just the fourth meeting between these teams since the Texans joined the NFL in 2002. Both of these teams are considered Super Bowl contenders and many experts believe this could be a preview of the AFC Championship Game. It is important for the Texans to win this game so that they can head into the playoffs knowing they are good enough to beat the very best teams in the NFL. The Patriots have had a relatively easy schedule, so far this season, and will relish this opportunity to play a top team. This is a tough game to analyse from a gambling perspective but it is easily the game of the round.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Cleveland Browns
The playoff chances of both these teams are long over and they will already have an eye on 2013 heading into this game. The Chiefs have been a disaster offensively this season with neither Matt Cassel nor Brady Quinn impressing at quarterback. They will almost certainly take a quarterback with their first pick in the 2013 NFL draft. The Browns haven't been as bad as they record suggests and have improved significantly. The rookie combination of Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden should be good enough to lead them to victory in this game.
Miami Dolphins vs San Francisco 49ers
This is a rematch of Super Bowl XIX - one of the most famous games in Super Bowl history. While neither of these sides are as good as there 1985 counterparts they are both playoff contenders. The 49ers are currently leading the NFC West but have let a number of games slip and are facing competition from the Seattle Seahawks. The Dolphins are still in with a chance to secure an AFC wild card but are running out of chances. The 49ers should be able to win this game comfortably and are a safe bet.
New Orleans Saints vs New York Giants
These teams have a history of playing in high-scoring and entertaining games. This appears set to continue in 2012 as the Saints have struggled on defense and need to throw the ball aggressively to stay in games. This game could be decided by the battle between quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning. Whichever has the better game should be able to lead their team to victory. Because of this betting on the team available at the longer odds at Online Sportsbooks is the best gambling play in this game.
New York Jets vs Jacksonville Jaguars
If you enjoy watching high-scoring football games this might be one to avoid. Both these sides have struggled offensively in 2012 with their respective quarterbacks, Mark Sanchez and Blaine Gabbert, having the lowest pass completion percentages in the entire NFL. The fitness of Jaguars running-back Maurice Jones-Drew will play a big part in this game. If he is back in time for this game the Jaguars have a slight advantage. However, this is definitely the type of game that should be ignored from a NFL betting perspective.
Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have improved significantly under rookie head coach Greg Schiano and are now one of a number of teams in contention for a wildcard berth in the NFC. They are a much better football team on both sides of the football and will head into this game full of confidence. The Eagles have again underachieved in 2012 and the entire franchise is at a crossroads. Head coach Andy Reid needs his team to win most of their remaining games if he wants to remain in the job next season. Despite this extra motivation the Buccaneers should still be good enough to win this game.
San Diego Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an excellent record against the Chargers and will be confident that they can continue this in 2012. The Steelers have been plagued by injuries this season but are still on track to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season. The Chargers have been incredibly inconsistent and are extreme outsiders to record their first win at Heinz Field. The franchise is facing an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs and will need to win this game to be any chance. The Steelers appear to be a safe betting option in this game.
St Louis Rams vs Buffalo Bills
This is another game that should have little consequences on the NFL playoff picture. Both these teams are extremely unlikely to qualify for the playoffs and their chances will likely be over by the time this game takes place. This is an extremely difficult game to handicap as both these sides are inconsistent - on their day they can mix it with the best teams in the league while others they couldn't beat a division two college team. This is a game to avoid from a gambling perspective as you can't be confident betting on either team.
Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have beaten the Titans in seven of their last eight meetings and need to win this game to keep themselves in the AFC playoff picture. The Colts narrowly prevailed against the Titans earlier this season with quarterback Andrew Luck throwing a sixteen yard touchdown pass to Vick Ballard to win the game in overtime. This should once again be a tight game as the Titans have proven that they can play good football at times. However, Luck has enough composure to lead his team to victory in this game and one step closer to a surprising playoff appearance.
