It was another week of disappointment for fans of the Steelers as they were not able to compete against the Arizona Cardinals. Injuries have only added more stress onto the fans' belief that this club can somehow drag themselves into the playoffs and beyond. It is going to be an uphill battle, including this Thursday night that kicks off Week 14 of the NFL.
2023 season prediction record after Week 13: 98-63
Last week was fairly successful overall for this series as only four predictions were incorrect. One of the best weeks we have done for this series and it adds to the lead of correct predictions going forward. The NFL schedule is becoming less with each passing week, so it seems like we are in a good position to have far more correct predictions this season than wrong ones.
New England Patriots (2-10) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5), Thursday at 8:15 P.M. EST
Prediction: Patriots 16, Steelers 14
Going against the crowd here as the high majority believe that the Steelers will win this game after a tough loss against the Cardinals last week. It is not going to be an easy game to watch as most believe it will be a low-scoring game. There are a couple of things that could be the difference makers in this game.
Pittsburgh has to play smart football when they throw it, but they also need to find ways of establishing the run game. If they can do that and take reasonable shots downfield with Mitch Trubisky then they should be able to roll into a victory. Both defenses will be the main factors when it comes to which club can win this game.
The Steeler's defense has to come up with a couple of turnovers to set up Trubisky and the offense on a short field. Another task will be stopping the run and that should bring in someone like Keeanu Benton into the game for plenty of snaps. It's going to be a boring game offensively unless one of the offenses somehow finds a quick turnaround from last week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7) vs Atlanta Falcons (6-6), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Falcons 23, Buccaneers 20
Another year where the NFC South division is a mess. It seems like whichever team can finish with an even record or with a winning record will make the playoffs and win the weak division. Atlanta is playing some good football, but they might be without two impactful defensive stars. Expect the Falcons to get the run game going and to have the passing attack complement that.
LA Rams (6-6) vs Baltimore Ravens (9-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Ravens 27, Rams 23
This one might be one of the better games of the week even though it might not seem like it on paper. The Rams are starting to surge and are doing their best to try and stay in the NFC playoff race. LA is coming across the country and playing a tough Ravens team that is coming off a bye week. Expect Baltimore to show some signs of rust, but they should be able to make a couple extra plays and win.
Detroit Lions (9-3) vs Chicago Bears (4-8), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Lions 26, Bears 20
Detroit nearly got upset by the Saints last week, but they found a way to win the game. Expect the Lions to have another scare this week as Justin Fields of the Bears continues to try and prove himself the rest of the season. The Lions are the team to beat in the NFC North division and they should be able to make some noise come playoff time.
Indianapolis Colts (7-5) vs Cincinnati Bengals (6-6), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Colts 22, Bengals 16
One way or another Jake Browning has been able to keep his starts close and given the Bengals a chance to win each week. They were able to beat the Jaguars last week and should be able to compete with the red-hot Colts. This could play a big factor in the outcome of the final spots in the AFC playoff picture when the season comes to a close.
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) vs Cleveland Browns (7-5), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Browns 18, Jaguars 17
Trevor Lawrence will be out of this game with an ankle injury so Jacksonville will rely on their backup quarterback to pick up the pace. Cleveland lost to the Rams last week and their defense got exposed against a well-coached Rams team. Joe Flacco played a decent game last week and should be able to take advantage of the Jaguar's defense for some chunk plays.
Carolina Panthers (1-11) vs New Orleans Saints (5-7), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Saints 20, Panthers 17
Nothing is going to come easy for the Saints this season, and that will be even more true with Jameis Winston getting the start. The good news is that this contest will be hosted in New Orleans. Carolina is a mess and they are badly coached and have little talent. Expect Winston to sling the ball around this game and sneak out a win at home.
Houston Texans (7-5) vs New York Jets (4-8), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Prediction: Texans 23, Jets 19
Zach Wilson is back as the Jets starter for this week, and he should be able to have a solid game against a questionable Houston secondary. C.J. Stroud is lighting the NFL world on fire right now and just winning football games. He is the spark that the Texans have been missing. Houston is the better team and will be playing for more on Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings (6-6) vs Las Vegas Raiders (5-7), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST
Prediction: Vikings 19, Raiders 17
Josh Dobbs has fallen back to earth since his crazy start. The manic fans of Minnesota are coming back to earth after their long bye week. Las Vegas is having a better time since the coaching change, but they won't be world-beaters the rest of the way. That momentum from the change should be able to dissipate and that should be good news for the Vikings in this one.
Seattle Seahawks (6-6) vs San Francisco 49ers (9-3), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST
Prediction: 49ers 28, Seahawks 20
Seattle finally had a quality game on offense last week and they should be able to carry some of that over to this one. San Francisco is coming off a huge win over the Eagles and they should be able to destroy some teams before the end of the season. With that said, expect a close game that will push the 49ers after a big win. The Seahawks will give this one the best that they have, but they will likely come up short in a tough road environment.
Buffalo Bills (6-6) vs Kansas City Chiefs (8-4), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Prediction: Bills 29, Chiefs 24
Kansas City hasn't been their normal selves this year and something seems off. Buffalo enters this game with a lot of faults, but Josh Allen is doing his best to will his team to the playoffs. The Bills have struggled on defense, but the Chiefs offense has hurt themselves at different points this season. Expect a playoff-like atmosphere as the Bills play for their lives. Patrick Mahomes and Allen should put on an impressive quarterback duel.
Denver Broncos (6-6) vs LA Chargers (5-7), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Prediction: Broncos 24, Chargers 21
Both teams are doing their best to try and snap the last AFC playoff spot before the season ends. Neither has a great chance, but that opportunity could fall apart further with a loss here. Denver has been playing good football over the past month or so, but they fell to the Texans last week. They are the better team between the two, but Justin Herbert will do his best to keep the Chargers in this one. It's going to be a tight battle, but the Broncos should get out of LA with a win.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) vs Dallas Cowboys (9-3), Sunday at 8:20 P.M. EST
Prediction: Eagles 31, Cowboys 27
Another week where the Eagles will play a playoff game before the elimination rounds of the NFL happen. Dallas has been tremendous against bad teams this season, but they routinely struggle against playoff opponents. This game is in Dallas, so that should help the Cowboy's chances. Philadelphia has struggled to the finish line in past games, but they find ways to win. Expect a late turnover by Dak Prescott to complete the road win for the Eagles.
Tennessee Titans (4-8) vs Miami Dolphins (9-3), Monday at 8:15 P.M. EST
Prediction: Dolphins 30, Titans 17
Miami is rolling with their offense, and that trend has rarely gone away this year. Expect the normal suspects of the Dolphins to torch this Titans secondary, which has been suspect. Perhaps the biggest hurdle for the Dolphins to overcome will be their injuries at middle linebacker. They need to figure that out and have brought some free agents in. The Dolphins are the far superior team in almost every way in this one and they should be able to get past the Titans without much concern.
Green Bay Packers (6-6) vs New York Giants (4-8), Monday at 8:15 P.M. EST
Prediction: Packers 26, Giants 16
Green Bay has been playing some good football in recent weeks and that has been led by Jordan Love. He has been consistent and able to help the Packers reach their goal of victory. They are right in the thick of a tight finish to the NFC playoff race right now. New York is just trying to figure certain things out for next season at the moment. Not much will be easy for Green Bay the rest of the way, but they should be able to get past the Giants without many headaches.