Prisco's NFL Week 14 Picks: Patriots will get back on track in Houston – CBSSports.com

I love NFL football in December.

The games truly matter. The pretenders will fade away and the contenders will surge.

As we ready for Week 14 — where did the season go? — it’s a chance for teams that lost last week, good teams, to show that they aren’t fading away. That includes teams like the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings.

Both play tough road games this week, Minnesota at Arizona and New England at Houston. If either of those teams lost, and I pick one to win and one to lose here in my weekly picks, they have problems that could really impact their postseason ambitions.

It’s time to fix what ails the potential playoff teams, or it might not get fixed.

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Minnesota (8-4) at Arizona (10-2)
Thursday, Dec. 10, 8:25 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

The Vikings are coming off a horrible loss at home to Seattle, and they are banged up. Arizona is a high-flying offense that is hard to defend when your defense is healthy. The Cardinals and Carson Palmer continue to roll.

The Pick: Cardinals 30, Vikings 20

Teddy Bridgewater faces some tough sledding against the Cardinals defense. (USATSI)

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Washington (5-7) at Chicago (5-7)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Redskins are playing on a short week after that bad loss to the Cowboys. They have to get it cranked back up here. Chicago didn’t play well last week, but they will bounce back in this one. Jay Cutler has a good day.

The Pick: Bears 24, Redskins 17

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San Francisco (4-8) at Cleveland (2-10)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

This will be Johnny Manziel‘s game as the starter. That’s the smart thing. The 49ers won on the road at Chicago last week, but consecutive road games can be tough. They overcome it. Blaine Gabbert wins again.

The Pick: 49ers 21, Browns 17

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Seattle (7-5) at Baltimore (4-8)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

This looked like a huge game when the schedule was made. It isn’t. The Ravens are having a horrible season. The Seahawks have surged in recent weeks. They are playing consecutive road games, but that won’t matter. Russell Wilson plays well.

The Pick: Seahawks 27, Ravens 17

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Atlanta (6-6) at Carolina (12-0)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Panthers pulled out a tough one against the Saints to stay undefeated. Cam Newton is playing great football. Matt Ryan is not. That will be the difference in this one. Panthers continue to roll.

The Pick: Panthers 37, Falcons 24

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Buffalo (6-6) at Philadelphia (5-7)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Eagles pulled off a stunner last week at New England to save their season. At 5-7, they can still win the division. This won’t be an easy game, but the Bills are an up-and-down team. They were up last week. Down here. Eagles take it.

The Pick: Eagles 23, Bills 16

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Pittsburgh (7-5) at Cincinnati (10-2)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Bengals are now the top seed in the AFC. They are playing good football. Pittsburgh is rolling on offense with Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game. This will be a tough challenge for the Bengals. But they will be up to it. They clinch the division.

The Pick: Bengals 31, Steelers 24

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New Orleans (4-8) at Tampa Bay (6-6)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Bucs are 6-6 and in the middle of the playoff hunt. The Saints are done. They put a lot into beating the Panthers last week. This turnaround will be tough. The Bucs will get over. 500.

The Pick: Bucs 28, Saints 17

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Indianapolis (6-6) at Jacksonville (4-8)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Colts should have Matt Hasselbeck here, which helps. But this is consecutive road games for them, which is tough. The Jaguars can score on anybody, and they will score here. Blake Bortles continues to play well.

The Pick: Jaguars 28, Colts 27

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San Diego (3-9) at Kansas City (7-5)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Chiefs have won six consecutive games, while the Chargers are done. They look little like the team that opened the season with the glut of injuries. Kansas City will continue to play well and roll on to the playoffs. Alex Smith is playing well.

The Pick: Chiefs 23, Chargers 13

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Tennessee (3-9) at New York Jets (7-5)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Jets pulled off a nice victory against the Giants last week, and now get a Titans team that is basically playing for nothing. Marcus Mariota did some good things last week against the Jaguars, but this is a tougher task. The Jets will shut him down some.

The Pick: Jets 27, Titans 17

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Detroit (4-8) at St. Louis (4-8)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Rams have plummeted in a big way with a lack of production at quarterback. The Lions have played better because Matthew Stafford is playing better. That carries over here. The Lions win on the road.

The Pick: Lions 24, Rams 21

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Oakland (5-7) at Denver (10-2)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

Brock Osweiler is 3-0 as the starter in Denver. He’s done some good things, and the running game improvement has helped. But this Denver team is about defense. The Raiders are playing for next season now, but they have the talent to make things interesting here. Denver finds a way.

The Pick: Broncos 30, Raiders 18

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Dallas (4-8) at Green Bay (8-4)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

This is a rematch of the NFC divisional playoff game last season. You would never know it. Both teams are alive, but they haven’t looked like the same teams. The Cowboys are dinged without Tony Romo. The Packers still have Aaron Rodgers. Packers take it.

The Pick: Packers 30, Cowboys 23

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New England (10-2) at Houston (6-6)
Sunday, Dec. 13, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

The Patriots have lost two consecutive games. They are now the third seed. That’s hard to believe. The Texans are 6-6, but tied for the AFC South lead. The Patriots have a bunch of injuries, but they will overcome them here. Tom Brady gets back on track.

The Pick: Patriots 23, Texans 21

Tom Brady faces a tough test against J.J. Watt and the Texans defense.(USATSI)

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New York Giants (5-7) at Miami (5-7)
Monday, Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Giants have lost three consecutive games, and they are reeling. They have to win here or their playoff hopes could be done. The Dolphins won last week, but didn’t look good doing so. They won’t here either. Giants take it.

The Pick: Giants 30, Dolphins 17

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