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NFL Picks Week 14: Climbing The Poles

Week 13 saw the Saints once again be the first team to clinch a playoff spot.  In Week 14 the Saints have a chance to move closer to the NFC South title once again as well.

NFL: NFC Divisional Playoff-Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints travel to Philly looking to win their tenth-consecutive game of the season as they face the Philadelphia Eagles. The big story for Philly is rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts making his first start under center this season. Of course, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson certainly didn't make the rookie QB’s transition easy as he now faces the #1 defense in the NFL. The Saints need to take advantage of a bad team with a rookie QB, and knowing what is on the line, they certainly will.

Philadelphia won't need to be greasing the poles to keep the fans off of them this season, but the Saints will continue to find themselves climbing the polls in the NFL standings after another win that cements them as the best team in the NFC, and arguably, the NFL. Let’s take a look at all of the crucial matchups in the league this week as we enter the final stretch of the 2020 NFL season.

Last week I went 11-4

I told you so: Rams over Cardinals!

What do I know: Bears over Lions?

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WEEK 14

Thursday, December 10th - Thursday Night Football

Patriots(6-6) at Rams(8-4)

New England plays their second-consecutive game at SoFi Stadium, but this one won't go nearly as well as the first one. The Rams’ offense will outlast the Pats’ defense in the end. Los Angeles wins 26-23.

Pick: Rams

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Sunday, December 13th - Early Games

Vikings(6-6) at Buccaneers(7-5)

Tampa Bay will jump out to a big lead early, rendering Dalvin Cook useless, while making their own rushing attack the story of the game. Tampa wins 27-16.

Pick: Buccaneers

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Cardinals(6-6) at Giants(5-7)

The Giants have been on cloud 9 since stunning the league in Seattle, but they come crashing down to Earth against the Cards. Arizona wins 24-10.

Pick: Cardinals

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Chiefs(11-1) at Dolphins(8-4)

***UPSET ALERT*** Just like a naughty kid peeking into their Christmas present early, Kansas City will get caught peeking ahead to their showdown in New Orleans next week. Miami will catch the reigning Super Bowl Champions flat-footed, and unlike that joyous February night in this very same stadium, the Chiefs will leave wondering how they lost the game. Miami wins 27-24.

Pick: Dolphins

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Titans(8-4) at Jaguars(1-11)

Derrick Henry and the Titans have the perfect “get right” game rebounding from their disappointing loss a week ago. Tennessee wins 32-19.

Pick: Titans

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Cowboys(3-9) at Bengals(2-9-1)

Dallas leans heavily on Ezekiel Elliott in this one. Dallas wins 23-21.

Pick: Cowboys

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Texans(4-8) at Bears(5-7)

Neither team is capable of running the ball, so it will once again be up to Deshaun Watson to shine the brightest. Houston wins 17-10.

Pick: Texans

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Broncos(4-8) at Panthers(4-8)

Carolina’s passing attack will be the story of this game. Carolina wins 23-16.

Pick: Panthers

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Sunday, December 13th - Late Games

Jets(0-12) at Seahawks(8-4)

After getting embarrassed by one New York team last week, Seattle takes their revenge out on the other. Seattle wins 26-10.

Pick: Seahawks

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Colts(8-4) at Raiders(7-5)

No team this season plays to the level of their competition like the Raiders. This will be a good one, but Indy’s defense make a big stop in the end to save the game. Indianapolis wins 33-30.

Pick: Colts

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Washington FT(5-7) at* 49ers(5-7) - State Farm Stadium - Glendale, Arizona

This one will be a defensive standoff, but ultimately, the San Francisco offense will make the big drive in the end to get them in range for the game-winning field goal. San Francisco wins 16-13.

Pick: 49ers

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Falcons(4-8) at Chargers(3-9)

Atlanta’s roller-coaster season continues with another post-New Orleans win. Atlanta wins 29-19.

Pick: Falcons

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Packers(9-3) at Lions(5-7)

Green Bay’s defense will have a monster game frustrating Matthew Stafford, All. Day. Long. Green Bay wins 42-23.

Pick: Packers

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Saints(10-2) at Eagles(3-8-1)

The objective for the Saints couldn't be more clear, don't “eat the cheese”, do play your game. The Saints are better than the Eagles, flat-out better, at every spot, like they have been against other teams they’ve beaten this season. They just need to take this opponent seriously, make this a business trip, and get out with the victory.

Philly may get a spark with a new QB in place of the dreadful Carson Wentz, but it won't be nearly enough to stand against the motivated Saints. The Saints cannot look past this one and peek their eyes toward Kansas City, and this concentration will come down to coaching. Sean Payton is 7-2 against Philadelphia as head coach of the Saints including 3 playoff wins. Payton has Philly’s number, and he will dial it up again today. Saints win 34-10.

Pick: Saints

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Sunday Night Football

Steelers(11-1) at Bills(9-3) - Game of the Week

Pittsburgh lost their first game of the season on Monday, but they won't make it consecutive losses. The defenses will be key in this one, but ultimately, the Steelers passing attack will win this one thanks to a late game-winning touchdown, sending Bills Mafia into a stunned silence in the streets of Buffalo. Pittsburgh wins 21-14.

Pick: Steelers

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Monday, December 14th - Monday Night Football

Ravens(7-5) at Browns(9-3)

Baltimore will pull out a massive divisional victory behind a fantastic defensive performance, forcing Cleveland into game-changing turnovers. Baltimore wins 30-21.

Pick: Ravens

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There it is, Week 14 of the NFL season. The Saints have a chance to move closer to the NFC South title for a fourth-consecutive season! Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!