NFL Bold Predictions for Week 14: Saints Crushed Again
By Erik Lambert
Dec 2, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints tackle Bryce Harris (79) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of a 34-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall will have 100 yards receiving apiece
A lot of things have gone wrong for the Chicago Bears of late but one that has not is the outstanding production from their two star receivers, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Both will finish well above 1,000 yards on the season. They’ll have a chance to really pad those stats on Monday night when they face the second-worst pass defense in the NFL of the Dallas Cowboys. Considering the game should be cold and the field icy, it’s fair to believe Jeffery and Marshall won’t have to worry about suffocating coverage, which means if Josh McCown gets protection he will hit some big plays early and often. Expect the two towers to finish over 100 yards apiece.
Eli Manning and Philip Rivers will throw a combined seven touchdowns
It’s not exactly a quarterback rivalry in the Brady-Peyton mold, but experts will always link Philip Rivers and Eli Manning due to what happened in the 2004 draft. Manning of course refused to play in San Diego, so the Chargers dealt him to New York and in return got Rivers and a first round pick. Amazingly, they have played each only once since that grand affair in 2009, a 21-20 nail biter that Rivers claimed in victory. The pair combined for five touchdown passes in that game. Given their experience since then, and the limited capabilities of both defenses, they should top that number with seven.
Nick Foles will top 400 yards passing against Detroit Lions
At Ford Field, the Detroit Lions look like title contenders. Away from it? A different story for sure. Now they must head to the inhospitable Northeast to face the surging Philadelphia Eagles. The weather is expected to be cold, wet and possibly snowy. Their defense is proven inconsistent at best, which could mean big things for Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. With blossoming arsenal of weapons and a suspect secondary coming his way, the quarterback has a chance to further cement his hold on the starting job for the future with a big game in a playoff atmosphere. Not only will he deliver a strong showing, he will top 400 yards.
Seahawks-49ers will feature a pick six by both teams
The quarterbacks always hold center stage, especially when they are as talented as Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick. In this case though, the latest Seahawks-49ers tilt will be decided by two of the best defenses in the NFL. Both are largely healthy and playing some of their best football. Not only will the game be a low scoring affair determined by field position, but it could also features some huge impact plays from two solid secondaries. Expect the Hawks and Niners to each get not just an interception on the night, but a pick six return for a touchdown.
The New Orleans Saints will get blown out for second week in a row
Their humiliation up in Seattle was certainly a wakeup call for the New Orleans Saints, but most expect a return to familiar surroundings at the Super Dome should help them return to form. However, that may not be the case. That game against the Seahawks showed the Saints can be vulnerable against opponents with good defenses. Carolina, their next encounter, has one of the best in the league and it’s playing outstanding down the stretch thanks to a dominant defensive front seven led by Luke Kuechly. It is the first time Brees has seen this defense in 2013. Not only must he contend with it, but also the fact that his counterpart Cam Newton put up 44 points the last time he was in the dome. That spells trouble for the Saints, who could get blown out for the second-consecutive week.