Week 14 Games That Could Help Cincy

[HoosierCat]

To start with the obvious...

Chicago Bears (9-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

Pitt is fighting for its playoff life, while Chicago is dueling Carolina for a first round bye in the NFC. Who woulda thunk that back in September, eh? Pitt's laundry list of problems includes o-line woes, no running game, and a QB with a bum thumb. Set against that are two words: Kyle Orton, who is to the Bears this year what Trent Dilfer was to the Ravens in 2000 -- only Dilfer was probably better. Bears are spotty on the road (3-2) and 2 of their 3 losses have come against AFC squads. OTOH, Pitt's just .500 at home and 1-0 vs. the NFC this year. In the end, I think the Steelers pull this one out, but a Bears win wouldn't surpprise me either. Pick: Steelers 19, Bears 12

Indianapolis Colts (12-0) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (9-3)

Jax just lost its starting center for the season, just two weeks after losing their starting QB for at least the rest of the season and possibly the playoffs too. Meanwhile, an Indy win all but nails down a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs for the Colts. No way Dungy's men drop this game. Pick: Colts 30, Jaguars 17

Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (7-5)

Cowboys appear to be fading down the stretch, while KC is picking up steam. Last week, Dallas dropped a key divisional game to New York, while the Chiefs upset divsion-leading rival Denver. KC has been playing OK (.500) on the road, while the 'boys have dropped a couple at home. Bookies are giving Dallas home field and that's it. I don't think it will be enough. Pick: Chiefs 35, Cowboys 27

Miami Dolphins (5-7) @ San Diego Chargers (8-4)

The Fins got a big psychological boost with a comeback win over the hapless Bills last week, but the Chargers are way out of their league. SD is No. 2 in scoring this year, just 9 points behind the Colts, and their D has been good as well. Miami, meanwhile, is 2-4 on the road and 3-5 vs. the AFC. Still...the Chargers have had their share of close games and problems, and Miami's D still has some punch. In the end, its closer than might be expected. Pick: Chargers 20, Miami 16

Oh...Bengals 27, Browns 20

[Stripes]

I agree on all the picks. I think the Chiefs/Cowboys game won't be quite that high scoring, but I agree the Chiefs should win it.

As for getting the bye week, the Broncos host the Ravens this week, so getting any help is unlikely.

[duus]

Dreaming:

Bengals beat Browns to go 10-3.

Broncos lose to Ravens to go 9-4.

Jaguars lose to Colts to go 9-4.

Chargers beat Dolphins to go 9-4.

Chiefs beat Cowboys to go 9-4.

Steelers lose to Bears to go 7-6.

This will put the Bengals in the driver's position for the #2 seed.

It will also put 4 teams at 9-4, with a 2 game lead on the Steelers with only 3 to go. The squeeze would be on the Steelers big time, and the Bengals will have wrapped up the division.

Reality that I expect:

Bengals beat Browns to go 10-3.

Broncos beat Ravens to go 10-3.

Jaguars lose to Colts to go 9-4.

Chargers beat Dolphins to go 9-4.

Chiefs lose to Cowboys to go 8-5.

Steelers beat Bears to go 8-5.

This will be putting the Bengals in the #3 slot, with the Steelers moving ever so much closer to the #6 spot (just waiting for the Chargers to lose 1 remaining game). I'd just soon remove them from the playoffs, but then again a 3rd rematch like this would allow us to stick it to 'em again and end this 'who is better' nonsense once and for all for 2005.

For now ... I'll stick with my dreams, if only for another few days.

[Stripes]

Imagine the Duus insider info we'd be getting in a playoff game against the Steelers! The Inside Scoop Part III would surely beat the first two!

[turningpoint]

um do people realize the bears are favored by 6 points vs the steelers at hienz?

[Stripes]

um do people realize the bears are favored by 6 points vs the steelers at hienz?

If so, then that is pretty wacky. I think the Steelers deserve more respect at home than that, but Vegas knows these things better than I do.

[jungleman]

yeah they had us a dogs so they must not know too much.

[bengalindian]

The Colts do in fact clinch homefield with a win.

Oh, and Any Given Sunday. Go Ravens!

[duus]

um do people realize the bears are favored by 6 points vs the steelers at hienz?

Actually, it's the other way around. The Steelers are favored by 6.

[HoosierCat]

I agree on all the picks. I think the Chiefs/Cowboys game won't be quite that high scoring, but I agree the Chiefs should win it.

As for getting the bye week, the Broncos host the Ravens this week, so getting any help is unlikely.

Ah, I forgot about the Denver/Baltimore game...maybe because the phrase "cold day in hell" comes to mind. Hmmm...let's see, I'll say Denver 30, Baltimore, uh...3.

Nope, no help there, either.

[TecmoFever]

um do people realize the bears are favored by 6 points vs the steelers at hienz?

I should have read below this post to see if it's been corrected already, but it's the Steelers who are favored by 6. 5 1/2 now, actually.

[HairOnFire]

Actually, it's the other way around. The Steelers are favored by 6.

Yup. The experts all seem to feel that the Steelers will be in an angry mood following a loss and will take their anger out on the unlucky team that faces them. Then again, the experts have said the same thing for almost a month now.

As for me, I'll be pulling for Hines Ward to do something stupid like dropping another pass at the goal line or kicking another pass 40 feet into the air, allowing a defender to intercept. (It COULD happen.)

[duus]

Related, Steel Town is getting more and more hyped everyday for what they are calling 'The Revenge' against the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs. These folks very much want that matchup. For me ... it will be the opportunity for the Bengals to kill this bully once and for all. (they still think they beat themselves on 12/4 ... ugh).

[AMC]

Related, Steel Town is getting more and more hyped everyday for what they are calling 'The Revenge' against the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs. These folks very much want that matchup. For me ... it will be the opportunity for the Bengals to kill this bully once and for all. (they still think they beat themselves on 12/4 ... ugh).

Bring it on....We ain't skeerd

They better focus on getting to the playoffs first...

[HairOnFire]

Related, Steel Town is getting more and more hyped everyday for what they are calling 'The Revenge' against the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs. These folks very much want that matchup. For me ... it will be the opportunity for the Bengals to kill this bully once and for all. (they still think they beat themselves on 12/4 ... ugh).

Steeler fans may want a rematch, but I don't. And no, I ain't skeerd.

I want the Steelers to miss the playoffs.

I want them to spend months thinking about their failure.

I want to see Biggest Ben questioned and humbled instead of propped up.

I want to hear people question that teams ability to beat top teams using their bluntskulled style of play.

I want the seeds of doubt to have time to grow.

I want to see Hines Ward cry again.

And last, I want to see the Bengals go thru a team they haven't already delivered a fatal blow to.

[AMC]

Related, Steel Town is getting more and more hyped everyday for what they are calling 'The Revenge' against the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs. These folks very much want that matchup. For me ... it will be the opportunity for the Bengals to kill this bully once and for all. (they still think they beat themselves on 12/4 ... ugh).

Steeler fans may want a rematch, but I don't. And no, I ain't skeerd.

I want the Steelers to miss the playoffs.

I want them to spend months thinking about their failure.

I want to see Biggest Ben questioned and humbled instead of propped up.

I want to hear people question that teams ability to beat top teams using their bluntskulled style of play.

I want the seeds of doubt to have time to grow.

I want to see Hines Ward cry again.

And last, I want to see the Bengals go thru a team they haven't already delivered a fatal blow to.

Hair, I like your scenario! Especially the one about Big Ben being propped up....HAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!