Week 14 preview

Chiefs at Redskins

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Kansas City (9-3, 4-1 away), Washington (3-9, 2-4 home)

Line: Chiefs by 3; O/U: 44 1/2

Synopsis: KC is in a three-game slide and has allowed 103 points in those games after having given up 111 in its previous nine. It faces Washington’s No. 1 ground attack, but the ‘Skins are a mess overall and KC’s improving offense should be able to score – WASH allows 30.2 points a game. Snow likely.

Pick: Chiefs 24-20

Vikings at Ravens

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Minnesota (3-8-1, 0-5-1 away), Baltimore (6-6, 5-1 home)

Line: Ravens by 6; O/U: 41 1/2

Synopsis: BALT has won three of four and hosts a team that is 0-5-1 on the road and is 30th or worse in points, total yards and passing yards allowed. The Ravens are 5-1 at home, allowing just 12.3 points per game. Matt Cassel expected to start at QB for the Vikes (Christian Ponder has a concussion). Snow expected.

Pick: Ravens 23-17

Browns at Patriots

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Cleveland (4-8, 1-4 away), New England (9-3, 6-0 home)

Line: Patriots by 10; O/U: 46 1/2

Synopsis: Jason Campbell is to start at quarterback for Cleveland and teammate Josh Gordon comes off consecutive 200-yard receiving games – and his 498 combined yards are the NFL record for two games. But the Patriots are 6-0 at home and will clinch a playoff spot if they win and Miami falls.

Pick: Patriots 30-17

Raiders at Jets

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Oakland (4-8, 1-5 away), New York (5-7, 4-2 home)

Line: Jets by 3; O/U: 39 1/2

Synopsis: Jets QB Geno Smith has been intercepted 19 times, most in the NFL, and doesn’t have a TD pass in his last five games but starts again after being yanked last week. Jets WR corps getting healthier, but is that enough? Maybe, vs. a foe that’s 1-5 on the road and is beat up at RB. OAK has lost 12 in a row in the Eastern time zone.

Pick: Jets 17-16

Colts at Bengals

Kickoff: 10 a.m. (CBS)

Records: Indianapolis (8-4, 4-2 away), Cincinnati (8-4, 5-0 home)

Line: Bengals by 6 1/2; O/U: 43 1/2

Synopsis: Key AFC matchup for playoff jockeying between 8-4 teams, but Indy’s offensive line is banged up and Cincinnati has averaged 3.5 sacks in last five games. The Bengals’ ground game also is on the rise, and the Colts are No. 28 vs. the run. Freezing rain, temperature in the low 30s forecast.

Pick: Bengals 26-21

Lions at Eagles

Kickoff: 10 a.m. (Fox 28)

Records: Detroit (7-5, 3-3 away), Philadelphia (7-5, 2-4 home)

Line: Eagles by 3; O/U: 52 1/2

Synopsis: Philly goes for its fifth win in a row and quarterback Nick Foles has 19 TD passes and no interceptions this year. But Detroit’s pass rushers have been heating up in recent weeks, although its pass defense is 26th. Philly loves its ground attack (No. 2 in the league), but Detroit is No. 3 vs. the run. Snow possible.

Pick: Eagles 28-26

Dolphins at Steelers

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Miami (6-6, 3-3 away), Pittsburgh (5-7, 3-2 home)

Line: Steelers by 3 1/2; O/U: 40 1/2

Synopsis: A wintery day is in the forecast (sleet, snow mix, temperature in the low 30s), which isn’t exactly what Miami is used to other than WR Mike Wallace, who faces his former team for the first time. Pittsburgh hopes to have running back Le’Veon Bell back from a concussion to face the No. 25 run “D.”

Pick: Steelers 23-17

Bills at Bucs

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Buffalo (4-8, 1-4 away), Tampa Bay (3-9, 2-4 home)

Line: Buccaneers by 2 1/2; O/U: 42 1/2

Synopsis: Tampa had won three in a row before being handled last week by Carolina but now gets a foe that is 1-4 on the road and is 29th in passing. But the Bucs have allowed nearly 140 rushing yards in their last three outings and the Bills are a ground-oriented club (139.2 yards a game, No. 4).

Pick: Bills 26-23

Falcons at Packers

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Atlanta (3-9, 1-5 away), Green Bay (5-6-1, 3-2-1 home)

Line: Packers by 3 1/2; O/U: 45

Synopsis: ATL finally got going on offense last weekend (423 yards and two touchdowns from Steven Jackson). It now faces a reeling club still minus QB Aaron Rodgers as Matt Flynn is set to start. The Pack is 0-4-1 without Rodgers, but RB Eddie Lacy will operate vs. the league’s No. 30 run defense.

Pick: Falcons 24-21

Titans at Broncos

Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.

Records: Tennessee (5-7, 3-3 away), Denver (10-2, 6-0 home)

Line: Broncos by 12; O/U: 49 1/2

Synopsis: Under normal circumstances, DEN could be expected for a letdown after its big win in KC. But it gets a lift with return of coach John Fox from heart surgery, plus it clinches playoff spot with a win. But TEN’s defense is decent and the kickoff temperature is forecast to be 13, not good for Broncos QB Peyton Manning.

Pick: Broncos 27-17

Rams at Cardinals

Kickoff: 1:25 p.m.

Records: St. Louis (5-7, 2-4 away), Arizona (7-5, 5-1 home)

Line: Cardinals by 6; O/U: 41 1/2

Synopsis: AZ’s 5-1 at home, where it clamps down defensively. But QB Carson Palmer (elbow) might not play and would be replaced by Drew Stanton – who hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass in three years. STL was shackled last week in SF and now faces the No. 4 run defense and is minus center Scott Wells (ankle).

Pick: Cardinals 23-13

Giants at Chargers

Kickoff: 1:25 p.m.

Records: New York (5-7, 2-4 away), San Diego (5-7, 2-3 home)

Line: Chargers by 3 1/2; O/U: 47

Synopsis: NY has won five of six after an 0-6 start, but quarterback Eli Manning hasn’t exactly shined. However, he faces the NFL’s No. 28 pass defense here. SD has lost four of its last five, the only win a surprise in Kansas City.

Pick: Chargers 26-20

Panthers at Saints

Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (NBC)

Records: Carolina (9-3, 4-2 away), New Orleans (9-3, 6-0 home)

Line: Saints by 3; O/U: 45 1/2

Synopsis: Marquee matchup for NFC South lead has been switched to prime time, and NO tries to bounce back from a clunker in Seattle. Saints are at home, where they are 6-0 and average 33.2 points. CAR has won nine in a row and is in the top six in all the major defensive stats, including No. 1 in points allowed (13.1 a game).

Pick: Saints 24-20

Cowboys at Bears

Monday: 5:40 p.m. (ESPN)

Records: Dallas (7-5, 2-4 away), Chicago (6-6, 4-2 home)

Line: Even; O/U: 48 1/2

Synopsis: DAL has won five of its last seven and figures to pound RB DeMarco Murray at the NFL’s worst run defense. CHI, 3-6 in its last nine, still is minus QB Jay Cutler.

Pick: Cowboys 26-24