Sam Farmer’s NFL picks for Week 14
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Oakland at Jacksonville
Records: 6-6; 7-5.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 704.
Line: Jaguars by 4. O/U: 43.
If the Raiders can play the run as well as they did against San Diego, they’re golden. That’s a tall order against the Jaguars and Maurice Jones-Drew. Jaguars 20, Raiders 17
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Cleveland at Buffalo
Records: 5-7; 2-10.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 705.
Line: Bills by 1. O/U: 39.
Buffalo has done a good job of hanging around in games. Cleveland should be able to control clock with Peyton Hillis and avoid a big Jake Delhomme mistake. Browns 17, Bills 10
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Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Records: 2-10; 9-3.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 706.
Line: Steelers by 8.5. O/U: 39.5.
The Steelers are banged up after a brutal (but fruitful) game at Baltimore. That shouldn’t trouble them against the downward-spiraling Bengals. Steelers 24, Bengals 14
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Atlanta at Carolina
Records: 10-2; 1-11.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 707.
Line: Falcons by 7. O/U: 42.
The biggest peril for Matt Ryan and the Falcons in this divisional mismatch is taking their eye off the ball. That’s not going to happen. Falcons 28, Panthers 16
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Tampa Bay at Washington
Records: 7-5; 5-7.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 708.
Line: Buccaneers by 2. O/U: 41.
Redskins can still be tough from time to time, and they’re getting Ryan Torain back. LeGarrette Blount and the Buccaneers are just hungrier. Buccaneers 23, Redskins 20
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Green Bay at Detroit
Records: 8-4; 2-10.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 709
Line: Packers by 6. O/U: 46.
The Lions have lost 10 in a row to the Packers and 19 straight to NFC North opponents. Drew Stanton is not the quarterback to end that streak. Packers 30, Lions 17
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N.Y. Giants at Minnesota
Records: 8-4; 5-7.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 710.
Line: Giants by 2. O/U: 43.
Eli Manning is 0-4 against the Vikings, including losses in the past two seasons. That said, has Brett Favre packed it in? Giants 27, Vikings 24
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Seattle at San Francisco
Records: 6-6; 4-8.
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 711.
Line: 49ers by 5. O/U: 42.
It’s back to Alex Smith for the 49ers, who have been doing the quarterback tango all season. Seattle has a hard time doing anything consistently well. 49ers 24, Seahawks 21
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St. Louis at New Orleans
Records: 6-6; 9-3.
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 712.
Line: Saints by 9. O/U: 47.
As well as Sam Bradford has played, the Rams have won only two on the road. The Saints are 5-1 at home and Drew Brees is back to his 2009 form. Saints 31, Rams 21
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New England at Chicago
Records: 10-2; 9-3.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 713.
Line: Patriots by 3. O/U: 41.
The Bears are blocking better and giving Jay Cutler more time. That might be enough to pull off an upset against a team due for a letdown. Bears 24, Patriots 23
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Denver at Arizona
Records: 3-9; 3-9.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 714.
Line: Broncos by 5. O/U: 42.
Interim coaches are undefeated in their first games this season, and Denver’s Eric Studesville could not have asked for a more appealing opponent. Broncos 30, Cardinals 17
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Miami at N.Y. Jets
Records: 6-6; 9-3.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 715.
Line: Jets by 5. O/U: 40.
The Jets won in Miami earlier this season and now have the advantage of: a) being at home, and b) having a playoff spot within their grasp. That’s enough. Jets 28, Dolphins 17
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Kansas City at San Diego
Records: 8-4; 6-6.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 716.
Line: Off board. O/U: Off.
Brodie Croyle is 0-9 as a starting quarterback for the Chiefs, and it doesn’t figure to get much better against the desperate Chargers. Chargers 28, Chiefs 20
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Philadelphia at Dallas
Records: 8-4; 4-8.
When: Sunday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 4
Line: Eagles by 3. O/U: 50.
The Cowboys are playing inspired football and could hold serve at home, but the Eagles are a superior team and that will be the decisive factor. Eagles 31, Cowboys 27
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Baltimore at Houston
Records: 8-4; 5-7.
When: Monday, 5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN.
Line: Ravens by 3. O/U: 45.
The Texans are falling apart and will have an especially difficult time slowing Joe Flacco and his capable Ravens receivers. Ravens 24, Texans 20
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