Baltimore Beatdown Picks: Week 14

The Ravens defense will face one their greatest challenges of the year this weekend, and the rest of league is heating up with playoff scenarios and divisional competition. In Week 13, Baltimore Beatdown readers surpassed the writers, claiming the number one spot on the leader board. This week, the staff will chase the power of the crowd in predicting every matchup. As always, readers are encouraged to join in and vote in the polls at the bottom of this article.

Current standings:

1. Readers (123-67)
2. Kyle A. (121-69)
3. Frank (120-70)
4. Jake and Sage (119-71)
5. Vas (118-72)
6. Logan and Kyle B. (112-78)
7. Dustin (111-79)
8. Zach (108-81)

An analysis of the Baltimore Beatdown staff picks

Can the Ravens upset the Chiefs at Arrowhead?

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense have been one of the biggest storylines of the 2018 season, and Kansas City is a perfect 5-0 at home this year. While Lamar Jackson has certainly been a spark plug for Baltimore’s three-game winning streak, he has a tough task ahead to stay undefeated as a starter. Can Baltimore’s league leading defense contain Mahomes enough to give Jackson a chance to win a shoot out? Just two writers believe the Ravens will leave with a victory (KC -6.5), with 77.8% of the Beatdown staff predicting a loss.

Consensus winners

• The Giants take advantage of an injured Redskins team (NYG -3.5)

While the Giants are still going to be in rebuilding mode this offseason, the have become increasingly competitive compared to the start of the year. And without the services of Alex Smith, Washington has lost three straight.

• The Chargers defeat the Bengals (LAC -14.0)

The Chargers dropped 18 points on Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter to leave Heinz Field with a last second victory in Week 13. Cincinnati is effectively shut down for the season without Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, clearing the way for Philip Rivers and company to improve to 10-3.

• The Steelers extend their AFC North lead with a win over the Raiders (PIT -10.5)

Oakland has been a bottom feeder team all season, and the Steelers have the second ranked passing offense in the league. At least the Raiders draft order would continue to improve with another loss.

‘Lone wolf’ picks

• Logan: Buccaneers over Saints (NO -8.0), 49ers over Broncos (DEN -4.0) and Bears over Rams (LAR -3.0)

Logan hit on both of his Week 13 ‘lone wolf’ picks when he predicted the Cowboys and Giants wins. This week, he is banking on New Orleans to fall short in avenging their Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay, and predicting the Bears bounce back big from their overtime loss to the Giants. He also predicts that the Broncos hot streak runs cold against a 2-10 San Francisco squad.

• Frank: Jaguars over Titans (TEN -5.0), Eagles over Cowboys (DAL -3.5), Vikings over Seahawks (SEA -3.0)

While home teams generally have the edge on Thursday Night Football, Frank is looking to move up the leader board by selecting the Jaguars to win consecutive games. Despite a statement win over New Orleans one week ago, Frank is predicting the defending Super Bowl champions to win a crucial divisional game against Dallas. Seattle seems to be peaking at the right moment, but with Minnesota the only team truly chasing Chicago for the division, the Seahawks three-game win streak could be snapped by a motivated Vikings team.

• Kyle B.: Dolphins over Patriots (NE -7.5)

Kyle is banking on the Dolphins historical success against the Patriots in Miami. In Week 14 of the 2017 season, a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter by New England was still not enough to close the gap at Hard Rock Stadium.

All writers’ picks can be found in the table below.

Vote in the polls below for the winner of each Week 14 matchup:

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