Brink’s Best Bets: Washington at 49ers and All NFL Week 14 Predictions (Playoff Watch Edition)

Season Record: 112-79
49ers Picks Record: 4-8

Best & Worst Picks of Week 13

My Best Pick: Dolphins 27 - Bengals 12
Final Score: Dolphins 19 - Bengals 7

My Worst Pick: Seahawks 37 - Giants 14
Final Score: Seahawks 12 - Giants 17

Week 14 Picks

New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams (-6) - Rams defense will be too much for Scam Newton Rams 23 - Patriots 10

Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (+7.5) - Titans come out angry, steamroll hapless Jags Titans 31 - Jaguars 9

Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants (+2.5) *PLAYOFF WATCH* - 49ers fans, you root for the NYG on Sunday. The Cardinals have been sinking to typical Kingsbury mediocrity lately, and the Giants defense is ascending. Big Blue helps out the 49ers, hoping the 49ers help them out with WFT later in the day Giants 26 - Cardinals 19

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins (+7.5) - Upset alert. Brian Flores puts the clamps on Mahomes, while Tua makes some magic Dolphins 27 - Chiefs 24

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions (+7.5) *PLAYOFF WATCH* - Aaron Rodgers is your guy today 49ers fans. The Lions own a tie-breaker over the 49ers. Lions don't stand a chance in this one, they used their magic up last week Packers 34 - Lions 20

Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5) *PLAYOFF WATCH* - This one is interesting, the 49ers benefit more if the Vikings lose, but if the Bucs lose they could end up with only having a 1-game lead over the 49ers for a wild-card spot. 49ers fans definitely should be rooting for the Bucs here, but if they can't get the job done, it could be a lateral move. Expect Brady and Co. to ball out here. They need this one badly, and you can't trust Kirk Cousins in December Bucs 27 - Vikings 13

Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) - Uglier than a Master P sneaker. Cowboys 13 - Bengals 8

Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears (+1.5) *PLAYOFF WATCH* - It's the battle of the QBs the 49ers didn't want in 2017. Luckily the Texans have the much better one, the Niners need a Bears loss as they're currently tied with them sitting at 5-7. Deshaun Watson will shine over all else Texans 28 - Bears 16

New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks (-13.5) - Seattle couldn't possibly lose to the Jets could they? Jets 22...sike. Seahawks 28 - Jets 20

Indianapolis Colts vs. Las Vegas Raiders (+2.5) - One of these teams will make the playoffs, that team wins this game Raiders 21 - Colts 20

New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles (+7) - Jalen Hurts shocks the world Eagles 27 - Saints 17

Atlanta Falcons vs. Los Angeles Chargers (+2.5) - Herbert with 5 TDs. Chargers 41 - Falcons 37

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills (+1) - Bills hand Steelers their 2nd loss. Allen shines in prime time, again. Bills 23 - Steelers 20

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns (pick 'em) - There's a new #2 in the North Browns 45 - Ravens 27

Washington Football Team vs. San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)

Why SF Wins: The loss to the Bills on MNF shouldn't discourage the 49ers. They were beat by a much better team, but the WFT is not a much better team. The 49ers need this win. If they don't come through here, the playoff dream is officially over. With this in mind, Kyle Shanahan will have to pull out some magic against a dominant defense in WFT. If the 49ers are to win, Shanahan will have to get creative and courageous on offense and the 49ers defense will have to get a few turnovers. If they can do these 2 things, they will pull to 6-7.

Why SF Loses: The WFT looks very familiar to 49ers fans. With Alex Smith leading a team with a vicious defense, coached by a former Bears legend, we all just took a time machine back to 2011. Smith is a gamer, a leader, and a flat-out winner. He manages the game extremely well and allows the defense to control the football game. Chase Young and Montez Sweat can tear through a poor 49ers offensive line and make life a living hell for Nick Mullens. Smart offensive play and a fierce pass-rush and the 49ers won't stand a chance.

Prediction: This will be a low scoring affair. Both defenses will come ready to fight, but the surging team will continue its playoff push and the defending NFC champs will fade away. WFT 17 - 49ers 13

• Gilbert Brink
• Written by:
  Gilbert Brink
  49ers outsider, residing in the Hudson Valley, representing 30+ years of the 49ers experience
  All articles by Gilbert Brink
  @Brinkasaurus