Section 400’s Week 14 Monday Night Football Roundtable

Week 14 of the NFL season concludes on Monday night with a couple of “eh” Monday Night Football games, as the 9-3 Dolphins host the god-awful Titans, while the suddenly surging Packers travel to MetLife Stadium to take on the 4-8 Giants.

The Dolphins and the Packers are both amid separate pushes as the season reaches its final verse. Miami controls its own destiny in the push for the lone by in the AFC playoffs, while Green Bay is alive-and-well in the NFC North thanks to yet another disaster in Detroit.

On the other side, the Titans and Giants have their sites set for 2024.

As will be the case every Monday during the NFL season, the guys from Section 400 are here to give their takes on action.

Here is what Section 400 writers Brian Hauch, Matt Kolen, and Jack Albanese are thinking heading into the final games of Week 14.

Who’s world is this?

Neither of these games tonight is particularly or objectively “good”. Both start at the same time (figure it out Godell), so which one will you have your eyes on?

BH: For as good as the Packers have been, Green Bay simply cannot stop the run. You could put a toddler in the opposing backfield and it would still find a way to rush for 60 yards. Luckily for the Giants, Saquon Barkley is back there. Tommy Cutlets and my New York Giants are going to give Green Bay a game, and it’ll be worth watching.

MK: Both games stink. Tua and Tyreek are must-watch television as the Dolphins try to lock up the 1-seed, so I guess I’ll tune in for that. The Packers vs. Giants game should be a defensive battle that could go either way so it could be entertaining, but I won’t lose any sleep if I decide to bow out in the second half.

JA: I’m a football junkie, so both obviously, but I’ll be focused on the Titans and Dolphins.

Detroit can lose to Everybody

After starting the season 5-1, Detroit has gone a mediocre 4-3 in its last 7 games. Can the Packers put the pressure on them with a win tonight?

BH: Absolutely. The Packers should be favored in every game remaining on their schedule, while the Lions still have to play the Broncos, Cowboys, and Vikings twice. They’ll most likely be favored in 3 of those, but a loss to the Broncos combined with Packers wins against the Giants and Bucs make things interesting.

MK: The door is wide open for the Packers to make some noise down the stretch here. They’re playing very motivated football behind quarterback Jordan Love. Green Bay could make the Lions NFC North push very tricky.

JA: If the Lions’ defense doesn’t figure it out soon, the Packers could make some noise. Green Bay has been red hot and could take the north with some magic, but it’s not likely. Jordan Love leading sitting atop the North at the end of the year would be more surprising than Bran sitting atop the Iron Throne.

Feel This Moment.

The Dolphins control their destiny for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Can Miami capture a first-round bye?

BH: Even though the Ravens struggled against the Rams this week, I still think they are the best team in the AFC. Luckily for me and the rest of all you football fans out there, Miami travels to Baltimore in what could be a battle for the bye on New Years’ Eve.

MK: I think the Dolphins have it locked up. The Ravens will give them trouble, but the Dolphins have a slightly easier remaining schedule. Miami has enough in the tank to get it done. 

JA: No. The Baltimore Ravens are going to get the bye. The Dolphins end the regular season with Dallas, Baltimore, and Buffalo. Miami still has not proved they can beat good teams, so a 0-3 or 1-2 stretch there is very possible.

Best Bets

We have two games tonight, so give me your two best bets fellas!

BH: I alluded to it above, but Saquon Barkley is going to soar over his line of 69.5 rushing yards. I’ll give you De’Von Achane to score a touchdown in the AFC matchup.

MK: I have three! Tua Tagovailoa over 2.5 passing touchdowns (+142) has some great value. As for the other game, I’m with Brian on Saquon Barkley over 69.5 rushing yards. Also, look for Jayden Reed to have a nice game and surpass his line of 45.5 receiving yards. 

JA: The Packers and Giants game is going to go under 37.5 points. In terms of the game I’ll be watching, I like Tyreek Hill over 112.5 receiving yards and him to score a touchdown.

Final Scores

We each have to chances to correctly predict a final score tonight. We’re due.

BH: I feel bad for what the Miami Dolphins are about to do to Will Levis and the Titans. Dolphins win big, 35-13.

As for my Giants, they get a big victory tonight as the Legend of Tommy Devito grows even more. GMEN take down the Packers, 23-13.

MK: Miami wins big 36-17.

Brian is being delusional thinking the Giants have a shot. Packers win and cover, 23-16.

JA: Dolphins blow out the Titans, 31-14
The Packers beat Giants in a close one, 20-13