Mark Craig's Week 14 NFL picks

We've reached December, a time for goodwill, holiday cheer and NFL followers who yammer on about "MUST-WIN!" games that usually aren't and situations that would happen "IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY," which it never does. The Cowboys "MUST WIN!" The Bears "MUST WIN!" The Jets "MUST WIN!"

OK, strike that last one. But you get the idea.

Here are some "MUST!!" situations and things that would happen "IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY" that we'll keep an eye on for Week 14:

NYJ +6 at MIN

Vikings 28, Jets 21

The Vikings "MUST!!" be on the lookout for weights thrown by Percy Harvin.

BAL +2½ at MIA

The Dolphins and Ravens "MUST!!" win. Or they can "WAIT!!" until Roger Goodell expands the playoffs to everyone with a pulse.

PIT +3 at CIN

Bengals by 7

Win or lose, Ben Roethlisberger "MUST!!" keep the fantasy football nerds feeling like they're this close to being a real GM.

HOU -6 at JAX

The "J.J. Watt 4 MVP" club "MUST!!" send thank-you notes to Tennessee and Jacksonville.

NYG pick at TEN

Giants by 3

Eli Manning "MUST!!" find a way to win a third Super Bowl because people have stopped putting him in the Hall of Fame for his second one.

CAR +10 at NO

The Saints "MUST!!" lose fewer times than Atlanta.

TB +10 at DET

Lions by 3

If the season ended today, Bucs fans would argue that they saw it coming when Atlanta went up 56-0 a couple of months ago.

STL -3 at WAS

If the season ended today, the Redskins would be happy, RG III would be happier and the Rams would be like, "Any time you guys want to trade draft picks, you got our number."

BUF +10 at DEN

Broncos by 3

Kyle Orton "MUST!!" pinch himself every day.

KC +1 at ARZ

The Cardinals "MUST!!" have pinched themselves and woken next to Drew Stanton.

SF -8 at OAK

Raiders by 3

Ohio State fans "MUST!!" pray that Jim Harbaugh isn't traded to Michigan.

SEA +1 at PHI

Marshawn Lynch "MUST" talk to reporters more often so that his words can return to having absolutely no value.

NE -3½ at SD

Patriots by 6

If the season ended today, Bill Belichick would be hoping someone not named Aaron wins the NFC.

ATL +12½ at GB

If the season ended today, the Falcons wouldn't have to spend three hours running two steps behind Jordy Nelson.

IND -3½ at CLE

Browns by 3

The Browns "MUST!!" reconsider ruining the launch date of ESPN XL's "All-Johnny Network."

Record

vs. spread: 6-7/ 87-89

Vikings picks: 9-3