Things start out hot with Oakland battling Kansas City in KC on Thursday, Dec. 8. It just gets more intense from there. Seattle travels to Green Bay to take on the desperate Packers. Dallas looks for revenge against the only team that’s beaten them this season, the New York Giants, in this Sunday Night Football matchup. Then on Monday, one of the great unsung rivalries in the NFL, Baltimore versus New England, takes place. Check out every single NFL game in my Week 14 preview.
Editors Note: Check also Week 14 Betting Picks by Matt Ross
NFL Betting – Regular Season Week 14 Preview
Thursday, Dec. 8
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs -3 (8:30 pm ET)
The Chiefs have kept pace with the Raiders. The big key in this game is going to be KC’s ability to stop the Raiders’ passing offense. The Chiefs beat Oakland 26 to 10 earlier this season. If KC can repeat that performance, they should not only win the game but also cover the spread. Oakland is a good team. But the Raiders’ defense isn’t very good at all while KC’s defense can be downright brilliant at times. I like the Chiefs.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Pittsburgh Steelers -2 at Buffalo Bills (1:00 pm ET)
The problem for the Bills isn’t their offense. With Tyrod Taylor at QB and LeSean McCoy at RB, the Bills can score with most teams in the NFL. The problem with the Bills is that their defense can fall apart. Oakland scored 38 against the Bills in Week 13. Pittsburgh should be good for at least 30. That should give the Steelers the win and cover ATS.
San Diego Chargers at Carolina Panthers -1 (1:00 pm ET)
Carolina just isn’t the same team that won the NFC last season. That’s all there is too it. Even before Luke Kuechley went down with the concussion, the Panthers were struggling to beat teams. Now that Carolina’s brass has decided to bench QB Cam Newton for the first Panthers’ offensive series every game because they don’t like the way that he dresses…well, that’s just silly, isn’t it? San Diego takes home a win with few problems on Dec. 11.
Cincinnati Bengals -5.5 at Cleveland Browns (1:00 pm ET)
The Bengals probably should be favored by more than 5.5 points over the Cleveland Browns. In that respect, I like Cincinnati. But Cleveland goes into this game off a bye. Not only that, but RGIII is probable. Is he the answer in Cleveland? Probably not. For a team that hasn’t won yet this season, though, any spark that they can get is a good spark. RGIII could bring a spark. I like the Browns ATS although I’m too chicken to write that they beat the Bengals straight up.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions -8 (1:00 pm ET)
Chicago played great when destroying the San Francisco 49’ers in a home game in the snow in Week 13. That won’t be the case in Week 14. The way that Detroit’s defense handled the Saints in the Super Dome in Week 13 means that it’s going to take a gargantuan effort by the Bears to stay close in this game. If Detroit’s defense has gotten it together, they’re a legit contender to win the NFC this season. Yes, QB Matt Stafford has been that good in 2016.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (1:00 pm ET)
The Texans barely have an offense. Colts’ QB Andrew Luck is healthy. I see the Colts covering in this game by at least 10 points. Not only was Andrew Luck magnificent in the Monday night blowout win over the Jets, but so was the rushing attack. And, surprisingly, so was the defense. Colts by 10 to 17 in this matchup.
Minnesota Vikings -3.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 pm ET)
81% of football handicappers back the Vikings at -3.5. That’s a lot of points for a team like Minnesota, who has a resemblance of an offense but not a real offense, to give up to the desperate to save their jobs at every position Jacksonville Jaguars. Then again, Jags’ QB Blake Bortles has been unbelievably bad. It’s almost like he forgot how to set his feet, how to throw a 10 and out…just the basics of being a quarterback. Still, I’ll take the 3.5 points.
Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins -1 (1:00 pm ET)
Arizona broke a losing streak in Week 13. Miami started a losing streak in Week 13. Who has the upper hand in this match up? I must go with the Cardinals. They’re the veteran team who knows that they’re still in the NFC Playoff hunt. It’s not going to be easy but the Cardinals could still make the playoffs. Then, who knows what will happen? Miami got trounced 6 to 38 by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. It’s going to be easier for the Cardinals to keep things going the right way than it will be for Miami to get back on the right track. I’m backing AZ.
Washington Redskins pk at Philadelphia Eagles pk (1:00 pm ET)
The Eagles have now lost 3 in a row and 7 out of their last 9. Philadelphia has some things to think about during the off-season. Washington is in the thick of the NFC Playoff Race. Washington should have no trouble winning this game on Sunday. Although they’ve lost 2 in a row, they’re just a better team than Philadelphia is. I like Washington to win by at least 6 points.
Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans -1.5 (1:00 pm ET)
This is one of those no-brainer picks to me. Sure, Denver is desperate. But, so are the Titans. The Broncos’ defense has had trouble stopping the rush this season. The Titans are one of the best rushing teams in the NFL. If Denver brings up an extra run stopper, Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota will start sending Taje Sharp and Kendall Wright deep. Tennessee wins this game and covers the spread.
NY Jets at San Francisco 49’ers -2.5 (4:05 pm ET)
Wow. Two of the worst, if not the worst, teams in the NFL battle it out in Santa Clara on Sunday. Without a doubt, the edge goes to the San Francisco 49’ers. They play with heart while the Jets, although talented in a lot of areas, just don’t seem to care about winning. I think SF takes it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 49’ers win by at least 7 points.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 (4:25 pm ET)
Tampa Bay is on a 4 game winning streak. The Buccaneers are favored over the Saints for the first time in what seems like forever. The problem that I have with backing the Bucs in this game is that Saints’ QB Drew Brees was terrible in New Orleans’ loss to Detroit in Week 13. I just don’t see Brees being that bad again. In fact, he usually steps it up big time off bad games. I like New Orleans to win straight up.
Seattle Seahawks -2.5 at Green Bay Packers (4:25 pm ET)
It’s hard for me to see Seattle stopping Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense with free safety Earl Thomas out with a broken leg. QB Aaron Rodgers has shown great patience in the Packers’ last 2 games, both wins. Rodgers should have no trouble taking apart a Seattle defense without Thomas. Like New Orleans, I think Green Bay is a dog that wins their Week 14 game straight up.
Atlanta Falcons -6 at Los Angeles Rams (4:25 pm ET)
This must be one of the top picks of Week 14. Los Angeles has decided to give first pick QB Jared Goff some much needed experience. Goff is playing like a rookie, which means that the Rams’ offense is bad. Atlanta has one of the best offenses in the NFL. Two weeks ago, the Rams had to play against QB Drew Brees. In Week 13, the Rams’ defense took on QB Tom Brady. Now, in Week 14, they have to battle Matt Ryan and Julio Jones? Something’s unfair about that. Atlanta rolls to an easy victory on Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys -3 at NY Giants (8:30 pm ET)
The betting line is somewhat off to me in this key NFC East match up. I truly believe that the Giants should be a slight 1-point favorite. Dallas hasn’t covered against the spread in their last 2 games. Eli has had monster moments against the Cowboys’ defense. The Giants are a sneaky good 8-4. Dallas looks to be wearing down. I like the Giants to win this game straight up.
Monday, Dec. 12
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots -7 (8:30 pm ET)
Here’s another betting line that seems off. The Patriots have been covering machines for most of this season. But they face a fired up, peaking, tough Baltimore Ravens team in Week 14. Baltimore has the defense, and now offense after Week 13, to stick with New England. This should be a game that goes down to the final possession. Baltimore will cover the spread. They have an outside shot at beating the Pats straight up in what is guaranteed to be a rare but great Monday Night Football matchup.