It’s hard to believe Week 14 of the NFL regular season is already here. My Week 13 picks were all over the place. I picked just 10 of 16 games correctly and was 0-4 on the Thanksgiving Day and Friday games.
Through thirteen weeks I’m now sitting at 130-64 with predictions. Let’s see how well I can do with my Week 14 picks.
Thursday Night Football — Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions
Winner: Lions
Week 14 starts off with a huge matchup of two teams on the outside looking in relative to the NFC’s playoff picture. The Cowboys have managed to win three in a row, while the Lions dropped their Thanksgiving Day matchup. Neither team can afford to lose this game if they want to make the postseason. Ultimately, I believe the Lions will find a way to win this one.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
Winner: Seahawks
The Seahawks got a little bit of luck with the Carolina Panthers upsetting the Los Angeles Rams last weekend. That puts them both at a 9-3 tie in the NFC West. Upsets can happen any given Sunday, but I’m confident the Seahawks’ defense will be able to shut down the Falcons offense. I’m picking Seattle.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
Winner: Bills
With an 8-4 record, the Bills are currently slated as the seventh seed in the AFC West playoffs. They are several games behind the Patriots in the AFC East. I feel this is a must-win game for them. Dropping this one would almost assuredly give the Patriots the division title and make their path to the postseason even harder. I think Josh Allen and company will find a way to defeat the Bengals at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns
Winner: Browns
The Titans nor Browns have a shot at the postseason. Right now, they are simply playing for pride. Cam Ward has been sacked a lot this season and I have a feeling Myles Garrett is going to have a huge game. I’ll be taking the Browns for that reason.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings
Winner: Commanders
The Commanders have lost seven in a row but played tough against the Broncos. Meanwhile, the Vikings are in a tailspin of their own dropping four straight. The quarterback play in Minnesota has been a disaster. Whether it’s Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota under center on Sunday for Washington, I’ll be taking the Commanders.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
Winner: Dolphins
This AFC East matchup doesn’t have any playoffs implications. It’s probably one of the most boring games on this weekend’s slate. The Dolphins have won three in a row, and I believe they will make that four on Sunday.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winner: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are atop of the NFC South, but the Carolina Panthers are right on their heels after their upset victory over the Rams. This is a must-win game for Tampa Bay if they want to stay ahead of the Panthers. Neither of these teams have good defenses, but I like what the Buccaneers can do on offense. I’ll be taking Baker Mayfield and Co. in this one.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
Winner: Jaguars
This AFC South matchup should be a fun watch. Both teams are at 8-4 and in the playoff hunt. The Jaguars currently have the edge due to tiebreakers. However, this is the first time they have squared off this season. Jacksonville has the momentum advantage and are winners of three in a row, while the Colts have dropped the past two. I’m going with the Jaguars in this one.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Winner: Ravens
Sporting 6-6 records, the Steelers and Ravens are tied in the AFC North. This game will have a huge impact on how the division will eventually shake out. It’s hard to envision either of these teams making it as a wildcard. The Ravens looked really sloppy in last week’s loss with all those turnovers, but I believe they will clean up those miscues and earn a big division win at home.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders
Winner: Broncos
The Broncos were able to notch their tenth victory of the season after toppling the Commanders in overtime on Sunday Night Football. They are within striking distance of the top seed in the AFC but will have to clean up their miscues in order to bypass losing to the 2-10 Raiders. I’m confident they will do that and get their eleventh win of the season.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Winner: Packers
This battle for the NFC North should be one of the best games of the week. At 9-3, the Bears have a slight lead in the division over the Packers who are 8-3-1. It’s the first time they have played this season. Both offenses have been doing well, but the Packers have a much better defense. For that reason, as well as homefield advantage, I’m taking the Green Bay.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
Winner: Rams
Anything can happen any given Sunday. The Rams dropping last week’s game against the Panthers is proof of that. I fully expect them to play much better against the Cardinals. They need a victory to stay alongside the Seahawks in the division and to have a shot at the top seed in the NFC.
Sunday Night Football — Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Winner: Texans
There is a lot at stake in this primetime matchup. The Texans (7-5) and Chiefs (6-6) desperately need a win on Sunday Night Football. Both are currently out of the playoff seeding in the AFC. Playing at Arrowhead Stadium in December is never easy, but the Texans have a great defense which will give them a shot. A lot of folks are taking the Chiefs at home, but I’m pushing my chips in on Houston.
Monday Night Football — Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Chargers
Winner: Eagles
The Eagles (8-4) have dropped two in a row but are still the top team in the NFC East. Whereas the Chargers (8-4) are two games behind the Broncos in the AFC West. Justin Herbert fractured his non-throwing hand last weekend. If Herbert isn’t able to go, that means former first-round pick Trey Lance will get the start. I think Philadelphia is poised to get back on track with a victory here.
