NFL Week 14 Picks: Early Predictions for Every Game
While Thursday night games have gotten a reputation for being low-quality events this season, it seems that the NFL is picking it up in that area as the regular season hits the homestretch.
There were three quality games on Thanksgiving, and the Week 13 contest between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings was another high-quality event that saw the visiting Cowboys win their 11th game in a row.
The upcoming Thursday night game between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs appears to be the best on this year's schedule.
This matchup will be for first place in the AFC West, as both teams have been performing at a high level since Week 1.
The Raiders have a 10-2 record after their 38-24 home victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, while the Chiefs are coming off a dramatic 29-28 road win over the Atlanta Falcons.
| Oakland at Kansas City | Kansas City -3 | Kansas City |
| Denver at Tennessee | NL | Tennessee |
| Pittsburgh at Buffalo | Pittsburgh -2 | Pittsburgh |
| Washington at Philadelphia | Washington -1 | Washington |
| Minnesota at Jacksonville | Minnesota -3 | Minnesota |
| Cincinnati at Cleveland | Cincinnati -3 | Cleveland |
| Arizona at Miami | Miami -2.5 | Arizona |
| San Diego at Carolina | NL | San Diego |
| Chicago at Detroit | Detroit -7.5 | Detroit |
| Houston at Indianapolis | NL | Indianapolis |
| N.Y. Jets at San Francisco | NL | N.Y. Jets |
| New Orleans at Tampa Bay | Tampa Bay -3 | Tampa Bay |
| Atlanta at Los Angeles | Atlanta -5 | Los Angeles |
| Seattle at Green Bay | NL | Green Bay |
| Dallas at N.Y. Giants | Dallas -3 | Dallas |
| Baltimore at New England | NL | New England |
After the Falcons took a 28-27 lead on a Matt Ryan touchdown pass with 4:32 left, safety Eric Berry intercepted Ryan's attempt at a two-point conversion and returned it all the way for two Kansas City points. A one-point deficit was turned into a one-point victory.
The Chiefs should have plenty of confidence as they return to Arrowhead Stadium for this game. They defeated the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 12, and they beat the Raiders in their previous meeting in Oakland.
The Chiefs are three-point favorites in this game, according to OddsShark.
The Raiders have one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the league thanks to quarterback Derek Carr, running back Latavius Murray and wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
While the Chiefs play a much more conservative game with Alex Smith at quarterback, they have a game-breaking type of defense that features pass-rusher Justin Houston, cornerback Marcus Peters and Berry.
The veteran Chiefs are led by one of the best strategists in the NFL in Andy Reid, and they are not going to let this important home game get away.
This will be a back-and-forth game for three quarters, but the Chiefs will take over in the final 15 minutes and secure the victory and cover the spread.
By virtue of a sweep in the season series, the Chiefs will find themselves in first place in the division.
Chicago at Detroit
The Detroit Lions have been one of the big surprises in the NFL this season.
Most observers thought the NFC North would belong to either the Minnesota Vikings or the Green Bay Packers, and when the Vikings started 5-0, there seemed little doubt.
But while the Lions were playing rather inconsistently, they were not making many of the end-of-game mistakes that they had become known for in recent years.
Instead of blowing games in the fourth quarter, they were starting to win in the final 15 minutes. Much of the credit must go to quarterback Matthew Stafford, who stopped putting the ball in harm's way and matured as a signal-caller. Stafford is having a remarkable season, having thrown 21 touchdown passes and just five interceptions.
The Lions picked up a vital road win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, and they have an 8-4 record with a two-game lead in the division.
The Bears picked up a home win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13, but they have won just three times this season. They have been riddled with injuries, and they simply lack the talent to stay with the Lions for 60 minutes.
Detroit has been installed as a 7.5-point favorite, and we see Stafford, Golden Tate and Theo Riddick winning this game and covering the spread.
Cincinnati at Cleveland
The games are dwindling down to a precious few for the Cleveland Browns.
They have put on their helmets and shoulder pads 12 times this season, and they have tasted defeat after each of those games.
The Browns are coming off their bye week, and they are hoping to have quarterback Robert Griffin III (shoulder) back in the lineup.
Regardless of whether Griffin plays, look for Hue Jackson's team to come up with its best effort of the year against a longtime, in-state rival. The Cincinnati Bengals finally returned to the win column as they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13, but this has been a painful season for head coach Marvin Lewis.
When it comes to talent, the Bengals have a keen edge over the Browns, and that's why they are four-point favorites. But we expect the human factor to take over, and the Browns will not roll over or fall apart here.
They are professional athletes and competitors, and they may just find a way to win.
Whether they do or not, they will cover the four-point spread and reward their backers.
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