NFL Week 14 Picks: Game-by-Game Over/Under Predictions

As impossible as it can be to simply pick on betting lines in the parity-stricken NFL, navigating the over/under lines can be an even tougher proposition.

While a handful of teams aren't known for their defensive prominence and others can dominate the game with defense, things typically change from week to week. Even the best of secondaries can stand no chance against some of the league's elite quarterbacks, while the league's poorer defensive units can rise to the occasion right as experts call out their ineptitude. 

Week 14 of the season offers more over/under lines that prove tricky, but targeting the right lines in the right matchups makes all the difference.

Here's a breakdown of over/under lines and picks for Week 14, as we highlight the best calls to make.

Away (Spread)	Home (Spread)	Over/Under	Prediction
Dallas Cowboys (-4.5)	Chicago Bears	51.5	DAL 31-24
New York Giants (-1)	Tennessee Titans	45.5	NYG 27-24
Pittsburgh Steelers	Cincinnati Bengals (-4)	47	CIN 20-16
St. Louis Rams (-2)	Washington Redskins	44.5	STL 27-17
Carolina Panthers	New Orleans Saints (-9)	49.5	NO 30-27
New York Jets	Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)	40.5	MIN 17-13
Baltimore Ravens	Miami Dolphins (-3)	44.5	BAL 27-17
Indianapolis Colts (-3)	Cleveland Browns	49.5	IND 31-14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Detroit Lions (-8.5)	41.5	DET 41-20
Houston Texans (-4)	Jacksonville Jaguars	42	HOU 35-21
Buffalo Bills	Denver Broncos (-9)	47.5	DEN 34-24
Kansas City Chiefs	Arizona Cardinals (-1.5)	40	ARI 20-17
Seattle Seahawks	Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5)	48	SEA 24-21
San Francisco 49ers (-7)	Oakland Raiders	41	SF 27-7
New England Patriots (-3)	San Diego Chargers	51	NE 34-28
Atlanta Falcons	Green Bay Packers (-10.5)	55.5	GB 41-24

Note: Spreads and over/under lines courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated Dec. 2 at 11 p.m. ET

Under: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

In the first of two all-important late-season showdowns between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, defenses from both sides will rise to the occasion.

There's really no doubt that the stakes will be high in this AFC North showdown, with the Bengals trying to hold off the other three teams in the division that are all above .500. It will be even more crucial for the Steelers, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller demonstrates:

A pair of tough losses in their last three games—at the Jets and at home to New Orleans—have Pittsburgh fighting for its postseason life. But a team led by Ben Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell won't go out quietly.

It will, however, struggle to score against a Bengals defense that has dominated as of late. In each of the last three games, Cincinnati has allowed 13 points or fewer. 

Much of that is tied to a strong secondary, which Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin lauded, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette:

The Bengals' recent success will put them in the driver's seat at home against a talented Steelers squad, but an offensive explosion shouldn't be expected from Andy Dalton and Co. either. Against Tampa Bay's treacherous secondary in Week 13, Dalton had just one touchdown along with three interceptions.

With so much on the line, touchdowns will be hard to come by in a game that should finish well below the over/under line.

Prediction: Bengals 20, Steelers 16

Over: New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

When two offenses that have proved to be as potent as New England's and San Diego's get together for a late tilt with playoff implications, fireworks should be expected.

New England's offense sputtered through the first month of the season but then took off, and it's been largely unstoppable ever since. From the Patriots' seven-game win streak to their 26-21 loss in Green Bay last week, Tom Brady is on a 25-4 touchdown-to-interception tear.

The Patriots' opponents Sunday don't look much worse from an offensive standpoint. Philip Rivers has passing yardage totals of 291 and 383 in his last two games—both wins over St. Louis and Baltimore.

Problems in the secondary for both teams, however, will play just as big a role in the offensive explosion. 

The Patriots secondary had been on point for most of the year, but it fell apart thanks to Aaron Rodgers in Week 13, as ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss looked into:

San Diego's passing defense has improved drastically from a year ago, but it still isn't performing at the level capable of slowing down Brady. The only comparable quarterback the Chargers have faced this year is Peyton Manning, who threw three touchdowns to Emmanuel Sanders in Week 8.

Plus, the Chargers' weakness is in the middle of the field at the linebacker spot. If you're like me, you smell another big day for tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Prediction: Patriots 34, Chargers 28