NFL Picks: Week 14 Against the Spread

My predictions have reached the point where I share the same path as the Carolina Panthers: I started out okay, have been quite terrible lately and yet, somehow, have delusions of grandeur that I can still pull this thing out at the end.

My thing, for those of you joining late (and welcome to you—stay awhile!) is a "Joe" vs. "Pro" competition, with yours truly going up against the "pro," math professor extraordinaire and founder of Big Time Sharps, Bill Davis. 

If it were horseshoes and hand grenades last week, I actually would have fared pretty well, coming just a couple points away from pulling off a couple more games. But, alas, it's football, free of consolation prizes.

So I'm saying there's a chance? Heading into the weekend, 22 of the 32 teams in the league still have a realistic chance at the postseason. The following are our best chances to pull some coin, with lines courtesy of ESPN.com: 

Last Week

Davis: 2 correct picks

Glauser: A lonely 1 

Total

Davis: 11 correct picks

Glauser: 6 correct picks

Davis Pick No. 1: St. Louis Rams (-3) over Washington Redskins

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

"The Rams are not offensively as good a team as they were last week. They had the Raiders to thank for that. However, they have been improving and consistent defensively all season. The Redskins statistically have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league."

Pick against the spread: "The Davis Equation has St. Louis beating Washington by at least a field goal."

Glauser Pick No. 1: NY Giants (-1.5) over Tennessee Titans

Joe Murphy/Getty Images

Consider this a “mercy” pick, as we need to give people outside of the greater New York and Nashville regions a reason to watch this snooze-fest. There have been 13 consecutive losses combined between these two floundering franchises, so something’s got to give.

Pick against the spread: Eli Manning finally learned which color jersey to throw it to last week and Odell Beckham, Jr. is becoming more fun to watch as the season progresses. The G-men should salvage a victory against a Titans squad (average loss by 14.3 points) that seems to have its sights set on next year already.

Davis Pick No. 2: Kansas City Chiefs (-1) over Arizona Cardinals

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

"Some teams rely so heavily on one player, while others don’t. The numbers show a huge skew in the data for the Cardinals when Carson Palmer got injured. The Chiefs, on the other hand, are a more balanced team on both sides of the ball."

Pick against the spread: "The Davis Equation has the Chiefs defeating the Cardinals."

Glauser Pick No. 2: Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) over Cleveland Browns

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Between you and me, I’m just not sold on the Browns. Losers of two of its last three (and the one win against a very mediocre Falcons squad), Cleveland now goes up against a dangerous Indy team.

Pick against the spread: An already jittery Brian Hoyer is now looking over his shoulder at (a likely hung over) Johnny Football on the sidelines, chomping at the bit to get back in. Not a typical storyline for an alleged playoff contender. Ride the Colts with the points in this one.

Davis Pick No. 3: Seattle Seahawks/Philadelphia Eagles Total: Under 48 Points

Jay Drowns/Getty Images

"The Eagles looked like an offensive juggernaut against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Will they have the same offensive output against the defending Super Bowl champions? The Davis Equation says no.  Additionally, Philadelphia’s defense is statistically consistent enough to keep the offensively-inept Seattle team from scoring more than its low average." 

Pick against the spread: "The Davis Equation has the Seahawks and Eagles scoring less than 48 points combined."

Glauser Pick No. 3: San Francisco 49ers/Oakland Raiders Total: Under 41 Points

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

With all the injuries piling up and the constant rumblings of its head coach on the chopping block, it’s somewhat amazing that the Niners are still in the thick of the NFC playoff race. Meanwhile, on the other side of the bay, it’s somewhat amazing that the Raiders—losers of 17 of their past 18— still have an NFL franchise.

Pick against the spread: Oakland has averaged less than eight points in its previous three losses. San Fran has averaged 15 points in its past six games. Think low in this one as well. 

Davis Pick No. 4: Buffalo Bills (+10) over Denver Broncos

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

"Peyton Manning and the Broncos have come to the following realization: If you run the ball effectively, it’s easier to throw the ball and put up points. As a, statistically, more balanced team, the Broncos are going to be very difficult to defeat for the rest of the season. However, the Buffalo Bills defense is one of the best in the league and the improving offense will be able to score enough points to make it interesting." 

Pick against the spread: "The Davis Equation has the Bills keeping it closer than 10 points against the Broncos."

Glauser Pick No. 4: New England Patriots (-4) over San Diego Chargers

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The last time the Patriots lost a game, they came back the following week and thrashed a decent Bengals team, 43-17. The last time they lost two in a row? September of 2012 (which was followed by wins in 11 of their final 13 contests of that regular season). Needless to say, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the gang don’t handle losing very well.

Pick against the spread: Yes, the Bolts have prevailed in their past three, but hell hath no fury like New England after a defeat.

All quotes obtained firsthand

Follow Jeff Glauser on Twitter: @Jeff_Glauser