NFL Week 14: Spread Picks and Predictions
Week 14 represents yet another exciting week in the NFL season.
As Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts regressed over the past month, they will look to keep pace in the AFC South division by toppling the Tennessee Titans in a Thursday night showdown. Will Peyton Manning be able to right the ship or will he continue to throw costly interceptions?
Brian Urlacher’s Chicago Bears host the scorching hot New England Patriots led by leading MVP candidate Tom Brady. Brady has refused to turn the ball over lately, but will the fantastic Chicago Bears defense finally be able to force a game changing turnover from “Tom Terrific?”
Along with these two exciting matchups, we are treated to two division showdowns from the East divisions of each conference. In the AFC, the New York Jets look to rebound against the Miami Dolphins at the New Meadowlands.
Over in the NFC, Jason Garrett’s Cowboys, winners of three of their past four games, host Michael Vick’s soaring Philadelphia Eagles at “Jerry’s World” in Dallas.
Note: All spreads are based off Yahoo! Spreads as of December 8.
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans (+2.5)
1 of 17
The Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning have regressed to a level we have never seen from them. Usually, this team is cruising along to the playoffs, but this year they are just 6-6 and have lost four straight. Manning has thrown an unbelievable 11 interceptions in his past three games, something he has never done before in his career.
More importantly, their recent losses and woes have been Manning’s fault.
Playing on short rest, the team has a chance to get back on track this week. In a tough division road game with Tennessee, the Colts should bounce back. The Titans have been absolutely lifeless and Randy Moss has been a shell of his former self. Running back Chris Johnson is running with zero confidence and Kerry Collins doesn’t seem to have it in him to wield a second half comeback this time around. Furthermore, the defense seems to have quit on Jeff Fisher.
The Titans still have a chance to make the playoffs and actually tie the Colts in the AFC with a win, but that won’t happen this week.
Pick: Indianapolis (-2.5)
Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills (-1.5)
2 of 17
The Cleveland Browns are surprisingly playing excellent football this season despite a rather terrible passing game. They are proving what winning NFL football is all about: tough running and stout, gritty, smash mouth defense.
Peyton Hillis has been one of the biggest surprises this season. The Bills have played better this season but were just shellacked by Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bills are about to feel the pain when Peyton Hillis comes charging through Buffalo like a raging bull.
Pick: Cleveland (+1.5)
Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (+6.5)
3 of 17
The Lions have played most of their games close this season, especially their division matchups. The Lions had a chance to win the first meeting of the season in Green Bay and are playing inspired football.
Although defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch is done for the year, Aaron Rodgers still has to stare into the demonizing eyes of Ndamokung Suh. Will Rodgers be able to out run Suh’s Darth Vader-like death grip for a big victory?
I don’t think so.
Calvin Johnson has notoriously owned the Packers secondary and will keep this game close.
Pick: Detroit (+6.5)
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New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings (Pick ‘Em)
4 of 17
This game as no spread for now as Brett Favre is expected to be a game-time decision with a sprained throwing shoulder.
Regardless if it's Favre or Tarvaris Jackson who gets the start, the Giants are winning this game. Their defense is playing great at the moment. Their athletic defensive line will get to either quarterback to force them into rash, quick decisions to create turnovers.
The Giants may have Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith back on the field, but even if they are forced to miss another game the offense is of no concern. Eli Manning had a poor showing against the Redskins, but when Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs combine for 200 yards rushing and four touchdowns, things are just fine for “Big Blue.”
Pick: New York (Pick ‘Em)
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-9)
5 of 17
The Steelers stole a victory over division rival Baltimore to take sole possession of the AFC North division. The Bengals played the Saints tough in Week 13 and I expect another solid performance. Chad Ochocino turned in a good game and Terrell Owens was fantastic against the Steelers in the first meeting.
Ben Roethlisberger comes into this game banged up with a foot injury and a surgically repaired nose. It’s only a matter of time before the injuries come back to hinder Roethlisberger and this could be the week.
In an AFC North division, the Steelers spotting the Bengals nine points is a nice start to the game. Might as well take the points.
Pick: Cincinnati (+9)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins (+2)
6 of 17
Mike Shanahan’s Washington Redskins are in complete disarray. They were just obliterated by the New York Giants and Michael Vick went off on them for six total touchdowns on Monday Night football three weeks ago. The Redskins are playing uninspired, lifeless football. They are in no position to win this game and this spread should be much higher.
The Bucs just lost Aquib Talib for the season but they’ll have no problem skinning these ‘Skins as they continue their surprising and fantastic season. Josh Freeman will come out prepared and ready to make up for essentially costing his team a chance at upsetting the scorching hot Atlanta Falcons in Week 13.
After the Giants ran through the Redskins defense, LeGarrette Blount will easily top the century mark.
Pick: Tampa Bay (-2)
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers (+7)
7 of 17
The Atlanta Falcons are one of the hottest teams in the league right now. They stand tall atop the NFC and will continue their winning streak to go 11-2 and stay atop the entire NFL.
Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner are red hot at the moment and will continue their torrid pace against the lowly Carolina Panthers who are gearing up for the first pick in the NFL draft.
The Panthers rushing attack is picking up steam with Mike Goodson and Jonathan Stewart, but their passing attack is atrocious with Jimmy Clausen.
The Falcons go on the road and win convincingly.
Pick: Atlanta (-7)
Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5)
8 of 17
This is surprisingly an important Week 14 game.
The Oakland Raiders are looking to keep pace with the Kansas City Chiefs to stay in the AFC West division race.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are, surprisingly, leading the AFC South. Although they will remain atop the division win or lose, they have a chance to control their own playoff destiny the rest of the way.
Both of these teams are playing similar, quality football. They are carefully passing the football and are running very well. Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew are two of the most talented running backs in the game and will be featured in this contest. It is going to be exciting to see which of these premier backs out performs the other.
Pick: Oakland (+4.5)
St. Louis Rams @ New Orleans Saints (-9)
9 of 17
The Saints are rolling at the moment as they continue to get healthier at the right time of the season.
The Rams have not been as good on the road this season as they have been at home.
The Rams will get up for this game against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Steven Jackson will remain the focal point of the offense. He will be used to keep Drew Brees and his offense off the field. Equally as important, Jackson will be used to take the pressure off Sam Bradford, who had a rough Week 13.
Drew Brees will have no problem handling this Rams defense, but I think the Rams can cover this large spread. The Saints defense is not yet healthy enough to recreate last season’s magic. Sam Bradford still boasts fantastic accuracy and will find a way to score
Pick: St. Louis (+9)
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (-4.5)
10 of 17
This spread is a bit surprising even though both teams have been up and down. I would expect a closer spread and would even think the Seahawks would be favored. They may not be a good road team, and they are easily one of the most inconsistent and frustrating teams in the league, but the 49ers are one of the most disappointing teams all season.
Alex Smith will probably start for San Francisco and he is never a safe bet.
I expect the Seahawks to continue running the ball well. Seattle could potentially be without Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu, but nothing is certain just yet.
In a close division game, it is far better to take 4.5 points.
Pick: Seattle (+4.5)
New England Patriots @ Chicago Bears (+3)
11 of 17
Both of these teams come in with a lot of momentum, but the Patriots may be the hottest team in the league along with the Atlanta Falcons. Tom Brady is playing in rare MVP form and has his Patriots rolling after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions and New York Jets in their past four games. In those games, Brady has thrown 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Bill Belichick’s young defense is starting to get hot and make a ton of plays. Expect a few more against Mike Martz and his turnover-prone offensive schemes.
The Chicago Bears have an excellent defense, one of the best in the league. They were able to “contain” Michael Vick two weeks ago, but they won’t be able to ruffle Brady’s feathers in this contest.
Patriots go on the road and continue to handle business as they stay atop the NFL.
Pick: New England (-3)
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (-5.5)
12 of 17
This is a big division rivalry, but the Jets will sweep the Dolphins this season.
After being embarrassed by the New England Patriots last week in the year’s biggest matchup thus far, Rex Ryan will send everything and then some at Chad Henne and the Miami offense.
Expect Mark Sanchez to regroup as Brian Schottenheimer’s offense comes in more prepared this game than at any point in the season. I expect a big game out of Santonio Holmes after Braylon Edwards lit up the Dolphins secondary in the first meeting.
I expect a huge win from the Jets this week as they regain focus quickly.
Pick: New York (-5.5)
Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals (Pick ‘Em)
13 of 17
Both of these teams are at the bottom of the NFL barrel and have played terrible football this season.
Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels was fired this week, conveniently after he set this franchise back a few years by trading away superstars last season and being caught cheating last month. The Cowboys and Vikings both won the game after their head coaches were fired, but I expect a different story in Arizona.
The Broncos have been just as lifeless as the Cardinals, but I trust the Cardinals defense more than the Broncos.
Rookie John Skelton will make his first career start. Hopefully for Larry Fitzgerald’s case, Skelton won’t mimic the other skeleton’s that have played quarterback for the Cardinals thus far.
In such a messy game, take the home team with the head coach that has taken his team to a Super Bowl.
Pick: Arizona (Pick ‘Em)
Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers (-7)
14 of 17
The Kansas City Chiefs are rolling. Matt Cassel is playing smart, safe football. The running game has truly picked up in recent weeks as Jamaal Charles recreates last season’s magic. Dwayne Bowe has been unstoppable, aside from the blip against Denver, and presents a major mismatch against the Chargers.
Last week the Raiders went into San Diego and shocked the Bolts. Oakland’s defensive line ran through the Chargers’ offensive line and disrupted Philip Rivers all day. Expect the Chiefs to take this blue print and send the Chargers packing for the rest of the season.
The Chiefs beat the Chargers to open the season and will do so again.
Pick: Kansas City (+7)
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (+3.5)
15 of 17
Michael Vick has his Philadelphia Eagles in prime position to take the NFC in January and win the coveted Super Bowl in February.
He is that good.
The saving grace for this game is that Jason Garrett’s Dallas Cowboys are actually playing inspired football since the head coaching change. The offense is playing much better and the Cowboys have won three of their past four games. They would have won the fourth on Thanksgiving if Roy Williams was able to hold onto the ball.
The way the Cowboys are playing, we can only expect another shootout. In such a game, might as well play it safe and take the points despite how excellent and lethal Michael Vick has been this season.
Pick: Dallas (+3.5)
Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans (+3)
16 of 17
The Ravens should still be kicking themselves for blowing a big division game against the Pittsburgh Steelers that would have put them atop the AFC North. They have nobody to blame but themselves for allowing Joe Flacco to drop back to pass on second down with a lead in the waning minutes of the game.
Expect Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and the Ravens defense to put a hurting on the Texans offense. This Ravens defense is going to come in with blood on their mind looking to take out all of their aggression on an up and down Texan team.
The Texans actually have an offense to keep up with the Ravens, but it is their defense that is their Achilles heel. The Texans' secondary is atrocious and will be put on an embarrassing display by Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin. Also look out for Ray Rice and Willis McGahee as both could gut this Texans defense.
Houston, we have a problem.
It’s going to be a long, sleepless night.
Pick: Baltimore (-3)
Picks
17 of 17
Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) @ Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns (+1.5) @ Buffalo Bills
Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (+6.5)
New York Giants (Pick ‘Em) @ Minnesota Vikings
Cincinnati Bengals (+9) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2) @ Washington Redskins
Atlanta Falcons (-7) @ Carolina Panthers
Oakland Raiders (+4.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
St. Louis Rams (+9) @ New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks (+4.5) @ San Francisco 49ers
New England Patriots (-3) @ Chicago Bears
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (-5.5)
Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals (Pick ‘Em)
Kansas City Chiefs (+7) @ San Diego Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (+3.5)
Baltimore Ravens (-3) @ Houston Texans
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