NFL Picks Week 14: Underdogs Sure to Shock Favorites

This isn't a week that looks to have a lot of favorites surrendering to upsets. But just because we're not going to see a lot of upsets doesn't mean we're not going to see some. 

All of these underdogs are going to come out and do much better than they're expected.

All spreads courtesy of Sportsbook

Cleveland Browns (+14) at Pittsburgh Steelers

I'll start with tonight's game, which comes with a bit of an asterisk. The Steelers will win this game, but the Browns do match up relatively well with them, at least on defense. 

The Steelers don't run the ball terribly well and the Browns have a strong secondary. On top of all of that, this is a big rivalry game, and a 14-point spread is generally far too big for a game like this. 

Pittsburgh is the better team and ultimately, that will make the difference. Still, don't expect this one to be at that number. The Steelers will be in for more of a fight than this spread indicates.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Browns 13

Buffalo Bills (+7) at San Diego Chargers

Two of the more disappointing teams in the league will square off in San Diego on Sunday. The Chargers did dominate the Jaguars on Monday, but very little else has gone right for them this year. That's going to continue this week.

Look for a lot of points to be scored in this one. Ultimately, the matchup I am liking is the Bills' aggressive secondary against Philip Rivers, who's been interception-prone all year. 

That will make the difference in this one. San Diego's nightmare season will continue. I'm picking the Bills for a win, but seven points is also more than enough of a cushion to fall back on.

Prediction: Bills 27, Chargers 24

Houston Texans (+3) at Cincinnati Bengals

If you use one word to describe the 2011 Houston Texans, it would be resilient. This team has managed a 9-3 record despite going through constant injuries to its best players.

While the Bengals are a good team, the Texans have one of the top defenses in the league. That's what will win them this game. That, and the running game led by Arian Foster, which remains relatively untouched.

The Bengals are good, but they are a year away from being a true challenger in the AFC. The Texans' defense and running attack will win them this one.

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