Week 14 of the 2016 NFL season is set to begin. There will be no more bye weeks the rest of the season. I will now attempt to pick the winners of each game based off of the spreads. If you agree or disagree tweet at me @treydaubert to let me know where I’m wrong for my NFL week 14 predictions. *All spreads are courtesy of oddsshark.com
Thursday Night: Raiders At Chiefs (OAK +3.5)
This game is essentially for the AFC West crown. Considering KC already beat Oakland earlier this year, they will hold any tiebreaker if they can secure a win. I’m going to take the points here simply because anything more than a field goal is too much. The Raiders are undefeated on the road while Kansas City always plays well at home during prime time games. It’s a tough game to call so I’ll side with the Raiders +3.5. Derek Carr is your MVP and gets the win.
Raiders defeat Chiefs 27-24
Sunday 1 ET: Steelers At Bills (BUF +3)
Buffalo somehow blew a 24-3 lead over Oakland last week. I can’t trust them following that performance. Pittsburgh also knows they essentially need to win out in order to win the AFC North. Pittsburgh’s offense is too explosive for the Bills. 3 points are nothing to worry about. Take Pitt.
Steelers defeat Bills 35-20
Sunday 1 ET: Texans At Colts (HOU +6.5)
I have no idea how this game will go. Andrew Luck couldn’t have looked better in a blowout win over the Jets. Meanwhile, Brock Osweiler couldn’t look worse going down the stretch. Nevertheless, both teams are 6-6 battling for a division title. I lean towards the points usually so I’ll take the Texans but this game could go either way.
Texans defeat Colts 21-20
Sunday 1 ET: Redskins At Eagles (PHI +2.5)
I like the Redskins here. Only giving up 2.5 points to an Eagles team that has been reeling down the stretch seems too easy. Any team that gets blown out by a weak Bengals team can’t be trusted. You have to think Washington will bounce back coming off a tough loss the Cardinals. In the previous game between the teams, Washington’s pass rush had a field day. Expect a similar result in round 2.
Redskins defeat Eagles 31-14
Sunday 1 ET: Vikings at Jaguars (JAC +3)
As bad as the Vikings have been recently they are only 2 games out of first and a half game out of the wildcard. The Vikings know this is a must win vs a 2 win Jags team. While Jacksonville is capable of putting up a fight, they are bound to lose a ton of close games. Getting only 3 points against an extremely strong Minnesota defense simply isn’t enough.
Vikings defeat Jaguars 26-17
Sunday 1 ET: Bengals At Browns (CLE +5.5)
RG3 is back making the start for the Browns. Yes, it sounds strange but he probably gives them the best chance to get their first win. Hue Jackson was also the offensive coordinator for Cincy last year and knows the Bengals as well as anyone. I’m taking the Browns to get their first win. After the Bengals demolished the Eagles last week it’s possible they could be sleeping on Cleveland at the wrong time.
Browns defeat Bengals 28-21
Sunday 1 ET: Cardinals At Dolphins (MIA +2)
After a 6 game winning streak, the Dolphins were brought back to earth after a humiliating loss to Baltimore. While Adam Gase could be coach of the year, this Dolphins team isn’t very good. Arizona isn’t going to go away quietly and still has a chance to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard. The Cards defense is also vastly underrated as they have a number of stars that will give Ryan Tannehill trouble.
Cardinals defeat Dolphins 36-13
Sunday 1 ET: Chargers At Panthers (SD +1.5)
Let’s face it no one knows how this game is going to go Sunday. Both teams are reeling. Both teams are also highly inconsistent. It’s also possible Cam Newton’s 2015 season was a complete fluke. I like the Chargers in a high scoring game. Ron Rivera looks like he has lost his team and could be fired rather promptly.
Chargers defeat Panthers 38-30
Sunday 1 ET: Bears At Lions (CHI +7.5)
The Lions are a playoff team but I’m taking the Bears. 7.5 points are too rich for my taste not to take. Matt Barkley has also been better than anticipated as there is talk that he could actually start next year. Chicago also defeated Detriot earlier in the season. The Lions have trailed in the 4th quarter in all but one of their games notching a ton of close wins. Don’t expect the Lions to win by more than 7.
Lions defeat Bears 28-24
Sunday 1 ET: Broncos At Titans (DEN +1)
I think the Titans are a bit of fools gold. The Titans are playing a last place schedule and haven’t seen a defense that replicates Denver’s all season. Denver gets the win here easy as relaying on just DeMarco Murray to beat them isn’t enough.
Broncos defeat Titans 29-10
Sunday 4:05 ET: Jets At 49ers (NYJ +2.5)
This is a battle of 2 of the worst teams in football. I’ll give the edge to the Jets simply because they have a lot more talent on the defensive side. There isn’t a whole lot to say, expect an ugly unwatchable game.
Jets defeat 49ers 23-16
Sunday 4:25 ET: Falcons At Rams (LA +6)
I don’t think anyone understands what is going on in LA. Jared Goff stinks and the entire coaching staff run by Jeff Fisher is a disaster. I’m expecting a Falcons win that features the NFL’s scariest offense.
Falcons defeat Rams 34-10
Sunday 4:25 ET: Seahawks At Packers (GB +3)
I sort of like an upset here. Green Bay is a completely different team at home that seems to be finding their groove at the right time. Seattle is also playing their first game without Earl Thomas that will take time to adjust to. Green Bay has been on the unfortunate end of losses to Seattle in the past where they surely will be looking for revenge.
Packers defeat Seahawks 26-24
Sunday 4:25 ET: Saints At Buccaneers (NO +2.5)
I have firmly bought into the Bucs winning the NFC South. Let’s face it how many quarterbacks have higher ceilings than Jameis Winston? He has the potentially to be an incredible quarterback. The Tampa train rolls on here in a win at home. The Saints simply don’t have the defense to be competitive in this one.
Bucs defeat Saints 31-23
Sunday Night: Cowboys At Giants (DAL -3.5)
Dallas has only lost one game this season. That was to the Giants during the first week of the season. Boy have they improved since. Dallas looking for that revenge will run away with this one. The Cowboys have won 6 of the past 7 games in New York as well oddly enough playing better on the road. Are we sure the Giants are even good? I can see them missing the playoffs altogether.
Cowboys defeat Giants 26-20
Monday Night: Ravens At Patriots (BAL +7.5)
Patriots win but don’t cover. Frankly, Pats fans know all too well that no one plays them tougher than Baltimore. The Ravens have beaten the Pats in 2 of the past 3 playoff games between the two teams. The Ravens defense has also been surprisingly strong ranking first against the run. No more Gronk for New England keeps it close.
Patriots defeat Ravens 19-17
