L.A. Chargers (4-9) @ Las Vegas Raiders (7-6)
Well, the Chargers somehow found a way to pull out an overtime win at home to the Atlanta Falcons last week, thanks in large part to a poor decision by Matt Ryan that led to a late 4th quarter interception. But, how much can we really trust this team with the number of times they have been on the wrong end of a 4th quarter collapse? Are the Raiders for real and will they get back in the playoff hunt? Jon Gruden > Anthony Lynn. Raiders, 24-23.
Line: Raiders -3
Spread: Chargers +3
ML: Raiders
Buffalo Bills (10-3) @ Denver Broncos (5-8)
That was certainly a statement by Josh Allen and Co. on Sunday night, taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers and if you didn't take them serious before, you are now. The defense is finally healthy and should tee off on Drew Lock as the Broncos have thrown a league leading 21 interceptions. A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan won't suit up for this game, so that means Stefon Diggs will be free to roam where he pleases. Bills, 27-14.
Line: Bills -6
Spread: Bills -6
ML: Bills
Carolina Panthers (4-9) @ Green Bay Packers (10-3)
It's conceivable this is a look ahead game for the Packers with the Tennessee Titans coming to town next week on Sunday Night Football. But, I just can't bet against Aaron Rodgers right now, who is playing at an MVP level with a 39:4 TD:INT ratio, plus can anyone really cover Davante Adams? Teddy Bridgewater should have D.J. Moore back in the lineup this week, but still not Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers can score, but Rodgers and the Pack will be too much. Packers, 31-24.
Line: Packers -9
Spread: Panthers +9
ML: Packers
Chicago Bears (6-7) @ Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
I don't know who lit a fire under Mitch Trubisky the last two weeks, but he has been on fire. The Detroit Lions and Houston Texans don't exactly impose fear on opposing offenses, but he should have continued success against a pedestrian Vikings secondary. Dalvin Cook topped the 100-yard mark last week in Tampa Bay, but he will have his hands full with the Bears again this week. It doesn't look like Eric Kendricks will play this week and that's a huge hole in the middle for David Montgomery to exploit. Bears, 24-21.
Line: Vikings -3.5
Spread: Bears +3.5
ML: Bears
Detroit Lions (5-8) @ Tennessee Titans (9-4)
Derrick Henry absolutely dominated last week to the tune of 215 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. The Titans are a resilient bunch under Mike Vrabel and have their sights set on another deep playoff run. The Lions could really use Kenny Golladay back in the lineup, but he missed practice again this week. Matthew Stafford is dealing with a rib injury and should likely just shut it down for the year, but why not throw your franchise QB to the wolves the rest of the way? Titans, 31-17.
Line: Titans -10.5
Spread: Titans -10.5
ML: Titans
Houston Texans (4-9) @ Indianapolis Colts (9-4)
How frustrated is Deshaun Watson right now? Two weeks ago it was a fumbled snap deep in Colts territory that lost them the game and last week they were trounced by the Bears. Too many question marks for the Texans right now and the Colts are running the ball with ease and look healthy on defense. Colts, 27-17.
Line: Colts -7
Spread: Colts -7
ML: Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
That was some finish by Lamar Jackson to lift the Ravens over the Browns on Monday night. I don't know what kind of "cramps" John Harbaugh was alluding to during the 3rd quarter, but Jackson came out of that tunnel late in the game like a knight in shining armor. Now, the Ravens are back in the AFC playoff picture and host a Jags team that is already sharpening their pencils for April's draft. Ravens, 31-13.
Line: Ravens -13
Spread: Ravens -13
ML: Ravens
New England Patriots (6-7) @ Miami Dolphins (8-5)
The Dolphins came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs last week and now have a tough test with the Patriots on tap. Since 2013, Bill Belichick is 11-0 against rookie QB's the first time he sees them. Can Tua Tagovailoa buck that trend? The key to this game will be the Pats' ability to run the football and take the pressure off Cam Newton to find his receivers. Patriots, 21-20.
Line: Dolphins -2
Spread: Patriots +2
ML: Patriots
San Francisco 49ers (5-8) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-9)
The Cowboys came up big last week in a revenge game spot for Andy Dalton, forcing three turnovers by the Cincinnati Bengals. Will we see another strong defensive performance against the Niners? It's hard to like either of these teams and Nick Mullens has played some mediocre football the past few weeks. I think the Niners have success running the ball against this Cowboys front and defensively, they will force Dalton into some mistakes. 49ers, 23-17.
Line: 49ers -3
Spread: 49ers -3
ML: 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
The Bucs got one back in the win column last week beating the Minnesota Vikings and got some help from the Philadelphia Eagles who took down the New Orleans Saints. I can't see the Falcons putting up much of a fight in this game and Julio Jones continues to grind through various injuries each week. Tom Brady and the offense should move the ball with relative ease in this game. Buccaneers, 30-20.
Line: Buccaneers -6
Spread: Buccaneers -6
ML: Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks (9-4) @ Washington Football Team (6-7)
The Seahawks laid an egg two weeks ago, losing at home to the New York Giants and I think a lot of people want to assume something similar will happen again here -- I don't buy it. Alex Smith has sat out practice all week with a leg injury and if he can't go, Dwayne Haskins will get the call. Haskins was abysmal in the 4th quarter last week and nearly tossed a game-tying pick six deep in his own end. I think Russell Wilson survives a good pass rush and leads the Seahawks to a tough road win. Seahawks, 21-13.
Line: Seahawks -6
Spread: Seahawks -6
ML: Seahawks
N.Y. Jets (0-13) @ L.A. Rams (9-4)
Can the Jets get a win this season? Probably not, and they had the Raiders two weeks ago. How motivated will the Rams be to win this game with a big matchup on deck against the Seahawks? This is definitely a look ahead spot, but I can't see the Rams stooping to new lows against this dismal Jets squad. Rams, 33-14.
Line: Rams -17
Spread: Rams -17
ML: Rams
Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-6)
Jalen Hurts took the NFL world by storm last week, knocking off the New Orleans Saints in his first career start. Now, the Cardinals see him coming and they got a huge boost last week from their pass rush swarming the New York Giants. Hurts squaring off with Kyler Murray is certainly an intriguing storyline and the pace of this game could be very quick. The Eagles struggle in coverage and I think that will be the difference with DeAndre Hopkins roaming the field. Cardinals, 24-16.
Line: Cardinals -6
Spread: Cardinals -6
ML: Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) @ New Orleans Saints (10-3)
Saints fans got some good news this week with Drew Brees returning to practice, but I would temper expectations on him playing in this game. Sean Payton said Brees had a long road to recovery from 11 broken ribs and the team wouldn't rush him back until he was fully healthy. I think we get another start from Taysom Hill and he left me wanting more last week with two key turnovers against the Eagles. The Chiefs can see the first-round bye in their sights and I think the stars come to play in this one. Chiefs, 30-24.
Line: Chiefs -3
Spread: Chiefs -3
ML: Chiefs
Cleveland Browns (9-4) @ N.Y. Giants (5-8)
The Browns suffered a tough loss to the Ravens on Monday night and now travel to New York to play back-to-back primetime games. One thing the Browns do well is run the ball and they have a two-headed monster between Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to control this game. The Giants have played some great defense in recent weeks, but last week they fell flat against the Cardinals. Looks like Colt McCoy will start in place of the injured Daniel Jones. Browns, 24-19.
Line: Browns -6
Spread: Giants +6
ML: Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)
Back-to-back losses for the Steelers have everyone questioning if this team can contend for a Super Bowl or not? Ben Roethlisberger and the offense have sputtered in the past three games and an inability to run the ball is putting too much stress on the QB. The Steelers need a rebound, badly, and they get one here with the struggling Bengals. Steelers, 27-10.
Line: Steelers -13
Spread: Steelers -13
ML: Steelers
Week 14 Results
Spread: 11-5
ML: 10-6
Reid, Thanks for reading. I’m never one to underestimate a first ballot HOF like Drew Brees, hence the tight score prediction of 30-24. I think it will be a back-and-forth matchup and I’m aware of Sean Payton’s track record against Andy Reid (I believe he’s 9-2 all-time?). Michael Thomas sitting out this game is a big loss for the Saints and I’m not sure how healthy Brees really is? I’ll take Patrick Mahomes in crunch time. Keep reading and thanks for the comment!
Let me be the first to congratulate you on your new site and the first to debate one of your picks.😀. As a Saints fan, I think many are underestimating them this week. Yes it’s Andy Reid and the defending champs but they are not dominating all 4 quarters as expected. The Eagles game was the third consecutive road game for the Saints. IF Brees finds a way to play, I think it motivates the entire team and that could be troublesome for the Chiefs. I would expect a lot of short, quick releases from Brees to protect his injury, thus a lot of clock control drives limiting Mahomes’ on field opportunities. Risky of re-injury with Payton playing Brees, bu…