2023 NFL Week 14 Preview

The playoff races in the NFL remain as unpredictable as ever with 13 AFC teams and 14 NFC teams within two games of a playoff position and only one team mathematically eliminated so far.

Week 14 brings us 15 games as the final lot of byes are completed and there are some great games on the cards this weekend.

The Friday (AEDT) game between Pittsburgh and New England is not one of those enticing encounters, unless you love incomplete passes and punting.

But Monday more than makes up for it with Baltimore hosting the LA Rams, Kansas City taking on Buffalo and San Francisco facing Seattle before it finishes off with a massive NFC East encounter between Dallas and Philadelphia.

We’ve got you covered with our best bets and previews for every NFL game this weekend so check out who we are backing below!

Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit have had some rough games since they joined Thursday Night Football at the start of the 2022 season but this is offering up a whole new level of futility.

It might even reach a point where Michaels just decides to give up and go eat a steak dinner during the second half instead of calling the action and nobody could blame him.

The combined score of New England’s last three games is 26-13 in favour of the Patriots opponents, or fewer points than nine of last week’s 12 other games.

If there was any confidence in their offence’s ability to score a single touchdown, they might be worth backing in this game but they have been utterly atrocious and are getting worse as players miss out due to injury.

Pittsburgh can’t really score either but they have the capacity to find the end zone almost on purpose once and that might be enough to win this game.

Even with the points total being the lowest it has been in three decades per the bookies, I’m still on the under because both defences are actually playing well, not that they are going to be tested here.

You have to be incredibly dedicated to want to watch this one and a little bit off kilter to have even a modicum of excitement about it but we have to find some value in the market.

SGM: Pittsburgh to Win by 1-13 Points and Under 30 Total Points @ $3.49

Despite going 3-1 out of their bye week, the Lions defence still hasn’t quite emerged from their midseason slumber.

They have given up 121 points in those four games including 26 against the Bears in Week 11 where they only just got out of dodge with a win.

Chicago has had a full fortnight to get ready for this game after their ugly 12-10 win on Monday Night Football before the bye, but the return of Justin Fields has given some life to the ground game.

That becomes even more valuable with the winds forecast for kickoff if they can move the ball on the ground and control the tempo.

I can’t see the Bears keeping Detroit in check on defence however as they have the ability to move the ball through the air or running it.

While I do like the Lions to win, it looks like it could be very close and both teams should be able to find a way into the 20’s, so rather than forcing a result pick, I’ll just land on the overs.

Over 40 Points @ $1.87

Under normal circumstances this would be a battle of mutually aligned interests as the 5-7 Saints needed a win to keep their division title and/or wild card hopes alive and the Panthers would need a loss to maintain the top spot in the race for Caleb Williams.

However given the Panthers traded their top pick away for the chance to draft Bryce Young, they really have nothing to gain by rolling over.

When these teams met in Week 2 it was New Orleans just getting home 20-17 and the Panthers defence is going to find a way to keep them in the mix here.

They are getting healthier with some key players returning to the lineup and the Saints are not exactly an offensive juggernaut at home averaging just over 20 points per game in the Superdome.

As tempting as the under looks, there is a real case to be made for Carolina at the line as their defence gets back towards full strength and the fact they can play a bit more loosely over the final few weeks.

Carolina to Cover +5 @ $1.90

If it were not for the team a few miles to the north, the Jets would be the most dysfunctional team in the AFC.

Reports this week are indicating that they wanted to turn the starting job back to Zac Wilson but were rebuffed by the third year quarterback.

Houston has no dramas at the quarterback position, with CJ Stroud establishing himself as the man for the foreseeable future.

They are going to have to adjust their offence with rookie Tank Dell set to miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg last week but they should be able to offset that with an increased reliance on the ground game.

Houston to Cover -5.5 @ $1.90

Maybe the Bengals season is not completely ruined with Joe Burrow out injured.

Jake Browning was spectacular in relief against the Jaguars on Monday Night Football and the Colts will give him opportunities to make plays.

The only teams Indianapolis has kept under 20 points this season are Baltimore in a rainstorm, Tennessee, Carolina and New England.

They just gave up 28 to the Titans in Tennessee last week and the combination of Joe Mixon and JaMarr Chase make life incredibly easy for anyone whose job it is to get the ball in their hands.

All signs are pointing towards the over with both teams more than capable of reaching that magic number of 20.

Over 40 Points @ $1.90

There is a lot that remains up in the air heading into this game with some key injuries for both teams.

At the time of writing, it looks like Trevor Lawrence is going to miss this one with a high ankle sprain and even if he does go, he is going to be severely limited in terms of mobility.

Whether it is the former Clemson man or his backup CJ Beathard getting the start, a quarterback’s best friend in these situations is a reliable tight end and Evan Engram is one of the more underrated players at the position.

Last week he scored his first touchdown of the season and was one of their standout performers during their run to the AFC Divisional Round last season.

It won’t come easy though, Cleveland’s defence is a different beast at home holding five teams to under 20 points, three to under 10 and shutting out the Cardinals while holding four of the six teams to under 200 yards passing.

But turnovers have been a real issue for the Browns and if whoever is starting at quarterback cannot protect the ball, the Browns defence can only do so much.

I’m expecting the Browns to give the Jags a couple of short fields and Engram will be in position to capitalise.

Evan Engram Anytime Touchdown Scorer

The Rams are very much in the NFC playoff hunt at 6-6, but their push is likely to hit a bit of a speedbump this weekend in Baltimore.

Having had their bye in Week 13, the Ravens will be raring to go as they now have a clear path to home field advantage in the AFC playoffs which would be invaluable as they chase a third Super Bowl title in franchise history.

Unsurprisingly they are doing it the old fashioned Ravens way with a strong ground game and brutal defence that stifles opponents as much as the rules allow them to in 2023.

Eight of their nine wins have been by seven or more points and the Rams risk averse approach is not going to mesh well if Baltimore gets out to an early lead and forces LA into playing catch up.

Baltimore to Cover -7 @ $1.90

Atlanta can take a huge step towards their first division title since 2016 with a win over Tampa Bay.

Winning this game would move them two games clear of the Bucs in the standings which would be more like a three game lead thanks to the head to head tiebreaker, while also boosting their division record.

Neither team looked that great least weekend despite both registering victories, the Falcons barely got by the Jets in New Jersey while Tampa needed some Mike Evans heroics to defeat Carolina.

Tampa’s main issue this season is the fact they keep giving the ball away and Atlanta’s opportunistic defence has forced a turnover in six straight games including five in their last two games.

At home and with those numbers, I’ll back the Falcons to win this one even if Tampa does manage to score a few points.

Atlanta to Win and Over 39.5 Points @ $3.20

San Francisco can book a playoff berth with a win over the Seahawks and a loss by either Minnesota or Green Bay.

The market is thinking the first part of that task is a fait accompli with the 49ers one of the shortest priced favourites of the weekend.

Two weeks ago the 49ers ran over the Seahawks in Seattle in a 31-13 Thanksgiving night win and something similar appears to be on the cards here.

Since their bye they have won all four games by margins of 31, 13, 18 and 23 points.

As good as Seattle looked even in defeat against Dallas, they just don’t have the horses to match up with the 49ers, if they want to make the playoffs they’ll have to get their wins elsewhere.

San Francisco to Win by 14+ @ $2.20

Both of these teams are still alive in the playoff race in spite of some high level dysfunction plaguing their campaigns.

For Minnesota it was largely due to circumstances out of their control with injuries derailing their high powered offence while Vegas had the players and a couple of assistants staging a coup on the now former coaching staff.

Whatever goodwill the Raiders had after Antonio Pierce came to power has evaporated after a pair of rough losses to the Dolphins and Chiefs.

They really don’t have much to offer and the bye likely is not going to have been enough to fix their remaining issues.

Minnesota will welcome Justin Jefferson back from a hamstring injury and he is going to be primed to come back with a bang and guide the Vikings to victory.

Minnesota to Cover -3 @ $1.90

At the start of the season this was all set to be the headline act of the week that could decide AFC home field advantage, now it’s two desperate teams trying to get their seasons back on track.

Kansas City’s fall from grace is somewhat relative considering they are still likely to take out the division but they now face the very real possibility of the first road playoff game of the Mahomes era.

Buffalo is a game out of the AFC playoff picture entirely and they have not looked like a team that is heading in the right direction.

All either team can do at the moment is keep winning and while the Chiefs talent level is a long way off where it usually is, they are at least maximising what they have at their disposal.

Buffalo is just not good this year and are massively underachieving considering the talent on that roster and I just can’t trust them in a game like this.

Kansas City to Cover -2.5 @ $1.90

One of the great mysteries in life right now is how the 5-7 Chargers can go into this game with the Broncos as favourites.

LA is coming off the worst performance by a winning team in the 2023 season after stumbling over the line in New England last week in game that nobody should have felt good about.

Denver lost in Houston last week to end a five game winning streak, but lost few admirers and are likely to have the majority of support at SoFi Stadium.

This market looks like it is the wrong way around and between these two teams, the Broncos are the better side.

Denver to Win @ $2.35

For once the NFL’s insistence on putting NFC East games in the featured timeslots has paid off in a big way.

Dallas has been nearly perfect at home going 6-0 straight up and 5-1 against the spread at AT&T Stadium, but this is their toughest test this season.

Philadelphia will be incredibly motivated after last week’s massive loss at the hands of the 49ers and they know another defeat here will open up the NFC East for the Cowboys.

But this is a bad spot for the Eagles, the last of a challenging five game stretch and fatigue was clearly an issue for them last week and Dallas might just be able to capitalise on a team in need of a break.

The hits are starting to take their toll on Jalen Hurts and the Eagles might be a bit too short on firepower to keep pace with Dallas here.

Dallas to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.40

As a festive gift the NFL has put on a pair of simultaneous Monday Night Football games, but there is a very real possibility that neither one is all that competitive.

The Giants are sticking with Tommy DeVito at quarterback for some reason, their offence remains limited and it’s going to make for a long night against the Packers.

Green Bay is coming off a huge win to vault them back into playoff contention and they should be able to use that as a springboard to go on a late season run, taking full advantage of winnable games like this one.

Green Bay to Cover -6.5 @ $1.87

This is one of the easier decisions of the weekend, Miami has been a juggernaut at home all season long, scoring 31 or more points in four of their five games and winning each of those four games by at least two touchdowns.

To make this assignment even tougher for Tennessee, their one star on offence Derrick Henry is under an injury cloud after a big hit last week against the Colts.

Even if he is healthy, running the ball 40 times is not how you keep pace with the Dolphins.

This could be over by halftime.

Miami to Cover -13.5 @ $1.90

2022

30 teams remain in contention for Super Bowl LVII heading into Week 14 with the Texans and Bears both mathematically eliminated after their losses last week.

This week three teams can book their spot in the playoffs with the Vikings able to clinch the NFC North, the Chiefs in position to secure the AFC West and the Eagles able to lock in at least a Wild Card spot.

There are plenty of great games on the schedule over the next few days with the four AFC North teams facing off one against one another, the two Texas teams battling for the Governor’s Cup, Buffalo hosting the Jets and two high powered offences on Sunday Night Football.

We’ve got our previews and best bets for all 13 games, so read on and see who we are backing.

When the schedule came out, this was earmarked as a possible shootout but the Rams having a season from hell with injuries has relegated it to a must-win for the desperate Raiders.

Even if LA does start the newly acquired Baker Mayfield at quarterback, he’s still dealing with a severely undermanned set of pass catchers and an offensive line that has offered as much resistance to opposition rushers as those paper banners teams run through pregame.

It looks like Las Vegas has overcome its slow start but because of their seven losses, they now have to win out to have any hope of a playoff berth.

Davante Adams has gone off in recent weeks, putting up 664 yards and seven touchdowns over his last five games.

With how their offence is rolling in recent weeks they should have no problem getting by this version of the Rams.

SGM: Las Vegas to Cover -6.5, Davante Adams Over 90.5 Receiving Yards & Anytime TD @ $4.31

One game into the Deshaun Watson era in Cleveland and it’s clear that the Browns have a bit of work to do to get their controversial signal caller up to speed.

While Houston was a relatively soft landing for him, his second game is a much tougher prospect with the Bengals eyeing off a return trip to the Super Bowl.

Following an inconsistent 4-4 start, something has clicked with the Bengals rolling off four straight wins and slowly getting their star players back from injury.

Cleveland absolutely dominated the first meeting between these teams but when the Bengals roll, nobody is stopping them.

Back Cincinnati to Cover -6 @ $1.90

While Tyler Huntley is a perfectly capable backup, he’s no Lamar Jackson who would be the difference in a game like this.

The Steelers are starting to trend in the right direction, even if their wins are not earning them any style points.

It is now four games without a turnover for Pittsburgh and avoiding giving your opponent extra possessions goes a long way to winning games in this league.

We’re not going to see a blowout either way in this game and if Pittsburgh can continue to play a clean game, they’ll find a way to get home.

Back Pittsburgh to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.55

Up until this week, the biggest line in the NFL season came in Week 9 when the Chiefs were 14.5-point favourites over the Tennessee Titans… until the two Texas teams faced off.

Houston is hurtling towards the first overall pick and Dallas might be the in-form team in the league, coming off a 54 point night against Indianapolis.

There is a massive discrepancy between these teams and if Dallas wants to put up another 50 point game they will.

Houston has no answer at the moment and need a hard reset this offseason.

Back Dallas to Cover -16.5 @ $1.90

Despite being 7-5 and comfortably clear on top of the AFC South, something isn’t right with the Titans at the moment.

For starters they have a negative point differential despite winning two more games than they have lost, they fired their general manager during the week and star running back Derrick Henry has been shut down in the last two games.

In their losses to Cincinnati and Philadelphia, the “King” has put up 68 rushing yards, failed to score a touchdown and to top it all off he has gone four games without breaking 100 yards.

It was the first time this season he had gone back to back games without finding the end zone, but the good news for punters is that the last time he went three games without a touchdown was in 2018 when he was sharing the backfield with Dion Lewis.

The good news is his record against the Jaguars is excellent, averaging over 100 yards per game and scoring 15 touchdowns in 11 games.

Jacksonville has struggled defensively all year and even though they know who will be getting the ball here, it’s tough to see them finding a way to slow down Henry.

Back Tennessee to Cover -4 @ $1.90

Detroit might be experiencing a decent run with four wins from their last five but it’s tough to justify their favouritism over the 10-2 Vikings.

Minnesota has rebounded nicely to their loss against the Cowboys with hard fought wins over New England and the Jets in the last two weeks.

Detroit will be able to move the ball against a struggling pass defence which should push this game to the over but Minnesota still has the best skill position player in the league in Justin Jefferson and that should see them home.

Taking the Vikings straight up is possibly the best value bet of the week but it’s worth teaming with the over for a decently priced SGM.

SGM: Minnesota to Win and Over 52 Points @ $3.84

Only one of these teams has a shot at playing in Super Bowl LVII in a couple of months but that won’t stop the Jets giving the Bills all they can handle when they face off in western New York.

When they faced off in Week 9 the Jets emerged with a 20-17 victory in a game where Josh Allen suffered an elbow injury and the Bills passing game had its worst game of the year to date.

Rookie corner Sauce Gardner leads an excellent secondary and that gives the Jets a chance to play this game close.

With the secondary looking as strong as it has, it means the Jets won’t have to ask too much of new starting quarterback Mike White and all signs are pointing towards a one score margin in the fourth quarter.

Back NY Jets to Cover +9.5 @ $1.90

If you want to put a positive spin on the Giants tie with Washington last week, it broke a two game losing streak but there’s reason to be concerned about their fortunes for the rest of the season.

Over their last five games they have gone 1-3-1, dropped away from the Eagles at the top of the NFC East and their thin roster looks like it is starting to succumb to the wear and tear of an NFL season.

After a couple of down weeks the Eagles have been able to get their offence back on track with big days in their last two wins over Green Bay and Tennessee.

While the Giants need to keep winning to maintain their hold on a Wild Card spot it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to keep pace with the Eagles fast paced offence and once they get past 20 points, it will likely be game over.

Back Philadelphia to Cover -7 @ $1.94

Denver’s defence is the only thing that will stop this game from being a 50-3 blowout but even that unit can only take so much punishment before it breaks.

Kansas City is the far superior team and the Broncos just won’t be able to keep up with them.

By the second half Patrick Mahomes will have the problem solved and be able to move the ball to get Kansas City another comfortable win.

Back Kansas City to Win by 14+ @ $2.35

Seattle’s playoff fate remains in its own hands as they could potentially steal the NFC West if they can successfully navigate their final five games.

None of their games have been blowouts this year which does give the talent deficient Panthers a slim chance of getting something out of this however they have struggled against teams that have some sort of clue about what they are doing.

At 7-5 the Seahawks definitely have a clear direction and have already exceeded expectations and they should find a way to win this game.

However they likely won’t have it all their own way and Carolina should be able to find a way to keep it close.

Back Seattle to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.50

We were so close to Tom Brady getting a chance to face the guy Bill Belichick drafted to replace him in New England eight years ago, but it is not to be.

Instead Brock Purdy will become the seventh quarterback to make his first start against Brady and history is not on the rookie’s side.

The last six guys who made their starting debut against a Brady team all suffered defeat.

However the reason the 49ers have a shot at ending that streak is the fact they have a phenomenal team around Purdy and will do everything they can to make his life as easy as possible.

But with Brady returning to the Bay Area where he grew up, against a team that spurned him during his 2020 free agency tour, he will be very motivated to produce one of his signature performances.

Last week gave us a reminder as to why you can never count Brady out either, with the come from behind win over New Orleans and I’m not taking him on here.

Back Tampa Bay to Win @ $2.50

There will be points in SoFi Stadium on Sunday Night Football, it’s just a question of which team will do the scoring.

LA has looked highly dysfunctional and disjointed all season but their offence is able to move the ball, and at 6-6 they need to straighten things out if they want to make the playoffs.

Miami’s video game offence ground to a halt against the 49ers but very few teams have that calibre of a defence and they should return to their 30-point per game production from the prior month here.

All things considered the Dolphins to win and cover is the tip, but for a bet, there’s only one option to take.

Back Over 51.5 Points @ $1.90

For a team that has looked as rough as the Patriots have all season, it’s actually a minor miracle they are 6-6 and still in with a shot of another postseason appearance.

Inconsistency has plagued this team on both sides of the ball but on their day they have enough quality to keep them in the mix.

Arizona on the other hand has taken a massive backstep this year with tensions showing between Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury, which does not bode well for the Cardinals coach’s long term future in the desert.

If one team is more likely to straighten things out and put together a strong showing here, it’s the Patriots and that all goes back to Bill Belichick’s ability to get his team ready for any given game.

Look for a big day from Rhamondre Stevenson and the Pats defence to force a couple of turnovers as they pick up a much needed win to start their West Coast swing.

Back New England to Win @ $1.82

2021

Week 14 of the 2021 NFL season brings us our first set of games where teams can clinch their spot in the playoffs.

Arizona is the only team with a one-legged scenario, they can secure playoff football with a win over the Rams on Monday Night Football or if the Vikings and either the 49ers or Saints and Panthers both lose.

Green Bay will also be hoping for Minnesota to suffer a third straight defeat as that, along with a win over Chicago will clinch the NFC North.

Tampa Bay also has a clinching scenario as well however they need a win over Buffalo and at least two other results to go their way.

Overall, 31 teams remain mathematically alive in the race for Super Bowl LVI with Houston the first team to have their playoff hopes come to and end.

It is also the final weekend of byes with Indianapolis, Miami, New England and Philadelphia the final teams to have a weekend off.

We are previewing all 14 NFL games this weekend below so read on and see who we are backing.

It had to be somebody, and the Minnesota Vikings were the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions in 2021.

There will not be too much time to wallow in the pity of that tough loss that also delivered a huge blow to their postseason hopes, with the Steelers coming to town on Thursday Night Football.

Pittsburgh is still very much in the AFC playoff picture after their massive win over Baltimore last week, however the concern over a letdown here is very real.

On short rest, on the road and on a comedown after a rivalry game is not a good recipe for the Steelers, however I do like their defence to keep them in it.

I expect the Vikings to have just enough on offence to get it done, but all signs are pointing towards this game going down to the fourth quarter.

Back Minnesota to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.50

There is not a lot to get excited about as two struggling teams try and keep themselves on the periphery of the NFC playoff picture.

Injuries have torpedoed both team’s offensive units with the Panthers forced to turn to Cam Newton who, after a fun return in Arizona, has crashed back to earth in spectacular fashion.

Atlanta has been whittled down to the bare bones at its skill positions but at least was able to add Cordarrelle Patterson back into the mix.

This game could very well be a race to 20 and only Atlanta seems capable of getting close to that.

It has been a season for away teams and underdogs so take the Falcons outright.

Back Atlanta to Win @ $2.15

Two battle weary AFC North foes will face off for the second time in 14 days after the Ravens won 16-10 in Baltimore with this looming as a potentially season defining clash for both teams.

Cleveland will be hoping that their Week 13 bye gave enough rest to their beaten up quarterback in Baker Mayfield to allow him to get through the stretch run.

Baltimore’s offence has become stuck in the mud since their overtime win over Minnesota on November 7, scoring 10, 16, 16 and 19 points in their games since then.

After a gut wrenching and costly loss to Pittsburgh last week, you have to like the Ravens to bounce back in an arm wrestle, especially considering the questions that still linger over the health of Mayfield.

For some reason Baltimore is an underdog in this game but there is value to be had in backing them to win outright.

Back Baltimore to Win @ $2.10

It’s the first of a pair of matchups inside 14 days for these two NFC East rivals as the home side will try and close down a two game deficit on the division leaders.

Dallas got their playoff push back on track with a win in New Orleans last week and will deservedly head into this game as favourites.

Washington will do everything they can to turn this game into a low scoring scrap as they chase their fourth straight victory but it is tough to see them keeping pace with Dallas if the Cowboys offence can be even the least bit productive.

The visitor’s running game looms as the key factor in this game and it should be able to get Dallas into the 20’s as Washington cannot.

Back Dallas to Cover -3.5 @ $1.90

After being held to just 13 points in back to back games the Titans desperately needed their bye week and now they will return to action against the Jaguars.

It is still a less than ideal scenario on offence with Derrick Henry and AJ Brown both missing this game however Julio Jones has been designated to return from Injured Reserve and not a minute too soon either.

That should give Ryan Tannehill another reliable target and help them get by a Jaguars team that will just be happy not to lose by more than 20.

If the Titans want to have any hope of being competitive in the postseason they will need to start winning without their bell cow running back and leading receiver.

With some tough defences on the schedule, look for a response in this game as they try and generate some positive momentum.

Back Tennessee to Cover -9 @ $1.90

Kansas City is reminding everyone why they should be the favourite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LVI having won their last five games on the back of some truly suffocating defence.

While they have not faced a murderer’s row of offences in that run, the fact they have kept every team to 17 points or less is phenomenal given the rules around defence in 2021.

It also makes backing the under in their games the logical course of action and that is where we’re heading here.

Kansas City demolished Las Vegas in Week 10 41-14 and while the final score here may be a bit lower, the Chiefs should take care of business in a similar manner to what they did against Denver last week.

Back Kansas City -9.5 and Under 48.5 Points @ $3.70

There is not a lot to like about this market, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Alvin Kamara, who at least gives the Saints offence a spark.

Even if he does make his return against an awful Jets team, he is going to be in a tough spot having to carry the offence regardless of whether it is Taysom Hill or Trevor Siemian calling the shots.

Call this one a stay away and look for value in other games this weekend.

NO BET

There is a very good case to make this game a stay away as well, especially given there are a plethora of questions over both teams.

Houston’s official elimination from the playoff race might free them up to play with a bit more freedom however the question mark over who will be the starting quarterback makes having any confidence in them a real issue.

If Tyrod Taylor can rebound from his atrocious performance against Indianapolis they might have a chance but if they go with rookie Davis Mills, it is essentially a concession.

Meanwhile Seattle looked like the team some expected them to, defeating the 49ers in a massive NFC West game.

However you do have to wonder how much of that came down to the fact that it was a rivalry game and question how switched on they will be for this game.

It is a bit of a speculative pick, especially giving more than a touchdown head start, but I’m happy to take on the Texans in this game.

Back Seattle to Cover -7.5 @ $1.94

Credit where it is due, the Lions worked for that win against Minnesota last week, however it’s important for punters to keep their head when it comes to backing them.

They will continue to scrap and fight in just about every game but the talent deficit with most teams remains a real issue.

Denver will see this as a get right game after their Week 13 defeat in Kansas City where they just could not get their offence going.

I like Detroit to keep it close but Denver should still come away with the win, they are the more desperate team and the know style points don’t matter/.

Back Denver to Win by 1-13 @ $2.20

A season from hell does not get any easier for the Giants, forced to turn to third string quarterback Jake Fromm, who was only signed off the Bills practice squad a week ago.

It is going to be asking a lot for him to be anything other than a passenger in this game, and the Giants will likely have to scale back their already limited offence with Fromm at the helm.

That should be music to the ears of a Chargers team that is coming off a 19 point win in Cincinnati and will want to be full of confidence heading into the biggest game of their season in Week 15.

This is going to be a mismatch in every imaginable way and the Chargers should have this game in the bag by halftime.

Back the LA Chargers to Win by 14+ @ $2.15

While Buffalo will be very happy to head to the warmer climate of Tampa Bay after their windy defeat against New England, this is possibly the last team they would want to face.

After a year of celebrating the absence of Tom Brady in the AFC East, they will be reunited with their tormenter, who amassed a 32-3 record against them in his time as the Patriots starter.

Brady has had some of his best days against Buffalo although his final seasons in New England saw him have some issues against Sean McDermott’s defence, although that could at least partially be attributed to his supporting cast.

With plenty of targets to aim for, Brady could be in for another big day as he does New England a huge favour on their bye week and hands the Bills another loss.

Back Tampa Bay to Cover -3.5 @ $1.94

This game is a toss up in every sense of the word and even the market is having a hard time separating these teams.

San Francisco imploded in Seattle last week, while the Bengals dug themselves a hole against the Chargers, putting a dent in both of their playoff hopes.

With the 49ers as slight underdogs, it’s worth backing them as a value play, however we could be in for a bit of an offensive showcase and the over is where the value lies.

Cincinnati’s talent at receiver is well documented and the 49ers secondary is inconsistent at best, while Jimmy Garoppolo is able to make enough throws to keep his team in it, even if his interceptions will also cost his team the game.

Back Over 48.5 Points @ $1.90

Like Tom Brady against Buffalo, Aaron Rodgers against the Bears has been a popular bet for well over a decade, and we may not have another chance to back it.

In Week 6 the Packers cruised to a comfortable 24-14 win but that was before they started to really find their offensive rhythm in the two games prior to their bye.

Chicago on the other hand is on the verge of a total implosion with that Packers loss the start of a run that has seen them lose six of their last seven with the only win coming over Detroit.

That has been highlighted by a number of offensive struggles as both Andy Dalton and Justin Fields have come in for some real punishment.

While the primetime games this season have been by and large close contests, it is tough to see this one as anything other than a blowout.

Back Green Bay to Cover -12.5 & Under 43.5 Points @ $3.80

This may be the most consequential Monday Night Football contest of the entire 2021 season.

Arizona can get into the playoffs with a win, while the Rams need the victory to keep the NFC West race, and in the process, their own first round bye hopes alive.

When these teams met back in Week 4, Arizona went off on an offensive explosion, rushing for 216 yards on the Rams vaunted defensive front and threw for another 268 as they came away with a 37-20 win.

With the return to health of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, this offence is as dangerous as it gets and the Rams will have their hands full trying to slow them down.

Add in LA’s struggles on offence after losing Robert Woods and trying to incorporate Odell Beckham Jr and you have the makings of a big ask for the one time Super Bowl contenders.

If they can win then you might be able to consider them that once again, but until we get the statement victory, you have to back against the Rams in games like this.

Back Arizona to Cover -2.5 @ $1.90

2020

We are into the final month of the NFL regular season and we are set for another fascinating weekend of action.

It gets underway with an intriguing clash between the Los Angeles and the New England Patriots on Friday afternoon, while the highlight of the week could be on Monday afternoon when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Buffalo Bills in a potential NFL Playoffs preview.

We have analysed every game set to take place this weekend and our complete NFL Week 14 tips can be found below.

The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots will do battle in a rematch of Super Bowl 53.

Los Angeles go into this clash as deserving favourites, but I’m not sure that there is as much between these two sides as the current market suggests.

The Patriots are coming off a huge win over the Los Angeles Chargers and it would not surprise if their defence is able to give the Rams some issues.

The underdog has covered the line in the past eight Patriots’ games and that streak can continue in this contest.

Tip: Back Patriots To Cover (+5.5 Points) @ $1.90

Andy Dalton will return to Cincinnati for the first time in an opposition jersey and it is the Dallas Cowboys that will start this clash as clear favourites.

This Cowboys side continue to struggle and they have covered the line in only two of their 12 games this season.

It hasn’t been a season to celebrate for the Bengals either, but they are 7-5 against the line and it would not shock to see them give this disappointing Cowboys outfit a serious scare.

Tip: Back Bengals To Cover (+3.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Chicago Bears have fallen in a serious hole this season and it is a surprise that the Houston Texans aren’t shorter-priced favourites for this clash.

Chicago have lost their past six games and they have failed to cover the line in their past six games against AFC opposition.

The Texans have found a semblance of form in the second half of the season and they should prove far too good for the Bears.

Tip: Back Texans To Win @ $1.83

The pressure is on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they went into the bye on the back of two losses.

They are deserving of their status as clear favourites for this clash, but it is tough to get them as short as their current quote.

The Minnesota Vikings have won four of their past five games and they have the ability to give the Buccaneers some serious issues.

The Vikings have covered the line in seven of their eight games against NFC South opposition and taking on the Buccaneers at the line has been a winning play this season.

Tip: Back Vikings To Cover The Line (+6.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Tennessee Titans are one of the shortest-priced favourites in the NFL this weekend and it is easy to see why.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost 11 games on the trot and it is tough to have any confidence in them whatsoever.

This is a game that I think the market has just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

Tip: No Bet

The Kansas City Chiefs just keep on rolling and they remain clear favourites to claim another Super Bowl title.

They have won 20 of their past 21 games and it is tough to see that winning streak ending in this contest.

In saying that, it would not surprise if the Miami Dolphins were in this game for a long way.

They have been one of the most improved teams in the NFL this season and their defence is nothing short of outstanding.

The Dolphins have covered the line in seven of their past eight games and their defence has the ability to keep Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offence relatively contained.

Tip: Back Dolphins To Cover The Line (+7 Points) & Under 49.5 Points @ $3.50

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a shock loss against the New York Giants last weekend, but they are still dominant favourites to bounce back against the New York Jets.

The Jets remain winless this season, following a late collapse against the Las Vegas Raiders, and that is unlikely to change against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Under has saluted in the past four games played by the Seahawks and the Under is clearly the best bet in this uninspiring contest.

Tip: Under 46.5 Points @ $1.94

This shapes as one of the most interesting games of the weekend.

The Indianapolis Colts are 8-4, but the jury is still out over exactly how good they are.

The Las Vegas Raiders were nothing short of awful against the New York Jets, despite coming away with the victory, and they surely can’t play that badly again against the Colts.

Las Vegas has won five of their past six games against AFC opposition and they have been a profitable side from a betting perspective this season.

This also looks likely to be a high-scoring game.

The Over is 16-8 in games involving either of these two teams this season and it would not surprise if this clash developed into a genuine shootout.

Tip: Back Raiders To Cover (+3 Points) & Over 51.5 Points

The Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons are two teams that can lose from almost any position and it is tough to have any confidence in either of these franchises.

The Chargers were nothing short of pathetic against the New England Patriots and they look like a franchise that has simply given up.

They have lost their past nine games as underdogs and the Falcons have covered the line in seven of their past eight games against teams with a losing record.

Tip: Back Falcons To Cover (-2.5 Points) @ $1.87

The Green Bay Packers are one of the shortest-priced favourites of the weekend and they should prove far too strong for the Detroit Lions.

This is a game that the market looks to have just about right, but there is value in the Total Points market.

The Over is 15-9 in games involving either of these sides this season and 11 of the past 12 games at Ford Field have gone Over.

Aaron Rodgers versus Matt Stafford is always interesting and we should see plenty of points in this clash.

Tip: Back Over 55 Points @ $1.90

Carson Wentz is out and Jalen Hurts is in for the Philadelphia Eagles at quarterback.

I’m not sure that change will be enough to turn around the fortunes of the Eagles.

The New Orleans Saints are the team to beat in the NFC and the Taysom Hill experience continues to be a positive one.

New Orleans have covered the line in their past five games and the line of seven points for this clash does look very skinny.

Tip: Back Saints To Cover The Line (+7 Points) @ $1.94

The Washington Football Team have won three games on the trot and they come into this clash on the back of a huge upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Can they continue their winning ways against the San Francisco 49ers?

There is an argument to be made.

Washington have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, led by rookie Chase Young, and they will be able to put plenty of pressure on Nick Mullens and the injury-plauged 49ers offence.

Backing Washington to cover the line has been a profitable betting play this season and they are capable of claiming another win in this clash.

Tip: Back Washington To Cover The Line (+3 Points) @ $1.94

This is easily the game of the weekend and it could be a preview for the NFL Playoffs.

The Buffalo Bills returned to winning form against the San Francisco 49ers and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have their unbeaten run ended by the Washington Football Team, of all teams, and their is a genuine question over whether they are as good as their current record suggests.

I’m not sure that they are and I think that the Bills are getting very close to taking another big step forward.

The Bills can win this game and cover the line in the process.

Tip: Back Bills To Cover The Line (-2.5 Points) @ $1.87

The rivalry between the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens is one of the most heated in the NFL and this is a crucial game for the NFL Playoffs chances of both sides.

This is a big test for the Browns and I’m not convinced that they will past it.

Baker Mayfield struggles with pressure and the Ravens defence will be in his face throughout this clash.

I remain confident that the Ravens are a better side than their record suggests and their best does give them a genuine edge over the Browns.

Tip: Back Ravens To Win @ $1.87

2019

Alright, here’s the 411 folks: two potential Championship Game previews and one huge NFC West showdown.

Monday morning is worth getting up for this week as the Ravens travel to Buffalo to face the Bills. Don’t sleep on the Niners visit to New Orleans though, as both teams hope to improve to 11-2.

The late time slot then sees the Chiefs and the Patriots square off in what should to be a cracker from Foxboro, followed by a Sunday Night Football showdown between the Seahawks and the Rams from Los Angeles.

It’s another mouth-watering 16-game slate, so for all your best bets, be sure to check out our entire 2019 NFL Week 14 Preview below.

The beauty of the NFC East this year is that the Cowboys can continue to lose and still make the playoffs.

Last week’s Thanksgiving loss to the Bills was a real low point in what has been an extremely disappointing season for Dallas, and if you’ve been keeping count, you’ll know the Cowboys have only managed wins over the Giants, Redskins, Dolphins, Eagles and Lions this year – all teams with losing records.

Dallas is yet to beat a team above .500, which could be a good sign as they travel to Soldier Field to face the 6-6 Bears this week.

Chicago still stands a very slim chance of making the playoffs after a four-point win over the Lions, but the Bears will need to win out from here – which is easier said than done for an offence that ranks bottom five in total yards.

These two sides have split their last 10-games with five wins apiece, while you need to rewind back to 2014 to find the Cowboys’ last win in Chicago.

The other piece of good news for the Cowboys is that Amari Cooper is likely to play, but it’s hard to see the Cowboys mustering piling on the points on a frozen Soldier Field.

These two teams both rank bottom ten in points allowed, so considering the Bears’ offensive woes and the weather, take the Under.

Tip: Under 42.5 Total Points @ $1.92

It’s pretty simple for the Vikings this week: win.

Minnesota’s loss to the Seahawks on Monday Night Football now puts the pressure on Mike Zimmer’s side to win out if they hold any hope of snatching the NFC North crown from the Packers.

For the Lions, the scenario is also pretty simple: spoil the party.

Detroit would like nothing more than to put a dagger into one of their division rivals, but with Matthew Stafford still “week to week”, it’s very difficult to make a case for a Lions upset.

Things only become clearer when you factor in the Vikings’ four-game winning streak over the Lions.

Better yet, Minnesota also holds a perfect 3-0 record against the spread following a previous loss, so take the Vikings to add to Detroit’s misery.

Tip: Back the Vikings to Cover the Line (-13 Points) @ $1.92

The Texans extended their winning streak to two last week with a season-defining win over the Patriots at home.

It was a big result for Bill O’Brien’s team after being embarrassed by the Ravens a fortnight ago, which in turn has helped the Texans open as -9.5 favourites as they play host to the Broncos this week.

Now at 4-8, Denver has nothing left to play for with the season winding down. The Broncos did pull off a narrow win over the Chargers last week at home though, which could now be enough to save Denver from finishing last in the AFC West.

The Texans were impressive against one of the NFL’s best defences last week, but there were still times where Houston’s own defence let them down.

What is perhaps the most telling trend of the Texans’ season though is their inability to win three straight games. Houston has gone loss, win, win, loss throughout the entire season, making the Broncos outstanding value to cover the spread.

Tip: Back the Broncos to Cover the Line (+9.5 Points) @ $1.92

Neither of these teams can make the playoffs… can they?

Two straight wins for the Bucs has Tampa Bay at least in the hunt sitting at 5-7.

The Colts, meanwhile, fell to 6-6 with a loss to the Titans last week, but with how back and forth the AFC South has been, you still can’t discount Indy making a late run.

This cross-conference showdown has the makings of a potential classic. Both teams are among the best in the league when it comes to defending the run, placing the pressure on the quarterbacks to do most of the talking.

Jameis Winston currently leads the league in interceptions and pick sixes, while Jacoby Brissett will be hoping to put his own accuracy issues behind him after throwing two picks last week.

You have to rewind back to 2016 to find the last time the Bucs won three games in a row, which should leave you feeling a little more confident in the Colts’ chances.

Indianapolis has been a steady betting play against the spread covering in three of their five games following a previous loss. They are also a perfect 5-0 against the spread in their last five games against the Bucs.

Tip: Back the Colts to Cover the Line (+3 Points) @ $1.88

We’re spoiled for choice again this week with another potential NFC Championship Game preview.

New Orleans not only got some revenge on the Falcons last week winning 26-18 on Thanksgiving, but they also clinched their sixth NFC South division title.

Things weren’t quite so enjoyable for the Niners, however, losing on a last-second field goal on the road against the Ravens. That result allowed the Seahawks to take over the lead in the NFC West with their Monday Night Football victory over the Vikings.

There is certainly much more at stake this week for San Francisco as they hope to climb back on top of the division, but don’t discount how seriously Sean Payton’s side will take this game.

Making a statement against one of the NFC’s top teams will be important to the Saints heading into the playoffs, and they’ll certainly have every opportunity to do so with home-field advantage.

These two teams haven’t gotten together since 2016, while you have to rewind back to 2014 to find the Niners’ last win in New Orleans. Even so, you might be better off sticking with the Under in this one considering how well both teams defend the run.

Last but not least, three of the Niners’ four games have gone Under the Total this year as the away underdog.

Tip: Under 44.5 Total Points @ $1.92

The Packers return home to Lambeau this week favoured by close to two touchdowns.

Green Bay got its season back on track last week with a blowout win over the Giants, while the Vikings did the Packers a favour by losing to the Seahawks.

Washington has proven a handful in recent weeks though, which makes this a trap game to watch out for. The Redskins handed the Panthers a surprising 29-21 loss last week and they have also won two of their last three games over Green Bay.

The Packers offence looked on point last week in New York in very snowy conditions. On the flip side though, Green Bay’s defence is still allowing large chunks of yards and struggling against the run.

Derris Guice and Adrian Peterson hold the keys to this game for the Redskins. If Washington can establish some running lanes early, they should at least put some points on the board.

Tip: Redskins Over 14 Points @ $1.85

A 22-6 win over the Jets saw the Bengals home for their first win of the season last week, but things weren’t quite so fun for the Browns.

With their playoff hopes on the line, Cleveland came out flat in their rematch against the Steelers losing 20-13 in Pittsburgh. There’s still a very faint chance the Browns sneak into the postseason from here, but that involves winning out and a complete flop from the Steelers with four games remaining.

This is far from the most exciting game of the week and it’s also very difficult to find a worthwhile play.

Cleveland’s offence has largely been the most disappointing aspect of this lost season, while on the other hand, the Bengals’ defence is one of the worst in the league.

With that in mind, it’s probably worth sticking with the Total here. Six of the last 10-games between these two teams have gone Under, while the Total has also gone Under in all five of the Bengals’ away games this year.

Tip: Under 40.5 Total Points @ $1.92

Tanking!? You’re talking about tanking?

The Dolphins not only improved to 3-9 last week with a remarkable win over the Eagles, they also improved to 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games.

Monday’s visit to the Meadowlands could determine who finishes on the bottom of the AFC East.

The 4-8 Jets will be hoping to hand the Phins their 10^th loss of the season, but after handing Cincinnati their first win of the year last week, nothing is a guarantee.

There’s nothing left to play for other than bragging rights and draft selection, which should make this game plenty of fun.

Miami has won six of its last 10-games over the Jets and is also 5-1-1 in their last seven games against the spread vs the Jets.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will take great joy in handing his former team a loss, while it’s also worth noting five of New York’s seven games have gone Over the Total following a previous loss this season.

Since this is a bit of a nothing game, it’s worth taking a gamble on the double market at some big odds.

Tip: Back the Dolphins to Cover the Line (+5.5 Points) & Over 45 Points

The Falcons will be hoping to accomplish something they haven’t done all season: win as the home favourite.

Our bookmakers are favouring Atlanta -3 this week following the firing of Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. Carolina’s four-game losing streak has put a line through any lingering playoff chances, ultimately spelling the end of Rivera’s nine year run at the helm.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn is also a marked man as his team has fallen well short of expectations this year. That makes this weekends game even more intriguing purely from a fan perspective, but as far as betting goes, you might want to consider backing the Panthers.

Firing a coach often has a funny effect on the team, no matter what the sport. A different voice in the locker room often inspires the players, while it’s also worth considering Carolina’s 5-2 record in their last seven road games.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (+3 Points) @ $1.88

You probably can’t go as far as calling this an AFC Championship Game preview, but it’s still a big game in terms of the playoff picture.

The Bills are suddenly within striking distance of the Patriots in the AFC East as they hope to pull off a monumental upset over the Ravens at home.

Buffalo has won three games on the trot following last week’s Thanksgiving win in Dallas, but they’ll need to be at their best against a Baltimore side riding an eight-game winning streak.

New Era Field is one of the toughest places to play in the entire league, but our bookmakers aren’t showing any love to the Bills. Sean McDermott’s side finds themselves as +6 underdogs this week, and to be honest, it’s hard to disagree.

The Ravens appear the team to beat in the AFC and they have the record to back it up. As the away favourite Baltimore has covered in three of their four games, so take the Ravens to keep on rolling.

Tip: Back the Ravens to Cover the Line (-6 Points) @ $1.92

There is nothing more than bragging rights on the line between two of the AFC’s most disappointing teams.

Jaguars coach Doug Marrone has already announced Gardner Minshew as the teams starting quarterback after Nick Foles was benched during the loss to the Bucs last week. Minshew provided some spark off the bench as the Jags will now be hoping for much of the same this week at home.

Los Angeles also suffered some heartbreak last week as they lost on a last second field goal to the Broncos. The Chargers season was over weeks ago, but there’s still a chance for the team to at least salvage an 8-8 record.

It’s difficult to get too excited about this game considering how poor both teams have been offensively.

The good news is the Jags and the Chargers have both been highly profitable playing on the Under following a previous loss, saluting well over 70% of the time, so if you really want to bet on this game, take it to be low scoring.

Tip: Under 43 Total Points @ $1.92

Far and away the trickiest game of the week – if not the season – to get a feel for.

The Patriots came up six-points short last week in Houston as they suffered their second loss of the season. Offensively it was another frustrating night for Tom Brady and company, while the defence also struggled to put pressure on Deshaun Watson.

None of that bodes particularly well against a rejuvenated Chiefs side that has won two games on the trot.

With all the talk surrounding the Ravens, it feels as though we forgot about Kansas City – or at least that was the case prior to the Chiefs 40-9 blowout win over the Raiders.

There are plenty of reasons to build a case for the Chiefs this week, but considering the Patriots are at home, you might want to think again.

Kansas City did get the better of the Patriots in Foxboro two seasons ago, but it’s difficult to argue with New England’s perfect 5-0 record as the home favourite this year.

The Patriots are also desperate to get their offence back on track, and there is no better team to face right now than a Chiefs side that has allowed the third-most rushing yards. All things considered, take New England in a close one.

Tip: Back the Patriots 1-13

Mike Tomlin has to be the odds-on favourite for Coach of the Year, right?

After losing Ben Roethlisberger in Week 2, the Steelers are now a chance to finish 11-5 if they win out from here.

There’s very little chance Pittsburgh wins the AFC North, mind you, but they can move one step closer to locking up a playoff berth with a win over the Cardinals.

Arizona were dismantled last week by the Rams 34-7 at home in a tough six-sack day for Kyler Murray. Defensively the Cardinals also gave up 417-yards in the air, which could spell trouble if Juju Smith-Schuster returns from injury.

It’s difficult to fade the Steelers in the market considering how scary the defence looks. The Total has also gone Over in five of Arizona’s games following a previous loss this season, so take the double.

Tip: Back the Steelers to Win & Over 43.5 Total Points @ $2.80

As far as must-win games go, it doesn’t get any bigger than this.

The 7-5 Titans still find themselves a game behind the Texans in the South as they hit the road to face the Raiders.

Oakland’s season suffered a serious blow last week with a loss to the Chiefs, but even at 6-6, there’s still hope for the Raiders if they win out from here.

Tennessee faces an incredibly tough run home with games against the Texans and Saints at home followed by an away trip to Houston. That makes this week’s visist to Oakland crucial if the Titans wish to sneak into the playoffs, and with the way Tennessee has been playing of late, it’s certainly hard to argue.

Ryan Tannehill has thrown 12 touchdowns during his six starts under center and more importantly, led the Titans to a 5-1 record. Unfortunately for the Titans however, they have lost their last three games to the Raiders.

Oakland has been an incredibly tough team to face at home this year playing to a 5-1 record in their final season at the Coliseum. The Raiders are also 3-2 against the spread following a previous loss and 2-1 as the home underdog, so with plenty at stake, back Oakland to at least come close.

Tip: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (+3 Points) @ $1.92

The NFC West is anyone’s best guess as the Seahawks, Niners and Rams all stand a shot at taking home the crown.

Finding faith in Los Angeles has been tricky this season, but at 7-5, the Rams could really throw a spanner into the works if they knock off Seattle at home.

The Seahawks sit atop on division wins alone, making this a must-win game for Seattle if they wish to distance themselves from the Niners.

Last week Pete Carroll’s side recorded a statement win over the Vikings at home on Monday Night Football. It was a big game for running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, but the pair will have to work hard if they wish to find any success against a Rams team that has allowed only nine rushing touchdowns this year.

There’s no doubt the bookies have overreacted to LA’s big win over the Cardinals last week in the desert, but that isn’t to say the Rams can’t win this game.

If you’ve been keeping count, you’ll know LA has won four of their last six games. You might also know the Rams are 4-1 in their last five games against Seattle, and 4-1 against the spread vs an opponent from the NFC West.

Tip: Back the Rams to Cover the Line (+1 Point) @ $1.92

It’s another must-win game to round out Week 14 as the Eagles hope to improve to 6-7 and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Philly was by far the biggest loser of Week 13 thanks to their 37-31 loss to the Dolphins. It looked as though the Eagles were home midway through the third quarter, right before Miami went on to score 11-points in the fourth.

The Giants also struggled defensively last week as they lost 31-13 at home to the Packers. Aaron Rodgers enjoyed a comfortable afternoon in the pocket throwing four touchdowns, while Daniel Jones threw three picks on the other end.

It’s tough to get excited about this game, especially with the Eagles being one of the worst teams in the league against the spread and Eli Manning now replacing Jones, who is out with an ankle injury, under center.

The Giants, on the other hand, are 3-2 as the away underdog against the spread this year, so with a double-digit line set, take Big Blue to put some pressure on the home side.

Tip: Back the Giants to Cover the Line (+10 Points) @ $1.92

2018

The NFL continues to throw curveballs as we try and piece together this tricky playoff picture.

Last week saw just 10 favourites salute in the head-to-head market, with a couple of serious upsets to two division leaders.

This week both the NFC East and the NFC Wild Card picture could be decided with two crucial prime-time games on Monday and Tuesday morning.

We’ve previewed all 32 teams and all 16 games, so make sure you check out our 2018 NFL Week 14 Preview below!

Tennessee Titans (6-6):

It took all four quarters for the Titans to dispose of the hapless Jets last week, but they somehow walked away with a 26-22 come from behind victory at home.

Moving the ball forward continues to be a problem for Tennessee, especially in the red zone. Only 54% of their drives have ended in a score in the red zone this season, which illustrates the struggles for quarterback Marcus Mariota under center.

It’s not that Tennessee don’t have the options, they just can’t seem to get on the same page. Corey Davis was targeted just seven times last week for 42-yards, which isn’t nearly enough for your go-to wide receiver.

The Titans have enjoyed the better part of this match up holding a 5-1 record in their last six games against Jacksonville. Don’t expect much from either side on offence, but after holding the Jets to just 280-yards on offence last week, Tennessee’s interior defence should prove the difference.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8):

It’s been a lost season for Doug Marrone and the Jaguars despite shutting out the Colts 6-0 last week.

The spark from last season is dead on defence, but the talent sure isn’t. Jacksonville forced two turnovers against Indy’s offence while at the same time holding Andrew Luck to his first touchdown-less game since 2014.

You couldn’t ask much more defensively, although you certainly can’t say the same on offence. Backup quarterback Cody Kessler managed just 150-yards in his first game replacing Blake Bortles, which is hardly encouraging as Jacksonville prepare for Tennessee’s defence on the road this week.

The Jaguars are 3-7 in their last 10-games vs. Tennessee and haven’t won at Nissan Stadium since 2016.

Tip: Back the Titans to Beat The Line (-4.5 Points) @ $1.91

Buffalo Bills (4-8):

Given the injuries and severe lack of talent they’ve had to deal with, the Bills have to be feeling pretty good with four wins on the board.

After rushing for 135-yards, rookie quarterback Josh Allen drew strange comparisons to Cam Newton following Buffalo’s loss to the Dolphins last week. It’s still early days yet, but it looks as though the Bills might have found their guy, at least for the short term.

Buffalo’s main problem remains at wide receiver though, an area they sorely need to address in the draft. Zay Jones isn’t getting the job done consistently, and as a result, Allen is being forced into making throws that simply aren’t there.

The last time the Bills hosted the Jets they won 21-12, and as their 5-1 home record against New York states, they deserve to be the favourite this week.

New York Jets (3-9):

The Jets have now lost six straight following last week’s fourth quarter disappointment against the Titans.

It was a game New York really should have won up 24-11 heading into the fourth quarter, but it’s tough to hold off an opposing team when you muster up just 280-yards of total offence.

There’s very little talent remaining on attack for the Jets, especially with rookie quarterback Sam Darnold still sidelined. Josh McCown’s conservative approach in the passing game did the team no favours last week, and even with Isaiah Crowell’s 98-yard effort on the ground, it appears as though the Jets are going to limp their way to the finish line.

At least as far as winnable games go, this might be New York’s one last chance this season. On the other hand, the Jets are 3-7 in their last 10-games against the Bills, so don’t bank on anything away from home.

Tip: Back the Bills To Win 1-6 @ $3.30

Washington Redskins (6-6):

Another quarterback injury, this time to Colt McCoy, means the Redskins will be relying heavily on the run this week.

That’s good news for the 33-year old Adrian Peterson, who once again rushed for close to 100-yards during last week’s 28-13 loss to the Eagles. Other than that though, things are looking pretty bleak for Washington right now.

At .500, the scary thing is, the Redskins could still make the playoffs. They’ll need a miracle from third-string quarterback Mark Sanchez this week, although it’s not like the Giants won’t cough up plenty of passing opportunities down field.

The Redskins are 4-2 in their last six games when playing the Giants, and aside from the ground game, they’ll likely rely on their defence to make plays and force turnovers, which they’ve so far managed to do at home.

Still, this is a game between two teams that are appalling when it comes to the passing game, in large part thanks to the quarterbacks. The Total has gone Under in five of their last six meetings when playing at FedEx Field, so that’s the only safe play.

New York Giants (4-8):

Were the Giants really good last week, or did the Bears suck?

There’s no denying the fact that Odell Beckham Jr. has now tied Eli Manning for touchdown passes thrown over 20-yards during last week’s 30-27 upset win over Chicago. There’s also no denying that the Giants’ would probably be in a much better position if Manning wasn’t under center.

For the time being though, the Giants will feel like they can easily pull off a second-straight win this week over the Redskins. New York lost 20-13 when they last met Washington back in October, but they’ll feel confident in their 8-4 road record when traveling to FedEx Field.

For the Giants to win this, they simply need to take Adrian Peterson out of the equation, which won’t be easy considering they’ve allowed the ninth most rushing yards all year.

Tip: Under 41 Total Points @ $1.95

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7):

By far one of the most frustrating teams for punters all season, the Bucs more than likely messed up plenty of multi’s last week in their 24-17 upset win over the Panthers.

Tampa Bay have been homewreckers all year, capable of dizzying lows one week and silencing an opponents’ playoff chances the next.

Last week it was Jameis Winston’s turn to enjoy a day out throwing for 249-yards and a pair of touchdowns, but it’s going to take a much more concerted defensive effort this week if the Bucs are to knock off the Saints at home.

Tampa Bay will need to somehow shutdown Drew Brees, which they failed to do despite winning their Week 1 match up against the Saints in New Orleans earlier this year.

They’ll also need to devise a gameplan to stop Brees hitting no-name receivers for touchdowns, which so far, no team has been able to accomplish.

New Orleans Saints (10-2):

An extra few days of rest should do the Super Bowl favourite’s some good, which is probably a scary thought for the Buccaneers as New Orleans look to wrap up the NFC South division.

New Orleans were rattled away from home last week against the Cowboys in a loss that saw plenty of uncharacteristic mistakes from MVP candidate Drew Brees.

Compared to the rest of his heroics this season, Brees’ 127-yard, one touchdown, one interception performance was pretty dismal by his usual squeaky clean standards.

The Saints have had a week to stew on what went wrong, but really, their 10-game winning streak came to an end due to one simple factor: a failure to execute in the game’s biggest moments.

With just two losses to their name, New Orleans now turn their attention to the only other team to defeat them this season – the Bucs.

That Week 1 loss came on the heels of a huge 439-yard, three touchdown performance from Drew Brees, but the running game was noticeably flat with Marvin Ingram still suspended and Alvin Kamara rushing for just 29-yards.

It’s safe to say the Bucs’ defence has taken a significant step backwards since then though, and as the Saints’ 10-4 record when playing Tampa suggests, this is an ideal bounce-back game.

Tip: Back Over 55 Total Points @ $1.91

Miami Dolphins (6-6):

The Dolphins continue to hang around in the AFC Wild Card picture, and this is certainly a game that could mean the difference between a 16-game season and something more.

Miami held on for a narrow four-point win over the Bills last week after allowing 135-rushing yards to rookie quarterback Josh Allen. It’s well known Miami have struggled to contain the run – they’ve allowed the third most rushing yards this season – but to their credit, the Dolphins did do a few things right offensively last week.

At the risk of sounding overly optimistic, it was nice to see Ryan Tannehill consistently target two of his best receivers. Both Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker caught four passes each, while the tandem of Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore chipped away nicely on the ground.

The Dolphins’ defence will need to tighten up on the ground if they are to limit Sony Michel and Cordarelle Patterson this week, but it’s pretty simple – get in Brady’s face up the middle, force the turnover, and come through with a huge upset.

New England Patriots (9-3):

Up and down, hot and cold – that’s the Patriots defence to a ‘T’ this season.

One week New England will give up 385 total yards in a loss to the Titans, and a fortnight later they’ll hold Kirk Cousins and the Vikings to just 296 and force two turnovers in a 24-10 home win.

It’s more worrying than it is encouraging for the Patriots as they head towards the playoffs, however they should feel comfortable ahead of this weekend’s trip to Miami… maybe.

It’s worth noting New England have had a mishap or two during their recent trips to Miami, or should we say, four. The Patriots are 1-4 in their last five visits to Hard Rock Stadium, while Tom Brady has typically saved his worst performances for the Dolphins’ defence.

The future Hall of Famer has thrown 26 career interceptions against Miami in the 32 games he’s played. Most importantly though, the Dolphins currently rank third in takeaways this season.

Tip: Back the Dolphins at the Line (+7 Points) @ $1.95

Kansas City Chiefs (10-2):

The Chiefs were left shell-shocked following the allegations on former star running back Kareem Hunt. Like all good teams do though, they came out focused on the Raiders last week, going on to win 40-33.

Things got a little hairy for the Chiefs in the fourth quarter though after allowing 14-points, which basically taught us what we already know: the Chiefs can’t play defence.

Oakland converted on nine of their 12 third down opportunities, which was in large part thanks to the quarterback play of Derek Carr. The five-year veteran completed 29 of his 38 pass attempts for 285-yards and three touchdowns, while running backs Jalen Richard and Doug Martin combined for 156-yards and a score.

Depending on who the Ravens choose to start at quarterback, this game could go one of two ways. The Chiefs defence could catch a break if Jackson starts, but Flacco’s inclusion would give the Ravens a sorely needed passing attack to compliment the true X-factor, Gus Edwards.

The Chiefs are 2-4 in their last six games when playing at home against Baltimore, but are a perfect 5-0 at home this season. So much is being made of Baltimore’s stingy defence, but keep in mind – the Ravens have managed the second-fewest turnovers all season.

Baltimore Ravens (7-5):

There’s a bit of a Flacco fiasco going on in Baltimore right now which has left head coach Jim Harbaugh in a bit of a pickle.

Having now won three straight, the Ravens are a serious chance to pinch the top spot in the AFC North away from the Steelers this week, although they’ll need to sort out their quarterback quandary first.

There’s no doubt Lamar Jackson has provided some life to this otherwise stale attacking unit. On the ground he’s electric, which is everything Flacco lacked. But in the air he’s a liability, which more often than not doesn’t win playoff games.

Jackson threw for just 125-yards in last week’s 26-16 win over the Falcons while up-start running back Gus Edwards enjoyed a second consecutive monster day on the ground.

For now that plan is working, but it’s not ideal against a high-scoring offence like the Chiefs. Flacco is reportedly having his practice reps increased this week, so keep an eye on who the Ravens name as their starter before you even consider backing Baltimore.

Tip: Back the Chiefs to Beat The Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.91

Houston Texans (9-3):

Many thought this Texans team was all smoke and mirrors a month ago, but it’s hard to argue with nine straight wins.

Houston, led by a very physical and intimidating defence, made short work of the Browns last week in a 29-13 rout.

It was smash-mouth football at its finest as the Texans fed Lamar Miller the ball, which not only tallied 103-rushing yards, but also helped Miller leapfrog Christian McCaffrey for the sixth spot among the NFL’s leading rushers this season.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? It’s doubtful we see the Texans tinker with their offence too much this week. Indianapolis feature a strong interior defence, but Houston will want to establish the run early if they wish to set up DeAndre Hopkins one-on-one down the field on passing downs.

Surprisingly enough the Texans are 1-4 in their last five games when playing at home against Indianapolis. The Colts defence was far from disgraced last week against Jacksonville, but away from home, they are likely to struggle against Houston’s fast-tempo offence of runs and screens to Miller.

Indianapolis Colts (6-6):

Plenty of punters placed the Colts on a pedestal prior to last week’s disappointing goose egg against the Jaguars.

All of a sudden the Colts looked like they could make a push for the playoffs, and with it came a range of expectations that were probably a little unrealistic.

Now back at .500, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Colts have already exceeded expectations this season. They weren’t meant to be a playoff team, not this year, and although the Wild Card is still a very real chance, it’s probably wise to cool off on the idea that Indy are the ‘dark horse’ of the 2018 season.

As far as this week’s game against the Texans goes, we should have a firm answer as to whether or not the Colts will still be playing come January. If Frank Reich’s team is to go any further, they’ll need to solve their third down woes after converting just five of their 18 opportunities last week.

Since the Colts should be well prepared for this divisional rivalry game, they’ll know full well the key to beating the Texans is pocket pressure. Houston have allowed the 11^th most sacks this season on quarterback Deshaun Watson, while the Colts should also be up to the challenge of stopping the in-form Lamar Miller having allowed just eight rushing touchdowns all year.

Tip: Back the Texans 7-12 @ $5.00

Green Bay Packers (4-7-1):

A 20-17 home loss to the Cardinals last week was enough to send 13-year head coach Mike McCarthy packing.

The firing was inevitable, but the timing certainly caught fans off guard after Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst chose to boot the Super Bowl winning coach immediately after the game.

Former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin now steps up, signifying a new era in Green Bay. While the long hunt for the Packers’ next head coach continues, there are plenty of on-field problems that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks.

It goes without saying that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has struggled this season. Green Bay were moving the ball well to begin with last week, but overthrown passes from Rodgers deep down the field to Davante Adams ultimately cost the Packers a win.

The short-passing game has also become less than effective, as teams have cottoned on to the same old checkdown and slant routes. Mason Crosby missing the game-tying field goal last week wasn’t ideal, but offensively the Packers are a far cry from the team we once knew.

Home field advantage is one thing, and the chaos of a midseason firing is another. This is a game between two franchises that were meant to compete for a Super Bowl spot.

Now? The Points market is your safest bet.

Atlanta Falcons (4-8):

Atlanta managed just 131 total yards in their 26-16 loss to the Ravens last week. It’s a loss that has placed further strain on head coach Dan Quinn as the hot seat continues to burn in this disappointing season.

You can blame injuries all you like, but there’s a serious lack of playcalling, talent and offensive chemistry hurting Atlanta right now.

Chance are they’ll fancy themselves traveling to Lambeau this week to face a down and out Packers side, although their 3-6 record when playing in Green Bay is less convincing.

Tip: Back Under 49 Total Points @ $1.95

Cleveland Browns (4-7-1):

Perhaps the 29-13 scoreline did the Browns some justice last week, because it was certainly an ugly game from Cleveland’s point of view.

Houston’s smashmouth defence made life tough from the get-go, holding the Browns to a three-and-out on their very first possession.

Things only got worse from there as the Browns relied heavily on hand-offs to running back Nick Chubb, a strategy that saw very limited results.

The lack of creativity on offence hurt Cleveland in a game Baker Mayfield would probably like to forget. He didn’t look towards Jarvis Landry or David Njoku nearly enough, and when he finally hooked up with Antonio Callaway for a deep play, it was called back on a hold.

There’s no denying Mayfield was off last week when it came to pre-snap reads and decision making. His pick six in the second quarter was a classic rookie mistake, just like the interception he threw on the very next drive right before the half.

Believe it or not, Cleveland do have a shot in this game, though. They simply need to hold Cam Newton in the pocket and force him to throw, which seems to have disastrous results.

Carolina Panthers (6-6):

How do you go from a Super Bowl favourite to a sub .500 record? Easy, have your star quarterback throw four picks against the Bucs.

Cam Newton has been dreadful over the last month, which has now placed a tremendous amount of pressure on head coach Ron Rivera as the team tries to figure this thing out in a hurry.

Mathematically the playoffs are still in reach for Carolina, but they’ll need to win out from here to have any shot at a Wild Card spot in a razor tight race.

That all starts with a road trip to face the Browns this week, a team the Panthers haven’t seen since 2014. Despite losing last week, Cleveland have held their own this season in front of their home fans, and with the Panthers now losing tight end Greg Olsen to a season-ending foot injury, an upset is certainly on the cards.

Back the Browns at the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $1.91

San Francisco 49ers (2-10):

The Niners were embarrassed by the Seahawks last week losing 43-16 away from home.

It wasn’t a good day out for San Francisco’s defence, although that has been the story all season long. The Niners were carved up by Russell Wilson in the red zone for four touchdowns, while Seattle’s ground game notched 168-yards in the win.

On the bright side quarterback Nick Mullens still put forward another gallant effort against a very tough defence on the road. The rookie threw for over 400-yards and two touchdowns, which now has many quarterback needy teams from the outside looking in.

San Francisco are 5-15 in their last 20 games at home, which is hardly ideal. They are 4-1 in their last five home games against Denver though, so it’s tough to get a read on this game.

If one thing is for certain though, it’s Denver’s defence. They made life impossible for the Bengals and Jeff Driskel last week in the red zone, and that’s exactly what we should expect again this week.

Denver Broncos (6-6):

After a scoreless first quarter last week, the Broncos turned on the burners in the second half to go on and win 24-10 against the Bengals.

It was yet another superb game from rookie running back Phillip Lindsay who notched his third 100-plus yard game. Comparing him to the likes of Le’Veon Bell this early on probably seems a little foolish, but his patient running style at the line of scrimmage and lightning cut-speed has already made him one of the most feared, and underrated, backs in the league.

Likewise, wide receiver Courtland Sutton continues to show promise in his rookie year having caught for 85-yards last week. Now back to .500, his contribution alongside a defence that continues to create turnovers has the Broncos in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.

Tip: Back the Broncos to Beat The Line (-5.5 Points) @ $1.87

Los Angeles Chargers (9-3):

Most had the Chargers pencilled in for a Wild Card spot behind the Chiefs in the AFC West, but all of a sudden they are just one game out of first-place.

Even against a lowly team like the Bengals, this week’s game can’t be taken lightly, because next week, that very same Chiefs team awaits at Arrowhead.

Full credit where it’s due though, the Chargers look legit. Their come-from-behind win over the Steelers last week to kick a last minute field goal (or two) has them looking like a serious Super Bowl contender, especially on defence.

The Chargers’ interception on Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter was a game-changer, the result of tremendous pressure all game long from the edge. Joey Bosa’s presence is working wonders for this team, and meanwhile, Keenan Allen casually ranks seventh in the league in receptions.

LA are 9-2 in their last 11 home games, which makes them a safe bet this week as Philip Rivers continues to push his MVP case, and the Chargers as a serious Super Bowl contender.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-7):

It’s becoming more and more likely the Bengals won’t win another game before the end of the season.

Last week’s 24-10 loss to the Bengals was always expected with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green missing on offence, and not to sound like a broken record, but Cincinnati’s stale defence stood no chance against breakout running back Phillip Lindsay.

You only had to watch last week’s game to get a glimpse into the pain of this franchise. The offence was booed off the field in the first quarter, but that wasn’t even the half of it – Cincinnati totalled over 100 penalty yards.

Its dark days for a team that refuses to part ways with head coach Marvin Lewis or improve at all from one season to the next, and for that reason, you just can’t back the Bengals at all going forward.

Tip: Back the Chargers 13-18 @ $4.75

Arizona Cardinals (3-9):

Arizona’s upset over the Packers was the surprise shocker of the week in a snowy game at Lambeau.

The Cardinals had every right to win that game thanks to a fantastic final drive from Josh Rosen to set up what would become the game-winning field goal.

Statistically speaking it wasn’t a fantastic game by any stretch of the imagination, but the Cardinals defence made life tough for Green Bay, which is something we haven’t been able to say about Arizona at all this season.

For the Cardinals to make it two in a row, they simply need to keep Detroit’s receivers in check, and that basically starts and ends with Kenny Golladay. Since Arizona have been one of the least consistent sides defensively though, just like the Lions, you should only have eyes for the Points market this week.

Detroit Lions (4-8):

Head coach Matt Patricia is far from hot seat status right now despite the Lions’ stunning fall from mediocrity in the last two weeks.

It’s hardly panic stations just yet, but Detroit appear to be lacking the basic fundamentals that make up a winning football team.

It starts with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was sacked four times during last week’s 30-16 blowout loss to the Rams. Much of that can be blamed on the offensive line, but with another interception adding to Stafford’s growing total, suddenly Detroit look like they might be in need of a change.

Defensively the Lions were just as awful. They aren’t the first team to allow Todd Gurley to rush for over 100-yards this season, but this has become a glaring problem as Detroit looks to rebuild in the draft.

Looking ahead, this is a winnable game away from home against the Cardinals, but Detroit’s 1-4 record on the road suggests otherwise.

Tip: Back Over 41 Total Points @ $1.91

Oakland Raiders (2-10):

The Raiders lost by just seven-points to the Chiefs last week after giving their division rivals a serious fright in the fourth quarter.

Oakland are playing for next season, or maybe the one after, but they can certainly take a lot away from last week’s loss.

Derek Carr played perhaps his best game of the season completing 29 of his 38 passes for 285-yards and three touchdowns. Oakland also invested in running back C.J. Anderson midweek, which adds another veteran presence to the backfield.

The Raiders haven’t hosted Pittsburgh in Oakland since 2013, so they should feel pretty good about facing the Steelers this week. Their 4-2 record at the line when playing Pittsburgh at home is also encouraging.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4-1):

Will that 21-21 tie against the Browns back in Week 1 cone back to bite the Steelers?

It’s looking more and more likely with the Ravens breathing down their neck in the AFC North. Last week’s loss to the Chargers highlighted a range of problems for what appeared to be one of the AFC’s biggest contenders, especially on defence.

Perplexing decisions, like the one to place a linebacker on Keenan Allen, ultimately cost the Steelers the game. Three offside penalties on LA’s game-winning field goal attempts wasn’t a great look, either.

Aside from personnel decisions and silly mistakes, the Steelers received even worse news during the week with star running back James Conner ruled out with an ankle issue.

Even worse, wide receiver Ryan Switzer is reportedly struggling to recover from what looked to be a nasty concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit last week.

The Steelers have the talent to overcome all that, but after Antonio Brown went missing during the fourth quarter against the Chargers, you have every reason to doubt them right now and take the Raiders at the line.

Tip: Raiders at the Line

Dallas Cowboys (7-5):

Dallas are in control of their own destiny this week. Win, and not only will they extend their winning streak to five, they’ll likely go on to win the NFC East. Lose, and it’s anyone’s game.

Expectations are sky high for the Cowboys following last week’s narrow 13-10 win over the Super Bowl favourite Saints. Go ahead and give Leighton Vander-Esch the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, because the youngster’s 10 combined tackles meant the difference between winning and losing.

Like the Eagles, there’s still a few minor kinks to iron out from quarterback Dak Prescott perspective. The addition of Amari Cooper has been a huge help, and so has the emergence of Michael Gallup, but there’s no doubt the Cowboys are relying heavily on Ezekiel Elliott in the later stages of games.

Fortunately, it’s highly doubtful the Eagles have the defence to stop Elliott. They’ve allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this year and were carved up for 151-yards and a touchdown when these two teams met earlier in November.

Better yet, Dallas’ defence is playing at such a high level it’s almost impossible to foresee Wentz dealing with the Cowboys’ intimidating secondary, let alone finishing the game without a turnover.

For what, it’s worth the Cowboys are 5-1 in their last six home games, so look for them to improve.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-6):

The disparity between last year’s Eagles and this year’s Eagles is extraordinary.

Last season Philly looked to be one of the most exciting teams heading toward the playoffs, but this time around, they look to be one of the worst.

Now at 6-6, the Eagles could very easily upset the Cowboys’ hopes of clinching the NFC East. All of a sudden this might be the game of the week, let alone the year – although if last week was anything to go by, we shouldn’t get too excited.

There’s still plenty of cause for concern even after the Eagles’ 28-13 win over the Redskins. Carson Wentz continues to throw the ball unconvincingly, and if it wasn’t for the breakout play of running back Josh Adams, it’s fair to say the Eagles wouldn’t be in this position.

Philly and Dallas have split their last 10-games five wins apiece, but the Eagles are 8-4 in their last 12 games on the road.

Tip: Back the Cowboys 1-6 @ $3.50

Chicago Bears (8-4):

There’s still no word on quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s health, although he does seem well enough to engage in a game of ping-pong with his buddies.

If Chase Daniel starts for the Bears they’re in real trouble against this Rams defence, but if Trubisky dons the pads, who knows – maybe they are a chance.

Last week’s overtime loss to the Giants can only be seen as a hiccup in what has certainly been a very successful season. Daniel throwing two picks didn’t help, but the offensive line does need to play better after allowing five sacks.

The Bears are 6-2 at the line when playing at home against the Bears, but that looks tricky considering the bookies have LA as three-point favourites.

This game should be close, but the Total has gone Over in for of Chicago’s last five home games, so that’s where you want your money.

Los Angeles Rams (11-1):

The Rams dusted off the Lions 30-16 last week to extend their winning streak to three. It was a routine game for LA as Todd Gurley once again rushed for over 100-yards, while Aaron Donald further cemented his stranglehold on the Defensive Player of the Year Award with two sacks.

Losing Cooper Kupp a month ago appeared to be a problem for this team, but the likes of Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks have responded nicely. Both combined for over 120-yards last week, which they’ll need to replicate ahead of their trip to Chicago.

Although this is a new-look Rams team since moving to LA, the last time they visited Solider Field was in 2012. For those that don’t know, a trip to face the Bears is never easy, especially when there’s a chance of snow involved.

This looks to be a challenging game for the Rams who have enjoyed quite the cushy schedule this season.

Chicago have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards all year, so don’t expect the Rams to have everything their own way.

Tip: Back Over 52.5 Total Points @ $1.87

Seattle Seahawks (7-5):

A win this week would go a long way towards securing a Wild Card spot in the NFC playoff race.

The Seahawks moved one step closer after dismantling San Francisco 43-16 last week, and if they go on to beat Minnesota on Monday, the rest of their run home looks very favourable.

Seattle’s biggest strength right now is Russell Wilson. He’s making plays in the air and with his feet, exactly what we’d come to expect from the six-year veteran.

Aside from Wilson, the ground game has really found new life. Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are finally working on the same page, and as their 100-plus yard combined effort last week showed, they are easily one of the most deadly running back duos in the league.

CenturyLink Field is hardly the 12^th man fortress it used to be for Seattle, but they are 3-2 there this year. The defence will need to knuckle down after allowing Nick Mullens to throw for over 400-yards a week ago, but you only have to watch Minnesota’s games to know that pressure on Kirk Cousins is the key to victory.

Minnesota Vikings (6-5-1):

The NFC Wild Card is looking more and more likely for the Vikings, which makes this week’s match up against Seattle pretty fitting.

A win for Minnesota would put them back in the driver’s seat – if only a trip to Seattle was that simple though.

The Vikings are 2-3-1 on the road this season, and in case you missed their dismal display against the Patriots in Foxboro last week, let’s just say there’s plenty to be concerned about.

The Vikings were seriously outclassed in all phases of the game, with offensive coordinator John DeFelippo drawing his fair share of criticism. They were dominated in time of possession, converted just three of their 12 third down opportunities, and managed to turn the ball over twice.

No one is doubting Kirk Cousins’ ability, but already Vikings fans are wondering if he was worth the hefty paycheck. His two interceptions against what has so far been a pretty underwhelming New England secondary last week didn’t look good, and neither did Adam Thielen’s average day receiving.

The Vikings are 1-4 in their last five games against Seattle, and currently rank third last in rushing yards. That places a lot of pressure on Cousins in a tough road environment, against an even tougher defensive unit.

Tip: Back the Seahawks to Beat The Line (-3 Points) @ $1.87

2017

There are only four weeks left in the NFL regular season and every game has some level of importance.

The action starts with a genuine blockbuster between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints – a vital clash in the AFC South – and there are a host of other huge games set to take place over the weekend.

We have analysed every game in the NFL this weekend and our complete 2017 NFL Week 14 tips can be found below.

Both the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints have been in excellent form and there is very little between these two sides in betting.

It is New Orleans that will that this clash as narrow favourites and a victory would extend their lead at the top of the NFC South.

The Saints have won their past three games as away favourites and they are 3-0 against the line in this scenario.

Atlanta produced a disappointing performance against the Minnesota Vikings last weekend and they will need to improve to have any chance against the Saints.

The Falcons have been inconsistent at their new stadium this season and that has been the case with their offence in general.

New Orleans continue to impress and they can record a vital win over their rivals.

Back New Orleans To Win @ $1.83

It is the Green Bay Packers that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Green Bay recorded an overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, but they continue to be a tough team to trust without Aaron Rodgers.

The Cleveland Browns are still chasing their first win of the NFL season and they desperately need to record a victory to avoid going down as one of the worst sides in the history of the NFL.

Cleveland have been a losing play across every single metric and there is no way you can back them with any confidence.

This is a game that I am more than happy to stay out of from a betting perspective.

No Bet

There are three 6-6 teams in the AFC West and these are two of them.

The Kansas City Chiefs have lost four games in a row, but they are still set to go into this clash with the Oakland Raiders as clear favourites.

Kansas’ form slump hit a new low when they went down to the New York Jets last weekend and it is tough to back them off that effort.

The Chiefs have now won only four of their past eight games as home favourites for a clear loss and they have won only one of their past six games.

Oakland have got themselves back into the NFL Playoffs picture with two straight wins and a victory over the Chiefs will give them the lead in the Division.

The Raiders have won only one of their past five games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is no better.

Defence has been an issue for both these sides throughout this season and this looks set to be a fairly high-scoring clash.

The Over has saluted in 15 of the past 23 games played between these two sides and the Total Points line of 47.5 points does not look like anywhere near enough.

Back Over 47.5 Points

This is another massive game in a weekend that is packed full of them.

The Carolina Panthers may have the home-ground advantage, but it is the Minnesota Vikings that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Minnesota made it eight wins on the trot with their win over the Atlanta Falcons and their defence continues to be one of the toughest in the NFL.

The Vikings have won their past four games as away favourites and they are 3-1 against the line in this scenario.

Carolina had their winning run ended by the New Orleans Saints and they need to win the rest of their games to have a legitimate chance of winning the NFC South Title.

The Panthers have won four of their past seven games at home and they are only a middling 3-1-3 against the line in this scenario.

Minnesota can give this Carolina offence plenty of trouble and help their side cover the line of 2.5 points.

Back Minnesota To Beat The Line (-2.5 Points)

The Houston Texans have won only one of their past six games, but they will still start this clash as favourites.

Houston have won five of their past seven games as home favourites for a small profit, but they are a poor 3-4 against the line in this scenario.

The Jimmy Garoppolo era at the 49ers got off to a winning start and the promising quarterback could prove to be the difference between these two teams.

San Francisco have won only two of their past eight games as away underdogs, but they are 5-3 against the line in this situation.

This shapes as being as fairly close clash and I am keen to back the 49ers with the insurance of a three point start.

Back San Francisco To Beat The Line (+3 Points)

The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the shortest-priced favourites in the NFL this weekend.

Cincinnati went down to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, but they played some solid football in the process and a repeat of that effort would likely be enough to beat the Chicago Bears.

The Bengals have won three of their past five games as home favourites, but they are only 2-3 against the line in this scenario.

Chicago slumped to their fifth straight defeat when they went down to the San Francisco 49ers last weekend and it has been another season to forget for Bears fans.

The Bears have won only one of their past seven games as away underdogs and their record against the line is not much better.

This is a game that the market has gotten just about right and I am happy to stay out of this clash from a betting perspective.

No Bet

This will be the first game that the New York Giants have played since they sacked head coach Ben McAdoo and General Manager Jerry Reese,

The Tennessee Titans remain on top of the AFC South and they will start this clash with the Arizona Cardinals as clear favourites.

Tennessee made it seven wins from their past eight games with a comfortable victory over the Houston Texans and their chances of making the Playoffs remain in their hands.

The Titans have won three of their past five games as away favourites, but they have covered the line in only two of these wins.

Arizona’s lacklustre season continued with a defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams and they have now lost three of their past four games.

The Cardinals have won two of their past five games for a small profit and are a middling 2-1-2 in this scenario.

This is a game that Tennessee should win, but there is no value at their current price.

No Bet

At the start of the season it would have been considered close to impossible for the Denver Broncos not to start this game as clear favourites, but there is no splitting these teams in betting.

The Broncos produced another horrid performance to go down to the Miami Dolphins last weekend and they have now lost eight games on the trot.

Denver have won four of their past eight games in front of their home fans and they have covered the line in only three of their past 16 games.

The New York Jets were excellent against the Kansas City Chiefs last week and there is no doubt they are a side that has defied expectations this season.

New York have won only two of their past seven games on the road and their record against the line in this scenario is poor.

The betting play that does standout in this clash is the Under in Total Points betting markets.

The offensive production from both these teams has been inconsistent all season long and backing the Under in Broncos home games as well as Jets away games has been a profitable betting play.

Back Under 41.5 Points

The Los Angeles Chargers are back in the mix for the NFL Playoffs and they will start this clash with the Washington Redskins as clear favourites.

Los Angeles avoided a potential bogey game against the Cleveland Browns, but they should face a tougher challenge from the inconsistent Redskins.

The Chargers have won only two of their past four games as home favourites and they are a poor 1-3 against the line in this scenario.

Washington produced a lacklustre performance against the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, but that could prove to be a positive in this clash as they are 6-3 on the back of a win.

The Redskins have won two of their past five games as away underdogs and they are 3-2 against the line in this scenario.

There is not as much between these two teams as their current betting market suggests and they can cover the line with a start of six points.

Back Washington To Beat The Line (+6 Points)

This is an interesting clash between two teams that are heading to the NFL Playoffs.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have the home-ground advantage in this clash and they will start this game as somewhat surprise favourites.

Jacksonville made it five wins from their past six games with a comfortable victory over the Indianapolis Colts, but this is the biggest challenge they have faced for two months.

The Jaguars have won three of their past four games as home favourites and they are a middling 2-2 against the line in this scenario.

The Seattle Seahawks stamped themselves as genuine Super Bowl contenders with their win over the Philadelphia Eagles and Russell Wilson could not have been more impressive.

Seattle have been a fairly predictable betting team this season – they have won when they have been expected to, but they have generally struggled as underdogs.

The Seahawks have won only one of their past four games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is no better.

This is set to be an interesting game, but I will be staying out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

This is a huge test for both these sides heading into the NFL Playoffs.

The Los Angeles Rams have won six of their past seven games and they will start this clash with the Philadelphia Eagles as favourite.

Los Angeles have won four of their past seven games as home favourites and they have covered the line in each of these wins.

The Eagles had their winning run ended by the Seattle Seahawks and they are a much better side that that performance suggests.

Philadelphia have won two of their past four games as away underdogs for a profit and they are 3-1 against the line in this profit.

The Eagles can bounce back to their very best and if they do that they are well and truly over the odds at $2.15.

Back Philadelphia To Win @ $2.15

A win in this clash will secure the AFC North for the Pittsburgh Steelers and they are favourites to do just that.

Pittsburgh did not play particularly well against the Baltimore Ravens, but they were still able to come away with the win  and they have now won seven games on the trot.

The Steelers have won seven of their past eight games as home favourites, but they are only a middling 4-4 against the line in this scenario.

Baltimore made it three wins on the trot with a victory over the Detroit Lions and they really need to keep winning to remain in the NFL Playoffs mix.

The Ravens have won only two of their past six games as away underdogs, but they are 3-1-2 against the line in this scenario.

Baltimore have won four of their past six games against the Steelers and they are capable of covering the line with a healthy start.

Back Baltimore To Beat The Line (+5 Points)

It should come as no surprise that the New England Patriots are the shortest-priced favourites in the NFL this weekend.

The Patriots made it eight wins on the trot with a typically dominant win over the Buffalo Bills and there is nothing to suggest that their dominance will not continue against the Miami Dolphins.

New England have won their past nine games as away favourites for a big profit and they have covered the line in eight of these nine wins.

Miami ended their losing streak with a big win over the Denver Broncos, but they will face a much tougher challenge against the Patriots.

The Dolphins have won only one of their past five games as home underdogs and they are a poor 1-1-3 against the line in this scenario.

Backing the Patriots continues to be a profitable betting play and there is no reason to jump off this weekend.

Back New England To Beat The Line (-11 Points)

2016/2017

There are a number of crucial clashes between divisional rivals in NFL week 14.

The Philadelphia Redskins will face the Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Browns will tackle the Cincinnati Bengals, the Detroit Lions will play the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts will host the Houston Texans  on Monday morning.

The Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks do battle in a crucial clash before the New York Giants square off with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East.

Back Oakland To Beat The Line (+3 Points)

Back Buffalo To Win @ $2.05

Back New Orleans To Win @ $2.20

Back Washington To Win @ $1.87

Back Miami To Win @ $1.83

Back Carolina To Win @ $1.82

No Bet

Back Detroit To Beat The Line (-7.5 Points)

Back Indianapolis To Beat The Line (-5.5 Points)

No Bet

No Bet

Back Atlanta To Beat The Line (-6 Points)

Back Green Bay To Beat The Line (+3 Points)

Back Dallas To Beat The Line (-3 Points)

Back New England To Beat The Line (-7 Points)