The N.F.L. made its manner by means of just a few weeks of strange schedules brought on by coronavirus delays, and seems set for its first “regular” week shortly. Or at the least the league is beginning out with that plan till any virus-related changes are wanted.
The week doesn’t have a signature recreation to look ahead to, however matchups between the Chiefs and Dolphins and the Steelers and Payments are entertaining sufficient, and quite a lot of groups must be seeking to step up as they struggle for spots within the expanded playoff area.
Here’s a take a look at N.F.L. Week 14, with all picks made in opposition to the unfold.
Final week’s file: 8-7
General file: 94-93-5
Sunday’s Finest Video games
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Chiefs -7 | Complete: 49.5
It’s good to be the Chiefs (11-1). Kansas Metropolis let Denver keep uncomfortably shut for a lot of final week’s recreation after which merely pushed the “win now” button, bought a landing cross from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce, a 48-yard area purpose from Harrison Butker and a win-sealing interception from Tyrann Mathieu. That it appeared really easy made the remainder of the sport remarkably irritating on reflection.
The Dolphins (8-4) usually are not on the Chiefs’ degree, however they’re additionally not a staff to trifle with. Miami’s protection could make an opponent pay for its errors — cornerback Xavien Howard is main the N.F.L. in interceptions (eight) and passes defended (16) — and the staff’s offense is adept at chewing up clock and doing sufficient to attain.
The script for this recreation may mirror Kansas Metropolis’s earlier recreation. Miami may simply keep in it for a lot of the sport, however when the Chiefs want to attain, Mahomes will make that occur. The Dolphins deserve loads of respect, however being solely 7-point underdogs to the Chiefs is its personal model of respect. Choose: Chiefs -7
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Payments, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Line: Payments -2.5 | Complete: 46.5
Earlier this week, folks had been brazenly questioning if the Steelers (11-1) may go undefeated. One not fully surprising loss to Washington later, and Pittsburgh is an underdog in opposition to the Payments (9-3). The explanations, for the loss and the betting line, are accidents on protection, that are weakening the staff’s largest energy, and a slumping offense.
Buffalo is coming off a giant win over San Francisco, wanting like guess to win the A.F.C. East and making folks speak about quarterback Josh Allen as an rising famous person. Except Pittsburgh turns it round on each side of the ball, it might go from 11 consecutive wins to 2 straight losses. Choose: Payments -2.5
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Buccaneers -6.5 | Complete: 52
The Buccaneers (7-5) have upset a bit this season. The staff was anticipated to take a leap defensively and, with Tom Brady added to the offense, even out the kinks from the Jameis Winston period. The staff has been inconsistent, somewhat than dangerous, however has misplaced back-to-back video games by 27-24. Its shocking defensive woes could proceed in opposition to the Vikings (6-6), who’ve loads of their very own flaws, however no issues scoring.
Whereas not a must-win recreation for Tampa Bay, it could take stress off the Buccaneers of their hunt for an N.F.C. wild card to win this one at residence. Choose: Vikings +6.5
Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m., CBS
Line: Colts -3 | Complete: 51.5
The Colts (8-4) bought away with one final week, profiting from a fumbled snap to carry on for an in depth win over Houston. That was nothing in contrast with the Raiders (7-5), who had a win gifted to them by the Jets within the closing seconds of the sport. However wins are wins, and with each of those groups combating for playoff spots, they had been fortunate to get them.
Working again Josh Jacobs is unlikely to return from harm for Las Vegas, and Indianapolis is solely farther alongside in its improvement. The Colts must be anticipated to win on the highway. Choose: Colts -3
New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m., Fox, NFL Community and Prime Video
Line: Rams -5 | Complete: 44.5
With 4 wins in 5 video games — and the lone loss a reasonably shut recreation in opposition to Houston — the Patriots (6-6) is probably not fairly, however they’re largely getting the job finished. The staff’s protection has recovered from some points to return to an affordable facsimile of final yr’s dominant crew, and its offense lacks consistency however can hold the staff in video games. A highway recreation in opposition to the Rams (8-4), nevertheless, is an actual check of simply how good New England might be. Los Angeles has sufficient offense to attain in opposition to any staff and a protection that may pressure Cam Newton into errors.
The Rams have a 98 p.c probability at qualifying for the playoffs, and hope to make the most of Seattle’s struggles to win the N.F.C. West. That must be sufficient to maintain them simply as motivated as New England, even because the Patriots are combating for his or her playoff lives. Choose: Rams -5
Sunday’s Different Video games
Arizona Cardinals at Giants, 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Cardinals -2.5 | Complete: 45
Recent off a recreation wherein they manhandled the favored Seahawks on each side of the ball, the Giants (5-7) are underdogs at residence to the Cardinals (6-6), a staff that isn’t pretty much as good because the Seahawks. So it seems oddsmakers haven’t precisely purchased in on the current enhancements for Massive Blue. The skepticism is almost definitely a results of the unsure standing of quarterback Daniel Jones. Coach Joe Decide has mentioned there’s a probability Jones will play, however he additionally mentioned that final week. Colt McCoy deserves some credit score for protecting the win streak going, however the Giants’ possibilities on this recreation come right down to Jones’s availability. If he performs — and is near one hundred pc — this decide would almost definitely be reversed. Choose: Cardinals -2.5
Washington Soccer Workforce at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: 49ers -3 | Complete: 43.5
Each of those groups are 5-7, however they’re going in numerous instructions. The Footballers have been steadily enhancing on each side of the ball, and simply pulled off a surprising upset of Pittsburgh. The 49ers have largely survived in a season destroyed by accidents, however are coming off an enormous letdown loss in opposition to Buffalo wherein the backup quarterback Nick Mullens’s flaws had been on full show. If this had been really a house recreation for San Francisco, it may need performed to its favor, however with the 49ers relocated to Arizona, Washington has probability to maintain successful. Choose: Footballers +3
Inexperienced Bay Packers at Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Packers -7.5 | Complete: 55
The Lions (5-7) confirmed severe offensive enchancment within the first recreation underneath their interim coach, Darrell Bevell, with the caveat that their come-from-behind victory got here in opposition to the reeling Bears. Detroit could discover offensive success, however in all probability not sufficient to matter as its overmatched protection tries to decelerate the electrical Packers (9-3), who’re led by Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and Davante Adams. There may be all the time the possibility {that a} closely favored staff will take the chance to gradual issues down and settle for a smaller win, however the Packers haven’t been taking any video games off offensively, and Rodgers is having among the best seasons of his profession — which is extraordinarily excessive reward for a two-time winner of the Most Worthwhile Participant Award. Choose: Packers -7.5
New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Saints -7 | Complete: 44
Individuals who have Alvin Kamara on their fantasy staff are undoubtedly looking forward to Drew Brees to return from harm. Kamara has simply three catches for 7 yards over his final three video games, however the Saints (10-2) appear extraordinarily content material with Taysom Hill underneath heart till Brees will get to one hundred pc. That’s comprehensible as a result of final week’s win over Atlanta clinched a playoff spot for New Orleans, and this week’s recreation in opposition to the Eagles (3-8-1) doesn’t seem to be a lot of a problem. The Saints have a 66 p.c probability of securing the N.F.C.’s first-round bye, based on The Upshot, but when they need to maintain on for that honor, they’ll in all probability want Brees again for a Week 15 recreation in opposition to Kansas Metropolis. Choose: Saints -7
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Titans -7.5 | Complete: 53
The Titans (8-4) are significantly better than the Jaguars (1-11). You don’t really want to slim down what Tennessee is healthier at. Soccer — the Titans are higher at soccer. That being mentioned, Jacksonville can maintain its head up excessive after giving Minnesota a struggle final week, and can come into this recreation hoping to gradual working again Derrick Henry. Which may simply result in them getting crushed on just a few deep passes, however current historical past suggests the Jaguars have a good probability of masking the unfold even when they’ve nearly no probability of successful. Choose: Jaguars +7.5
Jets at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m., CBS
Line: Seahawks -13.5 | Complete: 47
What number of occasions has a distinguished N.F.L. coach been fired over one play? That’s what occurred final week when Gregg Williams, the defensive coordinator for the Jets (0-12), dialed up a cover-zero play within the recreation’s closing seconds when his staff simply wanted to maintain Las Vegas out of the tip zone from 46 yards out. The Jets despatched seven cross rushers, inexplicably left a spy behind the road of scrimmage in case Derek Carr determined to scramble for a 46-yard landing — pause for emphasis — and had simply three defensive backs in protection. Henry Ruggs III had a landing earlier than Carr even launched the ball.
A conspiracy theorist may counsel that Williams or Coach Adam Gase, or each, had been attempting to lock within the No. 1 decide within the draft, however that falls aside when you think about it was precisely the kind of galaxy mind choice the overly aggressive Williams is understood for. His firing the subsequent day appeared to verify it was merely a brutal name, and nothing greater than that.
So now the Jets have 4 video games to eke out a win in hopes of avoiding 0-16. Their quest begins on the highway in Seattle as two-touchdown underdogs in opposition to the Seahawks (8-4). Seattle is struggling an excessive amount of to purchase in on such a big level unfold, however the Seahawks have loads of playoff-related motivation to win, so there shouldn’t be any surprises. Choose: Jets +13.5
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Panthers -3.5 | Complete: 46.5
Loads of groups pack issues in when their file goes sideways, however the Broncos (4-8) and the Panthers (4-8) have stored combating all season, making their opponents work onerous to beat them. Imagining Denver’s protection if linebacker Von Miller had been wholesome, or Carolina’s offense with fewer accidents, makes it simple to be passionate about each groups heading into subsequent season. For now, they’re each somewhat too flawed to matter, however there may be each cause to consider a recreation between them must be entertaining. Choose: Panthers -3.5
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Falcons -2.5 | Complete: 49.5
This recreation ought to have a playground really feel to it, as each offenses are greater than able to airing the ball out, and neither protection places up a lot resistance. Justin Herbert, a rookie, has the Chargers (3-9) ranked fourth within the N.F.L. in passing. The veteran Matt Ryan has the Falcons (4-8) ranked seventh despite some accidents to his receivers this season. It’s a secure guess {that a} group of gifted pass-catchers that features Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (Los Angeles) and Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley (Atlanta) will produce quite a lot of highlight-reel-worthy performs. Whereas Los Angeles may find yourself struggling for a second consecutive week ought to left sort out Sam Tevi be out, this might simply come right down to which staff has the ball final. Choose: Chargers +2.5
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Texans -2 | Complete: 44.5
It had appeared like extensive receiver Will Fuller V’s suspension would devastate Houston’s offense, however the Texans (4-8) had been a fumbled snap away from pulling off an enormous upset of the Colts final week thanks largely to the emergence of Keke Coutee, who put up a career-best 141 yards receiving after coming into the day with 38 yards for the season. Houston confirmed sufficient to be favored on the highway in opposition to a staff with a superior file, although that in all probability has extra to do with Chicago’s six-game dropping streak than it does with the Texans’ offense.
Of the 242 groups to start out a season 5-1 from 1920 to 2019, solely 4 ended up with a dropping file: the 1926 Chicago Cardinals (5-6-1), the 1986 Atlanta Falcons (7-8-1), the 1995 St. Louis Rams (7-9) and the 2008 Buffalo Payments (7-9). The Bears (5-7) are nicely on their option to setting a brand new mark for futility in that group of fast-starting groups. Choose: Texans -2
Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Cowboys -3.5 | Complete: 43.5
Cincinnati has held its opponent to twenty or fewer factors in every of the final three video games, which is a reasonably surprising turnaround for a protection that struggled significantly earlier within the season. Whether or not that’s enchancment or indifference from opponents who know they’ll beat the Bengals (2-9-1), regardless, is tough to say, however with quarterback Joe Burrow out for the season and Cincinnati certainly one of 4 groups that’s already eradicated from playoff competition, there isn’t a actual incentive to win. The Cowboys (3-9), in the meantime, have solely a 2 p.c probability of constructing the playoffs, based on The Upshot, however have sufficient offense to present that not too long ago improved Bengals protection a exercise. Choose: Cowboys -3.5
Monday’s Matchup
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Line: Ravens -1 | Complete: 44.5
It must be a cold night time in Cleveland, and if a current stretch of residence video games for the Browns (9-3) was any indication, the climate will result in a much more conservative method than the one the staff employed to run up 38 first-half factors in opposition to Tennessee final week. Since Lamar Jackson of the Ravens (7-5) has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in seven of his final 9 video games, this one must be selected the bottom. In a shock in contrast with current seasons, that will, at the least on paper, favor Cleveland on each side of the ball. However there’s a nagging feeling that Baltimore is a high quality staff that has underperformed whereas the Browns have merely benefited from a lightweight schedule. This recreation may assist type out if that’s true. Choose: Ravens -1
How Betting Strains Work
A fast primer for many who usually are not acquainted with betting strains: Favorites are listed subsequent to a destructive quantity that represents what number of factors they need to win by to cowl the unfold. Payments -2.5, for instance, implies that Buffalo should beat Pittsburgh by at the least 3 factors for its backers to win their guess. Gamblers can even guess on the entire rating, or whether or not the groups’ mixed rating within the recreation is over or underneath a preselected variety of factors.
All occasions are Jap.
