NFL Week 14 Takeaways & Picks update
The NFL continues to be very unpredictable as we had a whopping 12 favorites win last weekend. With only 2 upsets last weekend (Niners and Cardinals) it makes me think we are due for a very wild last month of the season.
Starting with the most impactful game of the weekend, the Rams traveled to Arizona and upset the Cardinals. Matt Stafford got his first win over a 10 win team and in general, just looked like the more complete team on both sides of the ball. All of this despite missing Jalen Ramsey and Tyler Higbee who were late scratches due to positive COVID-19 tests. The win brought the Cardinals back to earth, where they are in a 3-way tie for best record in the conference and only a game ahead of the Rams in the NFC West.
Staying in the NFC West, the Niners went to Cincy and upset the Bengals in OT. They had control most of the game, leading 20-6 late in the fourth quarter, but the Burrow-Chase connection scored twice to tie it and force OT. The Bengals won the toss and went down and kicked a FG, however coach Zac Taylor played very conservatively in OT and didn’t allow Burrow to throw the ball once. Big yikes, the Niners got the ball and drove down the field to win the game on an incredible, fancy footwork down the sideline catch and run by Brandon Aiyuk.
The other incredible finish we had was between Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Tampa dominated most of the game, racing out to a 24-3 lead by the half. The Bills had zero rushing attempts by a RB in the first half, becoming very one dimensional and the game looked like a blowout in waiting. However, in the second half, the Bills and Josh Allen came all the way back to tie the game at 24 and force OT. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Tom Brady as he’s done time and time again led the Bucs down the field and threw the winning walk-off TD to Breshad Perriman.
Staying in the NFC, the Cowboys survived a late comeback attempt by the Washington Football Team and won the game 27-21. The story of this game is the Cowboys defense has completely transformed from last season. They have switched roles with the offense, and is the reason they are winning games. The defense scored a TD off a pick-6 by Randy Gregory, pressured Heineke into several bad throws and sacked him 4 times, injuring him and sacking the backup QB another time forcing a fumble. Despite the highlights of the defense, the offense looks out of sync and has only scored 6 offensive TDs the last month. We shall see if they can figure it out as the playoffs near.
Both the Chiefs and Chargers blew out their opponents. Chiefs completely obliterated the Raiders 48-9 and the Chargers dominated the Giants 37-21. There isn’t too much to say about these uncompetitive matchups, but they do face off on TNF this week. The Chargers were able to upset the Chiefs earlier this season at Arrowhead making this matchup in LA so much more intriguing. This will also determine the AFC West race and could end up determining the top seed in the AFC. The Chiefs defense has stepped up and hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in 6 weeks! The Chargers present a difficult matchup with Herbert and a strong rushing attack spearheaded by Austin Ekeler. As surprising as this sounds, I’m actually leaning toward the Chargers winning this game and sweeping the Chiefs. I need to see that Chiefs offense perform against a quality opponent like the Chargers before I’m on board again.
NFL Week 14 Picks Update (Spread)
Thursday, Dec. 9:
Steelers @ Vikings — NFL, 8:30 p.m. ET - Steelers +3.5 - ❌ - lost $4
Sunday, Dec. 12:
Ravens @ Browns — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Browns -3 - ❌ - lost $4
Jaguars @ Titans — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Titans -9 - ✅ - +$7.63
Raiders @ Chiefs — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Raiders +9.5 - ❌ - lost $4
Saints @ Jets — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Jets +5.5 - ❌ - lost $4
Cowboys @ WFT — FOX, 1 p.m. ET - Cowboys +6 - 🅿️ - $4 returned
Falcons @ Panthers — FOX, 1 p.m. ET - Panthers -2.5 - ❌ - lost $4
Seahawks @ Texans — FOX, 1 p.m. ET - Texans +9 - ❌ - lost $4
Lions @ Broncos — FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET - Lions +12.5 - ❌ - lost $4
Giants @ Chargers — FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET - Giants +9 - ❌ - lost $4
Niners @ Bengals — CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET - Niners -2 - ✅ - +$7.63
Bills @ Bucs — CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET - Bills +3.5 - ❌ - lost $4
Bears @ Packers — NBC, 8:20 p.m. ET - Packers -11.5 - ✅ - +$7.63
Monday, Dec. 13:
Rams @ Cardinals — ESPN, 8:15 p.m. ET - Rams +2.5 - ✅ - +$7.63
$4 on each game - $56 invested and $34.52 returned
NFL Week 14 Picks update (Straight)
Thursday, Dec. 9:
Steelers @ Vikings — NFL, 8:30 p.m. ET - Steelers - ❌ - lost $4
Sunday, Dec. 12:
Ravens @ Browns — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Browns - ✅ - +$6.75
Jaguars @ Titans — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Titans - ✅ - +$4.88
Raiders @ Chiefs — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Chiefs - ✅ - +$4.94
Saints @ Jets — CBS, 1 p.m. ET - Jets - ❌ - lost $4
Cowboys @ WFT — FOX, 1 p.m. ET - Cowboys - ✅ - +$5.56
Falcons @ Panthers — FOX, 1 p.m. ET - Panthers - ❌ - lost $4
Seahawks @ Texans — FOX, 1 p.m. ET - Seahawks - ✅ - +$4.94
Lions @ Broncos — FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET - Broncos - ✅ - +$4.61
Giants @ Chargers — FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET - Chargers - ✅ - +$4.91
Niners @ Bengals — CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET - Niners - ✅ - +$7.07
Bills @ Bucs — CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET - Bills - ❌ - lost $4
Bears @ Packers — NBC, 8:20 p.m. ET - Packers - ✅ - +$4.63
Monday, Dec. 13:
Rams @ Cardinals — ESPN, 8:15 p.m. ET - Rams - ✅ - +$8.80
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
$4 on each game - $56 invested - $57.09 returned
