NFL Betting Picks & Predictions for Week 14

The last week in NFL action showed us that some teams are unraveling — especially the Kansas City Chiefs, who have now lost six of seven and just saw defensive back Marcus Peters hurl an official’s penalty flag into the stands and run into the locker room, thinking he had been ejected (which he hadn’t), only to return with his cleats on, but no socks, and also the New York Giants, who fired their coach and GM the day after the Giants inexplicably put Geno Smith on the field at quarterback, benching Eli Manning (and the Giants lost again). We also saw Vontaze Burfict finally end up on the wrong end of one of those helmet-to-helmet hits that he specializes in dealing out to defenseless receivers. What will we see this week? Take a look at our NFL betting predictions for this coming week’s action.

NFL Betting Picks & Predictions for Week 14

Week 14 Power Rankings (via @HarrisonNFL)

1. @Patriots 2. @Eagles 3. @Vikings 4. @steelers 5-32: https://t.co/EIecQl29qO pic.twitter.com/Zt4sNbDQmg — NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2017

Sunday, December 10

Green Bay (-3) at Cleveland (1:00pm ET, FOX)

Josh Gordon had so much room to run for the Browns against the Chargers’ secondary last week that some observers thought he could have had a 200-yard day. The problem was the passes from quarterback DeShone Kizer, which (to be kind) lacked accuracy. There is so much potential waiting beneath the surface of this Browns team, but Kizer’s lack of progress has to be a sore topic. In come the Green Bay Packers, who are winning games behind their backup quarterback Brett Hundley, who is gaining confidence with passes down the field despite the lack of anything approaching a real running game to provide him with some balance. The Packers need to keep winning if they want to keep those postseason hopes alive, and Cleveland is a great place to do some winning. NFL Betting Prediction: Green Bay 27, Cleveland 16

Dallas (-4.5) at N.Y. Giants (1:00pm ET, FOX)

This is a dangerous game for the Dallas Cowboys. They finally broke that three-game losing streak by shellacking Washington, and delivering their first punt return for a touchdown since the 2013 season, but they face a Giants team that will have Eli Manning back at quarterback (frequently a Cowboys-killer) and a team that will have an interim coach in place. Will the Giants be ready to take out some frustrations? Or will they lie down for Dallas? Linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) should be back to anchor the Dallas defense, which will help, and the Cowboys owned the line of scrimmage against Washington on both offense and defense. That Giants’ O-line had let defenders chase Eli Manning all over the field so far this season. The Cowboys have to keep winning to secure a postseason slot, while the Giants don’t have much to play for. I see the Cowboys completing a season sweep of the Giants and keeping the pressure on Philadelphia to win the NFC East. NFL Betting Prediction: Dallas 24, N.Y. Giants 16

Seattle (+3) at Jacksonville (4:25pm ET, FOX)

The Seahawks just polished off the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, giving the Birds just their second loss of the season. That pushed the Seahawks to 8-4 and into a position where they could keep winning and catch the L.A. Rams in the NFC West. Despite missing Earl Watson, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, the Seahawks’ secondary held the fort down against the Eagles’ offense, and Russell Wilson was able to find enough time in the pocket to hit men down the field for big plays. The Seahawks didn’t run the ball much, but they didn’t have to against Philadelphia. Can they do the same thing in Jacksonville? They should be able to get after Blake Bortles in the pocket, but there’s also the factor that Seattle almost never plays as well on the road as they do at home. Jacksonville looks like the real deal in the AFC South and should be able to limit Seattle’s chances on offense. NFL Betting Prediction: Jacksonville 23, Seattle 16