NFL 2022 Week 14 Prequel
Thursday, December 8, 2022, 8pm
Las Vegas Raiders (-6) at Los Angeles Rams — The Rams have lost six straight and are a 3-9 mess. Matthew Stafford is out for the year. John Wolford and Brice Perkins have been filling in, and the Rams just claimed Baker Mayfield off of waivers. Technically the Raiders are the road team, but Los Angeles often feels like a home game for the Raiders. The Raiders after a 2-7 start have won three straight. The raiders never win easy, so the spread is too high for a team that wins in cardiac fashion. Raiders win but fail to cover
Sunday, December 11, 1pm
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-9 1/2) — Mike White has been more than adequate in place of Zach Wilson, but the Bills are the more talented team. Both teams have a good defense, although the Bills last week lost Von Miller for the rest of the year. Josh Allen will be fine at home, but the spread is too high given the Jets defense. Bills win but fail to cover
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-6) — The Bengals are coming off an emotional win against Kansas City. The Browns got Deshaun Watson back last week, but Cleveland’s offense was useless in a win over lowly Houston. The Bengals have the weapons and Joe Burrow with Jamarr Chase back means a happy passing attack. Bengals cover
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys (-17) — The Texans are one of the worst teams in football. The Cowboys blasted Minnesota by 37 points and last week obliterated Indianapolis by 35. The spread is sky high, but the Texans are awful. Dak Prescott has been on fire. Cowboys cover
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-1) — The Vikings are the better team, but the Lions have been improving in recent weeks. The Lions offense does put up a lot of points. Their defense often gives up even more. Kirk Cousins is better than Jared Goff. Dalvin Cook is still solid. Justin Jefferson is for real. This could go either way. This is a playoff game for the Lions. Give them one more chance to show they can win a big game at home. Lions cover
Philadelphia Eagles (-7) at New York Giants — The Eagles have the best record in football while the Giants have cooled off in recent weeks. Given the intense rivalry, the spread is too high for a road team that in recent weeks has won close games. The Eagles did blow out a good Tennessee team, but that was at home. Eagles win but fail to cover.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) — Home field has never mattered in this series. Throw out the records with these teams. Lamar Jackson injured matters, but Tyler Huntley is a competent backup. Pittsburgh’s defense is not that special. In a close game, go with the greatest kicker in the league in Justin Tucker. Upset special, Ravens win outright
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-3 1/2) — The Titans have had some tough losses against some of the best teams in the league. The Jaguars are average at best and inconsistent. Derrick Henry can still run the ball. The Jaguars defense will not stop him. Titans cover
4pm
Kansas City Chiefs (-9 1/2) at Denver Broncos — The Broncos have a fantastic defense and a pathetic offense. The Chiefs have a phenomenal offense. Walrus Andy Reid is great at calling plays. Nathaniel Hackett is not. Even with Patrick Mahomes, the spread is too high for a road team facing a defense as solid as the Denver defense. Chiefs win but fail to cover
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks (-3 1/2) — The Seahawks are a good team with a great coach in Pete Carroll. He has revitalized Geno Smith. The Panthers got rid of Baker Mayfield and are putting their trust in Sam Darnold for now. Smith has plenty of weapons in Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf and others. Seahawks cover
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers (-3) — The Buccaneers played like garbage for 57 minutes yet somehow did enough in the final three minutes to beat New Orleans. That somehow is Tom Brady. The 49ers have a solid defense, but will have to try and win without Jimmy Garoppolo. Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy managed a win last week over a good Miami team. The defense will need to carry the 49ers. It is hard to bet against Brady. It is even harder to bet against Brady when the alternative is Kyle Shanahan. That 28-3 Super Bowl lead and collapse. Will never be forgotten. Both teams are desperately fighting to make the playoffs. Go with the 49ers defense. 49ers cover
8pm
Miami Dolphins (-3) at Los Angeles Chargers — Tua Tagovailoa has plenty of help on offense and a solid defense along with a coach who is sane. Justin Herbert has no help whatsoever. The Chargers offensive line is bad. The Dolphins defense will be licking their chops. This will not be as memorable as the playoff game from 40 years ago with Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow and Don Strock, but it does matter in terms of the race for the playoffs. Tagovailoa has taken his play to the next level. Dolphins cover
Monday, December 12, 8pm
New England Patriots (-1 1/2) at Arizona Cardinals — The Cardinals have regressed. The Patriots have a competent quarterback in Mac Jones and a coach in Bill Belichick who likes stone age running the ball and defense. Just Belichick over Kliff Kingsbury. Raimondre Stevenson can run the ball. Patriots cover