NFL 2023 Week 14 Prequel
Thursday, December 7, 2023, 8pm
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5 1/2) — Do not be fooled by the Patriots 2-10 record. They made NFL history by becoming the first team in several decades to lose 3 straight games while giving up 10 points or less. Kenny Pickett is out and Mitch Trubisky looked miserable at home against lowly Arizona. Steelers win but fail to cover
Sunday, December 10, 1pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-2 1/2) — Neither of these teams are remotely interesting, and the Buccaneers consistently underachieve. Go with the home field. Falcons cover
Indianapolis Colts (-1) at Cincinnati Bengals — Jake Browning looked sensational in his first start at Jacksonville. No, he is not Joe Burrow, but he has waned the benefit of the doubt at home. Gardner Minshew has not played poorly, but in a game that could go either way, go with the home field. Upset special, Bengals win outright
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns (-2) — The Jaguars were cruising until Trevor Lawrence went down with an ankle injury. The Brows are down to third string quarterback Joe Flacco. It’s hard to see the Jaguars doing much without Lawrence. The Browns have a very defense. Browns cover
Houston Texans (-6 1/2) at New York Jets — CJ Stroud is the rookie of the year. Both teams have a decent defense but the Jets do not have a quarterback. The spread is too high given the quality of the Jets defense. Texans win but fail to cover
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens (-7) — The Rams are struggling. The Ravens are very good. The spread is high, and the Ravens tend to win ugly with hard running and defense. A garbage touchdown to beat the spread is possible. Ravens win but fail to cover
Detroit Lions (-3) at Chicago Bears — The Bears outplayed the Lions before blowing a 12 point fourth quarter lead late. Yet the Lions will not take the Bears too lightly. The Lions have more offensive weapons and should be able to handle business. Lions cover
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-5 1/2) — As awful as the Panthers are, the Saints have been wildly inconsistent. Derek Carr and Taysom Hill are both beaten up. The Panthers lack the talent to win but could make it close. Saints win but fail to cover
4pm
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Las Vegas Raiders — After hot starts, Joshua Dobbs and Antonio Pierce both came down to earth. Pierce is determined to pound the rock, and the Minnesota defense is nothing special. If Josh Jacobs can keep pounding, the Raiders should be able to grind out a win. Upset special, Raiders win outright
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (-10 1/2) — The 49ers went on the road and belted top-ranked Philadelphia. The Seahawks are scrappy but the 49ers are just better. The 49ers have more offensive weapons and a nasty defense. The 49ers won in Seattle and should get the sweep without too much difficulty. 49ers cover
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (-2 1/2) — This was initially thought to be an AFC Title Game preview, but the Bills have underachieved all year. The Chiefs have lost two straight games, but at home should take care of business. Buffalo has a good defense, but Josh Allen has been making more mistakes than in years past. This could be a very close game, but go with Patrick Mahomes and the raucous home crowd at Arrowhead. Chiefs cover
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-3) — Nobody loses close games like the Chargers, but last week they won a hideous game. The Broncos saw their five game winning streak snapped, but they should be able to shut down the Chargers. The Broncos have the better defense. Upset special, Broncos win outright
8pm
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (-3 1/2) — The Eagles got obliterated at home last week against San Francisco. The Cowboys were underachievers earlier in the year but now appear to be clicking on offense. The Eagles barely beat the Cowboys in Philadelphia. In Dallas, the Cowboys get revenge. Jalen Hurts is better than Dak Prescott, but Tony Pollard runs hard and could be the difference. Cowboys win but fail to cover
Monday, December 11, 8pm
Green Bay Packers (-6 1/2) at New York Giants — The Packers did get a quality home win against Kansas City, while the Giants are awful. Yet the Giants have a decent defense. The spread is way too high for a Packers team on the road that is not that special. If Saquon Barkley can get going, the Giants should be able to win ugly. Upset special, Giants win outright
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins (-14) The Titans are bad. The Dolphins are very good. The Dolphins have so much speed on offense that this game could be over by halftime. Tua Tagovailoa will go to Tyreek Hill often. Dolphins cover