NFL Week 14 Biggest Games, Best Bets and DFS Lineup
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles are in the biggest game on the slate in back-to-back weeks. After getting obliterated by the 49ers last weekend, they’re heading to Dallas for a road game against the Cowboys. Dallas lost the first game in this matchup 23-28 in Week 9. The loss didn’t fall on Dak’s shoulders though as he torched the Eagles for 374 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Nothing about the way the Eagles’ secondary has been playing lately leads me to believe this same result won’t happen again. However, this is Dallas we are talking about. What big game have they won in recent memory? They do just enough to make it close, then crap down their leg in the biggest moments. I’m going to take a leap of faith here though. I’m calling a 34-24 Dallas victory. Philadelphia is still too banged up and Dallas is too hot.
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs
What is wrong with Kansas City? The wide receivers stink, the offensive line is heavily penalized, Travis Kelce’s age has become a major factor and Matt Nagy has proved he still doesn’t know how to coach or call an offense. The Chiefs need a win bad, but I don’t know if they’re going to get it Sunday. Buffalo essentially has to win out if they’re going to get in the playoffs. Their desperation is on another level, and it will fuel them. With the Chiefs losing arguably their best safety last week Josh Allen should have no issues shredding this KC secondary. My final score prediction is 27-20 Buffalo.
Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore Ravens
The Rams are rising and the Ravens are a top 3-4 team in the NFL. If Lamar Jackson can stay away from the flu long enough, this should be a very fun game. I wrote a couple weeks ago about how Justin Herbert would be Baltimore’s first test against a good quarterback. I was skeptical, but they passed with flying colors. Now they’re entering a stretch of Stafford, Lawrence (maybe), Purdy and Tua. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind how good, average or bad the defense really is by Week 18.
Los Angeles is peaking at the right time to make a playoff run. Their schedule lends itself well to a late season push. I would be scared to face their offense if they keep progressing. Stafford, Williams, Nacua and Kupp form a strong unit and could surprise folks come January. This game should serve as a great measuring stick to where they’re at and I’m excited to see what they do.
Detroit Lions -3 @ Chicago Bears
I know the Bears played the Lions very close a couple weeks ago. I know Jared Goff looked terrible and Detroit was lucky to escape with a win. But I don’t think they let it happen again. Chicago has looked better in previous weeks. However, not good enough to contend with a Lions team that’s still fighting for the one seed in the NFC and has just as good a chance as any given their easy schedule. Detroit has had a couple bad games lately on defense and Chicago’s offense is here to fix that. I think Detroit uses this matchup as a get right game and easily covers this three-point spread.
Indianapolis Colts +8.5 / Buffalo Bills +8
Kansas City is missing arguably their biggest offensive weapon besides Patrick Mahomes in Pacheco. He won’t be suiting up which means Edwards-Helaire will be taking the majority of the snaps. Helaire has lost his starting job multiple times and that’s because he’s hot garbage. They’ll also be without their best safety, Bryan Cook. I wouldn’t be shocked if Kansas City won this game, but it will definitely stay within a touchdown. They just don’t have the firepower right now to blow teams out.
The Colts are on a bit of a hot streak. Head coach, Shane Steichen, has them in the playoffs (as it sits now) and he’s done it all with a back up quarterback. They’re still without Taylor, but Zack Moss has filled in nicely when asked. Jake Browning had a great game last week, but no one thinks it will continue. We regularly see 2nd string guys come in and play well for a game or so until the magic fades and they come back down to earth. To be honest, I’d have teased Cincinnati to +8.5 if they were the dog. These teams are rated very similar and I see the final score being something like 24-21 in favor of the Colts.
Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore Ravens Under 42
This is purely a bad weather play. Look at this hourly weather chart on NOAA.gov. It should rain heavily the entire game and the wind will be whipping as well. Lamar Jackson has been terrible in his career without Mark Andrews and now he has to try and score in terrible conditions. This game should end somewhere in the 20-10, 17-14 vicinity.
QB – Justin Fields – $7,900
RB – Jerrick McKinnon – $5,300
RB – Joe Mixon – $7,200
WR – Courtland Sutton – $7,200
WR – Deebo Samuel – $7,500
WR – DJ Moore – $ 7,700
TE – Isaiah Likely – $5,200
FLEX – Amon Ra St. Brown – $8,200
DEF – Cleveland Browns – $3,800