Three NFL experts from the Prime Time Sports Talk staff came together to share their picks for Week 14.
These three writers will continue to make their picks for the entire season, earning two points for any correct win-loss outcome and an additional three points for correctly predicting the exact score. (Failure to accurately predict a tie will be treated as a loss.) A cumulative points total and record will be listed at the bottom of every article. An archive of all 17 regular-season and four playoff editions can be found here.
Mike Fanelli, Joe Heller, and Andersen Pickard contributed to this article.
New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams
Mike Fanelli: Rams 24, Patriots 16
Thursday Night Football features two teams that are fighting for a playoff spot. The Patriots need this win to stay in the Wild Card race while the Rams can build a lead in the NFC West. The Patriots don’t have the offense to keep up with the Rams.
Joe Heller: Rams 24, Patriots 17
The Rams will remain in the driver’s seat for the NFC West crown. Meanwhile, the Patriots lose and fall to the brink of elimination.
Andersen Pickard: Patriots 14, Rams 7
Let’s be real: this game is purely Bill Belichick vs. Sean McVay. When the two go head-to-head on Thursday night, we will see flashbacks to the Super Bowl as Belichick outcoaches McVay. This should be a good, low-scoring battle with one of the greatest coaches in NFL history coming out on top.
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mike: Titans 30, Jaguars 23
The Jaguars haven’t won since Week 1 but almost pulled off an upset victory last week. Meanwhile, the Titans are looking to bounce back after being embarrassed last week by the Browns. While the Jaguars will give the Titans a good fight, expect them to lose their 12th straight game.
Joe: Titans 34, Jaguars 20
Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill will both bounce back from a tough loss against the Browns. They will dominate their rivals, the Jaguars, who will be playing catchup all game.
Andersen: Titans 31, Jaguars 20
The Jaguars almost upset the Vikings last week while the Titans struggled against the Browns. The reverse will be true this week as things return to normal and Tennessee wins by at least two scores.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike: Buccaneers 27, Vikings 20
A month ago, these two teams seemed like complete opposites. Now, the Buccaneers are only one game up on the Vikings in the NFC playoff race. The Vikings have won two in a row while the Buccaneers have lost two in a row entering their bye last week. Both teams have plenty to fight for but coming off their bye, expect the Buccaneers to get the win.
Joe: Buccaneers 31, Vikings 20
The Buccaneers will come out refreshed after their bye week. Defensively, they match up well with the Vikings. Antonio Brown will be the stud receiver for the Bucs this week.
Andersen: Vikings 30, Buccaneers 23
Beyond having implications on the playoff race, this game could decide whether or not Bruce Arians returns next year. His refusal to penetrate defenses with the ground game will be exposed against a struggling Minnesota defense. While the Vikings’ secondary is weak, they should pick off Tom Brady multiple times due to Arians’ frantic and aggressive game plan. This one will hurt the Bucs and their head coach.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins
Mike: Chiefs 29, Dolphins 17
As great as the Dolphins have played over the last two months, the Chiefs are arguably the best team in the league. This game will be closer than many expect, but the better team will win.
Joe: Chiefs 27, Dolphins 24
The Chiefs will be slowed down just enough against the Dolphins’ defense. However, in the end with the game on the line, Patrick Mahomes will once again play hero for the Kansas City victory.
Andersen: Chiefs 31, Dolphins 20
As much as I want to see the mastermind that is Brian Flores dismantle the Chiefs, it’s not going to happen. The Dolphins’ defense will struggle under pressure while the Miami offense will fail to flourish. Kansas City should win by at least two scores, though the fact that the game is in Miami does help the Dolphins’ chances.
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers
Mike: Panthers 23, Broncos 20
Both teams are heading for a top draft pick in April. The Broncos were in the entire game last week against the Chiefs before a Drew Lock interception ended any chance at a comeback. This game can go either way, but the Panthers should have Christian McCaffrey back, making the difference needed to get the victory.
Joe: Panthers 24, Broncos 13
Christian McCaffrey looks like he will be a go in this one. The Panthers and their otherworldly running back will get back to the form they were planning for all season. The Broncos have a hard time containing Carolina.
Andersen: Panthers 24, Broncos 21
This game should be close, but it’s hard to pick against the Panthers and Christian McCaffrey in this matchup. While DJ Moore (foot, COVID-19) could miss the game, Carolina will still have success dismantling the Denver defense at home.
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears
Mike: Texans 27, Bears 20
With their loss to the Colts last week, the Texans’ playoff hopes are all but over. Meanwhile, the Bears are on an NFC-worst six-game losing streak. One team has Deshaun Watson, and the other passed him over. Watson scores three touchdowns in the win.
Joe: Texans 24, Bears 13
The Texans will keep their dim playoff hopes alive with a win against the Bears. Chicago’s offense will struggle.
Andersen: Texans 24, Bears 21
Deshaun Watson will make the Bears regret passing on him, tossing three en route to victory. While Chicago hasn’t looked abysmal lately, they have lost six straight games and on track to miss the playoffs. Matt Nagy’s seat continues to heat up.
Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants
Mike: Giants 17, Cardinals 14
The Cardinals are falling apart while the Giants pulled off the upset over the Seahawks last week and look like the best team in the NFC East. Despite the one-win difference in record, the public view the Cardinals as the better team. However, the Giants pull off the upset and keep control of the NFC East.
Joe: Giants 21, Cardinals 20
The Giants’ defense will follow a similar game plan to the one they used last week to beat the Seahawks. Their win streak will stretch to another game.
Andersen: Giants 24, Cardinals 14
I’ll complete the sweep and pick the Giants, too. New York stymied the Seahawks last week and should boast similar success as they host Arizona. The Cardinals have played suboptimal football as of late and could see their playoff aspirations drift away in the Big Apple. Look for another big game from Giants running back Wayne Gallman.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Mike: Cowboys 24, Bengals 13
Last week, the Bengals were one big play away from being shut out by the Dolphins. While the Cowboys’ defense isn’t anywhere as talented as the Dolphins’ defense, the Bengals’ offense is one of the worst in the league without Joe Burrow.
Joe: Cowboys 27, Bengals 20
Andy Dalton has had his ups and downs since taking over the starting job for the Cowboys. However, in a revenge game against his former team, he will get just that.
Andersen: Cowboys 27, Bengals 16
After falling to the Ravens on Tuesday, the Cowboys should bounce back as Andy Dalton tosses three touchdowns in a revenge game against the Bengals. Brandon Allen might throw for a touchdown or two against Dallas’ struggling secondary, but it’s evident that the Cowboys are the superior team when Joe Burrow is taken out of the equation.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Mike: Colts 27, Raiders 20
Both teams are right in the thick of things in the AFC playoff race. The Raiders are coming off a last-second victory over the Jets while the Colts defeated the Texans. Neither team is a Super Bowl contender, but the Raiders are too inconsistent.
Joe: Raiders 31, Colts 20
Derek Carr and the Raiders will win this game handily. The Colts will be playing from behind all game and come up short.
Andersen: Colts 37, Raiders 24
The Colts will storm into Las Vegas and destroy the Raiders, who barely squeaked out a victory against the Jets last week. Philip Rivers will toss three touchdowns while the entire Colts team comes up big.
New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks
Mike: Seahawks 27, Jets 16
As bad as the Seahawks were last week against the Giants and as well as the Jets played for the first 59 minutes of the game, there is no way they pull off the upset.
Joe: Jets 24, Seahawks 20
For the second week in a row, the Seahawks will lose to a New York team. The Jets will pull out the upset of the season in Seattle.
Andersen: Seahawks 31, Jets 17
The Jets nearly won last week while the Seahawks were embarrassed by the Giants. However, the Jets are one of the worst teams in football history and the Seahawks are Super Bowl contenders. Don’t be fooled by Week 13. The Seahawks will win handily this time around.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
Mike: Packers 31, Lions 17
The Packers can lock up a playoff spot and the division with a win and Vikings loss. While the Lions got the win last week, they faced Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears, not Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Expect a two-touchdown victory for Green Bay.
Joe: Lions 31, Packers 27
Matthew Stafford will come out victorious in a shootout with Aaron Rodgers. Even if they don’t sneak into the playoff picture, Detroit will at least try to play spoiler against their divisional opponent.
Andersen: Packers 31, Lions 24
The Packers are the better team here. Both offenses will be clicking, but it will be the Packers’ pass defense that wins them this game.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Mike: Falcons 28, Chargers 27
These two teams know about blown fourth-quarter leads. However, someone has to win this game. The Chargers were embarrassed last week, and Justin Herbert looked awful while the Falcons almost pulled off the upset victory.
Joe: Falcons 31, Chargers 30
The Falcons, behind a big game from Julio Jones, will get the victory over Justin Herbert and the Chargers. The rookie will rebound from the debacle against the Patriots but won’t do enough for the win.
Andersen: Falcons 34, Chargers 24
In a battle between two teams that will likely be searching for new head coaches next year, Atlanta should finish on top. Their offense has looked strong for most of the year while their defense has improved immensely. It won’t be a 45-point shutout loss, but the Chargers will be embarrassed at home again.
Washington Football Team vs. San Francisco 49ers
Mike: Washington 17, 49ers 13
Washington is coming off an upset victory over the Steelers, handing them their first loss of the season. Meanwhile, the 49ers are coming off a double-digit defeat at the hands of the Bills. Washington has the third-longest winning streak in the NFC at three games and is in position to make it four in a row this week.
Joe: Washington 24, 49ers 20
Washington will pull out the upset for the second consecutive game. Luckily for the 49ers, this could be the last game without Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle on the field.
Andersen: 49ers 24, Washington 17
Washington pulled off the upset win against the Steelers last week, but it cost them Antonio Gibson. The rookie running back won’t play in Week 14 due to turf toe, which worsens the Football Team’s odds. Meanwhile, the 49ers have played solid football behind Nick Mullens and a fun offense. This should be a close game, but I feel confident picking San Francisco.
New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Mike: Saints 34, Eagles 13
The Saints are arguably the best team in the NFC. Meanwhile, calling the Eagles a dumpster fire is an insult to an actual dumpster set on fire. Doug Pederson has a better chance of being fired at halftime than winning this game, no matter who plays quarterback for the Saints.
Joe: Eagles 34, Saints 30
In his first career start, rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts will pull out the upset and knock the Saints out of the No. 1 spot in the NFC. That could all but punch Carson Wentz out of Philly.
Andersen: Saints 34, Eagles 17
Jalen Hurts will throw for a passing touchdown in this one, but that will be the extent of Philadelphia’s fireworks. The Saints are one of the best teams in football and should win handily.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills
Mike: Steelers 27, Bills 23
After losing to Washington last week, the Steelers should come out firing against the Bills. This game could go either way, but the pressure is all on the Steelers to win.
Joe: Bills 24, Steelers 21
Before last week’s loss to Washington, the Bills looked like the one team that had a chance of handing the Steelers their first loss. Instead, they will hand them their second loss in as many weeks.
Andersen: Steelers 24, Bills 21
The Bills looked great last week but likely won’t be able to defeat the Steelers. After an upset loss against Washington, look for Pittsburgh to bounce back offensively and pick up a narrow victory.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
Mike: Ravens 31, Browns 26
If the Ravens lose this game, their playoff hopes take a massive hit. Likewise, if the Browns win, they all but lock up a playoff spot. This AFC North divisional battle can go either way, but look for the Ravens to have their best performance of the season.
Joe: Ravens 31, Browns 28
The Ravens will win this matchup. The loss for the Browns will cause a shakeup in the AFC playoff picture as multi-headed rushing attack for Baltimore carries them to the victory.
Andersen: Ravens 28, Browns 23
This has the makings of a fun primetime divisional battle and it’s nearly guaranteed to be a one-score game. Fueled by Lamar Jackson‘s heroics and a defense that has looked incredible lately, the Ravens should win.
Point Totals
Mike: 254
Joe: 239
Andersen: 239
Records
Mike: 127-66
Joe: 118-75
Andersen: 118-75
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