The final weeks of the season are all about momentum and motivation. Which teams have it for NFL Week 14? These are your best picks against the spread.
Last week’s Thursday Night Football advice to stay away from the road New Orleans Saints against the spread was even more accurate than we expected. The heavily favored Saints lost outright in Dallas. No one will give a hoot about this week’s Thursday game between two AFC South brethren at or below .500, but it’s worth monitoring. If only we could find similar consistency in our Sunday games.
Who has the momentum and motivation in NFL Week 14? Look closely and you’ll find your winners. These are your best picks against the spread for NFL Week 14. All lines are via Odds Shark.
Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate NFL Week 14 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.
Dan Salem’s 2018 record ATS: 13-13
Todd Salem’s 2018 record ATS: 14-12
Todd Salem’s Best Picks ATS:
Atlanta Falcons +6 at Green Bay Packers
A lost season in Green Bay has culminated in the firing of Mike McCarthy. The first game after such destruction, the Packers are giving six points to a top-10 passing offense. Maybe GB rallies behind a new voice, feeling freed from McCarthy’s failings. Maybe he was all that was holding this squad back.
The Falcons themselves are in a tailspin, and their defense stinks, but I would just hate to lay this many points on a bad team. This strategy backfired last week in taking double digit points in Seattle, but I’ll go back to the well at least once more. After all, underdogs are still a whopping nine games over .500 for the season.
Philadelphia Eagles +4.5 at Dallas Cowboys
We still don’t know what to make of the NFC East. How many Washington quarterbacks can break their leg before the team throws in the towel? If the Giants hadn’t blown their Philly game, would they be looking at making a run here?
With the way each of Philadelphia and Dallas is trending, this feels like a line that should be Dallas -3. I will take the extra 1.5 points and see if Philadelphia can create something in this final stretch. Neither of these teams has a great offense. The best unit going has been the Dallas defense, but that has been overrated thanks to a very weak slate of opponents. Stopping New Orleans last week was obviously an exception, but it helped to solidify this overvalue; hence the extra points going Philly’s way.
Dan Salem’s Best Picks ATS:
Chicago Bears +3 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Chicago lost a game it should have won last week and enters this matchup with a chip on its shoulder. Can the Bears prove they belong with the NFL elite? Los Angeles just won its division and must travel across the country with a mini hangover from its minor victory. I smell an upset. The Bears need this game to remain atop the NFC North for good. They are playing at home against a team with very little left to actually play for. Take the field goal, which is more like six for the home team. This one is all about who wants it more.
Cleveland Browns +2.5 vs. Carolina Panthers
I’m backing another home team getting points, in another game of pretty even football teams. Cleveland keeps impressing, despite falling short in the wins column. Carolina has spiraled completely out of the playoff conversation, yet isn’t dead yet. They can stay alive with a win, but I’m dubious. The Panthers have scraped by all season and now travel to cold Cleveland to face a team hungry for more.
I like the Browns on both sides of the ball, especially at home. Take the points. Do you really trust Carolina? They haven’t won in a month and just placed their Pro Bowl tight end on IR. One team is trending up and the other down. I’m backing Cleveland.