2021 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 14

Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

Sunday, December 12, 1PM ET

This is the Kansas City Chiefs team everyone expected when the 2021 season began. It took some time for them to emerge from hibernation, but now Patrick Mahomes and the rest of this dangerous squad have awoken and are ready to wreak havoc on the rest of the league.

I don’t see the Las Vegas Raiders standing in the Chiefs’ way of notching their seventh-straight victory. The Raiders have been decent at best this season, relying on their defense to keep them in games while their offense hobbles around attempting to find the end zone. Derek Carr has looked good at times, but the consistency just hasn’t been there.

Now when you look at the current Chiefs, you see a legitimate contender. Not only has the offense suddenly found its footing, but the defense has improved tenfold since the first few weeks of the season. If Kansas City can keep playing like this, their contender status is officially reinstated.

Las Vegas puts up some sort of fight since this is an AFC West battle, but it’s the Chiefs all the way. Mahomes puts up big numbers and the Kansas City defense forces at least three turnovers. It’s an ugly game for the Raiders as they feel the playoffs slipping out of reach.

Prediction: Chiefs win 43-20 | Spread: Chiefs (-9.5)