We’re on to Week 14 in the NFL, which kicks off Thursday with the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers facing off. That means it’s time once again for our weekly look at the point spreads in order to help you win some money.
Last week, Charles Curtis went 12-2 (96-97 record overall), Charles McDonald went 8-6 (74-92 overall) and Prince Grimes went 10-4.
We now go to them for a comment before the Week 14 picks.
Charles C: LOOK AT THAT! BIG WEEK! LET’S GOOOOO!!! Although I doubt I can replicate that …
Charles M: Winners only club
Prince: 10-4 is great, but 12-2 is…wow. Thanks for the motivation, Charles.
1
Steelers at Vikings (-3.5)
Charles C: Steelers
I can’t take the team that just lost to the Vikings, who might be without Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. Even though backing the mediocre Steelers is dicey too, I have to take the points.
Charles M: Vikings
Look, I know the Vikings just lost to the Lions, but that doesn’t mean they can’t beat the Steelers. The Vikings have the pieces to score on the Steelers and win this game.
Prince: Steelers
The Vikings just lost to the Lions, can’t be feeling great about themselves right now. I don’t love Pittsburgh, but I’ll take the points thanks to their ability to muck up games.
2
Ravens at Browns (-2.5)
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Charles C: Ravens
Baltimore is all over the place and I continue to cite the fact that seemingly every game they play is a close one. So I’ll take the points but I’d really prefer not to bet on this game at all.
Charles M: Browns
The Ravens aren’t a very good team right now, despite their record. Baker Mayfield should be in for a bounce-back game after this defense lost Marlon Humphrey.
Prince: Ravens
In Lamar Jackson I trust. Granted, he needs to be better, but he knows that. The Ravens have won four straight over the Browns. Make it five after this one.
3
Jaguars at Titans (-8.5)
Charles C: Titans
Taking the points seems like the right move, but there’s no way I’m doing that with the Titans coming off a bye and Urban Meyer’s squad struggling.
Charles M: Titans
I’m not taking the Jaguars on any spread.
Prince: Jaguars
Neither of these teams can really score. If that trend continues, the Jags cover in what is probably an unwatchable game.
4
Falcons at Panthers (-2.5)
Charles C: Panthers
A game that feels like an upset brewing but … nah.
Charles M: Panthers
The Falcons will struggle to move the ball on the Panthers. Again.
Prince: Panthers
Both offenses stink but at least the Panthers play a little defense.
5
Saints at Jets (+4.5)
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Charles C: Saints
Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara might run for 300 yards. Each.
Charles M: Saints
This is the defense that Taysom Hill needs to face. The Jets couldn’t stop Alabama right now. This defense is going to be a very tough test for Zach Wilson as well.
Prince: Saints
Their commitment to Taysom Hill so makes me want to go the other way here, but this particular matchup against a team that has allowed a league-high 21 rushing touchdowns probably works in the Saints’ favor.
6
Raiders at Chiefs (-8.5)
Charles C: Raiders
I just don’t know here. It feels like the Chiefs’ first big spread in a while, and I’m just not ready to trust them this much quite yet.
Charles M: Chiefs
The Chiefs defense will be the reason that they win this game, but the offense should be able to do enough damage against a defense they scored 41 points on earlier in the season.
Prince: Chiefs
One of the few times this season the Chiefs have looked anything close to the Chiefs of old was last month against the Raiders, and that was on the road. Now they get the Raiders at home. I’ll roll with KC.
7
Seahawks at Texans (+7.5)
Charles C: Seahawks
Even with Seattle struggling lately … yeah.
Charles M: Seahawks
The Texans are not a real football team right now.
Prince: Seahawks
I read Charles McDonald’s Four Verts section on the Texans and that was all I needed to see. They’re awful.
8
Cowboys at Washington (+3.5)
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Charles C: Cowboys
If Dallas is indeed the contender it appears to be, this is a game you win, and handily. Dallas by at least five.
Charles M: Cowboys
Washington is winning games right now, but I’m still not convinced that this team is any good. The Cowboys should be able to cover the spread on the road.
Prince: Cowboys
It’s fun to see this rivalry return in a game that has real stakes. Washington pushed itself into the playoff convo with four straight wins but hasn’t been all that impressive in the process. I could see the Football Team struggle to keep up in a big game for the Dallas offense.
9
Lions at Broncos (-7.5)
Charles C: Lions
BIG WIN LAST WEEK, DEFINITELY COVERING ON THE ROAD THIS WEEK LET’S GOOOOOOO
Charles M: Broncos
The Lions offense is going to get bludgeoned by this Broncos defense. Last week was nice for the Lions, but reality is coming back to get them this week.
Prince: Lions
The Lions are 8-4 against the spread and the Broncos aren’t great by any stretch of the word. I like Detroit to keep another game close.
10
Giants at Chargers (-9.5)
Charles C: Chargers
Was I thinking about taking the points with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen potentially out? Yes. Did I then remember that the Giants might be starting Jake Fromm on the road out West? Yes.
Charles M: Chargers
The Giants are just too shorthanded right now to take on most teams. They’ll really struggle to take on the Chargers.
Prince: Chargers
The Mike Glennon-led Giants mustered just nine points against the Dolphins last week. This will be another long game for the G-men.
11
49ers at Bengals (-0.5)
Charles C: 49ers
A coin flip! I think the Niners win by a field goal.
Charles M: 49ers
This is a tough one because I think these teams are fairly even right now, so I’ll ride with Kyle Shanahan over Zac Taylor.
Prince: Bengals
Cincy controls possession with Joe Mixon, gets timely plays from Joe Burrow and company and bounces back from an ugly loss last week.
12
Bills at Buccaneers (-3.5)
Charles C: Bills
A hair too large of a spread for me to back Brady and the Bucs. I think Buffalo keeps this one close as it did last week in an ugly game against the Patriots.
Charles M: Bills
I think the Bills are still a very, very good football team. This should be one of the best games of the week and the Bills defense can still hang with the Bucs offense.
Prince: Bills
I don’t know, the Bills are probably pissed after suggestions of them being embarrassed by the Patriots. They’ll have some fire in this one, on top of the fact they’re already equipped to slow down what the Bucs do best. Maybe they don’t win, but give me the points.
13
Bears at Packers (-11.5)
Charles C: Packers
Aaron Rodgers still owns the Bears, last time I checked.
Charles M: Packers
Justin Fields is coming back, but unfortunately for him it looks like Jaire Alexander might be making his return as well. Packers. By a lot.
Prince: Packers
One of my few misses last week was picking the Bears to cover. Now they’re going to Lambeau Field I’m not making that mistake again.
14
Rams at Cardinals (-2.5)
Charles C: Cardinals
Both teams are contenders, which suggests taking the points … but the Cardinals are the NFL’s best team. In a close spread, you back that team.
Charles M: Cardinals
The Cardinals defense should be able to make life tough for Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense while Kyler Murray does just enough to get the Cardinals past this spread.
Prince: Cardinals
Before a get-right game against the Jaguars last week, the Rams didn’t have the look of a team that should be trusted in these type of games. I’ll roll with the more reliable team and quarterback to cover at home.
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