NFL Week 14: The Usual Suspects Rise Again

It’s December, and now it’s an unnecessary 17-game season, which means more weeks to hear how great Bill Belichick is, how teams like the Patriots, Chiefs, and Steelers always save their best football for December/January, and how Tom Brady is gunning for title number eight. Can someone in the AFC please stand up and challenge the Empires of Evil? And can someone stand up in the NFC and refuse to be beaten by a 44-year-old quarterback?

In the meantime, let’s look to some picks:

Last week: 2-2

Season: 6-5

Pittsburgh at Minnesota (-3)

Minnesota is actually a favorite without Adam Thielen and possibly Dalvin Cook? The same Minnesota team that just lost to Detroit? The Steelers did slightly better in only tying the Lions, but they look primed for a playoff run after finding their footing against Baltimore. If this is Big Ben’s final season, you just know he’s not going out without some kind of storybook ending. Beating the Vikings would be a big step towards that. Pick: Steelers.

Las Vegas (buying to +10 at -120) at Kansas City

Okay, we get it. The Chiefs being 3-4 was an aberration and too good to be true. They slaughtered the Raiders in Vegas and are almost certainly going to win again, but this feels like one of those games that will be a little closer than expected for no good reason. The Raiders should try and find an ounce of pride after losing by 27 to KC last month. Pick: Raiders.

New Orleans (-5.5) at New York Jets

The Saints have been in a freefall the last month or so, but the Jets have been in a freefall for just about the entire time they’ve existed as a franchise. Alvin Kamara’s return should make the Saints look a lot more like the early-season team that picked up wins over big dogs such as Green Bay, New England, and Tampa Bay. The Jets have pulled a couple of shockers at home this year, but this doesn’t look like the spot for another one. Pick: Saints.

Jacksonville at Tennessee (-8.5)

Tennessee needs to rediscover its winning ways, and fast. Good thing the Jags are coming to town, a perennial loser whom the Titans have owned lately, winning eight of the last nine meetings. Julio Jones’ return should give the Titans a boost, not to mention having had a bye week to lick their wounds. Pick: Titans.

Buffalo at Tampa Bay (buying to -3 at -125)

This is another one that feels like the line should be bigger. The Bucs are rolling, and oh by the way Tom Brady is 32-3 lifetime against the Bills. Buffalo showed just how foolish of a team they were, getting outcoached by Belichick (as always) from start to finish Monday night and lost a game in which the opponent attempted just three (!) passes. The Bucs should continue cruising, as the Bills will inevitably find a way to lose. Pick: Buccaneers.

Chicago at Green Bay (-11.5)

This one looks so obvious on paper that I’m thinking twice. I can’t imagine the Bears go to Lambeau and pull the upset, but this is weird spot for the Packers in the sense that while it’s a classic letdown game with a big game (Ravens) looming next week, it is still a major rivalry game. Aaron Rodgers is still banged up even with the bye the previous week, and I think Justin Fields’ return will give the Bears’ offense just enough spark to hang around in this one. Pick: Bears.