Best NFL Football Games to Bet in Week 14
The Week 14 slate promises to have a lot of interesting matchups on the NFL schedule. Teams are still fighting for position in the standings, while players are fighting for awards or to pad their stats down the stretch.
Let's take a look at some games to bet on in Week 14.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-2.5)
The Vikings are a team that has Rodney Dangerfield syndrome. No one seems to respect what Minnesota brings to the table. The Vikings, who sit in first place in the NFC North with a 10-2 record, are only 6-5-1 against the spread. Minnesota has also made a living by surviving in close games.
The Vikings, who are 2.5-point underdogs against Detroit, will have to find a way to slow down the Lions' offense. Minnesota, which is 6-5-1 against the spread, has been torched threw the air, allowing the most passing yards in the league per game, and are 21st in scoring defense. Detroit is trying to will its way into playoff position.
The Lions have managed to win four of their last five NFL games to improve to 4-7 on the year. Detroit is 8-4 against the spread. The Lions' offense has been exceptionally balanced. Detroit is eighth in passing and seventh in rushing yards per game.
The Lions score 26.3 points per game, which is sixth-best in the league.
Cleveland Browns (+6) at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have to come down from the high of beating the Kansas City Chiefs in a tight game at home by welcoming one of their biggest rivals to Paycor Stadium. Cincinnati got blown out by Cleveland earlier this season and won't want to stunt its momentum.
The Bengals are 9-3 against the spread and 8-4 straight up so far this season. Cincinnati got a boost with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase returning to the lineup. Joe Burrow is also playing well under center for the Bengals.
The Browns saw veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson struggle following a nearly two-year layoff from the sport. Cleveland's defense, however, was able to create extra scoring opportunities to help the Browns survive Houston. Cleveland is 6-0 against Burrow since he came into the league.
The Browns may not win this game, but they will keep it close.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)
The Buccaneers won't be able to replicate the formula they won with on Monday night too often. Last week against the Saints, Tampa Bay's offense looked horrendous for 3.5 quarters before springing to life late in the fourth quarter to grab a 17-16 win. On the season, the Buccaneers are averaging 18.1 points per football game, which ranks 27th in the league.
San Francisco is in the middle of a quarterback crisis. The 49ers already lost Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppalo to injuries. San Francisco will now turn to Brock Purdy to make the start at quarterback.
What the 49ers do have is an excellent defense that will make Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady's life difficult. San Francisco allows 15.8 points per game, which ranks first in the league. The Buccaneers have struggled against the spread, compiling a 3-8-1 mark.
Baltimore Ravens (+3) at Pittsburgh Steelers
One injury can dramatically swing the outcome of a season, especially when that injury comes under center. The Ravens lost Lamar Jackson for an undetermined amount of time in a win over Denver. Now, Baltimore has to head to Pittsburgh with an 8-3 record and playing a Steelers team that has won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The Ravens' defense can lean on their excellent run-stopping ability. Baltimore only allows opponents to rush for 85.2 yards per game, which is the second-best mark in the league. The Ravens also create a lot of splash plays. Baltimore has forced 19 takeaways.
Pittsburgh's offense is improving, but rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is still perfecting how to finish drives with touchdowns. The Steelers were forced to kick four field goals last week in a narrow road win at Atlanta.
Houston Texans (+17) at Dallas Cowboys
The Texans have a lot of problems, especially on offense. Houston is 4-7-1 against the spread and 1-10-1 straight up this season. Texans quarterback Kyle Allen again threw two interceptions last week.
Dallas is 9-3 and coming off a 54-19 beatdown of the Indianapolis Colts. The Cowboys are 8-4 ATS this NFL season. Houston's defense will have a hard time keeping up with Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott.
The Texans are sporting the worst rushing defense in the league. While it is likely Houston will lose this game, there aren't too many NFL games that feature games with this high of points spreads. The Cowboys will have little motivation to humiliate Houston late in this one.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
