WEEK 14 NFL PREDICTIONS

RECORD LAST WEEK: 15-1

RECORD FOR THE SEASON: 126-69

Thursday, December 5th, 7:15 PM CT

Green Bay Packers 9-3 @ Detroit Lions 11-1

The game of the week is on Thursday, as the Packers and Lions face off with huge NFC implications. The Lions are battling a ton of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, but the offense continues to be a well-oiled machine. It’s hard to pick against the Lions, but I will roll with the Packers to get the win on the road over their division rival.

Packers 33 Lions 30

Confidence Level:3

X-Factor: Jordan Love intrusive thoughts 

Best Bet: Packers +3.5

Sunday, December 8th, Noon CT Games

Cleveland Browns 3-9 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 9-3

Jameis Winston has played well as the  Browns’ starting quarterback, and when these two teams met a few weeks ago, he led the Browns to an upset victory over the Steelers. Russell Wilson has been playing good football as the Steelers starter, and I think that will continue as the Steelers win. 

Browns 17 Steelers 20

Confidence Level:7

X-Factor: Russell Wilson

Best Bet:  Russell Wilson longest completion over 38.5 

Atlanta Falcons 6-6 @ Minnesota Vikings 10-2

Kirk Cousins and this Falcons offense must find some life, as they’ve been abysmal the last three games. The Vikings defense is getting back to the chaos-creating unit it was in September, but I do expect a good performance from the Falcons offense, though it’ll come in a losing effort.

Falcons 21 Vikings 24

Confidence Level:6

X-Factor: Sam Darnold 

Best Bet: Justin Jefferson over 84.5 receiving yards

Jacksonville Jaguars 2-10 @ Tennessee Titans 3-9 

It is a nasty matchup between two teams playing for Draft positioning: the Jags and Titans play this week. Both teams suffered losses last week and with Trevon Lawrence most likely out after suffering a concussion last week I’ll take the Titans to get the win at home.

Jaguars 22 Titans 26

Confidence Level :2

X-Factor: Tony Pollard 

Best Bet: Tony Pollard over 69.5

New York Jets 3-9 @ Miami Dolphins 5-7

The Jets are just a complete disappointment, after suffering another loss last week they sit at 3-9 and now face the Dolphins who have the potential to make this game ugly quickly. Miami has been better of course since getting Tua back, but their playoff chances are slim. They’ll win this week to keep those hopes alive. 

Jets 20 Dolphins 31

Confidence Level:8

X-Factor : Jaylen Waddle

Best Bet:Jonnu Smith over 49.5 receding yards 

Carolina Panthers 3-9 @ Philadelphia Eagles 10-2

The Panthers are playing better with the return of Bryce Young and his confidence is back as well. However, this week against the Eagles it’s hard to believe the Panthers will be able to keep up. Philly gets the win at home. 

Panthers 17 Eagles 34

Confidence Level:10 

X-Factor: Saquon Barkley 

Best Bet: Saquon Barkley anytime touchdown 

Las Vegas Raiders 2-10 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-6

The Raiders took a tough loss to the Chiefs last week while the Bucs pulled out an overtime win over the Panthers. The Raiders will keep up, but the Bucs offense is too good and they’ll get their third straight win.

Raiders 21 Bucs 28

Confidence Level: 9

X-Factor: Cade Otton

Best Bet: Baker Mayfield over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

New Orleans Saints 4-8 @ New York Giants 2-10 

The Saints and Giants season is over so this game is for Draft positioning. The Giants offense has been an absolute mess but the Saints haven’t been much better. I’ll take the Saints reluctantly.

Saints 23 Giants 19

Confidence Level: 2

X-Factor: Derek Carr

Best Bet: Alvin Kamara over 80.5 rush yards  

Sunday, December 8th, 3 PM CT Games

Seahawks 7-5 @ Arizona Cardinals 6-6

A matchup for first place in the NFC West, the Seahawks travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals. The NFC West has been unpredictable this season. At some point each team in the divisions has looked the best and other points each team has looked the worst. Seattle has gotten better defensively in recent weeks, but the Cardinals I feel, are the slightly better team and will get the win this week.

Seahawks 23 Cardinals 26

Confidence Level: 5

X-Factor: Kyler Murray

Best Bet: Cardinals -2.5

Chicago Bears 4-8 @ San Francisco 49ers 5-7

This season has gone completely wrong from the expectations both teams had coming into the season. Chicago fired their head coach Matt Eberflus after another appalling coaching decision in the Bears loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving. The 49ers were destroyed by the Bills last Sunday night. I’m going to pick the Niners who have the better coaching staff. 

Bears 20 49ers 26

Confidence Level:5 

X-Factor: Brock Purdy

Best Bet: George Kittle over 54.5 receiving yards 

Buffalo Bills 10-2 @ Los Angeles Rams 6-6

The Bills have to travel across the country this week to face a desperate Rams team. Los Angeles needs this to keep pace in the NFC West while Buffalo is chasing Kansas City for the number one seed in the AFC. The Bills are operating at a really high level right now and I’ll give them the win.

Bills 27 Rams 20

Confidence Level:8

X-Factor: Josh Allen

Best Bet: Josh Allen over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

Sunday, December 8th, 7:20 PM CT

 Los Angeles Chargers 8-4 @ Kansas City Chiefs 11-1

The Chargers look to do something that they’ve only done once in the Justin Herbert era, and that’s beat the Chiefs. It's another really good game between two of the AFCs best teams and AFC West division foes. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but I expect the Chiefs close game luck to continue.

Chargers 20 Chiefs 21

Confidence Level:7

X-Factor: Chiefs secondary 

Best Bet: Patrick Mahomes over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

Monday, December 9th, 7:15 PM CT

Cincinnati Bengals 4-8 @ Dallas Cowboys 5-7

Joe Burrow is playing some of the best football you’ve ever seen at the quarterback position, but it has been all for not as the Bengals defense can’t stop a high school JV team. Dallas coming off a win over the Giants on Thanksgiving are looking to win their third straight game. Cooper Rush can have a good game against this defense but in the end, I’ll pick the Bengals to win on the road.

Bengals 28 Cowboys 25

Confidence Level:3

X-Factor: Joe Burrow

Best Bet: Over 49.5 total points