NFL Week 14 could be the turning point for this year’s playoff race. Just look at the standings as the 2024 regular season reaches its stretch run, and then glance at the schedule. It’s littered with games that could decide division races, wild card spots and postseason tiebreakers.
That starts Thursday night when the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers in a matchup of NFC North contenders. Sunday’s action includes a matchup to decide first place the NFC West (Seahawks vs. Cardinals), two teams in the middle of the logjam atop the NFC North and NFC South (Falcons vs. Vikings) and ‘Sunday Night Football’ featuring the two best teams in the AFC West (Chargers vs. Chiefs).
There’s a whole lot at stake. After this week, when six teams are on a bye, every team in the league will have only four games left in the regular season. The playoffs aren’t far off anymore, and analysts are already weighing in on what might happen next. Here is an early look at picks and predictions for every game on the Week 14 schedule:
NFL Week 14 game predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 2
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Date: Thursday, Dec. 5
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field (Detroit)
TV: None
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Spread: Lions (-3.5)
∎ BetMGM: Packers cover with Lions ailing
‘Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone and now Malcolm Rodriguez. Those are the glaring absentees for Detroit (on defense), which also has Marcus Davenport on IR and Carlton Davis sidelined. The quality of Detroit’s offense may be enough to overcome those absences from an outright standpoint, but will they really cover this big a number?’
∎ Arizona Republic: Lions 28, Packers 24
‘Can the Packers upset the Lions in Detroit? Sure they can. Will they? We don’t think so after the Lions got a bit of a wake-up call against the Bears on Thanksgiving.’
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Dolphins (-6.5)
∎ Betting Pros: Dolphins win big
‘This is a good spot for the Dolphins to get back on track. … New York’s offense continues to struggle, and its defense has also been an issue. With Miami at home, the offense should be able to cruise to a lopsided win and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.’
∎ Pro Football Network: Dolphins 24, Jets 17
‘The metrics tell you that the Dolphins are the superior team here offensively, while they are essentially even defensively. Throw in home-field advantage, and it makes a lot of sense that Miami is favored.’
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Vikings (-5)
∎ BetMGM: Take the points with Atlanta
‘Atlanta’s 17-13 defeat against the Chargers is slightly misleading. (Kirk) Cousins threw four interceptions, including one in the end zone, and had a pick returned for a touchdown. But the Falcons offense dominated the line of scrimmage and produced a strong offensive performance. Atlanta outgained the Chargers, 350-187.’
∎ Bookies.com: Vikings get a ‘must’ win
‘Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota. The Vikings have moved on just fine without him, going 10-2 in their first dozen games with Sam Darnold at QB. … They’re just one game behind Detroit in the race for the NFC North and the (slim) possibility for a first-round bye and home field. This one is a must. The Falcons have begun their late-season descent in the NFC South.’
New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Saints (-5)
∎ Arizona Republic: Saints 21, Giants 13
‘If the Giants want to get a win at home this season, this might be their best opportunity. Still, we don’t like New York’s chances.’
∎ Pro Football Network: Saints 20, Giants 17
‘It is uncomfortable to lay five points with this Saints team on the road. They are 1-4 on the road this year, with their only win coming indoors against the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 2, meaning they’re 0-3 outdoors this season.’
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Eagles (-12.5)
∎ Bookies.com: Eagles win, Panthers cover
‘The Panthers have covered in 4 straight games, including their lone two wins of the season in early November. … Philly has won 8 straight and has also covered in its past 4 games. But this number is the largest the Eagles have faced all season as favorites. Philly wants to run the ball and the clock here. Bryce Young and the Panthers’ defense can deliver the back door cover here.’
∎ Arizona Republic: Eagles 30, Panthers 16
‘The Eagles are the biggest favorite of the week and for good reason. This team is rolling (eight straight wins). Jalen Hurts and company will make it nine straight after this game.’
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Steelers (-6.5)
∎ Betting Pros: Steelers get revenge
‘The Steelers were upset by the Browns (in Week 12) in a game that was significantly impacted by weather. However, Pittsburgh plays much better at home, and the offense has come to life under Russell Wilson. Expect the Steelers offense to score and for the defense to get after Jameis Winston.’
∎ Pro Football Network: Steelers 20, Browns 17
‘It’s hard to project which version of the (Jameis) Winston experience you’re going to get. Defensively, they are essentially even, so the edge goes to the Steelers.’
Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Buccaneers (-7)
∎ Bookies.com: Lay the points in Tampa
‘Baker Mayfield has the Bucs cooking just in time for the NFC South and NFC playoff race. Tampa Bay is getting healthier each week. The Bucs offense at home against a Mountain/West team with an early kickoff should over perform.’
∎ Arizona Republic: Buccaneers 24, Raiders 14
‘We wrote off Tampa Bay a few weeks ago. We were wrong. The Buccaneers are now tied for the NFC South lead and should at least be in that same position after this week.’
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Titans (-3.5)
∎ BetMGM: Fade Will Levis and the Titans
‘Lost in the Jaguars’ loss to the Texans is the fact their offense excelled behind Mac Jones … But the crux of this play is fading Will Levis as a market favorite. Levis is 1-3 against the spread as a market favorite for his career. It’s also the first time Brian Callahan will play a game as a favorite with Levis. With Mason Rudolph, he’s 0-3 against the spread.’
∎ Pro Football Network: Titans 23, Jaguars 20
‘Can you really lay 4.5 points with Will Levis and a Titans’ defense that is seemingly crumbling? Equally, can you trust Mac Jones, who led his team to 13 points in two starts (albeit against very good defenses)?’
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Cardinals (-3)
∎ Arizona Republic: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 20
‘The Cardinals really need to win this game to help their chances to win the NFC West after two-straight losses on the road. Luckily for Arizona, this game is at home, where the Bird Gang will help Arizona rise.’
∎ Bookies.com: Seattle has the Cardinals’ number
‘The Seahawks kept Kyler Murray’s offense out of the end zone in their 16-6 win over the Cardinals in Seattle two weeks ago. … The Seahawks have beaten the Cardinals six-straight times.’
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Bills (-4)
∎ Pro Football Network: Bills 30, Rams 20
‘The Buffalo Bills are on a tear right now. They’ve won seven in a row, with five being by more than one score. Buffalo’s struggles, however, have come on the road. … The Bills have a chance to fix that narrative in the next two weeks, and the first step comes against the Los Angeles Rams.’
∎ Arizona Republic: Bills 30, Rams 20
‘The Rams are fighting for their playoff lives, but the Bills are just playing at an elite level right now. Matthew Stafford and company won’t be able to keep up.’
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field (Chicago)
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: 49ers (-3.5)
∎ Pro Football Network: 49ers 23, Bears 20
‘What a fascinating matchup this is between a team that has fired its head coach and another that is reeling from injury issues and coming off two humiliating road losses in cold-weather games.’
∎ Bookies.com: Bet on the Bears
‘The 4-8 Bears have lost seven-straight on the road, but the Niners have failed to cover in four-straight. Chicago is primed for the interim-coach bounce back cover – if not win.’
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Date: Sunday, Dec. 8
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
Spread: Chiefs (-4)
∎ ESPN: Chargers cover in a close game
‘The Chiefs are riding a four-game win streak but haven’t had a victory of more than 3.5 points … The Chargers have also won five of their last six games. But their scoring margin in those six games is +49 compared to the Chiefs’ margin of +11 over the same stretch. Los Angeles is playing much better than they were the last time these two teams met. And even if the Chiefs pull it out, it is likely that it’s going to be a really close, last-second victory.’
∎ Pro Football Focus: Bet on Chiefs’ luck to run out
‘The Chargers have hit their stride in recent weeks, producing a better expected points added margin than Kansas City since Week 7. Their defense, especially, has been an elite unit and should be able to pressure Patrick Mahomes.’
Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys
Date: Monday, Dec. 9
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Spread: Bengals (-6)
∎ Arizona Republic: Bengals 24, Cowboys 17
‘Two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season. We have more faith in Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ ability to put points on the scoreboard.’
∎ Pro Football Network: Bengals 30, Cowboys 24
‘The Bengals have been involved in several shootouts this year, but I question whether Cooper Rush can go toe-to-toe in one against Joe Burrow and that offense. … Cincinnati is 2-4 this year when scoring over 30 points, demonstrating just how bad the defense is.’
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