Update: The NFL Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks post is up.
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I was red hot in weeks 10-12, so I was bound to experience a lackluster week before too long.
And that’s exactly what I got in Week 13.
I’m 7-8 for the week as I write this (with the Ravens +3 as the pick but Baltimore down 17-0 in the first half right now), in large part due to teams like the Steelers, Bengals, and Chargers not covering spreads I figured they could cover against inferior opponents. Hell, the Steelers even lost!
Pending the final score of the Monday nighter I am now 104-79 for the season. Still pretty damn good.
Let’s get it going in Week 14 as we present the NFL Week 14 spreads, picks, and TV schedule.
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A couple of quick things to keep in mind:
- All times are ET.
- Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. a few games don’t have spreads yet and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll up date this post as soon as the information is available at the506.com.
- Point spread and over-under listings are as of Monday night, and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want update point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
- DocSports: NFL Odds
- DocSports: NFL Picks
And with all that said, here is your Week 14 TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, free picks, and byes.
NFL Week 14 Viewer’s Guide
TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times – Byes
Point Spreads – Free Picks – Odds – Over-Unders
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
- Steelers-Browns Date: Thursday, December 10
- Steelers-Browns Kickoff Time: 8:20
- Steelers-Browns TV Network: NFLN
- Steelers-Browns Announcers: Bob Papa and Matt Millen
- Steelers-Browns Point Spread: Steelers -10
- Steelers-Browns Over-Under Odds: 36.5
- Steelers-Browns Spread Pick: You have no idea how badly I want to pick the Browns here. I really do. And there is a part of me that even thinks it’s a good pick since the game is in Cleveland. But I just…can’t…do…it. Maybe I’ve just seen too many Cleveland massacres at the hands of Pittsburgh, but I can’t wrap my mind around this year’s Browns keeping it within double-digits against a QB and a team that owns us, especially when that team absolutely has their back against the wall. I hope I’m wrong. Steelers-Browns free pick: Steelers -10
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
- Saints-Falcons Date: Sunday, December 13
- Saints-Falcons Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Saints-Falcons TV Network: FOX
- Saints-Falcons Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
- Saints-Falcons Point Spread: Saints -10.5
- Saints-Falcons Over-Under Odds: 50
- Saints-Falcons Spread Pick: I wanted to go with Matt Ryan and the Falcons here because it’s a division game and they are at home…but I can’t. Philly came into Atlanta and trounced the Falcons last week, and I think we will see more of the same this weekend, especially if Chris Redman ends up being the QB. Saints-Falcons free pick: Saints -10.5
Seattle Seahaws at Houston Texans
- Seahawks-Texans Date: Sunday, December 13
- Seahawks-Texans Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Seahawks-Texans TV Network: FOX
- Seahawks-Texans Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
- Seahawks-Texans Point Spread: Texans -6
- Seahawks-Texans Over-Under Odds: 44.5
- Seahawks-Texans Spread Pick: Ugh. I really don’t want to pick the Texans when they have to win by a touchdown. However, Seattle has been terrible on the road all year, which makes this spread actually pretty sensible. I’m going with the Texans because they are actually sniffing the playoffs, which the Seahawks are not, and the ineptitude of the Seahawks on the road this year has me worried. Seahawks-Texans free pick: Texans -6
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
- Bills-Chiefs Date: Sunday, December 13
- Bills-Chiefs Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Bills-Chiefs TV Network: CBS
- Bills-Chiefs Announcers: Bill Macatee and Steve Beuerlein
- Bills-Chiefs Point Spread: Pick ‘em
- Bills-Chiefs Over-Under Odds: 37.5
- Bills-Chiefs Spread Pick: There are games that I have no interest in, and then there are games that you’d literally have to pay me to watch. This is one of them. But I will say this: start Jamaal Charles in your fantasy leagues because the Bills can’t stop anyone on the ground. I’m going with the Chiefs here because the points are even and it’s in KC. Bills-Chiefs free pick: Chiefs
New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jets-Buccaneers Date: Sunday, December 13
- Jets-Buccaneers Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Jets-Buccaneers TV Network: CBS
- Jets-Buccaneers Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
- Jets-Buccaneers Point Spread: Jets -3
- Jets-Buccaneers Over-Under Odds: 37
- Jets-Buccaneers Spread Pick: Definitely going with New York here. This is just not a good matchup for Josh Freeman and the Bucs. The Jets bring pressure and have an absolute monster of a corner in Darelle Revis. He will shut down Antonio Bryant and it will be up to Josh Freeman to find secondary and tertiary reads. I don’t like his chances, even at home. Jets-Bucs free pick: Jets -3
Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Dolphins-Jaguars Date: Sunday, December 13
- Dolphins-Jaguars Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Dolphins-Jaguars TV Network: CBS
- Dolphins-Jaguars Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
- Dolphins-Jaguars Point Spread: Jaguars -3
- Dolphins-Jaguars Over-Under Odds: 44
- Dolphins-Jaguars Spread Pick: This is a much bigger game than you might think just glancing at the schedule. If it was in Miami, I would pick the Dolphins as a slam-dunk because Jacksonville is not a good road team. They are, however, a very good team at home. Are they three points better than Miami? I can’t give them that many points. Both of these teams have good ground games that they rely on, and I see a game in the high-teens or low-20s that is decided on a late field goal. Dolphins-Jaguars free pick: Dolphins +3
Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings
- Bengals-Vikings Date: Sunday, December 13
- Bengals-Vikings Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Bengals-Vikings TV Network: CBS
- Bengals-Vikings Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Bengals-Vikings Point Spread: Vikings -6.5
- Bengals-Vikings Over-Under Odds: 43
- Bengals-Vikings Spread Pick: I love the Vikings this year, but the Bengals are a plucky bunch that blows out no one, but wins or loses closely. Even though this game is in the Metrodome, I like the Bengals to keep it close. The Vikings did not look good on Sunday night and provided something of a blueprint for how to neutralize the Vikings D-line. Can the Bengals follow suit? We’ll see. I do think that Minnesota will win, but you have to respect the Bengals’ ability to keep even their losses close. Bengals-Vikings free pick: Bengals +6.5
Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens
- Lions-Ravens Date: Sunday, December 13
- Lions-Ravens Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Lions-Ravens TV Network: FOX
- Lions-Ravens Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
- Lions-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -13.5
- Lions-Ravens Over-Under Odds: 39.5
- Lions-Ravens Spread Pick: I think Baltimore will run away with this one. They have to be frustrated with their inability to win big games, but they are still just one game out of the final Wild Card slot in the AFC. Detroit will either have a rookie for a rusty backup at QB and this Baltimore D is always a little more intimidating at home. Lions-Ravens free pick: Ravens -13.5
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
- Packers-Bears Date: Sunday, December 13
- Packers-Bears Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Packers-Bears TV Network: FOX
- Packers-Bears Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
- Packers-Bears Point Spread: Packers -3
- Packers-Bears Over-Under Odds: 41
- Packers-Bears Spread Pick: The Bears suck and are going nowhere this season. The Packers, on the other hand, are on a roll right now. I’ll have to wait for the spread to pick this one though because it’s a division rivalry. Update: now that the spread is out, I like it. I’m going with Green Bay. Chicago will play them tough, I don’t doubt that. But Jay Cutler against the Packers’ DBs just is not a matchup I feel comfortable with from a Bears perspective. Packers-Bears free pick: Packers -3
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots
- Panthers-Patriots Date: Sunday, December 13
- Panthers-Patriots Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Panthers-Patriots TV Network: FOX
- Panthers-Patriots Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
- Panthers-Patriots Point Spread: Patriots -13.5
- Panthers-Patriots Over-Under Odds: 44
- Panthers-Patriots Spread Pick: Wow…I like New England to win this game, but 13.5 points??? I just can’t do it, even though New England is at home. The Panthers have a good enough ground game to keep them in it, but the Patriots still win by 7-10. Panthers-Patriots free pick: Panthers +13.5
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts
- Broncos-Colts Date: Sunday, December 13
- Broncos-Colts Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Broncos-Colts TV Network: CBS
- Broncos-Colts Announcers: Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
- Broncos-Colts Point Spread: Colts -7
- Broncos-Colts Over-Under Odds: 44
- Broncos-Colts Spread Pick: I love this spread because it definitely makes you think. The Colts are at home and obviously have not been beaten all season. In a battle of Kyle Orton vs Peyton Manning, it would seem like seven points isn’t enough to even consider Orton. However, the Colts are playing pretty much everyone tightly and Denver has gotten itself back on track. I like this game to come down to the wire and the Broncos to put up a nice fight before giving Indy victory #13. Broncos-Colts free pick: Broncos +7
Washington Redskins at Oakland Raiders
- Redskins-Raiders Date: Sunday, December 13
- Redskins-Raiders Kickoff Time: 4:05
- Redskins-Raiders TV Network: FOX
- Redskins-Raiders Announcers: Dick Stockton and Charles Davis
- Redskins-Raiders Point Spread: Redskins -1
- Redskins-Raiders Over-Under Odds: 37.5
- Redskins-Raiders Spread Pick: These two teams are playing much better than I think most people realize. I’m going with the Raiders in this one because they are at home and have been playing everybody pretty well at home; and, unlike Washington, Oakland is actually winning some of these games that they are keeping close. Washington just keeps giving games away. Redskins-Raiders free pick: Raiders +1
St. Louis Rams at Tennessee Titans
- Rams-Titans Date: Sunday, December 13
- Rams-Titans Kickoff Time: 4:05
- Rams-Titans TV Network: FOX
- Rams-Titans Announcers: Chris Rose and Trent Green
- Rams-Titans Point Spread: Titans -13
- Rams-Titans Over-Under Odds: 41.5
- Rams-Titans Spread Pick: Another tricky game here. Tennessee will almost certainly win this game, but they are a team with a QB still developing as a passer and that relies on the running game. I think this will be a great battle between the two running backs playing the best this season: Chris Johnson and Steven Jackson. In what should be a grind-it-out game, I just can’t see Tennessee running away and hiding from St. Louis. The Rams keep it close. Rams-Titans free pick: Rams +13
San Diego Chargers at Dallas Cowboys
- Chargers-Cowboys Date: Sunday, December 13
- Chargers-Cowboys Kickoff Time: 4:15
- Chargers-Cowboys TV Network: CBS
- Chargers-Cowboys Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Chargers-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -3
- Chargers-Cowboys Over-Under Odds: 48.5
- Chargers-Cowboys Spread Pick: How can the Cowboys be giving three points in this game? San Diego is on fire right now, despite what the final score against Cleveland indicates. And the Cowboys started out December with a loss to the Giants, which is simply a continuation of what they’ve been doing for the last decade. I’d pick the Chargers if this was a pick ‘em, so I’ll certainly take them plus three points and feel as good about this game as any on the Week 14 schedule. Also remember this: Norv Turner got passed over for the Cowboys’ job that ultimately went to Wade Phillips. Think Norv might want to shove it in Jerry Jones’ face in his former boss’ new stadium? I do, and so do most of the people down here in Dallas. Chargers-Cowboys free pick: Chargers +3
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
- Eagles-Giants Date: Sunday, December 13
- Eagles-Giants Kickoff Time: 8:20
- Eagles-Giants TV Network: NBC
- Eagles-Giants Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
- Eagles-Giants Point Spread: Giants -1
- Eagles-Giants Over-Under Odds: 45
- Eagles-Giants Spread Pick: This game should be fun. New York righted its ship somewhat with a Week 13 victory over Dallas despite being outplayed. A few big plays vaulted the Giants to a victory they desperately needed. The Eagles fired on all cylinders last week in dismantling the Matt Ryan-less Atlanta Falcons. I really want to pick the Eagles in this game, but the home field advantage is compelling me to go with New York. Eagles-Giants free pick: Giants -1
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
- Cardinals-49ers Date: Monday, December 13
- Cardinals-49ers Kickoff Time: 8:30
- Cardinals-49ers TV Network: ESPN
- Cardinals-49ers Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
- Cardinals-49ers Point Spread: Cardinals -3
- Cardinals-49ers Over-Under Odds: 44.5
- Cardinals-49ers Spread Pick: Tough game to predict. The 49ers beat Arizona in Arizona earlier this year and now get them at home. The Cardinals have always been a poor road team, but have somehow reversed that this year to become a very good team away from home. Oh, and Arizona absolutely destroyed the Vikings in Week 13. I’m going with Arizona because they are just so good through the air and the 49ers are not great at defending the pass. Cardinals-49ers free pick: Cardinals -3
About Jerod Morris
