We’re back! Scott and Lauren both had solid weeks while I was on the COVID-19 list last week. Let’s not dilly-dally around here, onto Week 14!
Last Week
- Lauren: 4-1
- Scott: 3-2
- Nolan: N/A
Season
- Lauren: 28-32
- Scott: 27-33
- Nolan: 26-27-2
Lauren’s Picks
Tennessee -7.5 at Jacksonville
New Orleans -7.5 at Philadelphia
Minnesota +6.5 at Tampa Bay
Arizona -2.5 at N.Y. Giants
Baltimore -3 at Cleveland
Scott’s Picks
N.Y. Giants +2.5 vs. Arizona
Call me crazy, but I’m kind of a believer in the Giants and, gasp, the NFC East. The Washington Football Team is fresh off a win over the previously unbeaten Steelers, while the Giants have won four straight, including an impressive win over the Seahawks. The Giants defense is pretty solid, Daniel Jones is back, the Cardinals are trending in the wrong direction. Give me the points and the Giants to keep it rolling.
Indianapolis -3 at Las Vegas
This one kind of feels like a no-brainer to me. The Colts have been mostly solid all season, while the Raiders are fresh off a squeaker against the Jets and a thorough ass kicking at the hands of the Falcons. The Colts almost never make it easy on themselves, but I think their defense and Rivers will do enough to pull out this one.
Atlanta (PK) at Chargers
The Falcons remain an anomaly. After that dismantling of the Raiders, they nearly pulled off an upset against the Saints last week. The Chargers, meanwhile, have been a complete disaster with only one win since the start of November, and that one came in nail-biting fashion against the Jets. I’ll roll the dice with Atlanta to win this one, officially bringing the Anthony Lynn era to an end in LA.
Tennessee -7.5 at Jacksonville
The Titans need this one badly. The Jaguars are firmly in the mix for the no. 1 overall pick. I’m a little concerned that the Titans already terrible secondary will be missing another cornerback today, but surely that won’t matter much against a Jacksonville team looking to clean house after this season.
Washington +3 at San Francisco
As I said, I’m a believer in the NFC East! The WFT has been exceptional defensively this season. Yes, the Steelers shot themselves time and time again, but Chase Young and company proved that they can keep this team in games until the very end. Alex Smith is also the best story in the NFL right now. How cool would it be to see him visit his old team and pull off a victory?
Nolan’s Picks
Kansas City -7 at Miami
Someday, the mighty Chiefs will finally cover the spread. And when that day comes, I will be able to say “I believed. I always believed.”
Houston -1 at Chicago
Deshaun Watson versus Mitchell Trubisky. I feel like we’ve seen that once or twice before….
Minnesota +7 at Tampa Bay
Both teams rely way too much on inconsistent defenses and run the ball too much on early downs despite having elite wide receivers. I don’t like either team, but I’ll take the points with the Vikings.
Atlanta +1.5 at L.A. Chargers
These franchises are about as cursed as you’ll find, but at least the Falcons are playing hard for their interim coach. The Chargers already mailed in 2020.
Buffalo -2 vs. Pittsburgh
I’ve been waiting for this game all season. This is both the smart pick — Buffalo makes arguably the most analytically-driven decisions and play calls in the entire league — and a homer pick. It’s the best of both worlds.