Week 14 NFL Best Bets, Picks and Predictions from Matt Youmans:
A popular question this time of year is always, “Who do you think will be in the Super Bowl?” I was asked that by a relative while watching the Bears-Lions game on Thanksgiving, and my answer did not include Detroit. I’m going with the Bills and Eagles, who were my preseason pick to win it all. Ironically, I’m betting against Buffalo and Philadelphia this week, and here are my five NFL Week 14 best bets:Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7)
It could be difficult for the Raiders to refocus after blowing a golden opportunity to upset the Chiefs on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Playing back-to-back road games makes it more of a negative situational spot. It does appear Las Vegas is somewhat motivated to stop its eight-game losing streak, and the players are not quitting on coach Antonio Pierce. The return of quarterback Aidan O’Connell is a source of optimism. Five weeks after thumb surgery, O’Connell stepped into a tough spot in Kansas City yet passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The Raiders also rushed for 116 yards. Tampa Bay is 2-4 in its past six games — victories over the Panthers and Giants are nothing to brag about — with a defense that ranks 30th in passing yards allowed at 258.3 per game. The Buccaneers also rank 25th in scoring defense (24.7 ppg).NFL Week 14 Best Bet: Las Vegas Raiders +7
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
It was not planned from the beginning, but the Steelers have turned into my go-to team this season. I have bet on Pittsburgh nine times, with seven wins to show for it. But I prefer to play on coach Mike Tomlin as an underdog (5-0 straight up in that role this season), not as a favorite of more than a field goal. The Steelers are laying an inflated number of 6.5 to 7 against the league’s most entertaining player, Browns quarterback Jameis Winston. In Monday’s game at Denver, a wild 41-32 loss for Cleveland, Winston passed for 497 yards and four touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions, two that were returned for touchdowns. Winston keeps both teams in the game. This is a tricky spot for the Steelers, who play the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs in the next three weeks. However, this is my least favorite play of the five, simply because Winston can implode at any moment. Pittsburgh will probably win this game and is a good option on a six-point teaser.NFL Week 14 Best Bet: Cleveland Browns +7
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles (-13.5)
Benched and dismissed by most as a bust, Carolina quarterback Bryce Young has shown surprisingly positive signs while winning two of his past four starts, which included three-point losses to the Buccaneers and Chiefs. Young passed for 298 yards and one touchdown while taking only one sack in last week’s loss to Tampa Bay. Philadelphia has won eight straight and could fall asleep at the wheel this week while looking ahead to bigger games against the Steelers and Commanders. The Eagles are 0-5 ATS in their past five as double-digit favorites.NFL Week 14 Best Bet: Carolina Panthers +13.5
Buffalo Bills (-3.5) at Los Angeles Rams
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is the MVP favorite at this point, with Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley running a close second. Allen and the Bills were celebrating last week after blowing out the 49ers in a snow game in Buffalo, so this cross-country trip to Los Angeles is less than ideal. The Rams, 6-6 and alive to win the NFC West, are getting healthy and stronger on the offensive line while quarterback Matthew Stafford and his receivers finally get on the same page. If the Bills have a weakness that can be exposed, it’s their run defense. The Rams can move the ball on the ground with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, who combined for 146 rushing yards against the Saints last week.NFL Week 14 Best Bet: Los Angeles Rams +3.5
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-4)
It’s the same story with Kansas City, which has won 14 consecutive one-score games. The Chiefs are 2-0 in AFC West home games, but each of their recent two-point wins against the Broncos and Raiders came with a lot of luck. Maybe this is a breakout game for Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and a frustrated Kansas City offense, but that’s doubtful due to the Chargers ranking No. 1 in scoring defense (15.7 pgg). The Jim Harbaugh-coached Chargers find ways to win, and that was on display a week ago when the offense produced only 10 first downs and 187 total yards in a win at Atlanta. A Kansas City defense that was shredded for 434 yards (6.9 per play) by the Raiders should have similar problems slowing quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ running attack.NFL Week 14 Best Bet: Los Angeles Chargers +4
