NFL Week 14 predictions, picks: Our specialists face off on high video games

It has been a wacky NFL season — in a great way. That is really the primary time in NFL historical past there are 5 divisions with a lead of lower than one sport this late in a season! The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers prepared the ground at 6-6 within the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals lurking, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are each 9-3, and the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts are each 8-4.

This week within the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys put their three-game win streak on the road towards Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen face off in Buffalo, and rookies Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders meet for the primary time in Cleveland. Occasions are additionally getting determined for the 6-6 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, who host the Houston Texans on “Sunday Evening Soccer.” 

Which groups do you have to choose in Week 14, and which do you have to fade? CBS Sports activities writers Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin are right here to interrupt down the most important video games of the weekend. For readability, strains for these picks have been taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on Wednesday. New customers can get $150 in bonus bets on a profitable $5 wager.

Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions (-3) (TNF)

Dajani (Cowboys +3): Are the Cowboys “America’s Crew” once more? I do not know, there’s one thing endearing about seeing a high-powered offense that had no protection to start out the yr expertise a defensive turnaround to get above .500. Shoutout Quinnen Williams, Logan Wilson, DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel Jr. As for the Lions, this protection has not been as much as snuff, and the offense could possibly be with out Sam LaPorta AND Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit ranks first in yards per play with St. Brown on the sector since 2021, and twenty fifth with out him. Prediction: Cowboys 26, Lions 23

Dubin (Lions -3): I do know Dallas is pink scorching. I do know Detroit is coping with some accidents. However I’ve the sensation that one among these two groups is a playoff workforce, and it is the house workforce, which implies they should win this sport. The Cowboys protection has regarded higher these previous couple of weeks however has additionally performed two damaged offenses in Vegas and Philly after which given up 4 touchdowns to Kansas Metropolis. I feel the Lions can rating to maintain up with the Cowboys right here, after which pull it out on the finish. Prediction: Lions 32, Cowboys 28

Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Payments (-5.5)

Dajani (Bengals +5.5): I knew the Bengals have been going to cowl the unfold vs. Baltimore with Joe Burrow again within the lineup, however I did not anticipate them to truly win the sport! Cincinnati is 3-0 with Burrow within the lineup this season, and 1-8 with out him. If we return to final season, Burrow has gained eight straight begins — which is tied for the longest win streak of his profession. Moreover, Burrow is 2-0 towards Josh Allen, and 14-3 ATS in his profession as an underdog of three or extra factors. Once more, I am not anticipating the Bengals to truly win outright, however I am going to take 5.5 factors. Prediction: Payments 28, Bengals 24

Dubin (Payments -5.5): One of many issues nearly each workforce can do is run everywhere in the Bengals. We simply noticed the Payments run everywhere in the Steelers to the tune of 249 yards. James Cook dinner has an opportunity to essentially go off right here and assist the Payments management the sport all through. If the Bengals get Tee Higgins again, then the Bengals’ explosive offense may clearly maintain tempo, however I am snug backing Buffalo’s run sport right here. Prediction: Payments 26, Bengals 20

Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Dajani (Jaguars +1.5): An enormous, large sport within the AFC South. I discover it fascinating that the Colts haven’t gained in Jacksonville since 2014 — going 0-9 throughout this stretch. The Colts haven’t regarded implausible as of late, and it’s important to surprise how a lot Daniel Jones‘ fibula harm is affecting him. The Jaguars protection isn’t the Texans protection, however this is identical unit that destroyed Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, 35-6, a pair weeks in the past. You by no means know what you are going to get with Trevor Lawrence, however I am going to take Jacksonville in a small upset. Prediction: Jaguars 30, Colts 27

Dubin (Jaguars +1.5): The shine is coming off the Colts, particularly with their quarterback coping with a fractured leg and barely capable of transfer in latest weeks. (He ran as soon as for one yard in Indy’s loss to Houston on Sunday.) Jonathan Taylor goes to be requested to win this sport all by himself, and I simply am unsure it is truthful to anticipate that of him. The Jags have allowed simply 3.9 yards per keep on the season. Prediction: Jaguars 23, Colts 21

Dajani (Browns -3.5): Only a PSA, subsequent week you are going to have to listen to debates about why Shedeur Sanders ought to have been drafted above Cam Ward, as a result of the Browns are going to win this sport. It will not be due to Sanders’ play, however due to the Browns’ vaunted protection and Myles Garrett‘s 10 sacks on Ward. It regarded just like the Titans have been making progress in latest weeks, however then Week 13 occurred. In a 25-3 loss to the Jaguars, Tennessee went 2 of 12 on third downs and recorded simply 188 yards of whole offense. Consider it or not, 70 of these yards got here on the primary drive. For the second yr in a row, Tennessee is the worst workforce in soccer. Prediction: Browns 17, Titans 6

Dubin (Titans +3.5): The Browns are a special workforce at residence than they’re on the street, so I anticipate them to win this sport, largely on the power of their protection. Myles Garrett would possibly break the all-time sack report this weekend, given the matchup benefits he has right here. However Cleveland’s offense is not practically environment friendly or explosive sufficient to wager on the Browns profitable by all that many factors, so we’ve to foretell a detailed sport right here. Prediction: Browns 17, Titans 14

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-5.5)

Dajani (Steelers +5.5): The Ravens are positively profitable this sport (for my part), so the problem is the unfold. The Ravens have did not cowl in three straight video games, and are 1-5 ATS of their previous six residence video games. As for the Steelers, Mike Tomlin is 13-3-2 ATS and 10-8 straight up as an underdog vs. the Ravens, and has misplaced by 4 or extra factors in simply seven of 36 matchups vs. Baltimore. Whoa. I am simply going to hope that Aaron Rodgers‘ little movie party he had with teammates helped. Prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 20

Dubin (Ravens -5.5): Pittsburgh’s offense simply would not have sufficient to hold — even with a Ravens offense that’s struggling in its personal proper. The Ravens ought to be capable to run the ball on the Steelers. Presumably not in addition to the Payments did final week, clearly. However getting Derrick Henry downhill extra usually ought to assist get the passing sport in rhythm as properly. Lamar Jackson cannot be held down like this for for much longer… can he? Prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 13

Dajani (Packers -6.5): No offense to Caleb Williams, however the Bears discover themselves at 9-3 due to a protection that forces turnovers and a implausible speeding assault. Nevertheless, the Packers have turned the ball over an NFL-low seven occasions this season, and permit underneath 100 speeding yards per sport. Inexperienced Bay is 3-0 vs. the NFC North this season after going 1-5 within the division final yr. I perceive 6.5 factors is a fairly large quantity in a divisional matchup, however I am going to take the Packers to cowl the unfold Sunday within the fourth quarter. Prediction: Packers 28, Bears 20

Dubin (Bears +6.5): I am fascinated to see the matchup between the Bears’ run sport and the Packers’ run protection. Chicago has forcefully rammed the ball down its opponents’ throats since taking its bye again in Week 5, whereas Inexperienced Bay has been capable of gradual nearly any run sport in its path. The Bears can scheme up explosive performs within the passing sport however aren’t notably constant right down to down, and I belief Inexperienced Bay’s passing sport extra for the time being. The Packers come away with a win right here, however the Bears maintain it shut. Prediction: Packers 26, Bears 21

Houston Texans at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (-3.5) (SNF)

Dajani (Texans +3.5): If this quantity was Chiefs -1.5, I might take it. However for those who’re giving me the hook towards a 6-6 workforce that has a shedding ATS report, I am in all probability going to aspect there. The Texans rank No. 1 in each scoring protection and whole protection and permit an NFL-low 11.0 passing yards per sport exterior the pocket this season. That is often the place Patrick Mahomes thrives. Moreover, Houston is 4-0 in one-score video games throughout this present four-game win streak. I did not suppose C.J. Stroud was good in his return to the lineup final week, however he wasn’t a catastrophe both. Houston loses by three factors. Prediction: Chiefs 24, Texans 21

Dubin (Chiefs -3.5): I am taking place with the Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid ship. Prediction: Chiefs 23, Texans 16

Dajani (Eagles -2.5): Sure, I’ve apparent questions concerning the Eagles as legit contenders, however I do not like that Justin Herbert goes to attempt to play days after having surgical procedure for a fracture in his left hand. I really actually like getting the Eagles underneath a area aim right here. Moreover, I used to be shocked to study that the Eagles are 7-5 ATS this season whereas the Chargers are 6-6. Prediction: Eagles 27, Chargers 20

Dubin (Eagles -2.5): The Justin Herbert hand surgical procedure has me off the Chargers on this sport. Even when they get Omarion Hampton again, I do not know the way efficient we are able to anticipate the offense to be — even towards a protection that has struggled the final two weeks. We all know the kind of ceiling Vic Fangio’s unit can attain. Do I belief the Eagles’ offense in any respect right here? Nope. However I am going to again the workforce whose quarterback at the least isn’t injured. Prediction: Eagles 21, Chargers 17