NFL Week 14 betting guide

Week 14 of the NFL season is right around the corner, but before you finalize your betting card for the loaded slate, be sure to check out our comprehensive betting preview filled with breakdowns and predictions for every game. Let's get right to it. 

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

Thursday, Dec. 5, 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Spread: Lions -3.5
Total: 51.5

What a banger of a game to kick off Week 14, as the Lions (11-1) and Packers (9-3) are both still alive for the No. 1 seed in the NFC depending on this result. Detroit cruised past Detroit, 24-14, in the first meeting, but the Packers may have the advantage this time around based on the injury reports.

Incredibly, the Lions have 13 defensive players currently on injured reserve. Detroit is down six of its best defensive linemen for Thursday Night Football, and star left tackle Taylor Decker has also been ruled out. The Lions have enough talent on offense to overcome these injuries, but the defense will have trouble slowing down Jordan Love.

Mismatch to exploit: Josh Jacobs vs. Lions defensive front

Jacobs has found his stride in Green Bay, and the Lions are trotting out mostly backups in their defensive front seven. Check out Jacobs to go over his rushing + receiving yards.

Prediction: Packers 27, Lions 24

Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., FOX
Spread: Vikings -5.5
Total: 46.5

Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota this week for his first matchup against his old team, but he's not entering in great form. The veteran QB hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, and he threw four interceptions in last week's brutal loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

As for the Vikings, they keep finding ways to win despite looking like a mediocre team week after week. Minnesota is 7-1 in one-score games this season, which points to strong coaching and consistent defensive play. 

Mismatch to exploit: Vikings defense vs. Kirk Cousins

Cousins has thrown 13 interceptions this season, including six over the past three games. The Vikings rank first in interception percentage (3.9 percent), so check out Cousins to throw a pick.

Prediction: Vikings 23, Falcons 20

Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., FOX
Spread: Eagles -12.5
Total: 45.5

The Eagles made a statement last week with their impressive win against the Baltimore Ravens, and they've officially ascended to the Super Bowl contender tier. Saquon Barkley has a chance to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, and the defense ranks No. 1 in total defense and yards per pass allowed and sixth in sack rate.

The Panthers are a completely different team than we one we saw to start the season. Carolina nearly knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Bryce Young is starting to look like the No. 1 pick he was drafted to be. 

Mismatch to exploit: Saquon Barkley vs. Panthers run defense

The Panthers rank dead last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (166.8) and rush success rate (47.3 percent). How are they stopping Barkley?

Prediction: Eagles 27, Panthers 10

New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., CBS
Spread: Dolphins -6.5
Total: 44.5

How can it get any worse for the Jets? New York was close to building a three-touchdown lead against the Seattle Seahawks last week, but an Aaron Rodgers pick-six flipped the momentum and led to a devastating loss. Oddsmakers are finally done giving the Jets the respect they don't deserve.

The Dolphins are also running out of time to make a run at a playoff spot, but Tua Tagovailoa is playing great football. The QB has thrown for 970 yards and nine touchdowns over his past three games. 

Mismatch to exploit: Dolphins run defense vs. Breece Hall

The Dolphins have held the last three starting running backs they've faced to just 25.0 rushing yards per game. Look at Hall to go under his rushing yards prop.

Prediction: Dolphins 26, Jets 17

New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., FOX
Spread: Saints -4.5
Total: 41

It's surprising to see this Saints team priced as a 4.5-point road favorite against anyone, but it makes more sense when you realize Drew Lock is the starting quarterback on the other side. Lock threw for just 178 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in his first start last week.

The Saints' offense could be in trouble now that Taysom Hill is out for the season with a knee injury. Hill was becoming a huge part of this offense as a rusher, receiver and passer. Derek Carr could struggle with this weak group of weapons and an injury-plagued offensive line

Mismatch to exploit: Giants defensive line vs. Saints offensive line

The strength of New York's roster is its defensive line led by Dexter Lawrence, and the Saints have six offensive linemen on the injury report. Check out some sack props or Alvin Kamara to go under his rushing yards prop.

Prediction: Giants 20, Saints 17

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., CBS
Spread: Titans -3.5
Total: 39.5

If you like sloppy football and terrible quarterback play, this is the game for you! Who isn't excited to see Mac Jones battle it out against Will Levis in a game that means nothing aside from draft position? 

All jokes aside, this is a big game for Levis in terms of his future with the Titans. If he can't dice up one of the worst secondaries in the league, Tennessee might have serious doubts about his ability to lead this franchise forward. 

Mismatch to exploit: Calvin Ridley vs. Jaguars secondary 

Ridley is a big play waiting to happen, as he averages 15.8 yards per catch this year. The Jaguars rank dead last in yards allowed per pass (8.4), so check out Ridley's longest reception or receiving yards overs.

Prediction: Titans 20, Jaguars 17

Las Vegas Raiders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., CBS
Spread: Buccaneers -6.5
Total: 46.5

The Buccaneers escaped with a much-needed win against the Panthers last week, putting them in a tie with the Falcons at the top of the NFC South. Baker Mayfield continues to play great football, and the running back tandem of Bucky Irving and Rachaad White is becoming one of the best duos in the league.

As for the Raiders, Aidan O'Connell is coming off the best game of his career. He put up 340 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a near-upset win against the Chiefs. It helps to have Brock Bowers, who's already a top-three receiving tight end as a rookie. 

Mismatch to exploit: Brock Bowers vs. Bucs defense

Bowers is coming off a 140-yard game against the Chiefs, and the Bucs give up the third-most receiving yards per game to tight ends. Check out his over on catches and yards.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Raiders 20

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., CBS
Spread: Steelers -6.5
Total: 44.5

Russell Wilson and the Steelers just continue to exceed expectations. Wilson threw for a whopping 414 yards and three touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The only team to beat Pittsburgh in the past two months? That's right, the Browns. 

Jameis Winston is making his case to be Cleveland's starting QB going forward, as he's put up 1,111 passing yards and six touchdowns over his past three games. The problem for Winston has been his nine turnovers in five games since taking over for Deshaun Watson. 

Mismatch to exploit: Steelers run defense vs. Nick Chubb

Chubb hasn't been explosive since returning from his knee injury, and the Steelers rank fifth in yards allowed per rush. Take a look at Chubb's longest rush under. 

Prediction: Steelers 24, Browns 21

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, Dec. 8, 4:05 p.m., FOX
Spread: Cardinals -2.5
Total: 44.5

What a massive game this is for the NFC West race. The Seahawks currently lead the division at 7-5, but the 6-6 Cardinals can vault to the top with a win on Sunday. If you like Arizona in this spot, you might want to bet them at +180 to win the NFC West instead of taking the spread. 

Which versions of Geno Smith and Kyler Murray are we getting this week? The answer to that question will decide who takes this crucial matchup. 

Mismatch to exploit: Trey McBride vs. Seahawks defense

McBride went off for 133 yards on 12 catches the last time he saw this Seahawks defense. Check out his receiving yards over.

Prediction: Seahawks 20, Cardinals 19

Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams

Sunday, Dec. 8, 4:25 p.m., FOX
Spread: Bills -4.5
Total: 49.5

Speaking of the NFC West, the Rams still have a chance to steal this division at 6-6. The last time we saw LA against a Super Bowl contender, though, they gave up 37 points and got smashed by the Eagles. Barkley ran for 255 yards and two touchdowns in that game, so Josh Allen and James Cook will be licking their chops.

The Bills got Matt Milano back from injury last week and promptly shut down the San Francisco 49ers. Buffalo has won seven straight games, five of them coming by at least two scores. 

Mismatch to exploit: Bills offense vs. Rams defense

The Bills have scored at least 30 points in six straight games, and the Rams don't have the personnel to slow down Allen. Check out Buffalo's team total over.

Prediction: Bills 30, Rams 27

Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, Dec. 8, 4:25 p.m., FOX
Spread: 49ers -4
Total: 44

These two teams are going in opposite directions. The Bears have lost six straight games, but their arrow is pointing up now that Matt Eberflus is out of town. Caleb Williams has been fantastic in three straight close losses to division foes, all of which could've been wins with better coaching. 

As for the 49ers, they're torpedoing closer to playoff elimination at 5-7. Christian McCaffrey is out for the season, Jordan Mason has been ruled out, Trent Williams and Nick Bosa are still hurt and 13 total defensive players are on the injury report or IR. 

Mismatch to exploit: D'Andre Swift vs. 49ers run defense

The 49ers have given up 389 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns over their past two games. Check out Swift to have a big afternoon on Sunday.

Prediction: Bears 20, 49ers 18

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday, Dec. 8, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Spread: Chiefs -4
Total: 42.5

The Chiefs may be 11-1, but they've been playing like a .500 team for quite some time. Kansas City should've lost to the Raiders, barely skated by the Panthers, got crushed by the Bills and survived lucky wins against the Buccaneers and Denver Broncos in recent weeks. How long can they keep this up?

The Chargers also picked up a lucky victory against the Falcons last week thanks to Cousins' four picks. Los Angeles managed only 187 total yards in the game, so there have to be some concerns about this offense without J.K. Dobbins moving forward.

Mismatch to exploit: Chargers red-zone defense vs. Chiefs offense

The Chiefs have been abysmal in the red zone all year, and the Chargers rank third in the NFL in red-zone touchdown percentage allowed (42.8 percent). Check out Kansas City's kicker to go over his field goals prop.

Prediction: Chargers 23, Chiefs 20

Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys

Monday, Dec. 9, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Spread: Bengals -5.5
Total: 49.5

This matchup doesn't have the luster the NFL expected when it pegged Bengals-Cowboys for a primetime spot on Monday Night Football. The Bengals are 4-8 despite ranking fifth in the league in scoring offense, while the Cowboys are 5-7 and have to roll with Cooper Rush the rest of the year.

The issue for both teams has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cincinnati and Dallas rank 31st and 29th, respectively, in points allowed per game this season. The Cowboys have been especially terrible defensively in home games, as they're giving up 34.5 points per game in Jerry World. It makes sense why this total is closing in on 50.

Mismatch to exploit: Rico Dowdle vs. Bengals run defense

The Cowboys have fed Dowdle 47 touches for 221 total yards over the past two games. Check out his rushing + receiving yards over against this atrocious defense.

Prediction: Bengals 31, Cowboys 27