NFL Week 14 Mock Contest

We are getting a lot of division matchups this week. When it comes to the AFC North, that usually means field-goal spreads and games but there are other interesting matchups, like Buffalo at the New York Jets. Are the Jets really for real?

I am not loving this slate but I think I said the same think a week ago and we made it work. 

Week 1 Record: 2-3
Week 2 Record: 3-2
Week 3 Record: 2-3
Week 4 Record: 4-1
Week 5 Record: 3-2
Week 6 Record: 1-4
Week 7 Record: 3-2
Week 8 Record: 3-2
Week 9 Record: 3-1-1
Week 10 Record: 4-1
Week 11 Record: 3-2
Week 12 Record: 2-3
Week 13 Record: 4-1
Combined Record: 37-28-1

Week 13 in Review

Minnesota Vikings -3 (win)

Thee game was a little tighter than expected but the result was a win and cover for Minnesota. They only have 2 losses on the season people.  

Pittsburgh Steelers -1.5 (win)

I really enjoyed the fade of the Falcons and the Steelers have gotten better as the season has progressed. Two things to remember.  

Philadelphia Eagles -5.5 (win)

The dead number did not scare us away, and good thing, the win over Tennessee was a rout.  

Las Vegas Raiders +1.5 (win)

The Raiders got another upset win, at home, against the Chargers. They are one of the hottest teams in football right now.  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3.5 (win)

Tampa Bay responded late and got the close win but covering was well off the table. Sadly.  

The Picks (finally)

Tennessee Titans -3.5 (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

I try and avoid dead numbers like this one but I can't get past the talent gap here. Tennessee has won five straight in the series and the fact that they ditched their top football ops guys this week should have no influence on the field this week. They got hammered by the best team in the league last Sunday but they are still better than the Jags by a nice margin. Plus they are at home. 

Philadelphia Eagles -6.5 (at New York Giants)

Philly looked unbeatable last week at home. Now they are on the road (and likely overvalued) against a division rival. They might struggle a little bit but this still feels like a game where you look up and they have won by 10 (and covered). Jalen Hurts is playing as well as any quarterback in the game right now and the Giants are too one dimensional.

Minnesota Vikings +2.5 (at Detroit Lions)

This is definitely a buy spot. Detroit played its best game in about five years beating up the Jags last week. They are better than expected this season but not to the point that they should be favored at home against the top team in the division. Minnesota is no juggernaut but I was surprised that they were not favored. They might be by game time. Don't wait on this one. 

Seattle Seahawks -3.5 (vs. Carolina Panthers)

The Seahawks are enigmatic. They probably should not have as many wins as they do. Preseason, they might have even been expected to lose this game, but now they are favored by more than a field goal at home. Carolina is not going to be missing having QB Baker Mayfield around at all but they are not very reliable either. 

Los Angeles Chargers +3 (vs. Miami Dolphins)

I know I swore I was off backing the Chargers just a week ago, they just broke my heart too many times. However, off another bad outing we are getting them in a really good spot this week. They are at home and an underdog and have massive amounts of motivation with a 6-6 record and Tua coming to town. I know getting all psychological is less than ideal but it is OK to bet a smart number sometimes too.