NFL picks, predictions against spreads Week 14: Cardinals clip Rams; 49ers burn the Bengals; Packing roll

The NFL’s week 13 has yielded some good results for picks and predictions against the odds thanks to plenty of big favorites interested in the business of their games. Now is the time to continue that success with more complex lines to navigate in Week 14.

Again, there were four teams bye, creating another set of 14 competitions. There’s the same mix of medium and large spreads, but also a few side traps with razor-thin amounts.

As division rivalry heats up in December and beyond in regards to Pictures of the NFL playoffs, things are bound to get more difficult. Here’s how Sporting News easily forecast upcoming matches:

(Allowed game odds of FanDuel)

NFL POWER RANKINGS:
Chief, Steelworker, Climbing Dolphin; 49ers, Ravens, Vikings fade in Week 14

NFL picks against disparity for Week 13

Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

The Rams are fine with Matthew Stafford covered and they can keep the balance. But the Cardinals’ pressured defense came to him last time and the game scenario might not have worked in his favor. The Cardinals attack happens at full snappy speed with healthy Kyler Murray and he should have all his weapons working well for him as well. The Rams will have a better result than the first meeting but Arizona has a big, strong home advantage to win in prime time.

Pick: The Cardinals win 27-24 and cover the spread.

Thursday 8:20 p.m. ET, Fox, NFL Network and Amazon Prime Video

The Steelers attack is putting more pieces of the puzzle together with Najee Harris being much better backed by Ben Roethlisberger and the game moving on. The Vikings defense had collapsed and they were messed up in the second line. Their offense will be without Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. Minnesota has made it a habit to lose the last matches it has

Pick: The Steelers won with a score of 23-20.

Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Here’s another division match for Sunday night. Green Bay is about to say goodbye, get enough rest, and return in full strength to attack with more defensive reinforcements on the way. Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears and won’t let them sniff anything close to an annoyance at Lambeau Field. If it’s Andy Dalton starting again for Chicago at a crucial time, well, everyone knows how that will play out.

Pick: Packer wins 38-17 and covers the difference.

• Upset of the Week: Jets (+6, 43.5 o / u) over Saints

Sunday 1pm ET, CBS

The Jets became irritable and stayed with the Eagles for a while. If Alvin Kamara returns to New Orleans, their weak defense will be pushed again, but otherwise they can rest with a limited Saints attack. New York is seeing Zach Wilson play better and Elijah Moore and the rest of the Jets collector could pose some secondary game problems. This outdoor match tilted in favor of the home team as Robert Saleh’s defense played enough games to win the fourth.

Pick: The Jets won 20-17.

• Raiders in Chiefs (-9.5, 49 o/u)

Sunday 1pm ET, CBS

The captains are set to make their way through the AFC West and Raiders again, and the Raiders, like the first and the Broncos last week, will be overtaken by the longtime divisional power. Kansas City didn’t play well offensively at home late in the hour, but the defense put it all together and this should be a fine game for Patrick Mahomes and the game going. Derek Carr cannot count on games of this magnitude.

Pick: Chief wins 33-20 and spreads are included.

Sunday 1pm ET, CBS

The Jaguars have become lifeless under Urban Meyer, masquerading as a professional team with bad coaching and terrible staffing abuse. Somehow, they blew away an elite QB prospect in Trevor Lawrence and the defensive performances they showed were few and far between. Mike Vrabel will provide his NFL coaching muscle after saying goodbye to an innovative game plan that works by all means.

Pick: Titans won 30-16 and covered.

• Crows in the Browns (-2.5, 42.5 o/u)

Sunday 1pm ET, CBS

Lamar Jackson is in decline. Baker Mayfield was in for a season. Something is needed here as both teams will try to run regularly to win the game and make their QB more efficient. Jackson’s feet are still an important factor and can make a big difference in this kind of abrasive defensive struggle. The Raven’ blitzing to Mayfield to stop the Browns’ offense.

Pick: Crows won with a score of 23-20.

• Falcons in the Panthers (-3, 43.5 o/u)

Sunday 1pm ET, Fox

The Falcons are playing their best attack with Matt Ryan as Calvin Ridley has been absent for much of the season. Cordarrelle Patterson’s revelation backstage keeps them here as well as the remaining top targets of Ryan, Russell Gage and Kyle Pitts always impatient for something weak. The Panthers fired attack coordinator Joe Brady in search of a spark, when in reality he was the only one they had when Christian McCaffrey was healthy. Atlanta will part ways with Carolina.

Pick: The Falcons won 20-17.

• Cowboys (-4.5, 49.5 o/u) at Washington Soccer

Sunday 1pm ET, CBS

The Cowboys took a late hour roller coaster ride as they were trying to find their elite offensive behavior again with Dak Prescott, where explosive overtaking and running power harmonized. However, their defense had a resurgence on the road against The Saints in Week 13 and Washington limited their attacking ways beyond Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin for Taylor Heinicke.

Pick: Cowboys win 27-20 and cover spread.

Sunday 1pm ET, Fox

The Seahawks found their lives with Russell Wilson against the 49ers at home. Texans saw their severe talent shortage cost them the fact that they were shut down by the Colts. The spirit they once had with David Culley could be completely shattered. Seattle’s running game isn’t there yet but it could be on track by the committee to push Wilson further here. The defense is also underrated for the whole season.

Pick: The Seahawks won by 27-10 and took the odds.

Sunday 4:05 ET, Fox

The Lions did not win at home against the Vikings and will return to lose low-scoring games. The Broncos’ defense could make life difficult for Jared Goff with their hasty and secondary passes while also containing the running game. The Broncos will succeed in slamming the ball into the Lions and getting enough from Teddy Bridgewater in a short-to-medium pass game.

Pick: The Broncos won by 20-13 but could not overcome the margin.

• Huge at the charger (-10.5, 45.5 o/u)

Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox

The giants attacked the tanks offensively and it didn’t matter who would support them or call the turn. Chargers have lightning-fast players everywhere to continue helping Justin Herbert’s electric arm. The key for them is to avoid reversals and to expect the defense to continue to support with the caveats. Herbert will be patient against another defensive area with Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler the main targets as Brandon Staley’s team moves closer to the AFC knockout stages.

Pick: Chargers win 31-17 and include the spread.

• 49ers (-1, 47.5 o/u) in Bengals

Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

The 49ers lost en route to the Seahawks last week but were strong going into Eastern time with Kyle Shanahan and this start time is familiar to them. The Bengals had little answer on their specific strengths in attacking, circling the ball with George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk. Joe Burrow would turn this game into a shootout with Jimmy Garoppolo, but ultimately the 49ers got a couple of defenses needed to secure the win.

Pick: The 49ers win 27-24 and that includes the spread.

• Bill at Buccaneers (-3, 52.5 o/u)

Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

The Bills haven’t been a great top laner going South this season, losing to the Titans and Jaguars. The Buccaneers are winning 5-0 in Tampa Bay, building on their big Super Bowl 55 win there. Tom Brady will properly exploit the hole in the Bills’ defense between Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski, while the Bucs will be able to pressure Josh Allen on a regular basis in a one-way attack. Leonard Fournette’s electricity running late will be closed.

Pick: The Buccaneers win 31-27 and take the difference.

Vinnie Iyer’s 2021 picks:

• Week 13 record vs. difference: 8-5
• Week 13 records straight up: 9-4
• ATS season: 106-85
• Straight up season: 127-65