NFL picks, predictions for Week 14: Cowboys upset over WFT; Bucs edge Bills; Bengals give back

Six games between teams with a record of .500 or more highlight the NFL Week 14 schedule.

That kicks off in the 1 p.m. time slot with three divisional competitions between Dallas and Washington, Kansas City and Las Vegas, and Baltimore and Cleveland. The Browns, Raiders and Washington are all trying to stay above the .500 in their respective playoff races.

The late window features a picture of a game between San Francisco and Cincinnati, which will bring back memories of their two Super Bowl games in the 1980s. The main event, however, was Buffalo in Tampa Bay. Will this be a Super Bowl preview?

Monday Night Football features another showdown between the Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals can build a huge lead in the NFC West with another win.

Every week, Sporting News picks up NFL games live. Take a look at our achievements to date:

• Week 13: 10-4
• Total: 119-73-1

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

NFL picks, predictions for Week 14

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings (-3)

Thursday, 8:20 p.m., FOX

The Steelers and Vikings are ranked first and second in the standings, respectively, so which quarterback gets more support in the running game. Dalvin Cook (shoulder) remains battered, and Adam Thielen (ankle) will be suspected. It was a bad game in a short week, and the Steelers managed to steal another in the AFC playoff race.

Pick: Steel Man 20, Viking 17

• Baltimore Raven at Cleveland Browns (-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Browns will say goodbye for a week, and now they will have a rematch with Raven. Baltimore is beaten 2-0 S/U as underdog this season, and it will be another showdown in the AFC North. The Ravens have won their last 4 meetings, including the last 2 in Cleveland.

Pick: Raven 24, Browns 22

• Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-10)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The jaguars are stuck on a four-game losing streak where they average just 12 points per game. Tennessee has flourished since Derrick Henry’s injury, and the Titans are saying goodbye 3-0 under Mike Vrabel. Tennessee maintains its lead in the AFC North race.

Pick: Titan 28, Leopard 13

• Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

Remember the Raiders’ 40-32 defeat at Kansas City last year? The chief can do. Las Vegas is reeling in the AFC West race, and Kansas City is doing it with a defense of 11.2 points per game over a five-game winning streak. Patrick Mahomes II threw 406 yards and 5 TDs in the Week 9 game.

Pick: Chiefs 34, Raiders 16

• New Orleans (-6) at New York Jets

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

Taysom Hill suffered a finger injury, meaning the Saints may have to return to Trevor Siemian in midfield. Injuries have hit New Orleans this season, but the Jets rank 30th in the NFL defensively at 133.4 yards per game. The Saints cried out in the street.

Pick: Saints 23, Jets 16

• Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) at Washington Soccer Team

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

It is the classic competition of NFC East and Washington has the opportunity to enter this segment. Washington completed this streak in 2020 and they are on a 4-game winning streak where they only allow 17.5 points per game. Dallas can take full control of the NFC East, but this is a tough spot. We like discomfort.

Pick: Washington 27, Dallas 24

• Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-3)

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

The Panthers had a bye week to sort out a messy offense, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady was let go. Hopefully Matt Rhule will take on the Falcons. The teams played an ugly game 19-13 on October 13. This should not be much different.

Pick: Panthers 21, Falcons 17

• Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) at Houston Texans

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

Russell Wilson led the Seahawks to a desperate win over the 49ers, and they can build on that on the road at Houston. The Texans are 32nd in the league on defense, so that should lead to some action play opportunities for Wilson, who has finally looked fit again.

Pick: Seahawks 27, Texans 20

• Detroit Lions at the Denver Broncos (-8.5)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX

The Lions took the win with a last-second TD pass from Jared Goff; An emotional win for freshman coach Dan Campbell. The bad news? Denver has a solid defense, plays at home and is still trying to catch up in the playoffs. The Broncos provide a reality check.

Pick: Broncos 28, Lion 19

• New York Giants at Los Angeles Chargers (-10.5)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX

The Chargers have alternated wins and losses over the past six weeks, but Justin Herbert should get past them in the face of an attack in New York that has mixed and matched parts together with little success. The Giants are 1-5 S/U on the road this year, so Los Angeles keeps it on track.

Pick: Charger 31, Giants 21

• San Francisco 49ers (-1) at Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

This will bring back memories of Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII games between the teams, so get ready for Joe Montana highlights. Which quarterback is interesting in a game where both teams need to stay in the playoff race? Joe Burrow led the way to victory in the game helping the Bengals break a three-game losing streak at home.

Pick: Bengals 28, 49ers 25

• Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

Is this a Super Bowl preview? The Buccaneers are unbeaten at home, and now Tom Brady meets his old rival again. The Bills rank second in the NFL in scoring defense, and they pose an interesting challenge. Brady takes the Bills’ best again, and don’t be surprised if Rob Gronkowski scores a pair of TDs.

Pick: Buccaneers 31, Bills 28

• Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-12.5)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC

Depending on what happens to the Vikings on Thursday, the Packers could have a chance to land the NFC North title in the slot. The bears will be boosted by Aaron Rodgers’ “I own you” quote from the last meeting, but the Packers have had a bye week, and they are leading 8-4 with the advantage left over from the previous two seasons. They are also unbeaten at Lambeau Field in 2021.

Pick: Packers 31, Bears 20

• Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)

Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

The Cardinals broke an eight-game losing streak to the Rams in their most recent meeting, and Kyler Murry and DeAndre Hopkins return to push the playoffs. Arizona can also control NFC West. However, the Rams have recovered from their losing streak last week. This will be a tight match with a great finish. If the Rams avoid a mistake against the Cardinals with a +12 turnover ratio, a disappointment could ensue.

Pick: Rams 30, Cardinals 27