Week 14 NFL panel picks: Divisional matchups take centre stage

Throughout the 2021 season, a panel of Sportsnet’s NFL contributors will preview each week’s slate of games from a gambling perspective. Staff writer/host Donnovan Bennett, staff writers Emily Sadler and Mike Johnston, plus fantasy writers Andy McNamara and Matt Marchese will pick one FAVOURITE, one UNDERDOG, one OVER, one UNDER, including their personal LOCK, as they attempt to beat the odds

With playoff races tightening across the league, bettors need to be extra vigilant as the regular season winds down.

Week 14 begins with the Steelers visiting the Vikings on Thursday. Pittsburgh is in the middle of the AFC’s wild-card race and Minnesota is still hanging on to slim NFC wild-card hopes after losing to the Lions last week.

Bills-Bucs has the week’s highest total and there are six divisional matchups on Sunday, highlighted by Dallas-Washington, Raiders-Chiefs and Ravens-Browns. NFC West heavyweights Cardinals and Rams are set to wrap up the week on Monday night.

Below are the Week 14 picks.

Donnovan Bennett, staff writer/host
2021 record: 30-22-0
Last week: 2-2-0
Locks: 7-6-0

Raiders at Chiefs OVER 48
Jaguars at Titans UNDER 44
Lions (+8) at Broncos
Buccaneers (-3) vs. Bills

Bills fans were just haunted by their old nemesis the Patriots and it doesn’t get any easier against another old foe this week. Tom Brady is 32-3 versus the Bills, the best win percentage for a QB versus a single opponent since 1950. The Bills have tried to change history by prioritizing their pass rush via the draft but Brady leads the NFL in TD passes, QBR and yards per drop back on plays when the opposing defence has earned a pass rush win. Which is why Tampa Bay has averaged 32.7 points per game during their three-game win streak. Expect more of the same on Sunday.

Emily Sadler, staff writer
2021 record: 28-23-1
Last week: 3-1-0
Locks: 6-7-0

Raiders at Chiefs OVER 48
Steelers at Vikings UNDER 44
Bears +12.5 at Packers
Cowboys -4 at Washington

Yeah, I know, Aaron Rodgers still owns the Bears. While I don’t see a sudden power shift coming this Sunday in Justin Fields’ return, I can’t help but note that even that outburst-inducing Week 6 matchup didn’t see Green Bay win by as wide a margin as we have here with Sunday’s 12.5-point spread. As for my lock, I’m looking at another divisional meeting: Washington has been on a roll lately, but I’ve got a feeling the Cowboys are due for a statement win here to remind everyone why they belong atop the NFC East.

Mike Johnston, staff writer
2021 record: 24-28-0
Last week: 1-3-0
Locks: 6-7-0

Ravens at Browns OVER 42
Rams at Cardinals UNDER 51.5
Steelers (+3) at Vikings
Broncos (-8) vs. Lions

Ravens-Browns screams under to me based on how these teams have played lately and Rams-Cardinals has over written all over it, however since I’m terrible at predicting totals I’m fading myself this week. Denver didn’t cover against the Chiefs, while Detroit is riding high off their first win of the season. Things get back to normal this week when the Broncos blow out the Lions and stay firmly in the AFC playoff race.

Andy McNamara, analyst/fantasy sports writer
2021 record: 32-20-0
Last week: 4-0-0
Locks: 5-8-0

Titans (-9) vs. Jaguars
Washington (+4) vs. Cowboys
Saints at Jets UNDER 43.5
Rams at Cardinals OVER 51.5

This matchup is screaming OVER 51.5 total points to me. On the season, both clubs are averaging 28 points per game with each of them eclipsing 30 this past weekend (37 for Rams and 33 for Cardinals). The weather conditions will be perfect in Arizona and the offences are the healthiest they’ve been in weeks. LOCK in the OVER!

Matt Marchese, radio host/producer/fantasy football writer
2021 record: 21-31-0
Last week: 1-3-0
Locks: 5-8-0

Jaguars at Titans OVER 44
Giants at Chargers UNDER 44.5
Packers (-12.5) vs. Bears
Ravens (+2.5) at Browns

The Ravens are a dog on the road and, yes, I know they’re coming off a loss to the Steelers, but they’re 6-1 in their last seven on the road in Cleveland and I don’t think they’re interested in coughing up any more games in the division.

BONUS STAT: The Packers are 4-1 in their last five at Lambeau against the Bears and they’re coming off the bye where Aaron Rodgers got healthier. Look out!

Week 14 NFL panel picks: Divisional matchups take centre stage
Source: Pinas Ko Mahal