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Week 13 was a wild ride in the NFL with the return of a full slate of games to feed the Thanksgiving holiday feast. Now with the calendar turning to December, it’s all about the final push toward the 2025 playoffs.
The league will have its last bye, with four team (the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and New York Giants) pushing the schedule back down to 14 games in Week 14 with many of them having major playoff implications.
After surviving a tough week of Sporting News picks and predictions against the spread, here’s a fearless forecast for the next week of marquee matchups.
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
POWER RANKINGS: Patriots jump Rams as new No. 1; Eagles, Colts, Chiefs fading for Week 14
NFL picks against the spread for Week 14
- Game of midweek: Cowboys at Lions (-3, 53.5 o/u)
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
The Dallas Cowboys’ offense is on fire with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb staying hot as a new dynamic duo. Dak Prescott will get to go to work on a reeling Lions defense on the road without the elements. The Lions are set to be down a key weapon, Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), with whom to attack Dallas’ improved defense. Prescott and Jared Goff still get into a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair with Brandon Aubrey nailing the game-winner.
Pick: Cowboys win 34-31.
- Game of the week: Bears at Packers (-5.5, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Chicago Bears are rolling on a five-game winning streak that has given them the NFC’s best record and helped them take control of the NFC North division race. But Green Bay has remained right there, giving Chicago little breathing room. Jordan Love playing well in Detroit was well-timed to give him a good chance to outduel Caleb Williams with a little more support from the ground.
Pick: Packers win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.
NFL STANDINGS: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures after Week 13
- Lock of the week: Chiefs (-3.5, 42 o/u) over Texans
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of losing all AFC playoff hopes, while the Texans have surged past them into wild-card contention with four consecutive victories. Kansas City has not been able to be consistent in playing complementary football, but the offense and defense get methodical here to beat a team that doesn’t have the pop to outscore a more diverse attack around Patrick Mahomes.
Pick: Chiefs win 24-17 and cover the spread.
- Upset of the week: Steelers (+6.5, 43.5 o/u) over Ravens
Sunday I p.m. ET, CBS
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to be run-heavy with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell to have their best offensive success with Aaron Rodgers’ recent injury woes and the passing game showing its major limitations. In a twist, the Ravens’ offense also has been sloppy and inefficient when Derrick Henry is contained. Lamar Jackson seeing Pittsburgh’s up-and-down defense means something will give. The two-time MVP QB just looks off since returning from his hamstring injury.
Pick: Steelers win 20-17.
- Seahawks (-8, 43.5 o/u) at Falcons
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Seattle Seahawks have been flying road warriors this season, but they also showed real dominance at home in shutting out the Vikings. The Atlanta Falcons have a little more offensive juice with Bijan Robinson, and that will allow them to be more competitive. But in the end, the Seahawks’ strong running ways, playing off the pass, pays off for a grinding victory.
Pick: Seahawks win 27-20 but fail to cover the spread.
- Bengals at Bills (-5.5, 51 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Cincinnati Bengals have been terrible against the run, and their coverage has been middle-of-the-road, especially against tight ends. That’s a terrible profile when facing James Cook, Josh Allen and the league’s No. 1 rushing attack. Joe Burrow has had plenty of success vs. the Bills’ defense in the past, but when they are forced into being too one-dimensional with the pass, the pressure will get to him late.
Pick: Bills win 34-21 and cover the spread.
- Titans at Browns (-3.5, 33.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Cam Ward vs. Shedeur Sanders used to be a top Hesiman and draft debate. Ward hasn’t done anything yet to dazzle as a rookie despite starting all season, while Sanders has had a few flashes early taking over for Cleveland. Ward is the only one of the rookie QBs, however, who needs to deal with Myles Garrett and the Browns’ pass rush on the road here.
Pick: Browns win 16-7 and cover the spread.
- Commanders (-1, 41.5 o/u) at Vikings
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Washington Commanders are expecting to get Jayden Daniels back as they are on the brink of playoff elimination in the NFC East. The Vikings should have J.J. McCarthy back, but that doesn’t do much to improve their passing game or offense as a whole. Kliff Kingsbury will be better equipped to execute his plays, while McCarthy will continue to frustrate Kevin O’Connell.
Pick: Commanders win 24-20 and cover the spread.
- Dolphins (-2.5, 41 o/u) at Jets
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Miami Dolphins are creeping toward .500 at 5-7 with a real shot to save Mike McDaniel’s job with their offense coming to life and the defense getting more respectable. The Jets also got inspired with their youth around Tyrod Taylor. Tua Tagovailoa runs a better version of a skilled offense, which will lead Miami to a tough division road victory.
Pick: Dolphins win 23-20 and cover the spread.
- Saints at Buccaneers (-8.5, 42.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The New Orleans Saints were no match for the Bucs in the first meeting and now rookie Tyler Shough has even less offensive support while Baker Mayfield has gotten reinforcements such Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin at the needed time. The result isn’t much different from the Week 8 meeting in New Orleans.
Pick: Buccaneers win 27-14 and cover the spread.
- Colts (-1.5, 47.5 o/u) at Jaguars
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a tough rushing matchup for Jonathan Taylor but they also are very giving to the tight end and wide receivers downfield. Indianapolis will try to get Taylor going, with Jacksonville working to take away the run first, and that will facilitate Daniel Jones getting the ball to Tyler Warren, Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. on intermediate-to-deep routes. The Jaguars can have some similar success, but in the end, they lose the key turnover battle.
Pick: Colts win 27-24 and cover the spread.
- Broncos (-7.5, 40.5 o/u) at Raiders
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Denver Broncos are coming off a marathon, emotionally draining Monday night overtime victory at Washington. But they will like this home-like game for them with their fans back against the weakest of AFC West foes. The Raiders can’t handle the balance of the Broncos’ offense with only Maxx Crosby doing top work. The Broncos’ defense would be fine if Brock Bowers has a day but no other Raider.
Pick: Broncos win 24-13 and cover the spread.
- Rams (-8, 48.5 o/u) at Cardinals
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Los Angeles Rams got messy with critical interceptions from Matthew Stafford, with their passing game cooling off, and they also struggled defending the pass. Jacoby Brissett will be relentless chucking to keep up with Stafford. But expect the Rams’ defense to have a strong get-well game after bad breakdowns in Carolina
Pick: Rams win 24-14 and cover the spread.
- Eagles (-3, 40.5 o/u) at Chargers
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
The Eagles’ offense keeps getting the heat but their defense blew a big lead in Dallas and didn’t stop the run at all vs. Chicago. The Chargers can often be an offensive slog with their line issues and inconsistent play of Justin Herbert, who might miss this game with a hand injury. Trey Lance would offer a different style of makeshift Chargers’ offense, but in the end, Jalen Hurts makes a few extra plays to ensure a big rebound win.
Pick: Eagles win 21-17 and cover the spread.
