in Free Picks and Previews, NFL National Football League

Friday Afternoon Quarterback: NFL Week 14

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Well I tried to tell you so, yes I did, but I guess you didn’t know. As I said the story goes, baby now I got the flow. In an effort to streamline my picks for the rest of the season, I’m chucking the full previews and getting back to what I do best, just selecting the NFL winners. Yes, it’s the return of the FAQ. Oh my God!

I opened the week with an unfortunate loss as the New Orleans Saints (9-4) surrendered 10 points in the final quarter to let the Atlanta Falcons (8-5) back into the playoff mix. Matt Ryan was his usual shitty self in a big game, tossing three interceptions, but somehow that wasn’t enough to doom the Falcons.

The Saints suffered a ton of injuries and Drew Brees threw a late pick that wrapped it all up. Atlanta won 20-17 and now everybody, especially Brees and Sean Payton, are crying about Thursday night games again. I agree that something needs to change with the scheduling system and considering all it would take is instituting two byes in a season, that should be an easy call to make. Common sense doesn’t always rule the day in the NFL. Hell, they just gave Roger Goodell a five year contract extension.

Sunday Early

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills (-4), O/U: N/A

I actually had to scour the books a little to find a line for this game. Bills (6-6) quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s game time status is still up in the air as of Friday. Both these teams are coming off losses, but, believe it or not, the Colts (3-9) have been pretty consistent on offense with Jacoby Brissett under center. This is Chuck Pagano’s last four games as an NFL head coach. He might as well make them count. Colts 23, Bills 20

Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers (+2.5), O/U: 40.5

The NFC boasts two fantastic playoff preview games Sunday, opening things up with the Vikings (10-2) making a trip to the south to take on the Panthers (8-4). Minnesota is currently the No. 1 seed in the NFC and has been playing outstanding football for the last couple of months. I know I pledged to not pick against them again, and I may regret this, but this looks like a stumble far from home to me against a team built to run the ball. Panthers 27, Vikings 23

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5), O/U:  38.5

The Bengals (5-7), thanks to a dumpster fire in the AFC, are still somehow alive for the playoffs. The Bears (3-9) most certainly are not. I don’t think Cincy makes the postseason. I do think they win this game. Bengals 30, Bears 16

Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns (+3), O/U: 40.5

After two pretty terrific performances by Brett Hundley for the Packers (6-6), he gets his first shot to face off against the Browns (0-12). Does anybody think announcing Hue Jackson is safe next year will make this team play better? Jimmy Haslam is a moron. Packers 23, Browns 20

San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans (-3), O/U:  44.5

As I mentioned in the power rankings, Jimmy Garoppolo has never lost an NFL start. Never mind last Sunday’s start for the 49ers (2-10) was only his third. He’ll make his fourth against Tom Savage and the Texans (4-8). I think he’ll have similar results. 49ers 16, Texans 13

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5), O/U: 48.5

Over the last two months the Chiefs (6-6) have gone from the best team in the universe to a squad barely hanging onto a playoff spot. The Raiders (6-6) haven’t so much as fought back into the postseason race in the AFC West as just not sucked as bad as Kansas City. It’s time to put KC out of its misery. Raiders 31, Chiefs 27

Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PK), O/U: N/A

When asked if quarterback Matthew Stafford would play this week, Lions (6-6) head coach Jim Caldwell said, “We’ll see.” The books have done the same thing with this line. Frankly, my pick here comes from faith that Stafford will play. He’s suited up with an injured hand before and he’s been throwing this week in practice. Lions 23, Buccaneers 20

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (+3.5), O/U:  41.5

There’s still no Zeke Elliott suiting up for the Cowboys (6-6), but they at least showed some fight last week. The problem with the Giants (2-10) is, they could be a team ready to roll over and die or, with Eli Manning back at quarterback, could be very dangerous. I think both are probably true. Cowboys 20, Giants 17

Sunday Late

Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals (+3), O/U:  43.5

The Cardinals (5-7) forced a stumble from the Jaguars last week with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback. I don’t think he can pull that off two Sundays in a row, especially against the Titans (8-4). Titans 38, Cardinals 20

New York Jets at Denver Broncos (+1), O/U:  41.5

How bad are the Broncos (3-9) this year? They’re about to show us by getting beaten by the Jets (5-7) at home, a team everyone (including me) thought was tanking this season. Jets 20, Broncos 13

Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Chargers (-6), O/U:  46.5

In spite of Anthony Lynn’s inept coaching, the Chargers (6-6) have a chance to take over the AFC West this week with a victory over the Redskins (5-7). So they won’t get it done. Redskins 34, Chargers 30

Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5), O/U:  40.0

The Jaguars (8-4) have been a steady 2.5 point favorite in this game, in spite of what the Seahawks (8-4) were able to do against the Eagles last week. Russell Wilson is something the Jags defense isn’t ready to handle. Seahawks 23, Jaguars 13

Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams (-1), O/U:  48.0

This line moved from -2 to -2.5 in a day early in the week. Now it’s down to -1 as more money has been piling in on the Eagles (10-2). I love the Rams (9-3) and want nothing more than to miss this pick in spite of myself. Eagles 27, Rams 26

Sunday Night

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5), O/U:  44.0

The Steelers (10-2) play down to their opponents. Luckily for them, the Ravens (7-5) will give them no reason to feel overconfident. Steelers 34, Ravens 20

Monday Night

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (-11), O/U:  47.5

The Dolphins (5-7) are one of two teams Bill Belichick has a losing record against (he’s 8-9)  on the road. The other is the Broncos. I think he evens up the score Monday night, but it’ll be closer than the spread. Patriots 24, Dolphins 23

This week

Straight up: 0-1

Against the spread: 0-1

Last week

Straight up: 13-3

Against the spread: 10-6

Season

Straight up: 117-75

Against the spread: 101-91

To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.

Written by Adam Greene

Adam Greene is a writer and photographer based out of East Tennessee. His work has appeared on Cracked.com, in USA Today, the Associated Press, the Chicago Cubs Vineline Magazine, AskMen.com and many other publications.

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