National Football League

NFL Week 14: Picks and predictions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

It’s time for the Week 14 NFL slate, and that means NFL picks by Matt Verderame, who has been hotter than the sun in recent weeks.

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-3)

This is going to be a phenomenal game. Both teams are excellent. Both teams are playoff-bound, and both teams hate each other. The Chiefs (9-3) and Raiders (10-2) for the AFC West lead, just as it should be.

Pick: Kansas City 20, Oakland 16

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (EVEN)

The Redskins (6-5-1) have to win this game or playoff hopes are all but out the window. The Eagles (5-7) mailed it in last week, so no reason to expect different now.

Pick: Washington 27, Philadelphia 17

Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Vikings (6-6) have to win this game or their season is officially over. Luckily for them, the Jaguars (2-10) are a total dumpster fire.

Pick: Minnesota 23, Jacksonville 9

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-7.5)

Sometimes, this is very simple. The Lions (8-4) are a very good team and the Bears (3-9) are a JV team masquerading as an NFL squad.

Pick: Detroit 26, Chicago 14

Cincinnati Bengals (-6) at Cleveland Browns

The Bengals (4-7-1) are vulnerable here, but how can anybody pick the Browns (0-12) until they win a game?

Pick: Cincinnati 28, Cleveland 23

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) signals during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins (-1)

Whoever loses this game is finished. The winner lives another week. The Dolphins (7-5) are at home but the Cardinals (5-6-1) are more talented. Give me the consistency of Miami.

Pick: Miami 23, Arizona 20

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-6)

This is for the lead in the AFC South. Indianapolis (6-6) should win this game, mostly because it has Andrew Luck and the Texans (6-6) are saddled with Brock Osweiler.

Pick: Indianapolis 30, Houston 17

Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans (-1)

Really underrated game here. The Broncos (8-4) and Titans (6-6) both need this game, but Tennessee is coming off a bye and is at home. Can Denver overcome that? The defense can.

Pick: Denver 16, Tennessee 13

San Diego Chargers at Carolina Panthers (-1)

This is a depressing contest. The Chargers (5-7) and Panthers (4-8) have so much talent, and yet both teams blow. I’m taking Philip Rivers to torch Carolina’s secondary.

Pick: San Diego 29, Carolina 24

Pittsburgh Steelers (-2) at Buffalo Bills

This is a toss-up. The Steelers (7-5) are the better team but the Bills (6-6) are at home and Pittsburgh has a history of losing winnable visits. Still, take Big Ben.

Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Buffalo 20

Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)

I would rather square off with a real-life version of Hannibal Lecter than watch this game.

Pick: San Francisco 20, New York 19, Combined Dignity, 0

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)

Nobody is giving the Buccaneers (7-5) the proper respect. This team is growing up right in front of our eyes. The Saints (5-7) are headed for another long winter thanks to a brutal defense.

Pick: Tampa Bay 31, New Orleans 23

Atlanta Falcons (-6) at Los Angeles Rams

It’s hard to see Jared Goff outplaying Matt Ryan in this game. The Falcons (7-5) need to win. the Rams (4-8) need to fire their head coach. Oh, wait…

Pick: Atlanta 32, Los Angeles 17

Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) at Green Bay Packers

This could be a great game. The Seahawks (8-3-1) are terrific but now without Earl Thomas. The Packers (6-6) have to run the table to make the playoffs. Who steps up?

Pick: Seattle 21, Green Bay 20

Dallas Cowboys (-3) at New York Giants

Another great matchup. The Cowboys (11-1) are playing incredible football. The Giants (8-4) are always dangerous at home and Odell Beckham Jr. could go off.

Pick: Dallas 24, New York 20

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots (-7)

The Patriots (10-2) are at home, with the better team and better quarterback. Still, this won’t be easy. The Ravens (7-5) are playing for their lives.

Pick: New England 23, Baltimore 17

Last Week: 12-3
Record: 119-73