Top NFL Odds, Picks & Predictions for Week 14

Top NFL Odds, Picks & Predictions for Week 14

Written by on December 5, 2017

We are in the final quarter of the 2017 regular season as every team has just four games to play – a few playoff spots could be clinched this week as well – none have been yet. Here’s a look at two games worth betting in the NFL odds for Week 14: Cowboys-Giants and Colts-Bills.

Top NFL Odds, Picks & Predictions for Week 14

Dallas Cowboys at NY Giants NFL Odds & Game Info

When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: MetLife Stadium, New York TV: Fox Radio: 105.3 FM (Dallas) / WFAN 660 AM (NY) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Odds: Cowboys -5.5

Why Bet on Dallas?

Because the Cowboys have all the motivation – they are still in the playoff hunt – and the Giants have none. Dallas is also on extra rest, having beaten the Redskins 38-14 last Thursday night to end a three-game losing streak. The Cowboys had totaled just 22 points in the skid as they were without the suspended Ezekiel Elliott. He’ll serve game No. 5 of his six-game suspension here. Alfred Morris, Elliott’s replacement, had 127 yards rushing and a clinching touchdown vs. Washington. He became the first Cowboys running back not named Elliott to put up 100 yards on the ground since Darren McFadden had 100 on 19 carries against the New York Jets on Dec. 19, 2015. Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes, including a franchise record-breaker to Dez Bryant. Bryant’s leaping 13-yard catch in the end zone was the 2014 All-Pro’s first score in six games and 72nd of his career, one more than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes. Prescott’s 102 passing yards were the seventh fewest the Cowboys have had in a win. Troy Aikman had 78 in the 1992 season finale against Chicago in which he only played into the third quarter with a playoff seed sewn up. Roger Staubach had three wins with 100 yards or less and Craig Morton had two. The Cowboys beat the Giants 19-3 in Week 1. Prescott hit Jason Witten for the game’s only TD and Elliott had 140 yards rushing. The Giants were outgained in the first half 265-49, with just two first downs, while falling behind 16-0. Odell Beckham Jr. missed it with an injury.

Why Bet on NY Giants?

If the Giants are going to show any heart the rest of the way, it might be Sunday because the team fired Coach Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese on Monday. McAdoo handling the benching of Manning in last week’s loss to the Raiders was the final straw for ownership. This is the first time since 1976 their head coach didn’t finish the season. That club also was 2-10 through 12 games. The Giants averaged 25 points per game in McAdoo’s first two seasons with the team. They averaged 19.4 points per game last season and 15.6 this year with him as the head coach. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be the interim head coach, while Kevin Abrams will be the Giants’ interim general manager. New York will also return Manning to the starting lineup. There had been talk of former players coming to the game and standing on the sideline in No. 10 Manning jerseys in a show of solidarity this week after Manning had a streak of 210 consecutive starts end Sunday when the Giants lost 24-17 in Oakland. Geno Smith started in his place. Smith had his ups and downs, completing 21 of 34 passes for 212 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 fumbles in the loss.

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills NFL Odds & Game Info

When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: New Era Field, Buffalo TV: CBS Radio: 1070 AM (Indianapolis) / WGR 550AM (Buffalo) Stream Option: DirecTV to Go Opening NFL Odds: TBA

Why Bet on Indianapolis?

The Colts might catch the Bills with their backup quarterback, rookie Nathan Peterman. That’s because starting QB Tyrod Taylor suffered a patellar tendon contusion in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots and is considered day-to-day at the moment. Taylor played through the injury until he was carted to the locker room while the Patriots offense was on the field in the fourth quarter. Before leaving the game, Taylor completed nine of 18 passes for 65 yards with one interception. The diagnosis is according to Coach Sean McDermott, but I’m not sure he really knows way day to day means. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has been day-to-day and out of the lineup for a couple of weeks while left tackle Cordy Glenn was day-to-day for about a month before McDermott finally conceded there actually isn’t a timeline for his return to action. Are the Colts a safe bet in the NFL odds for Week 14? Benjamin is expected to return this week.  Tight end Nick O’Leary, who was inactive on Sunday due to a back injury, is also expected to practice this week. Backup running back/fullback Mike Tolbert is expected to return, as well, after he missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury. The Bills are banged up elsewhere. Cornerback Tre’Davious White is in the concussion protocol. White was hurt on a cheap shot by Rob Gronkowski, who was suspended for one game. White is Buffalo’s top cornerback. Defensive end Shaq Lawson is week-to-week with an ankle injury. He was hurt in the third quarter when the Patriots failed to score on a one-yard plunge. Eddie Yarbrough would start in his place.

Why Bet on Bills?

Because the Colts have just 3 wins and are playing out the string under a lame-duck coach. This is a must-win for Buffalo if it hopes to end the longest active playoff drought in the NFL. The Colts were totally dominated again Sunday in a 30-10 loss at Jacksonville. The 20-point defeat marked the 17th time under Chuck Pagano that the Colts have lost a game by at least three scores. After winning 16 straight against the AFC South (from 2012-15), the Colts have lost 9 of their last 14 divisional games. While the Colts aren’t officially eliminated from playoff contention just yet, they are on their way to missing the postseason for the third straight year. They’ve dropped six of their past seven games, and their three wins this season have come against teams with a combined record of 6-29. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if Taylor missed this week. The Bills have failed to reach 200 net yards passing in eight of 12 games this season. Buffalo’s passing offense ranks 30th in the league at 174 yards per game. Zay Jones’ team-high 291 receiving yards rank 119th in the NFL. Then again, Peterman threw five first-half interceptions in his only NFL start a few weeks ago vs. the Chargers.

Expert Predictions & NFL Picks for Week 14

Figure the Bills to be around a 6-point favorite over the Colts. Buffalo wins by a TD. The Cowboys will do the same at the Giants.