The NFL has us all by the short hairs at this point, and there will be no better example of that than Week 14 in this 2013 season.
We can’t help ourselves. We’ll watch all weekend long. We won’t do anything Sunday but sit there and drink our beer and eat our meets and cheeses and just stare at the TV watching grown men punish each other. All the while, they’ll be simultaneously punishing us with some awful football.
But we’ll watch because we’re hooked. It’s a disease and there may be no cure.
Once again, NESN.com editors John Beattie and Mike Cole (owner of an 11-5 record last week) are back at it and picking winners against the spread this week. Check out their picks below.
All lines are from Bovada as of Thursday. If lines are off on Bovada Thursday, Yahoo! lines will be used for those games.
Texans at JAGUARS (+3)
John: Jaguars
Mike: Jaguars
Why: The Jags were 10 1/2-point underdogs at Houston just 11 days ago. They beat the Texans 13-6 in a game that featured four field goals and one touchdown (by MJD) and that TD was scored four minutes into the game. Talk about an exciting Thursday night matchup! -JB
Chiefs at REDSKINS (+3)
John: Chiefs
Mike: Chiefs
Why: The Redskins! What cures ailing NFL clubs! -MC
Vikings at RAVENS (-7)
John: Vikings
Mike: Ravens
Why: Joe Flacco (yes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP) doesn’t deserve that many points at home against a team that has yet to win on the road.-JB
Browns at PATRIOTS (OFF)
John: Patriots
Mike: Patriots
Why: Josh Gordon is the only real weapon the Browns possess, and even if he had a quarterback to get him the ball, Bill Belichick usually does a bang-up job of shutting down the opposition’s most important player. Cleveland also lost at home to Jacksonville last week. So there’s that, too. -MC
Raiders at JETS (-3)
John: Raiders
Mike: Raiders
Why: NYJ LOL.-JB
Colts at BENGALS (-6)
John: Bengals
Mike: Bengals
Why: The Bengals have forced 23 turnovers this season and they’re undefeated at home. Andrew Luck can’t get out of his own way, especially early in football games. This one *seems* like a layup. -MC
Lions at EAGLES (-3)
John: Eagles
Mike: Eagles
Why: No one can stop Flyin’ Foles. NO ONE! -JB
Dolphins at STEELERS (-3)
John: Steelers
Mike: Steelers
Why: This. -MC
Bills at BUCCANEERS (-3)
John: Bucs
Mike: Bucs
Why: The Bills can’t cover on the road so we’ll go with Tampa’s slightly better defense here. Also, watch this game with your favorite drinking buddy and a 30 pack of Icehouse. Good times guaranteed. -JB
Falcons at PACKERS (OFF)
John: Falcons
Mike: Packers
Why: The Packers absolutely, positively need this game if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. If they can’t win against this Falcons team, with all things considered, jobs should be in jeopardy. The Falcons also haven’t played an outdoor game farther north than North Carolina all season. The high temperature Sunday in Green Bay is expected to be 23 degrees. – MC
Titans at BRONCOS (-13)
John: Titans
Mike: Titans
Why: Peyton is going up against a pretty solid Titans pass defense. If they can force Denver to run the ball they could keep it close.-JB
Rams at CARDINALS (-6)
John: Cardinals
Mike: Cardinals
Why: Arizona is still very much in the playoff hunt and has won four of its last five. This is a game the Cardinals need to win, and they should against a wishy-washy Rams club. -MC
Giants at CHARGERS (-3)
John: Chargers
Mike: Chargers
Why: When in doubt, pick against Eli.-JB
Seahawks at 49ERS (-3)
John: Seahawks
Mike: 49ers
Why: This just screams letdown game for the Seahawks. They’re coming off an emotionally charged win against a supposedly stellar Saints team, and Seattle is looking at a short week after doing so on Monday night. This will be far from a blowout, but with the 49ers starting to play better, they’ll pull away late. -MC
Panthers at SAINTS (-3 1/2)
John: Saints
Mike: Saints
Why: It’s hard to bet against Drew Brees at home on national TV.-JB
Cowboys at BEARS (-1)
John: Cowboys
Mike: Cowboys
Why: DeMarco Murray going up against the Bears’ rushing defense is going to help a lot of fantasy football players do what Tony Romo struggles to do: win in the playoffs. -MC
Last week:
JB: 9-7
MC: 11-5
Overall:
MC: 82-102-7
JB: 78-106-7
