We’ve got some good games on tap this week, so let’s just get right into the gambling picks here. It’s your money, so YOU have to make the decision how to spend it. But here’s some helpful advice.
NFL picks against the spread 2017, Week 14: Giants, Raiders and the 10 best bets this week
Helpful advice for the adventurous gambler.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
All odds come via OddsShark. Home team is in all caps.
1. GIANTS (+3.5) over Cowboys — It looked like Jason Garrett remembered how to run an offense last week in Dallas’ 38-10 drubbing of Washington. That mostly involved running the hell out of the ball.
So why am I picking the Giants to win? Simple, they fired their head coach, Ben McAdoo, a guy who wasn’t exactly beloved by the veterans in the locker room. The last head coach to get fired during the season was Gus Bradley, of the Jaguars, who got the boot after Week 15. The Jaguars beat the Titans in Week 14, 38-17, despite being 4-point underdogs. Overall, teams are 13-9 against the spread after firing head coaches since 2003.
Oh, Eli Manning is also starting again this week.
2. Patriots (-11) over DOLPHINS — It’s only been two weeks since these teams last played each other. New England won that one 35-17. Expect similar results on Monday night. Also worth noting, the Dolphins are 0-8 against the spread in their last eight Monday night games.
3. Raiders (+4) over CHIEFS — Marcus Peters’ suspension tips the scale here. The Chiefs secondary already had its problems, as evidenced by Josh McCown looking like vintage Peyton Manning against them last week. Oakland also has Michael Crabtree back this week. This could actually be a high-scoring affair, since it looks like the Chiefs offense has figured things out again. The over/under is 48.5; take the over.
4. CHARGERS (-6) over Washington — Los Angeles is a top five defense for both sacks and interceptions. Moreover, teams can run at will against Washington because of injuries in the front seven. Dallas’ previously dormant running game woke up and rumbled for 182 yards last week. Hi, Melvin Gordon.
5. Ravens (+4.5) over STEELERS — After struggling in the first half of the season, Ben Roethlisberger has gotten better. Since Week 10, he’s thrown 12 touchdowns and just four picks. The Ravens will be without their top corner, Jimmy Smith, who’s serving the second of a four-game suspension for PEDs.
But this game is more about the injuries than what the starters are doing. The Steelers will be without Ryan Shazier and still without Joe Haden. That should be enough for the Ravens to at least cover.
6. Jets (even) over BRONCOS — Josh McCown MVP? No. But compared to any of the Broncos quarterbacks he is.
8. BROWNS (+3) over Packers — The Browns covered last week, so all aboard the hype train! Not really, but covering a big spread against the Chargers on the road was impressive considering where the Browns have been most of the season. They also have Josh Gordon back, and against Dom Capers’ defense, which is allowing an average of more than 84 yards per game to No. 1 receivers, that can be the difference.
9. JAGUARS (-2.5) over Seahawks — Russell Wilson has been incredible this season, in case you haven’t heard. But he’s doing it all alone. That’s a tall order on the road against Jacksonville’s defense.
Please refer all questions to Jalen Ramsey.
10. Vikings (-2.5) over PANTHERS — Cam Newton has struggled against the NFL’s better defenses — 7 TD/8 INT against top 10 defenses — and the Vikings defense is one of the best.
My other picks:
TEXANS (-2.5) over 49ers
Titans (-3) over CARDINALS
RAMS (-2) over Eagles
Lions (-2) over BUCCANEERS — This one was off the board most of the week, but not that we know Matthew Stafford will play, I expect the Lions to win.
BILLS (-3) over Colts
