NFL Season 100!! Week 14 predictions: Mahomes vs. Brady, an AFC duel we've been waiting for

Boy Week 13 was the week of upsets! I called for four of them, but the underdogs had a solid 9-7 record, including some big spread upsets with the Bills, Dolphins, and Redskins victories. The spreads this week seem to be staying a bit lower, with a good amount of them at three or lower. But we have some good sized ones in there too, as the Packers and Vikings are heavy favorites this week. The game I am looking at most though, is the Chiefs trip to New England with Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady going at it again, as one offense looks unstoppable right now and the other is having their issues.

The Chiefs are coming off a big win, laying waste to the Oakland Raiders 40-9, the funny thing is the Raiders had all the leaders in offense categories as it was really the turnovers that killed Derek Carr and handed Mahomes the short field situations. Mahomes only had 175 passing yards and the Chiefs offense didn't even total 100 rushing yards, as the two defensive touchdowns sure helped when it came to totaling 40 points. The Patriots on the other hand had a tough night in Houston as like the Raiders, the Patriots had better yardage numbers across the board but still fell by six points. Sunday Night Football made sure to show Brady's frustration as he seemed upset with his receivers. I wish this matchup was a primetime game too, as I expect a great battle between these two who are battling for playoff positioning. With all those upsets last week, I went 10-6. I was able to predict some, but not all of them. I mean the Redskins, Bengals, and Dolphins all winning in the same week?! I mean come on. But that makes me 119-72-1 on the season, here are the predictions for Week 14.

Thursday, December 5th

6-6 Dallas Cowboys (-3, -155) vs. 6-6 Chicago Bears (+3, +135)

Those Cowboys can't seem to beat anyone with a positive record, favored by seven and they still dropped it at home against the Buffalo Bills. Luckily for them, the Bears have an even record and are not known for their consistency. Trubisky looked good and got the win against Detroit, but that was against a bad secondary and third string QB. The Cowboy's consistency will out do Chicago's and keep them on top on the NFC East.
Prediction: Cowboys 24-20  
Sunday, December 8th

10-2 Baltimore Ravens (-5.5, -260) vs. 9-3 Buffalo Bills (+5.5, +220)

Buffalo has a great defense. They can shut down the run and their secondary is not fooled easily. But I don't think anyone can stop Lamar Jackson right now, that guy can seem to slip threw anything and get that needed first down. The key to this one will be mistakes and I expect Allen will make one or two more than the Ravens offense. It will be interesting to see how much of a factor weather plays in this one, but I am taking Baltimore to cover.
Prediction: Ravens 27-21

3-9 Washington Redskins (+13, +600) vs. 9-3 Green Bay Packers (-13, -900)

The Redskins have impressed me, Haskins is making plays and they are getting down the field with big gains catching many by surprise. This is a very large spread and though the Packers just topped the New York Giants by plenty, I think this one will be closer. Rodgers will still have fun finding Adams and his new favorite target Lazard for some deep touchdowns, but the Packers defense will be giving up plenty as well. A high scoring game, but the Redskins cover.
Prediction: Packers 31-23

4-8 Denver Broncos (+9.5, +375) vs. 8-4 Houston Texans (-9.5, -475)

Houston just got a big momentum boost taking down the Patriots. The Broncos though have done a great job this year keeping games close, as we have seen them take some heartbreakers. Watson and Hopkins gave us a great show with their big plays, as their offense came together well. I think we will see that again at home against Denver, it the Broncos offense I have in question. I liked Lock's performance, they came away with the win, but can they do enough against Houston? I think the Broncos will cover but come up short yet again on the big scoreboard.
Prediction: Texans 28-20

10-2 San Francisco 49ers (+3, +140) vs. 10-2 New Orleans Saints (-3, -160)

The 10-2 matchup between the 49ers and Saints. This is going to be a good one, as the Saints have won the division and want to hold onto the bye seat. While the 49ers just lost the #1 seat in the NFC and need to stay even with the Seahawks for the division fight. You have two good offenses here, but the difference will be the 49ers defense. Bosa is going to have a blast against the Saints beat up offensive line. Though I think they should be favored anyway, 49ers get the upset here.
Prediction: 49ers 26-23

1-11 Cincinnati Bengals (+8.5, +340) vs. 5-7 Cleveland Browns (-8.5, -410)

The Bengals finally got their first win! I am sure many of their fans are relieved, as they now get to take on their rival from up state. The Browns offense couldn't come up with enough, yet again, but I think they will have more fun in this one. Mayfield should be able to find Landry and Beckham for some nice plays against the Bengals secondary. I only wonder if the Browns defense can do enough to cover. With the amount of turnovers I am used to the Browns giving up, I would take the Bengals with the +8.5.
Prediction: Browns 25-21 

5-7 Carolina Panthers (+2.5, +120) vs. 3-9 Atlanta Falcons (-2.5, -140)

The Panthers made a big decision this week, head coach Ron Rivera has been canned after four straight loses and I am honestly surprised to see him go. Newton called it a big blow, but it always seems the new coach somehow inspires his team or just simply gets lucky in their first game. I would say the Flacons are the right team to pull that off against. They had their couple good weeks, but have slipped back into the slump now. The Panthers linebackers should hold Freeman and put good pressure on Ryan. While McCaffrey looks to get more done after their disappointing loss tot he Redskins. Though it is a small spread, I give the upset to Carolina.
Prediction: Panthers 23-21

3-8-1 Detroit Lions (+14, +650) vs. 8-4 Minnesota Vikings (-14, -1000)

David Blough didn't look to bad in his first appearance against Chicago. That 75 yard TD pass to start it off was entertaining and I am sure a big confidence boost for him. But if the Lions still got outscored by Trubisky, they are going to get killed by the Vikings. Cousins is going to find Diggs and his targets for a lot of yards and I bet anytime it seems the Lions are slowing down the pass game, that is when Cooks will take off for a 3o yard run. A large spread, but I give this one to Minnesota by a bunch.
Prediction: Vikings 34-16 

3-9 Miami Dolphins (+5.5, +210) vs. 4-8 New York Jets (-5.5, -250)

DeVante Parker was a beast against the Eagles! 159 yards and two TDs, no one would have predicted that coming from the Dolphins offense. Now this week Miami does play a team with a better secondary, but I am going to go for it and say the Dolphins put it together again against the Jets. The Bengals just had a good day on offense against New York, so I bet Fitzpatrick can too. Sam Darnold's skills seemed to have disappeared last week and after the pressure Wentz went through against Miami I bet Darnold struggles again.
Prediction: Dolphins 24-23 

6-6 Indianapolis Colts (+3, +160) vs. 5-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3, -180)

The Bucs offense is looking great, Evans and Godwin are getting the yards and Winston wishes he played like this all season. The Colts are coming off a tough loss, but they have not lost the division like Tampa has and have more to do now sitting one game behind the Titans and two behind the Texans. Though I think the Bucs offense will be more effective, I bet that Colts defense can get Winston to get back to his former ways with a turnover or two. Indy is more desperate and pulls of the upset here.
Prediction: Colts 30-26

4-8 Los Angeles Chargers (-3, -150) vs. 4-8 Jacksonville Jaguars (+3, +130)

Minshew is starting again, thank god. Watching Foles was driving me nuts, as the Jaguars offense couldn't seem to get anything going, then we saw Minshew come in and they were able to put up some points. This week they get to take on a Chargers offense that is good one quarter and terrible the next, as they can't seem to come through for their fans at all late in games. I expect a good amount fo points from both sides, with a slow fourth quarter that raises the suspense, but a win at home for Jacksonville.
Prediction: Jaguars 29-27

8-4 Kansas City Chiefs (+3, +130) vs. 10-2 New England Patriots (-3, -150)

This game should be exciting, we got the Chiefs great offense and the Patriots amazing defense meeting up. I really want to see a Chiefs victory in this one, but I doubt that will happen. Dropping two in a row is something Brady won't let happen, being at home with the weather they know and that defense that will keep Mahomes favorite targets covered will bring the Patriots the win. Kelce and Hill will need to escape coverage often, we saw Hopkins pull that off a few times, but I bet the offenses will be playing in tougher situations than the Patriots saw in the covered stadium in Houston.
Prediction: Patriots 28-24

7-5 Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5, -145) vs. 3-8-1 Arizona Cardinals (+2.5, +125)

Devlin Hodges is filling in well winning both games in his couple starts on the season, not that he deserves all the credit as that Steelers defense has been a big piece to their seven wins and current seat in the playoffs. Though they will be facing that good Steelers defense, the Cardinals can't put up a worse offensive performance than they did against the Rams. Murray will put together a few plays, but still get dragged down a few times against Watt. Steelers cover this one in a close win on the road.
Prediction: Steelers 24-21 

7-5 Tennessee Titans (-2.5, -145) vs. 6-6 Oakland Raiders (+2.5, +125)

The Raiders can't seem to put anything together right now, first getting killed against the Jets and then getting blown away again by the team they were trying to catch in the division. I have no faith in the Raiders being able to outscore anyone right now. The Titans have been impressive, those special teams plays they pulled off and the strength of their offense has been amazing. Though they will have to deal with the Raiders fans, the Titans win this one easily.
Prediction: Titans 33-21

10-2 Seattle Seahawks (-2.5, -145) vs. 7-5 Los Angeles Rams (+2.5, +125)

The Seahawks now hold the lead in the NFC West and the first seat in the NFC after their impressive win against the Vikings and the 49ers loss to Baltimore. They will make sure to hold onto that while visiting the Rams. Though the Rams looked great against Arizona, they will have a whole new type of team to beat on Sunday night. Wilson may have a bit less time against Aaron Donald and the Rams defense, but that guy seems to always find a way this year. I am taking Seattle to cover this one.
Prediction: Seahawks 27-23
Monday, December 9th

2-10 New York Giants (+8.5, +340) vs. 5-7 Philadelphia Eagles (-8.5, -410)

Wow, that Eagles secondary looks terrible. Everybody can put up the big yards and runaway with the game against them right now. How did they stop and beat Aaron Rodgers?? He just made the Giants secondary look like a joke as well in the snow. This game will come down to Wentz and Manning, yeah he is back, which ever QB can keep putting the plays together and get his team down the field. The Giants are eliminated, but if they can get a good game from Barkley I think they can do the Cowboys a big favor. The Eagles can't lose another one like this, especially will Manning taking the snaps if they want to stay in the race, so I seriously doubt they cover but do slip away with this one.
Prediction: Eagles 31-30

-Tom Franich