The 14th week of the NFL season is upon us, and we have some heated battles between potential playoff teams about to take place. Even though several teams are eliminated (or close to it) in real life, when it comes to making picks against the spread, no one is eliminated. All bets are fair game. And even though we're deep into the season and know lots of things about many teams, the beauty of NFL lines is nothing is ever easy. Witne s the game in San Francisco this week. It's arguably the worst game of the year, and yet it's fascinating because Colin Kaepernick and Co., smack in the middle of an 11-game losing streak, are a field-goal favorite. Mull that over, think
Chaz Green Jersey about it for a minute. Swirl it around your gla s, sample it and then spit it back out. It's beautiful and gro s at the same time, like a rank pinot grigio aged in an open cask for several weeks. Or something. That's not the only confusing line out there either. The Packers are underdogs at home in December, the Steelers seem to be too easy of a bet, and multiple teams with seven wins are huge dogs. It's wild. Let's get to the odds. Broncos (8-4) at Titans (6-6) Opening line: Titans, -1.5 pointsCurrent line: Titans, -1 pointThe Titans were surprise favorites over the Broncos when this line opened, but perhaps that was a Paxton Lynch i sue? Trevor Siemian returned to practice on a limited basis and is listed as questionable for this game. Despite the quarterback concerns for Denver, more than 60 percent of the bets are on the Broncos and the line is still holding steady. . (5-7) at (4-8) Opening line: Panthers, -3 pointsCurrent line: Panthers, -1.5 pointsThe "Which Team Has Given Up The Most On Their Season" Bowl has seen a pretty big swing in terms of the spread, with the Chargers going from a full field goal underdog (standard for a visiting team) to just a 1.5-point dog. This will be Philip Rivers' first return to North Carolina to play profe sional football after spending four years at North Carolina State. 56 percent of the bets are on the Panthers, which is surprising considering how they looked against the Seahawks last Sunday night. (6-6) at (5-6) Opening line: Colts, -4.5 pointsCurrent line: Colts, -6.5 points This line opened with the Colts moderately favored, but the outcome on Monday night caused a major shift. Andrew Luck looked phenomenal as the Colts blew
Terrell Edmunds Jersey the doors off the Jets on a national stage, and with 63 percent of the bets landing on Indy it's not surprising to see this line move in the Colts direction. Having to say the words "I'll back Brock Osweiler on the road" probably doesn't help people interested in wagering on the Texans at all. (
Karl Joseph Jersey 4-7-1) at Browns (0-12) Opening line: Bengals, -4 pointsCurrent line: Bengals, -5.5 pointsAs , this is the Browns' Super Bowl. They're a winle s 0-12 on the season, and good luck finding a spot for them to secure that first win. It shouldn't be surprising at all to see this line move towards the Bengals -- Cleveland is now 2-10 against the spread this year and an embarra sing 0-6 against the spread at home. Robert Griffin III will return for Cleveland and the weather could be ugly in this matchup, but much of that feels like grasping for straws/reasons Cleveland can cover. (7-5) at (6-6) Opening line: Steelers, -1.5 pointsCurrent line: Steelers, -3 pointsIf ever there was a trap game, this is it. The Steelers are a substantially better team than Buffalo, who just got blasted by a good offense in the second half during their lo s to Oakland. Being at home helps the Bills, but Pittsburgh's starting to see its defense come together. A whopping 81 percent of the wagers out there are on the Steelers and every single expert at CBS is picking the Steelers to cover what feels like a low line. Red flags abound. (5-6-1) at (7-5) Opening line: Dolphins, -2.5 pointsCurrent line: Cardinals, -2 points Ma sive line movement here towards Arizona, which suddenly has playoff life breathed into its team if the Cardinals
Jerome Bettis Jersey can win out. That starts against the Dolphins, who are reeling after being thumped by the Ravens. Two concerns in this game: Everyone likes the Cards (72 percent of the wagers, all of the CBS experts, they're one of my best bets), and Arizona is a disappointing 1-4 on the road this year, both straight up and against the spread. Taking Arizona is a bet that Bruce Arians won't let his team take this game lightly given all that's at stake. Bears (3-9) at (8-4) Opening line: Lions, -7 pointsCurrent line: Lions, -7.5 points No movement here all week, which is pretty much what you expect from this game. 68 percent of the bets are on the Lions. (6-6) at (2-10) Opening line: Vikings, -3 pointsCurrent line: Vikings, -3.5 pointsJust a slight bit of movement as the Vikings are now 3.5-point favorites. The Jaguars should be an obvious bet here. Minnesota's not great in general and terrible on offense. The Jaguars are at home. But can you trust Blake Bortles? As Nick Kostos and I pointed out on the Roughing the Pa ser Podcast , it's so easy to imagine a scenario where Bortles is either up three or down three and holding the ball with le s than two minutes left and trying to pick up yardage to either tie the game or close it out, only he throws the ball right into Xavier Rhodes' stomach on the sideline and the Jags are
Cameron Heyward Jersey down four or 10 le s than 10 seconds later. Watch it happen. (5-7) at (7-5) Opening line: Pick'emCurrent line: Bucs, -2.5 pointsReally weird game here: Drew Brees was the worst quarterback in Fantasy football last week despite matching up against the Lions and playing at home. The Bucs are improved and on a four-game winning streak. But check this: The Saints are 5-0 against the spread on the road this year and Tampa is just 2-4 at home against the spread. 61 percent of the bets are on the Buccaneers. They're a better team, but it's hard to imagine Brees not bouncing back in a quality way. Jameis Winston could just torch this defense though. (6-5-1) at (5-7) Opening line: Redskins, -1 pointCurrent line: Redskins, -2 points When I included the Redskins in my best bets, they were a pick 'em, so this line has seen quite a bit of movement this week. Washington has been good against the spread this season, going 8-4, and there are questions swirling about Carson Wentz's mechanics. There aren't any questions about the quality of the talent around him -- the wideouts and running backs just aren't good. Phi