FRIDAY AFTERNOON QUARTERBACK: NFL WEEK 14

BY ADAM GREENE

It’s always good to start the NFL’s stretch run with a win and that’s exactly what I did, nailing the Los Angeles Rams 24-3 win over the New England Patriots Thursday night b both straight up and against the spread.

It was Rams running back Cam Akers quinceanera as he hit the dance floor in his sparkliest dress for a career high 29 carries and 171 yards as Los Angeles guaranteed their fourth winning season in a row under Sean McVay and solidified their position as the NFC West leader.

For only the second time in more than a month, we have a full slate of games to pick so let’s make the most of it.

TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (+9, O/U: 52.5)

The Titans are coming off a tight loss that should have been a blowout. Jacksonville is starting Mike Glennon. This game could get ugly fast. Titans 34, Jaguars 13

DALLAS COWBOYS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (+3.5, O/U: 42.5)

It’s the Andy Dalton revenge game! The Red Rifle returns to face the team he led to mediocrity for half a decade and, like last year when he was still a Bengal, his performance here can ensure Cincy has a very high draft pick. Cowboys 20, Bengals 16

HOUSTON TEXANS AT CHICAGO BEARS (+1, O/U: 45)

The Bears had every chance to keep themselves alive in the playoff race over the last two weeks and have squandered them thoroughly. They now ride a six game losing streak and everyone’s shut the book on Chicago. Which just means this is the week they’ll finally win one. Bears 20, Texans 17

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (+2.5, O/U: 45)

A month ago you would have picked Arizona here and not thought another thing about it. Four weeks can be a long time in the NFL. New York has won four straight and fought hard, many times down to the wire in most of their losses. I see a surprise upset coming and a potential NFC East champion that won’t be easily counted out in the postseason. Giants 23, Cardinals 20

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-6.5, O/U: 52.5)

Speaking of the playoffs, the Vikings are currently in, as they’ve won five of their last six games including two straight. They now take their show on the road against one of the best run defenses in the league that had a bye week to prepare for this game. That means it will all be on Kirk Cousins. That also means it’ll likely be a loss. Bucs 34, Vikings 23

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (+7.5, O/U: 50.5)

You might look at this spread as a positive sign for Miami, who is 8-4 and solidly in the AFC playoff picture. Or, you could realize that the Chiefs haven’t covered a spread since before Halloween and apparently are content with just winning games and not running teams off their own fields. Here’s something else to think about too; the last defensive coordinator to call a postseason game where KC lost was current Miami head coach Brian Flores. I don’t think it’ll protect the Fins from the “L,” but I do think they (along with Kansas City’s Achilles heel of playing down to an opponent) will make it interesting. Chiefs 27, Dolphins 23

DENVER BRONCOS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (-3, O/U: 45.5)

Like the Buccaneers, the Panthers had an extra week to prepare for this game. Unlike Tampa, they’re not really playing for anything other than to set up some success next season. Denver is in much the same boat, but Carolina is just further along. And considering this is Broncos head coach Vic Fangio’s second season, that might be a problem for him at season’s end. Panthers 23, Broncos 17

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (+2.5, O/U: 50.5)

You want a playoff game in Week 14? You’ve got it. Indianapolis currently holds the No. 7 seed in the AFC. Las Vegas is right behind them. Meaning that if the Raiders knock off Indy here at home, they’ll jump right back into the playoff mix. Not only that, If the Chiefs knock off the Dolphins, they’ll move up to the sixth seed. I think LV pulls it off. Raiders 27, Colts 24

NEW YORK JETS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-13.5, O/U: 47)

After getting embarrassed by a New York team a week ago, there’s no way the Jets do anything but get crushed here. On the bright side, the NYJ will have to figure out a way to do it without Gregg Williams calling the worst defensive plays in the league. So the resounding defeat will at least look different as the final whistle blows. Seahawks 38, Jets 13

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS (+9. O/U: 55)

The Lions got their big post head coach firing win last week, so they can’t expect that same mojo here when they host Green Bay. The Pack can all but secure a playoff spot with a win, but is still in it for home field advantage and a first round bye. This isn’t the time to stumble. Packers 30, Lions 23

ATLANTA FALCONS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (+2.5, O/U: 49.5)

This might be the saddest game on the schedule this week as these two teams stumble to the end of the season. One, Atlanta, has already fired its head coach. The other, LA, most likely will. There’s very little to play for and maybe less to watch. So that means it will probably be a barnburner. Falcons 38, Chargers 35

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (+7, O/U: 43)

Rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts gets the first start of his career against one of the NFL’s best defenses. Sean Payton is 8-0 over the last two years without Drew Brees on the Field. He’s about to be 9-0. Saints 23, Eagles 13

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT SAN FRANCSICO 49ERS (-3, O/U: 43)

The 49ers are just playing out the schedule now with their JV squad, but I think they’ve still got a few solid performances up their sleeves. 49ers 20, WFT 17

THIS WEEK

Straight up: 1-0

Against the spread: 1-0

LAST WEEK

Straight up: 9-5

Against the spread: 8-6

SEASON

Straight up: 126-64-1

Against the spread: 98-92

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