Week 14 begins on Thusday with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. The Los Angeles Times' NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week's matchups.
— Farmer's record last week: 8-6 (.571); season 117-76-1 (.606). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 6-8 (.429); season 92-100-2 (.479).
— Teams on bye:Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Philadelphia. Times Pacific.
Times Pacific. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under):
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1) at Minnesota Vikings (5-7)
Thursday, 5:20 p.m.
Line: Vikings by 3. O/U: 32½.
No Adam Thielen, no Dalvin Cook and they just lost to Detroit — not looking good for Minnesota. Pittsburgh is nothing special, but the Steelers are getting healthier on defense and that's enough.
Prediction: Steelers 27, Vikings 23
New Orleans Saints (5-7) at New York Jets (3-9)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Saints by 5½. O/U: 43.
The Jets can surprise, but the Saints might have too much for them. Taysom Hill brings a different dynamic at quarterback, and that Saints front seven can bring heat and stop the run.
Prediction: Saints 27, Jets 14
Baltimore Ravens (8-4) at Cleveland Browns (6-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Browns by 2½. O/U:42.
Baltimore just can't seem to get that running game revved up. The Browns are getting healthier in their ground game, and between Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt they control the clock in this one.
Prediction: Browns 23, Ravens 17
Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Chiefs by 8½. O/U:7½.
Hard to know which Raiders will show up. The Chiefs offense is struggling but that defense is playing great. The Raiders can rush four, but the secondary is meh. Go with team that's won four straight.
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Raiders 24
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) at Tennessee Titans (8-4)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Titans by 8½. O/U: 43½.
Tennessee is fresh after a week off and will continue to tweak running game. Jaguars can play physical but just aren't very good. Tennessee's defense is a bit overrated but is a wrecking ball up the middle.
Prediction: Titans 27, Jaguars 17
Atlanta Falcons (5-7) at Carolina Panthers (5-7)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Panthers by 2½. O/U: 42½.
Joe Brady is out as offensive coordinator in Carolina, and that could give the Panthers a little adrenaline boost. Watch for Cam Newton to tuck it and run the read-option a lot. Atlanta's offense is decent.
Prediction: Panthers 24, Falcons 20
Seattle Seahawks (4-8) at Houston Texans (2-10)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Seahawks by 7½. O/U:41½.
QB Tyrod Taylor is hurt, so Texans are starting Davis Mills. Their defense looks pretty decent at times. Russell Wilson is going to keep getting better as his finger improves and should get the job done.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Texans 13
Dallas Cowboys (8-4) at Washington (6-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Cowboys by 4. O/U:48.
Washington has won four in a row and is gaining confidence. Logan Thomas is out, and although Washington will run it pretty well, keeping pace with the Dallas passing game could be a problem.
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Washington 23
Detroit Lions (1-10-1) at Denver Broncos (6-6)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
Line:Broncos by 9½. O/U:42.
The one-win Lions aren't very good, but they put up a good fight for Dan Campbell. The Broncos defense will dictate this one and Denver turns in a bounce-back performance for the victory.
Prediction: Broncos 23, Lions 17
New York Giants (4-8) at Los Angeles Chargers (7-5)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 10. O/U: 43.
The Chargers are banged up but did a good job of stopping the run at Cincinnati. The Giants are going to try to run a lot — they're not going to be throwing it all over with Jake Fromm — but L.A. survives.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Giants 13
San Francisco 49ers (6-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Line:49ers by 1½. O/U:48½.
This is a game-of-the-week candidate. The 49ers are desperate and they're capable of winning here. The Bengals are certainly good enough to hold strong but a lot hinges on the pinkie of Joe Burrow.
Prediction: Bengals 27, 49ers 23
Buffalo Bills (7-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Line: Buccaneers by 3. O/U: 53½.
The Bills can't consistently run — unless it's Josh Allen taking off — and don't do a great job of stopping the run. That's not a good combination as the playoffs near. Tampa Bay is limited in secondary.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Bills 21
Chicago Bears (4-8) at Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
Line: Packers by 12½. O/U: 43½.
Chicago ran well on Arizona but after four Andy Dalton picks, injured Justin Fields (ribs) returns. Green Bay is just better and at home. Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones should feel good after a week off.
Prediction: Packers 31, Bears 17
Los Angeles Rams (8-4) at Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
Line: Cardinals by 2½. O/U: 51½.
Before falling to the Cardinals at home earlier this season, the Sean McVay-coached Rams had never lost to them. Rams regained some confidence against Jacksonville and keep it rolling.
Prediction: Rams 33, Cardinals 28
