NFL Week 14 games: 5 best bets on underdogs
If you’re combing through the NFL Week 14 games and trying to find value bets, these five underdogs are solid plays.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (+8.5) at Tennessee Titans
Let’s be clear off the top: the Titans should win this game without much issue. However, Tennessee is missing a hoard of talent including receiver A.J. Brown and running back Derrick Henry. Additionally, Julio Jones, who could be back, might be limited after missing a month due to a hamstring injury. Jacksonville is 2-10 and every bit of that record, but the Jaguars might only need to score 14-17 points to cover, and that’s not a huge ask especially with garbage time factored in.
4. Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) at Carolina Panthers
The Falcons aren’t a good team. However, the Panthers are also a terrible team that since starting the season 3-0 has won exactly two games, albeit one of them in Atlanta. The quarterback situation for Carolina is a disaster, with the duo of Cam Newton and P.J. Walker looking at snaps in Week 14. While the Falcons aren’t going to blow anybody away in the talent department, Matt Ryan is essentially Johnny Unitas compared to that duo. He should be enough to cover and maybe win.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (+1.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Bengals are being disrespected here. San Francisco could win this game, but we’re looking at the value of the line. The 49ers are a game worse in the standings (6-6 compared to 7-5) and Cincinnati is at home. Additionally, the Bengals have the better quarterback and the defense has been one of the league’s most underrated units for much of the year. With the line being so small, it’s essentially betting the moneyline on the home team with a better record.
2. Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) at Cleveland Browns
The Ravens might not be the healthier or more rested team as the Browns come off the bye, but this should be a tight game. Again, this is a value play for Baltimore which two weeks ago, beat the Browns despite Lamar Jackson turning the ball over four times. The big question is whether Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield is healthy, or whether he’s still going to be very limited even after two weeks of healing.
1. Washington Football Team (+4.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Why are the Cowboys this big of a favorite on the road? Washington swept the series last year and with a win on Sunday, would only be one game back in the NFC East. Dallas is the more talented team, but the Football Team has won four straight games, is at home, and should have the edge in desperation.
