Six matchups between teams with records of .500 or better highlight the Week 14 NFL schedule.
That starts in the 1 p.m. window with three divisional rivalries among Dallas and Washington, Kansas City and Las Vegas, and Baltimore and Cleveland. The Browns, Raiders and Washington all are trying to bump above .500 in their respective playoff races.
The late window features a matchup between San Francisco and Cincinnati, which will conjure up memories of their two Super Bowls in the 1980s. The main event, however, is Buffalo at Tampa Bay. Will this be a Super Bowl preview?
Monday Night Football features another division showdown between Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals can build a huge lead in the NFC West with another victory.
Each week, Sporting News picks the NFL games straight up. A look at our track record so far:
- Week 13: 10-4
- Total: 119-73-1
NFL POWER RANKINGS:
Chiefs, Steelers, Dolphins climb; 49ers, Ravens, Vikings fade for Week 14
NFL picks, predictions for Week 14
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings (-3)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m., FOX
The Steelers and Vikings rank first and second, respectively, in sacks, so it's on which quarterback gets more support in the running game. Dalvin Cook ( shoulder) is still banged up, and Adam Thielen (ankle) will be questionable. It's an ugly game on a short week, and the Steelers find a way to steal another one in the AFC playoff race.
Pick: Steelers 20, Vikings 17
Result: Vikings 36, Steelers 28
- Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Browns are coming off a bye week, and now they get a rematch with the Ravens. Baltimore is 2-0 S/U as an underdog this season, and this will be another AFC North rock fight. The Ravens have won the last four meetings, including the last two in Cleveland.
Pick: Ravens 24, Browns 22
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-8.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Jaguars are stuck in a four-game losing streak where they have averaged just 12 points per game. Tennessee has been up-and-down since the Derrick Henry injury, and the Titans are 3-0 coming off a bye under Mike Vrabel. Tennessee maintains its spot atop the AFC North race.
Pick: Titans 28, Jaguars 13
- Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Remember the Raiders' 40-32 upset at Kansas City last year? The Chiefs probably do. Las Vegas is reeling in the AFC West race, and Kansas City is doing it with a defense that has allowed 11.2 points per game through a five-game winning streak. Patrick Mahomes II threw for 406 yards and five TDs in the Week 9 matchup.
Pick: Chiefs 34, Raiders 16
- New Orleans (-5) at New York Jets
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Taysom Hill has a finger injury, meaning the Saints might have to go back to Trevor Siemian at quarterback. Injuries have plagued New Orleans this season, but the Jets rank 30th in the NFL in run defense at 133.4 yards per game. The Saints squeak by on the road.
Pick: Saints 23, Jets 16
- Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) at Washington Football Team
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
It’s the classic NFC East rivalry, and Washington has a chance to get in the mix in the division. Washington swept the series in 2020, and they are on a four-game win streak where they’ve allowed just 17.5 points per game. Dallas can take total control of the NFC East, but this is a tricky spot. We like the upset.
Pick: Washington 27, Dallas 24
- Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Panthers had a bye week to sort out a messy offense, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady was let go. Expect Matt Rhule to go run heavy against the Falcons. The teams played an ugly 19-13 game on Oct. 13. This won't be that much different.
Pick: Panthers 21, Falcons 17
- Seattle Seahawks (-8.5) at Houston Texans
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
Russell Wilson led the desperate Seahawks to a victory against the 49ers, and they can build on that on the road at Houston. The Texans rank 32nd in the league in run defense, so that should lead to some play-action opportunities for Wilson, who finally looks healthy again.
Pick: Seahawks 27, Texans 20
- Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos (-10.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX
The Lions did get in the win column with a last-second TD pass by Jared Goff; an emotional victory for first-year coach Dan Campbell. The bad news? Denver has a tough defense, is at home and still looking to stay in the playoff chase. The Broncos offer a reality check.
Pick: Broncos 28, Lions 19
- New York Giants at Los Angeles Chargers (-9)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX
The Chargers have alternated wins and losses the last six weeks, but Justin Herbert should get them out in front against a New York offense that mixed and matched parts with little success. The Giants are 1-5 S/U on the road this year, so Los Angeles keeps it moving in the right direction.
Pick: Chargers 31, Giants 21
- San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) at Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
This will conjure up memories of the Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII matchups between the teams, so get ready for Joe Montana highlights. Which quarterback stays cool in a game both teams need to stay in the playoff race? Joe Burrow leads the game-winning drive that helps the Bengals break a three-game home losing streak.
Pick: Bengals 28, 49ers 25
- Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Is this a Super Bowl preview? The Buccaneers are unbeaten at home, and now Tom Brady revisits an old rival. The Bills rank second in the NFL in scoring defense, and they pose an interesting challenge. Brady gets the best of the Bills again, and don't be surprised if Rob Gronkowski scores a pair of TDs.
Pick: Buccaneers 31, Bills 28
- Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-11.5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Depending on what happens with the Vikings on Thursday, the Packers could have a chance to wrap up the NFC North title in this spot. The Bears will be motivated given Aaron Rodgers' "I own you" rant in the last meeting, but the Packers had a bye week, and they are 8-4 with a rest advantage the last two seasons. They're also unbeaten at Lambeau Field in 2021.
Pick: Packers 31, Bears 20
- Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
The Cardinals broke an eight-game losing streak to the Rams in the last meeting, and Kyler Murry and DeAndre Hopkins are back for the playoff push. Arizona can take control of the NFC West, too. The Rams, however, recovered from their losing streak last week. This should be a tight game down to the fantastic finish. If the Rams avoid mistakes against a Cardinals team with a +12 turnover ratio, then an upset is possible.
Pick: Rams 30, Cardinals 27
