It’s week 14 in the NFL, and we’re back with another weekly column outlining three games to watch across the league this Sunday.
As always, these odds, previews, and predictions are powered by our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook. So head over there to make every moment more.
This week, we’re breaking it up by conference. Here are three AFC games to watch:
Odds – Texans @ Jets
Spread: Texans -3.5
Moneyline: Texans -198/Jets +166
Total: O/U 33.5
Storylines, Predictions, and Pick
Eyes will always stay on a) an AFC East foe of the Patriots and b) a team with a rookie quarterback having an MVP-caliber season that will push New England to take a chance on one in next season’s draft.
They’re playing each other this weekend in the Jets and the Texans.
C.J. Stroud has his football team in Houston at both a respectable 7-5 record through 12 games and with a hold of the seventh seed in the AFC playoffs. The rookie QB is not only the odds-on favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year (-9000 at FanDuel), but he’s also a top-8 candidate to win the MVP at +2500. He’s thrown for 3,540 yards and 20 touchdowns to just five interceptions this season.
The Jets, once again, are the Jets. After a hot 4-3 start, New York has lost five straight games, made a quarterback change from Zack Wilson to Tim Boyle, and is now giving the job back this week with Houston in town.
This mess is why I’m taking the Texans. The Jets are down and out. I like Texans with the points and the OVER 33.5
Score: Texans 23 – Jets 13
Side: Texans -3.5
Total: OVER 33.5
Odds – Bills @ Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs -1.5
Moneyline: Chiefs -118/Bills EVEN
Total: O/U 48.5
Storylines, Predictions, and Pick
One of the NFL’s growing new rivalries, the Bills and the Chiefs will face off this weekend from Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.
Losers of three of their last four games, Buffalo is just 6-6 on the 2023 season and after owning the AFC East since Tom Brady left New England, looks to be in serious jeopardy of missing the postseason for the first time since 2018.
As for the Chiefs, they’re 8-4 this season and they too don’t look like the team they once were. Patrick Mahomes, while still widely considered the best player in the NFL, is having a down year after losing offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy to the Commanders this past Spring, and with a lack of weaponry surrounding him has his Chiefs scoring just 22.9 points per game.
Still, i’m going with Kansas City in this spot. When in doubt, pick the better quarterback. Chiefs win and the total goes over.
Score: Chiefs 31 – Bills 27
Side: Chiefs -1.5
Total: OVER 48.5
Odds – Titans @ Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins -13.5
Moneyline: Dolphins -900/Titans +610
Total: O/U 47
Storylines, Predictions, and Pick
One of two Monday Night Football matchups this weekend, the Tennessee Titans are headed to Miami to take on the 9-3, AFC East-leading Dolphins.
Tennessee, at 4-8 on the season and starting a rookie quarterback in Will Levis, look to be more in “re-building” mode rather than “fighting for the playoffs” mode. Head coach Mike Vrabel fired their special teams coordinator this week after they allowed two (!!) blocked punts in their loss to Indianapolis next week, and as rumors continue to circulate about Bill Belichick’s job status in New England, some have connected Vrabel to the potential opening. It’s a relative mess in Nashville.
As for the Dolphins, the offensive guru that is Mike McDaniel once again has their unit rolling. Tua Tagovailoa is third in the NFL in passing yards (3,457), and second in touchdown passes (24) and continues to show that, when healthy, he can a top-tier quarterback in this league.
However, while I think Miami will win convincingly, it’s still tough to take a team to win by nearly two touchdowns in the NFL. I’m taking Tennessee to cover, but the Dolphins to win. I also like the over in this one, as Miami could very well hit it themselves.
Score: Dolphins 31 – Titans 20
Side: Titans +13.5
Total: OVER 47
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.
