NFL Week 14 Sunday Scoreline Predictions

Author: Dylan Nijankin

This is a new column analyzing and predicting the results for NFL games every Sunday. We will start by taking a look at every NFL game for Sunday, December 13th.

1:00 PM EST/10:00 AM PST Window

Tennessee Titans (8-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-11) - The Jaguars are having a season to forget at 1-11. Their loss to Minnesota 27-24 encapsulates their season; although the Jags have consistently scored over 20 points, their defense has not been able to keep opponents from outscoring them. The Titans also come off a loss, 41-35 to the Browns. This loss shouldn’t be anything for Tennessee fans to worry about - Cleveland has a strong team this season. And with a high-powered offense led by a Derrick Henry who's ready for the postseason, the Titans should see a very comfortable victory.

- W - Tennessee Titans 42, L - Jacksonville Jaguars 27

- Players to Watch: Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, James Robinson

Minnesota Vikings (6-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) - Tom Brady hasn’t had the season he expected to have with the Bucs, with their 7-5 record decent but nothing to write home about. The Vikings also have had a disappointing season, even with Dalvin Cook putting up huge yards every week. However, the recent break out of Justin Jefferson gas helped the Vikings considerably. If Cook and Jefferson play well, the Vikings might tightly squeeze past the Bucs.

- W - Minnesota Vikings 28, L - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24

- Players to Watch: Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Ndamukong Suh

Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) at Miami Dolphins (8-4) - The Chiefs are in full gear heading towards the postseason. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill have all looked at the tops of their games the past few weeks, forming what could be the strongest offense in the league. However, the Dolphins do make some formidable competition. It all depends on how well their defense holds up, which has helped propel them to an 8-4 record. Tua Tagovailoa will also have to put in the best performance of his young career. However, the odds are stacked against the Dolphins.

- W - Kansas City Chiefs 28, L - Miami Dolphins 17

- Players to Watch: Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Tua Tagovailoa

Denver Broncos (4-8) at Carolina Panthers (4-8) - The COVID/IR list has not been very kind to the Panthers this week, with eight of their players being put on the list. On the other hand, the Broncos came off a foreseeable loss to the Chiefs, but there were some bright spots in their loss. The Denver defense played pretty well against Kansas City, and their run game was solid. Thus, a Broncos victory is unsurprising, especially with Panthers star Christian McCaffrey doubtful to play.

- W - Denver Broncos 21, L - Carolina Panthers 13

- Players to Watch: Drew Lock, Phillip Lindsay, Robby Anderson

Houston Texans (4-8) at Chicago Bears (5-7) - Deshaun Watson will be looking to come back after a tough loss to the Colts in week 13. He will be facing a tough Chicago defense, who are eager to improve on their not-so-positive season. However, Chicago’s offense has been shaky the entire season, often finding it difficult to score. If Deshaun Watson and Houston’s run game play well, they might see themselves come out with a win.

- W - Houston Texans 22, L - Chicago Bears 17

- Players to Watch: Deshaun Watson, David Johnson, David Montgomery

Arizona Cardinals (6-6) at New York Giants (5-7) - The Giants are a surprise story of the NFC this year, rising out of the initially terrible NFC East (along with the Football Team) to resemble an actual solid team. With four straight wins, backup Colt McCoy and the 5-7 Giants have a very good shot at topping their division, or at least taking over the Vikings for a Wild Card spot. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins make a hard matchup, but the Giants defense is energized and excited.

- W - New York Giants 17, L - Arizona Cardinals 13

- Players to Watch: Colt McCoy, Leonard Williams, DeAndre Hopkins

UPDATE: DANIEL JONES WILL BE STARTING OVER COLT MCCOY, COMING BACK FROM THE IR.

Dallas Cowboys (3-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-9-1) - The Bengals aren’t in the best shape. Neither are the Cowboys. But someone will win this game. The Bengals are wiithout Joe Burrow and lack a defense, while Amari Cooper and Ceedee Lamb have been getting more receptions from Andy Dalton for the Cowboys. Dallas should win this game.

- W - Dallas Cowboys 24, L - Cincinnati Bengals 14

- Players to Watch: Amari Cooper, Ceedee Lamb, Tyler Boyd

4:05 PM EST/1:05 PM PST

Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at Las Vegas Raiders (7-5) - The Colts have been a formidable opponent this season. T.Y. Hilton has been improving in recent weeks, with a scary defense led by Xavier Rhodes at cornerback. The Raiders meanwhile look to improve on a very, very slight win over the Jets (which probably should have been a loss). Darren Waller had an incredible game last week, but him repeating this performance against the Colts defense isn’t a given.

- W - Indianapolis Colts 28, L - Las Vegas Raiders 14

- Players to Watch: T.Y. Hilton, Xavier Rhodes, Darren Waller

New York Jets (0-12) at Seattle Seahawks (8-4) - The Seahawks aren’t in the same form as in the beginning of the season. Their defense, especially the secondary, isn’t the same as it used to be. Despite this, they are playing Adam Gase and the New York Jets. Russell Wilson and DK Metcalf will have a highlight play. Maybe Jamison Crowder will score a touchdown here and there for the Jets. Won’t matter much in this Seattle victory.

- W - Seattle Seahawks 35, L - New York Jets 16

- Players to Watch: Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf, Jamison Crowder

4:25 PM EST/1:25 PM PST

Green Bay Packers (9-3) at Detroit Lions (5-7) - The Lions defense hasn’t been that good this season, especially against the rush. Aaron Jones should have himself a game, while Detroit also has to fend off the Aaron Rodgers-Davante Adams connection. Matt Stafford might have a few good plays, as he has been having himself a pretty decent season. In the end though, the Packers offense should overpower the Lions.

- W - Green Bay Packers 42, L - Detroit Lions 21

- Players to Watch: Aaron Jones, Davante Adams, Matt Stafford

Atlanta Falcons (4-8) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-9) - After getting thrashed by the Patriots, Rookie of the Year candidate Justin Herbert will be looking to come back. The Falcons are a good team to do that against, as they haven’t looked that sharp as well this season. A healthy Austin Ekeler is also a big plus for the Chargers. The Chargers should pull this one out, with Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo probably being his team's highest scorer again.

- W - Los Angeles Chargers 24, L - Atlanta Falcons 19

- Players to Watch: Austin Ekeler, Justin Herbert, Younghoe Koo

Washington Football Team (5-7) at San Francisco 49ers (5-7) - The 49ers are starting to look better, with Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert not on the IR anymore. However, the Football Team does have a very tough defense. Chase Young has looked sharp for them, giving Washington a real shot at the Playoffs. Their offense has also improved, led by Terry McLaurin and a miraculously resurgent Alex Smith. The 49ers are at a disadvantage, due to their stadium situation during COVID lockdowns, having to relocate to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The game should remain highly competitive, but the advantage goes to Washington.

- W - Washington Football Team 20, L San Francisco 49ers 17

- Players to Watch: Alex Smith, Chase Young, Raheem Mostert

New Orleans Saints (10-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-8-1) - The Saints are looking sharp, and their defense is a powerhouse in the league. Taysom Hill has been a plus for New Orleans while Drew Brees is out, who may be making a return this. The Eagles on the other hand haven’t had the best fortunes, and are watching the NFC East runaway from them. Jalen Hurts hasn’t looked that bad in the starting job, but it won’t be nearly enough to beat the Saints.

- W - New Orleans Saints 28, L - Philadelphia Eagles 13

- Players to Watch: Taysom Hill, Marshon Lattimore, Jalen Hurts

Sunday Night Football, 8:20 PM EST/5:20 PM PST

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1) at Buffalo Bills (9-3) - Josh Allen has been a standout among quarterbacks this season, with him leading a redhot Bills team towards a spot in the AFC playoff bracket. Along with an ever-improving defense with a dangerous Tre’Davious White, the Bills are a team to watch. The Steelers are going to be competitive, however, with them tied for the best record in the league, supported by their defense. Their fortunes have been undermined in the last few weeks, with Washington exposing their weaknesses. Along with their rather weak schedule, it will be a difficult challenge for them to beat Buffalo, who are fielding their best team in decades. This game is a must watch, as Buffalo looks to secure a big win over the Steelers, in the process stirring up the AFC playoff picture.

- W - Buffalo Bills 29, L - Pittsburgh Steelers 24

- Players to Watch: Josh Allen, Tre’Davious White, T.J. Watt

- TheSportUniverse Game of the Week

Monday Night Football, 8:15 PM EST/5:15 PM PST

Baltimore Ravens (7-5) at Cleveland Browns (9-3) - The Ravens are having a decent season, but not up to their preseason expectations. Teams have seemed to figure out Lamar Jackson, and his receiving core isn’t the best. The Browns have looked the best they have in 20+ years, and have completely shaken off Odell Beckham Jr.’s injury. Jarvis Landry has been receiving well, Nick Chubb has been gaining yards, and Myles Garrett has held their defense down. The Ravens will put up a fight, but the Browns will most likely be the ones improving on their record.

- W - Cleveland Browns 24, L - Baltimore Ravens 17

- Players to Watch: Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Lamar Jackson

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