NFL Against the Spread Picks, Predictions Week 14: Backing Vikings and Ravens As Underdogs
The 8-4 Baltimore Ravens are considered underdogs against the 5-7 Pittsburgh Steelers, while the 5-7 Detroit Lions are considered favorites against the 10-2 Minnesota Vikings. Which team has the edge? Read on for our top NFL Week 14 ATS picks.
The NFL season's Week 14 features a few point spreads that raise eyebrows, including division leaders Minnesota and Baltimore as road underdogs against division opponents with losing records. See why we think those betting lines are overreactions in our best against the spread NFL Week 14 picks (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook and PointsBet).
Week 14 NFL Against The Spread Picks
- Minnesota Vikings +2.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
- Baltimore Ravens +2.5 (-104 via FanDuel)
- Kansas City Chiefs -9.5 (-107 via PointsBet)
Best Against The Spread NFL Picks For Week 14
Vikings +2.5 (-110)
The Vikings might be the worst 10-2 team in NFL history, winning nine of those games by single possessions and sporting a lowly plus-10 point differential. Last week, Minnesota needed two red-zone stops in the final two minutes to preserve a 27-22 win over the New York Jets, sealing the victory with an interception on its own goal line.
However, even if the Vikings barely beat teams, they still deserve credit for beating them. Minnesota failed to cover the spread in just one of its last seven matchups. Six of these were against potential playoff teams including the Jets, Patriots, Cowboys, Bills, Commanders and Dolphins. The Vikes also won four of five road games this year, including victories in Buffalo and Miami.
There's a rare chance to back Minny as a dog because of the Detroit Lions' improved play. The Lions covered five straight during a 4-1 surge that puts them on the edge of the NFC playoff race. Four of those point-spread covers came as underdogs, however, and we’re not convinced the Lions should lay points against a division rival that defeated them in nine of the last 10 meetings. Detroit’s defense is still an NFL dead last in both points and yards allowed.
Ravens +2.5 (-104)
The Ravens would have been field-goal favorites in this game if quarterback Lamar Jackson hadn’t hurt his knee last week against the Denver Broncos. Instead, they’re underdogs with backup Tyler Huntley under center.
As important as Jackson is, this point spread adjustment feels like too much. Baltimore ranks an NFL 26th in passing yards with Jackson, and Huntley brings a similar running element to the offense, averaging 6.3 yards per carry in his seven appearances last season. Huntley also led the Ravens on a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minute in Week 13's 10-9 win over the Broncos.
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Atlanta Falcons 19-16 for their third win in their past four games, but each of those victories came against sub-.500 opponents. Pittsburgh dropped its last six matchups against teams with winning records, and the Steelers shouldn’t be favored over a Ravens squad that badly needs a victory to keep pace with the Cincinnati Bengals atop the AFC North.
Chiefs -9.5 (-107)
The Kansas City Chiefs come off a 27-24 loss to Cincinnati that dropped KC to 9-3 on the year, tied with the Buffalo Bills atop the AFC. In their previous two games this season after a loss, the Chiefs hung 41 points on the Tampa Bay Bucaneers and 44 on the San Francisco 49ers, winning those contests by an average of 15.5 points.
KC shouldn’t need to score 40 to cover this spread against the Broncos, whose disappointing season continued last week with a tough 10-9 loss in Baltimore. Denver’s 13.8 points per game average is the NFL's lowest, and their offense is even worse at home, averaging 12.2.
Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs scored at least 27 points in each of their last five visits to Mile High, where KC covered seven of its previous eight. Expect Kansas City to roll to a double-digit victory against the demoralized Broncos and improve to 7-2 ATS in their last nine as favorites of 8 points or more.
Where to Bet on NFL ATS Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
NFL ATS picks made on 12/7/22 at 9:45 a.m. ET
Related Articles
