Our NFL Computer Picks are chosen using an algorithm that analyses historical sports data across college football to you the bets that offer the best value bets to beat the NJ Sportsbooks. In this article, we’ll provide you with our top NFL Computer Picks for Week 14. These matchups include the Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-12.5)
Week 14 Computer Pick: Vikings to cover the spread
The Minnesota Vikings will look to avenge last week’s loss
in a big way when they host the Detroit Lions. There was a late chance for the
Vikings to close in on that victory last week, but the Seahawks managed to
escape with yet another close victory. Nonetheless, we feel like the Vikings
have a lot to prove this week, and they do play much better at home. We’ve got
full confidence in them to cover the massive 12.5-point spread.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins is having a breakout year with 23
touchdowns and only four interceptions. He’ll be going against a Lions defense
that is allowing the third-most passing yards per game (280.1) in the NFL this
season. In fact, only three QBs have thrown for fewer than 283 yards against
the Lions this season. Needless to say, Cousins is in a great spot and should
have great success (Borat voice) in this matchup.
Running back Dalvin Cook insists that he’ll be ready to go
for this matchup. Although, it’s not like they’ll need him to be overly
productive. Backup Alexander Mattison has been toting the rock for 4.8 yards
per carry when needed for the NFL’s sixth-best rushing attack, with 137.1 yards
per game on the ground.
Given the low total and massive 12.5-point spread in the game, we expect the Vikings defense to make life difficult on Lions QB David Blough. The former Purdue signal-caller will be making his second NFL start and didn’t actually look that bad on Thanksgiving Day. However, his first NFL road start will be coming in one of the most difficult venues for opposing QBs. In fact, only three QBs have thrown for 300+ yards at U.S. Bank Stadium in regular-season games since it opened in 2016.
Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers (-12.5)
Week 14 Computer Pick: Packers to cover the spread
The Green Bay Packers will look to increase their lead in the NFC North with a win over the suddenly-surgent Washington Redskins. Although the Redskins have won each of the last two games, we believe the Packers will take care of business at home and cover the 12.5-point spread.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing at an elite level this season under new head coach Matt LaFleur. Now that wide receiver Davante Adams is back in the mix, the Packers have a full complement of weapons to attack this Redskins defense with. Running back Aaron Jones is enjoying a career-best season in 2019, and things should continue to roll on the ground.
With the 12.5-point spread in this game, we shouldn’t expect
too much of a beatdown coming on the Redskins’ heads. Rather, this could be a
game that ends up being a methodical type of movement up and down the field
from Rodgers & Co.
Rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins probably isn’t the
long-term answer the Redskins are looking for at the position, but he has won
two straight games – albeit, both were against teams with a losing record. This
Sunday, Haskins will have a much tougher matchup in the aura of Lambeau Field,
dealing with the frigid temperatures and a ferocious pass rush.
At the end of the day, there’s just too much talent on the Packers’ side of the ball. Rookie QBs going up against Rodgers in a head-to-head matchup don’t tend to perform well, and that’s why we’re seeing such a large margin of victory predicted in this one. The Packers have the necessary tools to run it up on a Redskins team that has played over their skis the last few weeks. Look for the Packers to score early and often, and then bleed the clock until it makes the Redskins hurt.
Pittsburgh Steelers ML (-125) at Arizona Cardinals
Week 14 Computer Pick: Steelers to win
The Steelers head West to take on a Cardinals team that got absolutely clobbered coming off their bye week in their last game. Early on this season, it looked like Pittsburgh wouldn’t even sniff the playoffs with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being ruled out for the rest of the year. However, head coach Mike Tomlin has this bunch right where they usually are – knocking on the door of the postseason. For that advantage in coaching, the Steelers will win this game outright on the moneyline.
Making the move at QB, the Steelers really haven’t missed a beat going from Mason Rudolph to Devlin Hodges. However, it turns out that it really doesn’t matter who is calling the signals for this Pittsburgh bunch. The defense is what is really steering the ship in the right direction, especially since the trade that brought Minkah Fitzpatrick to The Steel City.
It does like running back James Conner will miss yet another game with his lingering injury. Fear not, though, as the Steelers have a full complement of backs that can make life difficult on a Cardinals’ run defense that has been gashed this season. Once that running game gets going, look for Hodges to find tight end Vance McDonald over the middle more than a few times – the Cardinals’ defense has been atrocious at defending that position all year.
While the Cardinals may have the motivation to pick themselves up off the ground, this Steelers team has one goal on their mind – the playoffs. This a game that could go in favor of the Cardinals early, but the Steelers are a resilient bunch that can get the job done late. After all, they’ve done it plenty of times this season – no matter who is at QB.