As the Thanksgiving festivities wind down, NFL fans and bettors shift their focus to Week 14 and the pivotal playoff push. With six teams on bye, the slate features 13 games spanning Thursday to Monday, promising plenty of excitement and betting opportunities.
The highlight of the week could be Thursday Night Football, where the NFC-leading Lions host the Packers in a key NFC North showdown at Ford Field. Other divisional matchups to watch include the Jets taking on the Dolphins and the Chargers facing the Chiefs, adding further intrigue to a crucial week of action.
What? NFL 2024 Season Week 14
Where? USA
When? Thursday, December 5 – Monday, December 9
Let’s see if we can find some value in the NFL Vegas odds.
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
The New York Jets endured yet another tough loss this week, falling to the Seattle Seahawks in a stunning 26-21 defeat. Despite an early 21-7 lead, the Jets collapsed, allowing the Seahawks to score 19 unanswered points. This marked New York’s third consecutive loss and eighth in their last nine games, a sharp decline from an offseason filled with playoff aspirations. Now sitting at 3-8, the Jets have cemented their place among the NFL’s worst teams.
Next up for New York is a road trip to face the Miami Dolphins (5-7) in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins are coming off a 30-17 defeat to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday but had won three straight games before that. Miami remains in the playoff hunt, with renewed energy since the return of Tua Tagovailoa, who has revitalized the team’s offense after recovering from a concussion.
The Jets enter the game as 6.5-point road underdogs, a line that feels well-deserved given their struggles this season. With just four solid halves of football all year, the Jets appear to have little to play for as the organization prepares for an offseason rebuild. Conversely, the Dolphins have every reason to stay motivated, with postseason hopes still alive. Historically, the Jets have struggled to contain Tua and Miami’s explosive offense, even when boasting a strong defense. This season, a banged-up New York squad now ranks among the NFL’s worst defensively.
With Miami holding the advantages of home field, better form, and a meaningful playoff chase, the Jets face a steep uphill battle. The game’s total is set at 45.5 points, while the moneyline odds favor Miami at -300, with the Jets as +250 underdogs.
I am backing the Dolphins to cover the spread.
Miami Dolphins -6.5New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
The Lions and Packers boast two of the league’s top-three offenses, making an under bet seem counterintuitive. However, both teams also feature strong defenses. The Lions rank in the top three against both the run and the pass, while the Packers have been improving, particularly in pass defense.
Despite their offensive prowess, these teams lean heavily on the ground game, which tends to keep the clock running. The Packers are the second-most run-heavy team in the league, trailing only the Eagles. Their first meeting in November reflected this style of play, with nine drives lasting at least eight plays and only two possessions in the entire first quarter. Furthermore, two touchdowns in that game were outliers—a pick-six and a late garbage-time score by Green Bay.
Historical data further bolsters the case for the under in this matchup. Divisional games from Week 14 onward, where the favorite is favored by seven points or fewer, have gone under 58% of the time (127-94-1). Lions head coach Dan Campbell has a strong track record in such scenarios, with his teams going 10-5 to the under when the total is set at 51 points or higher—overs have only hit when Detroit’s offense has delivered an exceptional performance. Additionally, Thursday Night Football games with totals exceeding 51 points have favored the under, hitting at a 20-9-1 clip. These trends, combined with the current total of 51.5, make the under an enticing play, especially considering 51 is a key betting number.
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in a critical NFL Week 14 AFC West showdown. A victory for Kansas City would secure their ninth consecutive AFC West title, a remarkable achievement that underscores their dominance in the division.
Recent performances, however, suggest the Chiefs are vulnerable. Their last three wins have come by a combined seven points, and they also suffered a nine-point loss to the Buffalo Bills during that stretch. Meanwhile, the Chargers have shown flashes of improvement, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, which could pose challenges for Kansas City’s high-powered offense.
Expect a closely contested game, but the Chargers’ defense may provide just enough resistance to hand the Chiefs their second loss of the season. Chargers to edge a very close game.
Los Angeles Chargers +3.5Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.