Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Week 14 NFL picks and best bets for the Sun’s handicapping contest

Pats-Chiefs

Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo.

A pair of matchups between teams bound to be players in the AFC playoffs have the most attention in the Sun's handicapping contest as it rounds into its final quarter.

Three best bets from the prognosticators come in this morning's matchup in Buffalo, where Baltimore goes on the road as 5.5-point favorites. A couple positions are also taken on the nationally televised rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs where the latter is a 3-point home favorite.

The competition requires four sports writers to choose six sides against the spread from the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook's Supercontest lines, including a two-point best bet.

Read below to find all their picks and best bets for week 14.

Case Keefer

Points: 52 (44-34)

49ers plus-2.5 at Saints

Falcons minus-3 vs. Panthers

Patriots minus-3 vs. Chiefs

Steelers minus-2.5 at Cardinals

Raiders plus-2.5 vs. Titans

Two-point best bet: Rams pick'em vs. Seahawks. The Seahawks were lucky to beat the Rams the first time they played. The Seahawks have been lucky to win most of their games this season. That luck is going to run out eventually.

Ray Brewer

Points: 51.5 (44-33-1)

Saints minus-2.5 vs. 49ers

Bengals plus-8.5 at Browns

Steelers minus-2.5 at Cardinals

Chargers minus-3 at Jaguars

Giants plus-9.5 at Eagles

Two-point best bet: Bills plus-5.5 vs. Ravens. The Bills have won their last three games, including on Thanksgiving against Dallas. That means they had three extra days to prepare for the Ravens, who had a tough game last Sunday against San Francisco. Baltimore, at least by the odds, are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. They could be the NFL's best team. But Buffalo, whose defense surrenders just 15 points per game, is also a contender. The Bills will use the matchup against the Ravens to reaffirm they belong in the conversation to reach the Super Bowl.

Justin Emerson

Points: 46.5 (37-40-1)

Broncos plus-9 at Texans

Saints minus-2.5 vs. 49ers

Lions plus-13 at Vikings

Steelers minus-2.5 at Cardinals

Colts plus-3 at Buccaneers

Two-point best bet: Ravens minus-5.5 at Bills. I don't care how good the Bills are. I think the Ravens are this good. They're the best team in football, and 5.5 even on the road against a playoff team is still a mismatched line. Lamar Jackson will go wild again.

Mike Grimala

Points: 42.5 (33-43-1)

Texans minus-9 vs. Broncos

49ers plus-2.5 at Saints

Jets minus-5.5 vs. Dolphins

Chiefs plus-3 at Patriots

Steelers minus-2.5 at Cardinals

Two-point best bet: Ravens minus-5.5 at Bills. Baltimore is crushing everybody and I can't believe the spread is only 5.5, even on the road against a solid team like Buffalo. Lamar Jackson will cover this.

Past Winners: 2012 — Case Keefer; 2013 — Case Keefer, Ray Brewer (tie); 2014 — Case Keefer; 2015 — Case Keefer; 2016 — Ray Brewer; 2017 — Case Keefer, Jesse Granger (tie); 2018 — Case Keefer

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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