NFL Tipsheet: Mini previews and recommended bets for Week 14 fixtures

Romilly Evans
11 December 2016

Aaron Rodgers has a big test against Seattle this weekend

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Romilly Evans runs you through the card with his bite-size bets for all Sunday's games...

"With RG3 back at the helm and in the captain's armband, Cleveland have turned the controls over to a master maverick. Well, at least this should be entertaining."

Recommended Bet
Back Over 42.5 Total Points @ 2.021/1 or better

Arizona Cardinals @ Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 18:00

This is an intriguing encounter, with both sides sporting substantial skills on both sides of the ball, and neither out of postseason contention. True, Miami hold the homefield and strong claims for the play-offs. However, Arizona have nothing to fear, as they recover their balance out of the mire of mediocrity into which they stumbled early. RB David Johnson is belatedly loosening up Carson Palmer's throwing arm with some direct running, while Jay Ajayi was finally stopped in his tracks by a decent run-defense last week. The Cards' D is picking up similar traction.

Recommended Bet
Back Arizona to win on the Moneyline @ 1.875/6 or better

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Sunday, 18:00

Matt Stafford literally has the fate of NFC North in his hands. Which normally means it's time for Detroit to visit skid row, with all manner of unnecessary slips, interceptions, and implosions. This year could be different, though, and Jay Cutler's demise at Chicago certainly makes it easier for Stafford to maintain his composure and cannon arm. Matt Barkley has looked a little bit useful in relief, though, so perhaps old tales of woe will die hard in the Motor City. Buckle up, the Lions are going on a guilt trip with their needy fans.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 43.5 Total Points @ 1.9720/21 or better

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 18:00

No AJ Green, but the Red Rifle can still bullseye its targets, as Andy Dalton proved in Cincy's blowout of Philly last Sunday. Running man Jeremy Hill carried the load to season highs last time against Cleveland too (192 yards) so the Bengals should end a frustrating campaign in professional fashion. Which is more than can be said doe the winless Browns. Then again, with RG3 back at the helm and in the captain's armband, Cleveland have turned the controls over to a master maverick. It's a last throw of the dice, as they go in search of that elusive W, but at least this should be entertaining.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 42.5 Total Points @ 2.021/1 or better

Denver Broncos @ Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 18:00

The Denver Broncos' reins should be back in Trevor Siemian's paws, and that's probably no bad thing. The play-offs, even the division still stand as realistic goals for Denver, although they stand third in the AFC West. Tennessee, on the other hand, have been clinging on to crumbling credibility, despite leading their pathetic division. When Marcus Mariota meets Von Miller's No Fly Zone, the scoring could be grounded. Stick with DeMarco Murray to move those chains, and post a TD instead.

Recommended Bet
Back D.Murray to score First / Anytime Touchdown @ 11.010/1 or better

Minnesota Vikings @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, 18:00

Adrian Peterson has threatened to not even bother returning to the filed of play this term, should Minny's collapse continue. That seems a little harsh of ol' AP, considering his team's collective effort to make up for its A-list absenteeism fell just a wafer shy against all-conquering Dallas. Now they hit the road against another dangerous team in Jacksonville. I've previously said they're the best 2-10 outfit in the NFL. Even if they go to 2-11, the leaking Jags can at least plug a hole on the handicap here.

Recommended Bet
Back Jacksonville (+3pts) to win @ 2.111/10 or better

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 18:00

The prophecy of Brock Osweiler's as the second coming in Houston has already been exposed as a fallacy. That said, if he can regather the thread, and get the Texans over the line in this crunch divisional duel, they could take a stranglehold on a weak division, and kick the rallying Indianapolis Colts to the curb once and for all. Trouble is the Colts are at home, and are gaining in momentum under Andrew Luck. The resurgent QB set a career-high 147.6 passer rating last time out, with a 79% completion percentage and some 10-yards-per-attempt figures (approx) thrown in for good measure. With his receiving corps and an old-school Frank Gore also waking up, Indy are potentially on another level to Houston, despite their equally drab regular-season numbers.

Recommended Bet
Back Indianapolis to win by Over 12pts on Winning Margin @ 3.02/1 or better

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills
Sunday, 18:00

Pittsburgh are back on the rocky road to full health, and hopefully the divisional title. However, the suspicion persists that they need home-field seeding, if they're going to progress all the way to the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, at full pelt and personnel, the Steelers' offense is the one Wildcard everyone wants to avoid. Big Ben, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown go crashing through the scenery and Buffalo's own play-off chances. They should receive the kick-off, so better to take the half-time line.

Recommended Bet
Back Pittsburgh to win on the Half-time Moneyline @ 1.84/5 or better

San Diego Chargers @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 18:00

Unlucky meets underwhelming in Carolina, and this game is a tough call because it hinges on the effort these sides will put in, with their respective seasons circling the drain after loftier expectations. Phil Rivers deserves another shot in San Diego, and for all Cam Newton's towering talent, his heart just doesn't seem in it now. Proceed with caution.

Recommended Bet
Back San Diego to win on the Moneyline @ 2.26/5 or better

Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 18:00

Arguably, only Washington have something left to play for in the East, while the Philly Eagles have lost their receiving crew alongside some key members of their O-line. Carson Wentz isn't as regressive or mechanically flawed as they say, however, and the Skins' D just got torched by a previously regressive Carson Palmer. In short, the Eagles could make this interesting after their new boys have had a fortnight to bed in.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 23.5 Philadelphia Points @ 1.991/1 or better

New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, 21:05

Bryce Petty is expected to see the year out now for the New York Jets, which is good news for the similarly beleaguered Niners of San Fran. That said, the 49ers could get the No.1 pick in the 2017 draft if they "lose out". Chip Kelly and the home faithful are probably a little too eager to salvage some pride, however. And this Petty is not a Heartbreaker.

Recommended Bet
Back San Francisco to win on the Moneyline @ 1.75/7 or better

Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 21:25

Matty Ice's Falcons are still thawing in the face of his MVP numbers. But battering Ram Todd Gurley still can't get a solid foothold into last year's form in LA. Atlanta have the better defense, the Rams the inexperienced quarterback. Enough said. The Falcons soar to a vital away win.

Recommended Bet
Back Atlanta (-6.5pts) to win @ 1.9210/11 or better

Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 21:25

This is the true test of whether Aaron Rodgers is back, and if Green Bay can run the tables into the Wildcard Round. For all the Legion of Boom can press coverage and narrow their focus, Seattle could be torn apart on the flanks by the rebounding talent of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and the breakout Davante Adams. Should the Pack emerge victorious, it may not be too late to save their season. Such murmurs could yet morph into motion.

Recommended Bet
Back Green Bay to win at Half-time - Full-time Result @ 3.02/1 or better

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, 21:25

The two sides I've failed to get a handle on this term, so forgive me for not getting too excited about this match up. Maybe two wrongs will make a right, though. Drew Brees and his O went AWOL last weekend, while Tampa's D reported for duty. That said, the Bucs thrive off turnovers, and such reversals of fortune can turn on a dime. Trust Brees to level the scales over a rival against whom his record stinks. Hall of Famers invariably like to iron out such creases before they're done.

Recommended Bet
Back New Orleans to win on the Moneyline @ 2.1411/10 or better