Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles were riding a nine-game win streak. Quarterback Carson Wentz was Mr. Philadelphia. Life was good. Then the Seahawks upset the Eagles. With quarterback Russell Wilson, Seattle is never out of the conversation.
Of course, the Eagles are still one of the best teams in the NFL, and Wentz still leads the NFL with touchdowns (29). Life, we hear, is still good in Philly.
This was just one of the five games that Bing predicted incorrectly in Week 13. A few plays or even just one can determine a game, and that’s what makes it so difficult about picking NFL games.
Bing also missed Kansas City’s loss to the New York Jets, Denver falling to Miami, Chicago’s setback to the 49ers, and Atlanta losing to the Minnesota Vikings.
This week’s schedule includes several games that should be close, including three that involve teams that appear playoff-bound. The Eagles play at the Rams, the Vikings at the Panthers, and the Seahawks visit the Jaguars.
If you could only watch three NFL games this week, those three should provide plenty of entertainment.
Bing’s NFL predictions use team and player statistics and web activity to build a statistical model that takes into account historical data and real-time information (like injuries, suspensions, and lineup changes). Finally, social sentiment adds a unique wisdom-of-the-crowd factor to the model. Learn more about Bing Predicts.
Click here to see Bing’s prediction for the NFL week 14.
Click here to see all Bing weekly NFL predictions.
Source: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
> Bing Predicts winner: New Orleans (61%)
> Kickoff time: 8:25 PM EDT (Thursday)
> Game spread: -4
> Matchup history: Falcons lead 51-45-0
Drew Brees and the Saints get the nod in the first of two games in three weeks between these NFC South opponents. The Saints (9-3) are alone atop the division, while the Falcons (7-5) are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. New Orleans is coming off a 31-21 win over the Panthers. In that game, Saints running back Alvin Kamara put on another show with six carries for 60 yards and five catches for 66 yards. Brees climbed past Peyton Manning to second place in all-time career completions with 6,127. Only Brett Favre has more (6,300).
To have a chance against the Saints — who average 408.6 yards per game, second in the NFL — Atlanta’s offense will need to score more than three field goals, which is what it did in the 14-9 loss to the Vikings. It could be a close contest. The Falcons are 3-3 at home, and prior to their loss to the Vikings, they had won three straight.
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Source: Brett Carlsen / Getty Images
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
> Bing Predicts winner: Buffalo (55%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: No line
> Matchup history: Bills lead 36-31-1
The Bills (6-6) could be without quarterback Tyrod Taylor who has a patellar tendon contusion suffered in the 23-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Taylor completed just half of his passes for 65 yards and threw one interception before he was injured. Running back LeSean McCoy was the bright spot for the offense with 102 total yards (93 rushing).
Buffalo has lost four of the last five games, but still they are the favorites here, largely because of who they are playing this week. The Colts (3-9), coming off a 30-10 loss to Jacksonville, are dealing with injuries like most teams, but their extent is an issue especially on the offensive line. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett had two interceptions — his only game with more than one interception — and 174 passing yards, his second worst game this season in yardage. Coach Chuck Pagano said after the game he was “obviously disappointed.” He was not alone.
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Source: Andy Lyons / Getty Images
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals
> Bing Predicts winner: Cincinnati (67%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Cincinnati -7
> Matchup history: Bengals lead 6-4-0
It’s a short week for the Bengals (5-7) after a tough 23-20 loss to the Steelers on Monday night. The Bengals, who had 13 penalties, led 17-0 early but couldn’t hold on. Still, in a matchup of two of the worst offenses in the NFL, they’re the favorites over the Bears (3-9), who have lost five straight. Cincinnati could be without linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who took a brutal hit to the helmet on Monday night. The Bengals’ defense will also miss safety George Iloka, who was suspended for a helmet-to-helmet hit. The loss to Pittsburgh snapped a two-game win streak for the Bengals. Wide receiver A.J. Green caught a pair of touchdown passes, and running back Giovani Bernard ran for 77 yards. Cincinnati is 31st in the league in yards per game (280.8).
The Bears not only lost to the 49ers on Sunday, but they also had to watch as former Bears kicker Robbie Gould sent five field goals through the uprights to win the game 15-14. Chicago’s rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky continues to struggle, completing just 12 of 15 attempts for 102 yards. The Bears have the lowest yards per game average in the NFL at 275.8. The bad news year for the Bears will likely get worse on Sunday.
Source: Dylan Buell / Getty Images
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
> Bing Predicts winner: Green Bay (63%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Green Bay -6
> Matchup history: Packers lead 12-7-0
While Aaron Rodgers has started practice following shoulder surgery, he will not play Sunday at Cleveland. Still, Green Bay (6-6) has the edge over the winless Browns (0-12). Quarterback Brett Hundley hasn’t evolved into another version of Rodgers. He completed just 13 of 22 for 84 yards in the 26-20 overtime win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. But the Packers got 113 rushing yards from running back Jamaal Williams (his first game with 100-plus yards this season), and running back Aaron Jones scampered for a 20-yard touchdown in overtime, which proved to be the game winner. The Packers also got a defensive touchdown when defensive end Dean Lowry recovered a fumble and ran it in for the score. Linebacker Clay Matthews had his best game this season with 2.5 sacks. Do not count the Packers out.
The Browns still have a chance to match the 0-16 record of the 2008 Detroit Lions. They’re trying their best. In the past two seasons they are 1-27 under coach Hue Jackson. Quarterback DeShone Kizer isn’t the only issue, but he completed just 46.9% of his passes for 215 yards and finished with one touchdown and one interception in the 19-10 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. Some are saying the Browns are as bad as any team has been in the history of the NFL. No argument there.
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Source: Elsa / Getty Images
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
> Bing Predicts winner: Kansas City (55%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Kansas City -4
> Matchup history: Chiefs lead 62-53-2
Even though the Chiefs (6-6) have lost four straight and lost to the Raiders 31-30 in their first meeting on Oct. 29, they are the favorite in this AFC West rematch. The Chiefs have been a conundrum since starting the season 5-0. The offense and defense have alternated at poor performances. Quarterback Alex Smith, who has been hot and cold, threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns, plus ran for 70 yards in the 38-31 loss to the Jets. The defense is a mess, ranked 30th in the NFL allowing 382.2 yards per game. Early in the season, the Chiefs looked like a possible Super Bowl contender, but that now seems like a long time ago.
The Raiders (6-6) have won two straight. Don’t count them out just yet, but they need a win at Kansas City — typically a tough place to play, although the Chiefs have won just three of five at home this season. Running back Marshawn Lynch had his first 100-plus yard game since coming out of retirement in the 24-17 win over the Giants on Sunday. Quarterback Derek Carr, who passed for 287 yards and a touchdown, has gone two straight games without an interception.
Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
> Bing Predicts winner: Dallas (72%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Dallas -6
> Matchup history: Cowboys lead 63-46-2
Dallas (6-6) remains in the playoff conversation — just two games behind Carolina and Seattle for wild-card spots. Despite losing three of their last four, the Cowboys are the favorite. Linebacker Sean Lee is expected to return from a hamstring injury after he missed the last two games. It should spark the defense. In last week’s 38-14 win over the Redskins, running back Alfred Morris led the offense with 127 rushing yards and a touchdown. Also, wide receiver Ryan Switzer returned a punt 83 yards for a score.
Eli Manning will return to his rightful spot as the Giants (2-10) starting quarterback on Sunday, but he’s still got the same talent to work with on offense and defense. Plus, there’s a bit of an upheaval with coach Ben McAdoo and General Manager Jerry Reese both fired. It all adds up to quite possibly another loss for the Giants (2-10), who are coming off a 24-17 loss to the Chargers. That’s the game Geno Smith started while Manning stood on the sidelines.
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Source: Todd Olszewski / Getty Images
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Bing Predicts winner: Detroit (60%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: No line
> Matchup history: Lions lead 30-27-0
The Lions (6-6) still have a slim chance of earning a playoff wild-card berth, but to do so they must win this matchup. They get the edge in a game that’s meaningful for them but not so much for the Bucs (4-8). Detroit is coming off two losses in which the offense has sputtered and the defense has looked unprepared. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who left Sunday’s game with a nasty bruise on his throwing hand, is expected to play. He rates second in the NFL in passing yards (3,302), but the Lions have fallen behind 36-3 in the first quarters of the last four games. They lost the last two. Part of that is on Stafford, who needs to get the offense off to a faster start. The Lions running game is also lacking, averaging just 78.2 yards on the ground, ranking 31st in the league.
Tampa Bay has lost seven of the last nine games, including an overtime defeat to the Packers on Sunday. Quarterback Jameis Winston had a shaky return, completing 21 of 32 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. In his defense, Winston didn’t have much time — he was sacked seven times. Running back Peyton Barber carried 23 times for 102 yards.
Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
> Bing Predicts winner: Minnesota (60%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Pick ‘em
> Matchup history: Vikings lead 8-5-0
The Vikings (10-2) will just not let go of their lead in the NFC North, which they won two years ago. They’ve won eight straight and are expected to make it nine with a win at the Panthers. It should be close, but the Vikings defense is tough, ranked second in yards allowed with 289.1 and also second in rushing defense, allowing just 77.7 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Case Keenum, who signed for just this season, could have quite a payday coming.
The Panthers (8-4) will not be a pushover. They’re 3-2 at home but have won four of their last five overall. They’re coming off a 31-21 loss at New Orleans, where Cam Newton passed for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns while also rushing for 51 yards, including a 32-yard scamper. The defense is ranked sixth overall, allowing just 297.6 yards per game.
Source: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans
> Bing Predicts winner: Houston (53%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Houston -3
> Matchup history: 49ers lead 2-1-0
Houston (4-8) gets the nod here by the slimmest of margins, coming off a 24-13 loss to the Titans. While the Texans have struggled big-time since the loss of quarterback Deshaun Watson to an Achilles injury, Sunday’s loss cannot be pinned on quarterback Tom Savage, who threw for a career-high 365 yards and just one interception. He did this despite the Texans losing four offensive players to injury in the game. Just when you think the Texans couldn’t suffer with any more injuries, they play another game and it’s deja vu all over again. It’s been a tough season in Houston.
It’s not like San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a great game in his first start, but he moved the offense into position to score five field goals, which was enough to beat the Bears 15-14 at Chicago. Garoppolo, traded to San Francisco from New England, was 26 of 37 for 293 yards and an interception. His favorite target was wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (eight catches, 99 yards). He’s expected to be the 49ers quarterback of the future, so with a 2-10 record, it’s the perfect time to get him rolling.
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Source: Elsa / Getty Images
New York Jets at Denver Broncos
> Bing Predicts winner: New York (57%)
> Kickoff time: 4:05 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Denver -1
> Matchup history: Broncos lead 19-15-1
Early in the year, the Jets (5-7) were not given much respect. A few prognosticators wondered if they’d win even one game. Well, they’ve won five and are coming off an impressive 38-31 victory over the Chiefs. It starts with the offense, led by quarterback Josh McCown. His two favorite wide receivers have stepped up in recent weeks. Jermaine Kearse had nine catches for 157 yards, while Robby Anderson had eight receptions for 107 yards. McCown threw for 331 yards and a touchdown and ran in two scores. Winning is the best way to earn respect.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Broncos (3-9), who have lost eight straight after high hopes for the season. This is their longest losing streak in 50 years. Quarterback Trevor Siemian will get the start after throwing three interceptions in Sunday’s 35-9 loss to the Dolphins. He completed 19 of 41 for 200 yards and still is the best option at quarterback. Too bad GM John Elway can’t suit up — he’s their best quarterback. Denver’s defense allows just 295.6 yards a game, which is fifth best in the NFL. But the offense struggles, averaging just 315.3 yards per game, 23rd in the NFL.
Source: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images
Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals
> Bing Predicts winner: Tennessee (61%)
> Kickoff time: 4:05 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Tennessee -2.5
> Matchup history: Cardinals lead 6-4-0
The Titans (8-4), who have won six of their last seven, are sitting pretty atop the AFC South and are favored over the injury-plagued Cardinals (5-7). Quarterback Marcus Mariota hasn’t been playing his best, but he ran for a touchdown and passed for another in Sunday’s 24-13 win over Houston. He’s got help from running backs DeMarco Murray (11 carries, 66 yards) and Derrick Henry ,who had 11 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. The Titans are playing well at the best part of the season, and the sense is that their best football is yet to come.
The Cardinals are depending once again on quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was sacked six times in the 32-16 loss to the Rams. He’s their No. 3 quarterback, forced into duty because of injuries to Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. Arizona’s defense has played well at times, with linebacker Chandler Jones having a monster year with 13 sacks. Safety Tyvon Branch and linebacker Karlos Dansby lead with 69 tackles each.
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Source: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images
Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Chargers
> Bing Predicts winner: Los Angeles (66%)
> Kickoff time: 4:05 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Los Angeles -6
> Matchup history: Redskins lead 7-3-0
Look out for the Chargers (6-6), who have won six of their last eight and three straight after Sunday’s 19-10 win over the Browns. After an 0-4 start, they’re tied atop the AFC West with Kansas City and Oakland and are the favorites in Sunday’s matchup. Their defense has not allowed any more than 26 points in any game this year. Quarterback Philip Rivers finished with 344 passing yards against the Browns, including a touchdown pass to wide receiver Keenan Allen, who had 10 catches for 105 yards. It was the third straight game Allen has had more than 100 receiving yards, at least 10 catches, and at least one touchdown. In fact, he’s the first player in NFL history to do so.The trending arrow definitely goes up for the Chargers.
Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said miscues and mistakes were the reason for the 38-14 loss to the Cowboys in Week 13. Cousins matched his two touchdowns with two interceptions and also lost a fumble. With 3,289 passing yards, he ranks fifth in the NFL — but he can’t do it alone. The Redskins (5-7), who have lost three of their last four, are trending in the opposite direction of the Chargers.
Source: Christian Petersen / Getty Images
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams
> Bing Predicts winner: Los Angeles (51%)
> Kickoff time: 4:25 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Pick ’em
> Matchup history: Eagles lead 20-19-1
This one looks like one of the best matchups of Week 14 with a slight edge going to the Rams (9-3). Running back Todd Gurley sparks the offense. He had 19 carries for 74 yards and six catches for 84 yards in the Rams’ 32-16 win over the Cardinals. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 67.7% of his passes for 220 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Special teams came up with a blocked extra point and blocked field goal. It was an all-around effort.
The Eagles (10-2) are coming off a 24-10 loss at Seattle. Quarterback Carson Wentz leads the NFL with 29 touchdowns. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor had a big game against the Seahawks, with seven catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. The defense holds teams to an average of 293.2 yards per game, third best in the NFL. This should be a game decided in the fourth quarter.
Source: Logan Bowles / Getty Images
Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars
> Bing Predicts winner: Jacksonville (55%)
> Kickoff time: 4:25 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Jacksonville -3.5
> Matchup history: Seahawks lead 5-2-0
The Jaguars (8-4) are slightly favored in part because they’re at home. They’re in the thick of the playoff picture after a 30-10 win over the Colts on Sunday. The defense is ranked tops in the NFL, allowing just 282.5 yards per game. Quarterback Blake Bortles powers Jacksonville’s offense with help from rookie running back Leonard Fournette and wide receiver Marqise Lee, who had a season-high 86 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Colts.
The Seahawks (8-4), also very much in the playoff hunt, are coming off an impressive 24-10 win over the Eagles, snapping Philadelphia’s nine-game win streak. Quarterback Russell Wilson made it happen, going 20 of 31 for 227 yards and three touchdown passes. Wilson has rushed or passed for 29 of the Seahawks’ 30 touchdowns this season. Think about it, that’s an amazing stat. The defense is banged up, but Wilson is finding a way to get points on the board.
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Source: Andy Lyons / Getty Images
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
> Bing Predicts winner: Pittsburgh (66%)
> Kickoff time: 8:30 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread: Pittsburgh -7
> Matchup history: Steelers lead 26-21-0
Pittsburgh (10-2) came back on Monday night to win 23-20 in a violent game against AFC North rival Cincinnati. The Steelers have the edge over the Ravens even though they will be without linebacker Ryan Shazier, who was seriously injured after a collision with Bengals receiver Josh Malone. No one is talking about whether he’ll return this season. The hope is he will walk again. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has been suspended one game for his illegal block on Vontaze Burfict and then for standing over him and taunting. Wide receiver Antonio Brown leads the NFL in catches (88), receiving yards (1,296), and touchdowns (nine), while his teammate Le’Veon Bell leads the league in rushing yards with 1,057. They’ll be a handful for the Ravens’ defense — or any defense for that matter.
The Ravens (7-5) have found more of a rhythm on offense after a sluggish start (3-4) to the season. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for a season-high 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday’s 44-20 win over Detroit, the third straight victory for the Ravens. The Steelers manhandled the Ravens in Week 4 with a 26-9 win, but both teams are different now. Baltimore’s defense has been its strength and is third in the NFL in points allowed per game (17.2). But Brown, Bell, and Ben Roethlisberger will provide a huge test.
Source: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
> Bing Predicts winner: New England (80%)
> Kickoff time: 8:30 PM EDT (Monday)
> Game spread: New England -11
> Matchup history: Dolphins lead 53-51-0
No surprise here that the Patriots (10-2) are favored — after all, they’ve won eight straight. When the two AFC East teams met two weeks ago, New England coasted to a 35-17 win. In that game, quarterback Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes, two of them were to tight end Rob Gronkowski, who will be suspended for this game for an illegal hit on Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White on Sunday. Brady remains atop the NFL charts with 3,632 passing yards, and he is tied for second with 26 touchdowns. He’s only thrown four interceptions this season. Surprisingly, Brady is 7-8 in his career at Miami.
The Dolphins (5-7) snapped a five game losing streak with a 35-9 win over Denver on Sunday. Running back Kenyan Drake had a career-high 120 rushing yards. Wide receiver Kenny Stills caught five passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jay Cutler threw two touchdown passes and two picks.
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