NFL picks vs. the spread, Week 14: Browns, Saints continue free falls – NOLA.com
You have to feel for Cleveland Browns fans. They rank among the most loyal in professional sports yet they continue to be tormented by their dysfunctional football team.
In the wake of their worst loss since 1995, the Browns have lost seven games in a row and been outscored 215-98.
Cleveland is assured of their seventh double-digit-loss season in the past eight seasons. Since rejoining the league as an expansion team in 1999, they have suffered 15 losing seasons in 17 years and started 24 different quarterbacks.
Times have become so desperate in Cleveland embattled head coach Mike Pettine reportedly will turn back to Johnny Manziel to try to resuscitate the Browns’ anemic offense. Manziel, who is 1-4 as a starter in his nascent career, was demoted to third string just two weeks ago for his latest off-field transgression.
Understandably, Browns fans have turned their wrath on Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer. Both are on the chopping block just two years into their regime.
Another housecleaning looms on Lake Eerie. Browns fans deserve better.
49ers at Browns (-1): The 49ers travel across the country for the second consecutive week. Normally, that’s a recipe for disaster. But not when the opponent is the free-falling Browns. 49ers 23, Browns 20
Saints at Buccaneers (-4): The Bucs are favored against the Saints for the first time since 2008, a string of 13 consecutive games. This is a tough assignment for the Sants, who invested everything in their near-upset of Carolina on Sunday. Now they catch a red-hot Bucs team that’s won three of its past four. Buccaneers 33, Saints 28
Vikings at Cardinals (-7.5): Gotta feeling the Vikings are going to bounce back from their ugly home loss to Seattle. They’ll give the Cardinals everything they want but I don’t like the matchup of Teddy Bridgewater vs. the Cardinals’ secondary. Cardinals 28, Vikings 27
Steelers at Bengals (-3): The Steelers have won four of their last five in Cincinnati. They are the team nobody is going to want to play in the AFC playoffs. Steelers 31, Bengals 27
Bills at Eagles (E): No one is more stunned that the Eagles and Chip Kelly strutted into New England and upset Bill Belichick and the Patriots than Eagles fans. The victory was met with equal parts disbelief and shock in Philly. Maybe the Eagles should ask owner Jeffrey Lurie to give a pregame speech before every game? Eagles 26, Bills 24
Falcons at Panthers (-7.5): In their quest for a perfect season, the Panthers received their wake-up call last week in New Orleans. We’ll see if it resonates. Owner Jerry Richardson does the dab again this week. Panthers 30, Falcons 18
Redskins at Bears (-3): I don’t like the Redskins’ chances of recovering from Monday’s night brutal home loss to archrival Dallas. And considering their nie-game road losing streak, I like them even less. Bears 26, Redskins 21
Lions at Rams (E): This matchup might set offensive football back a century. But if you’re a defensive enthusiast this is your game. Lions 19, Rams 17
Chargers at Chiefs (-10): The Chiefs are the hottest team in football outside of Carolina. They make it seven consecutive wins after a five-game losing streak. Chiefs 31, Chargers 17
Titans at Jets (-7.5): The Green Machine should be buoyed by their comeback win against the Giants last week. But this one won’t come easy. Jets 21, Titans 20
Seahawks (-9) at Ravens: The Legion of Boom is back. Bad news for Matt Schaub and Co. Seahawks 26, Ravens 16
Raiders at Broncos (-7.5): The Brock Show continues in Denver. Broncos 31, Raiders 20
Cowboys at Packers (-9): A rematch of the NFC divisional playoff game. Both teams might have saved their seasons with miracle wins last week. Both are desperate to win again this week. But the Packers have Aaron Rodgers and the Cowboys have Matt Cassel. Packers 33, Cowboys 17
Patriots (-3.5) at Texans: Remember all those “the Patriots are going to make the NFL pay for Deflate-gate” storylines? Me, either. Texans 26, Patriots 24
Giants at Dolphins (E): The Sean Payton Bowl. If you believe the speculation, the loser just might get the best shot at the Saints head coach in the offseason. Tom Coughlin is on the verge of becoming the first Giants coach since Alex Webster in to fail to make the playoffs four years in a row. Dolphins 23, Giants 20
Week 13 overall record: 8-8
Week 13 record vs. spread: 8-8
Overall record: 97-81
Overall record vs. spread: 74-94-10
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