If you’re an NFL betting enthusiast that is looking for favorites that are all offering some expert betting value in week 14, then look no further YouWager NFL betting faithful. With the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos all be looking to avoid upsets in their respective Week 14 matchups, let’s find out where the value lies when they take to the gridiron this coming weekend.
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
Game Information
What: Carolina Panthers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (4-7-1)
When: Sunday, December 9, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
TV: FOX
Weather Forecast
Clear: 0°C | 32°F
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 7 MPH NW
Stadium Type: Open Air
Carolina is reeling at the worst possible time. The Panthers have lost four straight and come into this Week 14 matchup off a discouraging 24-17 road loss against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Veteran quarterback Cam Newton had one of his worst games as a pro. The Panthers former MVP passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns, but he also tossed four highly damaging interceptions in the loss. Carolina averages 25.3 points per game (11th) while allowing 25.5 points per contest defensively (21st).
“I’ve just got to play better,” said Newton. “That’s what it comes down to. As a signal-caller, as a quarterback, it’s hard to point blame when you’ve got to first account for yourself in the mirror. When I look back at this game, it really comes down to protecting the football.”
The Browns had their modest two-game winning streak snapped in their humbling 29-13 road loss to Houston on Sunday as rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield was picked off by Houston’s ravenous defense three times in the loss. Cleveland averages 22.2 points per game (20th) while allowing 26.0 points per contest defensively (26th).
“(If) I would’ve taken care of the ball, this game would’ve been very close,” he said.
• Panthers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in December.
• Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss.
• Panthers are 1-5 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
• Panthers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.
• Panthers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
• Browns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 14.
• Browns are 16-37-1 ATS in their last 54 games overall.
I know Carolina is in the midst of some serious struggles, but I’ve got to believe the fact that the Panthers are completely and utterly desperate is going to be the deciding factor around the outcome of this matchup. The Panthers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in Week 14 and a robust 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss. Conversely, the Browns are just 8-19 ATS in their last 27 home games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in the month of December. Carolina has the far better defense in this matchup, plus they’ve got some great talent at the skill positions, even if Newton has been horrible at getting them ball lately. The Panthers will win and win big to cover the spread NFL betting buffs!
Predicted Score: Carolina Panthers 31 | Cleveland Browns 21
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Game Information
What: Indianapolis Colts (6-6) at Houston Texans (9-3)
When: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
TV: FOX, DTV: 714
Weather Forecast
Clear: 21°C | 69°F
Humidity: 65%
Wind: 14 MPH NW
Stadium Type: Open Air
Indianapolis was on the wrong end of a humbling 6-0 shutout loss against Jacksonville last weekend while failing to cover the spread as a 4-point favorite just as I predicted. Andrew Luck threw for 248 passing yards but failed to get his team into the end zone against Jacksonville’s dominant defense.
“I didn’t feel very sharp,” Luck said. “I didn’t feel I was putting the ball in the right places to give the guys a chance to catch them, but again, give credit to their coverage. I think all the guys in the locker room right now feel that we didn’t hold up our end of the bargain as players. I know I can be sharper. I know I need to be sharper.”
Indianapolis averages 27.1 points per game to rank a stellar eighth in scoring while limiting the opposition to 23.2 points per contest defensively to rank a respectable 15th in points allowed.
Houston has now won nine straight and they come into this contest off a convincing 29-13 smackdown over Cleveland last weekend while making rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield struggle in a big way. Quarterback Deshaun Watson passed for 224 yards and one score while Lamar Miller added 103 rushing yards in the win. However, it was Houston’s defense that really got the job done by picking off Mayfield three times in the win.
“It means a lot especially from where we came from 0-3 … but it’s not the Super Bowl so we’re still fighting,” Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said.
Houston averages 25.2 points per game (12th) while limiting their opponents to just 19.6 points per contest defensively to rank third in points allowed.
• Colts are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games on FieldTurf.
• Colts are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 14.
• Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
• Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
I know Indianapolis has gone 4-0-1 ATS in their last five road dates against Houston, but the Texans are now the better team in this contest and I expect them to take care of business in this huge Week 14 AFC South divisional battle.
The Colts are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in December and 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games against their AFC South division rivals.
Houston has gone 5-0 ATS in their last five games against their AFC counterparts and their defense is playing lights out. The Texans win by a touchdown at the very least to cover the spread.
Predicted Score: Houston Texans 27 | Indianapolis Colts 17
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers
Game Information
What: Denver Broncos (6-6) at San Francisco 49ers (2-10)
When: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 4:05 PM ET
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
TV: CBS
Weather Forecast
Chance Light Rain: 6°C | 42°F
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 3 MPH E
Stadium Type: Open Air
The Broncos are heating up at just the right time. Denver has won three straight including their convincing 24-10 smackdown win over Cincinnati on Sunday. Rookie running back Phillip Lindsay rushed for a career-high 157 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way to victory while Case Keenum passed for 151 yards with one TD pass. Now, the Broncos are looking to finish strong. Denver averages 23.0 points per game (17th) while allowing just 21.8 points per game defensively (11th).
“Four games left, and they’ve got to be our best four,” linebacker Von Miller said. “We took a long way to get there, and there’s still a long way to go.”
San Francisco has lost three straight and nine of their last 10 games including their embarrassing 43-16 beatdown loss against Seattle this past weekend. Quarterback Nick Mullens passed for a fantastic 414 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but the Niners allowed Russell Wilson to toss four TD passes in the loss. Cornerback Richard Sherman saw his return to Seattle ruined by Wilson’s fantastic performance. San Francisco averages just 21.2 points per game (22nd) while giving up 28.0 points per contest defensively (29th).
“I’m a ballplayer and at the end of the day the field is the same length and everything else is the same,” Sherman said. “You just go out there and play your game and try to give your team the best chance to win, and unfortunately we didn’t get the win today.”
• Broncos are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
• Broncos are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS win.
• Broncos are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games in Week 14.
• 49ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
• 49ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 14.
• 49ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
The Broncos are the super easy pick to win this contest and cover the chalk as a stunning 5.5-point road favorite. Denver has gone 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall while the 49ers have gone 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The red-hot Broncos cruise to victory in this one!
Predicted Score: Denver Broncos 31 | San Francisco 49ers 7
