The San Francisco 49ers in action against the Green Bay Packers

NFL Week 14 picks: Free NFL betting tips & predictions for 49ers @ Saints and Chiefs @ Patriots

By Paul Higham

NFL

Wed December 11, 2019 · 5y ago

Two heavyweight clashes between the big guns in the NFC and AFC highlight Week 14 as Paul Higham previews the action.

Recommended bets

2pts Seattle Seahawks to beat the LA Rams at Evens

1pt Patriots (-3.5) to beat the Chiefs at 21/20

1pt San Francisco 49ers +2.5 and Over 46.5 Total Match Points 3/1

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We’re entering the final stretch of the regular season now and two huge games with massive play-off implications highlights the Week 14 action.

San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints

It’s a rare treat to get two teams this good (both 10-2 this season) facing off this late in the season – in fact it’s the first time since 2005 that two teams with just two or fewer defeats have clashed this late in proceedings.

It’s a colossal meeting and the third instalment of a brutal schedule for the 49ers, who beat Green Bay and lost a bruising slugfest at Baltimore in the last two weeks – it remains to be seen how much it’s taken out of them as they face yet another top seed this week.

The Niners’ top defence limited Lamar Jackson’s Ravens last week, now they will try to shackle coach Sean Payton’s varied and effective attack with Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara as good as it gets.

On the flip side San Francisco’s second-ranked rushing attack, that largely had its way with Baltimore, faces a New Orleans run-stuffing unit that’s the third best in the NFL. The ground game battle in the trenches will again be crucial.

San Francisco have played it smart and have trained in Florida after playing Baltimore to avoid going back across the country before going to New Orlenas - every little helps in these big games.

With the Seahawks just ahead of them in the NFC West, the 49ers need this game badly, while the Saints could well tie-up the NFC top seed with a win. San Francisco have basically played two play-off games in a row, and they have what it takes to win this one – the Saints haven’t faced a team with a winning record since the third week of the season, this is a huge step up.

Best bet: San Francisco 49ers +2.5 and Over 46.5 Total Match Points 3/1

Kansas City Chiefs @ New England Patriots

It’s not just Saudi Arabia that gets all the heavyweight contests this weekend as there’s yet another one in the NFL at Gillette Stadium in a rematch of last season’s AFC title match, and one that was pinned as a top seed decider before Baltimore sprung onto the scene.

It’s still a huge game though with both sides able to clinch a play-off spot with a win and also lay down a marker for any possible post-season meeting. The Chiefs look to have emerged from a mini-slump while question marks have started to be raised over the Pats.

Loses to Baltimore and Houston, their two toughest games on the schedule so far, coupled with some below-par offensive displays have again led to Tom Brady coming under the microscope – some people never learn! The Pats still have a hugely imposing defence that Patrick Mahomes and his Chiefs will have to negotiate.

It’s true that New England’s troubles stem from an anaemic offence that has averaged just 18 points over the last four game – heaping more responsibility on their defence which is still the top unit in the NFL but can’t do all the heavy lifting against better opponents.

Kansas City have talent at every offensive skill position to really trouble New England’s famed defence, but it’s their own rearguard that, although improved recently, always seems to let them down in the big games.

Brady has been average at best lately but he’ll fancy bouncing back against this unit and he may not have that much to do, with the run game likely to be the chosen option for Bill Belichick, playing on KC’s defensive weakness while also keeping their high-octane offence off the field.

The Patriots are coming off a tough loss but write them off at your peril - they’re unbeaten in 21 home games, have the best defence in the league and will be playing a game in cold weather against a fast-paced offence - we’ve seen this story before.

Best bet: Patriots -3.5 at 21/20

Seattle Seahawks @ LA Rams

This is a tight one at the odds with bookies making the Rams slight one-point favourites but I think that gives us decent value on what looks a great opportunity for Seattle to severely dent LA’s play-off hopes.

The Rams lost by just a point in Seattle in the reverse fixture after missing a late field goal, but if anything the Seahawks have improved since then while the Rams have had mixed results.

Pete Carroll’s Seahawks are a perfect 6-0 on the road and have quarterback Russell Wilson in MVP form while their running game is in red-hot form with 155 yards against Philadelphia and 218 against Minnesota – both decent rush defences - in the last two weeks.

Seattle’s defence has also seen an up-turn in recent weeks and that, coupled with problems on the Rams’ offensive line mean LA quarterback Jared Goff could be in for a rough night.

It’s a close call, but Seattle are experts in close calls, they’ve won eight out of the last nine games to be settled by a touchdown or less. They can sew-up a play-off spot with a win and that’s enough incentive to see them take the victory.

Best bet: Seattle Seahawks to beat the LA Rams at Evens

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