One aspect of growing up as a Buffalo Bills fan during a drought is that the losses didn’t have a profound impact on me.
Of course, this is bad. But it’s not the end of the world.
So when I have another bad week in this column, it’s just another day at the office.
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Last week I was 2-3, which is better than the 1-4 I’ve been in a few weeks.
I correctly picked Buffalo (-3) in the 26-7 win over Pittsburgh. It was a dominant, record-setting performance from the Bills at Acrisure Stadium. San Francisco (-4.5) beat Cleveland 26-8 for another win for me. At least I could get three local teams right.
Minnesota (+13) was outscored 26-0 by Seattle, Denver (-5.5) beat Washington 27-26 in overtime, and Tampa Bay (-4.5) didn’t pick up the slack in a 20-17 victory over the Cardinals.
This year, my record is 22-36-2. We can only start here in Week 14:
• Cleveland -3.5: Cleveland (3-9) will face Tennessee (1-11) this week in a battle of AFC basement dwellers. The Titans’ only win came in a wild incident eight weeks ago. Cleveland showed more fight and had the best defender in the league in Myles Garrett.
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Garrett is four sacks away from breaking the NFL’s single-season sack record of 22.5. Maybe he broke it on Sunday? Regardless of his pursuit of history, I don’t think the Titans can score too many points.
• Kansas City -3.5: Kansas City hosts Houston in primetime Sunday night. The Chiefs have won each of their last five games against Houston, all by six points or more. Kansas City is 6-6 on the year and missing the playoffs, but I think they will have a strong year and make the playoffs.
Both teams faced off against their opponents by one point in last month’s games. I think Andy Reid has a game plan to slow down the Texans’ front seven and take the lead.
• Chicago +7: The Chicago Bears are 9-1 in their last 10 games, including an 8-2 tie. They face Philadelphia in Green Bay on Sunday for the lead in the NFC North. The Packers are 8-3-1 but are 5-7 against the spread.
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The winner of this game will control his or her playoff destiny and possibly the No. 1 seed in the National League. This should be a great match to watch.
• Tampa Bay -8.5: Tampa Bay has lost three of its past four games and hasn’t extended the spread since Oct. 26, but the Buccaneers are 2-10 at home in New Orleans this week. Tampa has defeated NFC South opponents in seven of its last 10 games.
Injuries have hit the Buccaneers hard, but they are getting healthier and should be back to full strength soon.
• Philadelphia -2.5: Monday Night Football features two 8-4 teams: the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers. Philadelphia has been better against the spread this season and I think is a better team overall.
Just like Sunday Night Football, this should be a great matchup.