In a week that saw three 200-yard performances, an epic lateral game-winner and no shortage of late comebacks (and flubs), there was plenty to like from a wild Week 14 in the NFL. There was also plenty to learn from a betting perspective, including which teams carry future value and which ones are better left for dead with only three weeks left in the year.
Here are five things that stood out from the weekend.
Baltimore's defense is for real
In the game of the week from a betting perspective, it took an inspired fourth-quarter effort from Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's powerhouse offense to force overtime in Sunday's 27-24 win over Baltimore. And it took a field goal in overtime to betray all those who had the under, which had hit in seven of the Ravens' previous 10 games.
It's hard to deny Baltimore's defense as one of the best in the league. And with Lamar Jackson hobbled in seemingly every game, the under could hold value next week against the Buccaneers, whose once-mighty offense hasn't forced the over in four weeks. Conversely, it feels like Vegas can't keep up with the Chiefs, whose games have gone over four of the past five weeks, even without star running back Kareem Hunt in two close wins.
December blues strike again for Steelers
After threatening the Chiefs a week ago, Oakland finally pulled off the upset of the week, overcame a late deficit and double-digit line to beat Pittsburgh in a result that would feel all the more shocking if it weren't the Steelers on the other end.
With Sunday's 24-21 loss, Pittsburgh has now failed to cover the spread in six of its past seven December games, dating back to 2017. Miraculously, all six losses have come by a combined 17 points, which could create opportunity should the Steelers find themselves as heavy underdogs in upcoming games against New England or New Orleans. Don't count on it, though, for a team as talented and public-friendly as Pittsburgh.
Pump the brakes on Packers' revival
Maybe all it took was finally canning Mike McCarthy to breathe life back into this Green Bay squad. A week after an embarrassing home loss to Arizona, which capped a three-game skid, the Packers put it all together in Sunday's 34-20 win over Atlanta. Aaron Rodgers continued his turnover-free ways, Aaron Jones scored his seventh touchdown in five games and the offense hummed to its highest point total all year.
Yet it's no coincidence that such a performance came against a Falcons defense that has allowed 20-plus points in all but two games this season. And don't forget that interim coach Joe Philbin — he of the two failed challenges — is still leading the charge. The public loves Green Bay and it loves offense, so next week's game in Chicago may prove fruitful to those betting against a team that still showed fundamental flaws in recent weeks.
Cleveland killed the Cats
If it wasn't fair to bury Carolina before this week, funeral proceedings are officially in order.
Since stringing together a 6-2 start to the year, the Panthers have now dropped five straight despite being favored in each of the past four games. That includes Sunday when the offense fell apart late in a 26-20 loss at Cleveland.
All four of those consecutive losses were one-score games, which makes this team a classic stay-away. And with a three-game slate that features two games versus New Orleans and one against hated rival Atlanta? Good luck putting your money behind Carolina.
On the other end, scary as it seems, it may be wise to start taking the Browns for real. They're now 3-2 since dismissing Hue Jackson, with three wins against the spread, and rookie tandem Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb look every bit like the real deal. Next week's trip to Denver is intriguing, with the following week against Cincinnati looking like a golden opportunity to back the Browns.
Rock bottom hits for Washington
It's not really their fault, but Washington has gone from sneaky good to dreadfully bad in a matter of weeks — and betters ought to take notice.
It's hard to get louder than Sunday's 40-16 loss to the New York Giants, in which Washington's defense gave up its second-highest point total of the season as Saquon Barkley averaged over 12 yards per carry against a beleaguered front seven. That's especially concerning given the team's offensive woes with third-stringer Mark Sanchez running the show.
It's all gone downhill since Alex Smith's gruesome injury three weeks ago in a loss to Houston. Since then, Washington has dropped three games against the spread, all by progressively uglier margins. At first glance, next week's game at Jacksonville feels like a classic "bad teams, bad quarterbacks" game that could swing either way, but stay far away from a Washington team whose spirit seems as broken as its roster.
Jackson Cowart is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Alex, check out his archive and follow him @cjacksoncowart.