NFL Betting: What We Learned from Week 14 (2020)
Week 14 was a week of blowouts as we didn’t see any close games in the morning and then had just a couple of tight endings with the afternoon affairs. As we start to shift our focus to Week 15, let’s take a look back to Week 14 and see what we learned from this week’s action.
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Hurts is Not Necessarily the Answer
Jalen Hurts got the start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and he gave the team a huge shot in the arm. The offensive line, which had allowed Carson Wentz to be sacked a league-high 50 times, didn’t give up a single one on Sunday. Meanwhile, Hurts was effective with 167 yards passing and 106 yards rushing. However, let’s not jump the gun here: Hurts might not be the answer here.
Let’s be realistic for a second. The main issue on offense for the Eagles (other than Wentz) was the offensive line. Using a quarterback who is far more mobile is one way to remedy this problem. Secondly, the defense – of course – performed better on Sunday because the offense didn’t put them in uncomfortable positions. The Eagles won time of possession, only turned it over once, and built a 17-0 lead at the half.
Hurts was the solution this week and might help them register wins through the end of the year. However, it’s not definite that the Eagles’ best path forward (in the offseason) is to move on from Wentz and go with Hurts going forward.
Raiders Defense is Brutal
The Las Vegas Raiders are still in the playoff picture in the AFC but it’s become quite clear that their defense is a massive hindrance to any success. Over their last four games, the Raiders are allowing 37.5 points per game. The team has lost three of those games – two via blowout – and the lone win was a last-second miracle at the New York Jets. The biggest problem appears to be the run defense, which has given up 158.8 rushing yards per game over their last four, which is the third-worst mark in the league.
The good news is that they face the Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos to end the year. The Dolphins are dead-last in yards-per-carry while the Chargers are 27th. Over looks like the best way to go (or keep going) with this team.
Jets Aren’t Going to Win
The New York Jets are winless through 13 games and they’ll be winless through 16 as well. This team isn’t going to win a game this season.
On Sunday, the Jets were a bit hungover from their near-win over the Las Vegas Raiders the week before and they got smoked 40-3 by the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Sam Darnold is averaging just 153.6 passing yards per game over his last five and he has just two touchdown passes in his last six contests.
With the Jets scheduled to face the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots to end the year, there’s no path to a win for them. Bet the moneylines against them or props because they’ll be 0-16 at the end.
Patriots Can Compete (Next Year) with A Good Quarterback
The Patriots passing game (and offense) put forth a pathetic effort on Thursday night but one thing has become evident. If Bill Belichick can compete with this roster, this quarterback, and this offense, they’ll be able to do a lot better when they have a better passer next season.
Taking a look at Cam Newton’s recent numbers, they’re ugly. He’s thrown for a total of 272 yards in his last three games combined. On the year, he has just five touchdown passes and 10 interceptions with a brutal 46.3 QBR. Even so, the Pats have won six games and should get at least one more victory. If this is what Belichick and company can do with one of the worst offenses in the league, expect them to be much better next season. They clearly miss Tom Brady but they couldn’t find a replacement this offseason; they’ll do better next offseason and become competitive again.
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Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.