George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions

Full-fledged December football is here, Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season landing with what should be a spectacular Thursday night game between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions − a pair of teams with playoff aspirations, though neither will move into the projected NFC field even with a victory in what's effectively shaping up as a must-win game at Ford Field.

Sunday afternoon serves up a meeting between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars, the winner taking outright control of the AFC South. Similar scenario for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, one of the two scuffling clubs set to sit alone atop the AFC North following the latest installment of their rivalry.

But no rivalry has more history − or probably more juice at the moment − than the century-long-plus one between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. They'll meet for the 211th time this weekend, first place in the NFC North − and possibly the conference − also on the line at Lambeau Field.

Sunday night will showcase the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, a pair of clubs used to winning their respective divisions but currently sitting outside the AFC postseason field. Week 14 concludes with a pair of teams dealing with myriad issues but likely to reach the Super Bowl 60 tournament as the Los Angeles Chargers host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

Week 14 will also mark the league's final round of bye weeks, the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers all hitting their midseason breaks.

After a rough showing on Thanksgiving, here's how USA TODAY Sports' panel of NFL experts views this weekend's offering of contests:

(Odds provided by BetMGM)

NFL Week 14 picks, predictions, odds

  • Cowboys at Lions
  • Commanders at Vikings
  • Colts at Jaguars
  • Saints at Buccaneers
  • Dolphins at Jets
  • Titans at Browns
  • Seahawks at Falcons
  • Steelers at Ravens
  • Bengals at Bills
  • Broncos at Raiders
  • Bears at Packers
  • Rams at Cardinals
  • Texans at Chiefs
  • Eagles at Chargers

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 14 picks straight up and against spread: Cowboys or Lions in must-win matchup?

Reporting by Nate Davis, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect