Week 13 is in the books and Week 14 is here, so  For The Win’s Charles Curtis and Steven Ruiz return to make their NFL picks. All odds courtesy USA TODAY Sports.

Week 13 recap

Charles: 7-8-0 (Season: 91-92-4)

Steven: 9-6-0 (Season: 106-77-4)

Charles: Back down below .500. At this point my only goal is to finish above even. There’s no way I’m catching Steven this year.

Steven:  Another solid week in the books, and we’re just one win shy of being 30 games over .500.

Jaguars at Titans (-3)

Charles: Titans

File last week’s Saints-Cowboys result under “weird things happen on Thursday night,” but there’s just absolutely no way I can back Cody Kessler on the road. Titans 9, Jags 3.

Steven:  Titans

The Jaguars are still working in a new starting QB and going on the road with a short week of preparation won’t help. Titans win a low-scoring game by a touchdown.

Colts at Texans (-1.5)

Charles: Texans

Houston might be approaching “can’t bet against them” territory. The Colts are getting some respect here because of Andrew Luck and his amazing 2018 season, but shouldn’t Vegas be more alarmed by what he did last week?

Steven:  Texans

The Texans are the hottest team in football, and we saw this Colts offense was vulnerable against a good rush last week. They’ll struggle against another one in Houston.

Panthers at Browns (+1)

Charles: Browns

I’m not that confident in this pick — I wonder if Christian McCaffrey has one of those bonkers days. But I’ll bet on Baker Mayfield to take advantage of a vulnerable Panthers secondary.

Steven: Browns

Cam Newton’s shoulder isn’t right, and it doesn’t sound like Ron Rivera is sure his quarterback will even go on Sunday. Even if he does, this Panthers team doesn’t look very good at the moment.

Falcons at Packers (-3.5)

Charles:  Packers

The Packers are bad, yes. But I’m going to back Aaron Rodgers and Co. at home simply because I wonder if they’ll be invigorated by the firing of Mike McCarthy.

Steven:  Falcons

It’s time we realize this Packers team isn’t very good, and Dan Quinn has had their number in the past. I’ll take the points.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Saints at Buccaneers (+9.5)

Charles:  Saints

I’ll still back New Orleans even after last week’s disaster. They’re still one of the NFL’s top-three teams.

Steven:  Saints

As well as Jameis Winston is playing right now, I fully expect the New Orleans to bounce back in a big way after getting shut down in Dallas last Thursday.

Ravens at Chiefs (-4.5)

Charles:  Ravens

I’m a believer in Baltimore’s defense again, even against Patrick Mahomes. Lamar Jackson is good enough to keep pace against a defense that gave up 33 points to the Raiders.

Steven:  Chiefs

I don’t think the Ravens are going to be able to lean on their run game and keep up with the high-powered Chiefs offense. We could see Lamar Jackson really struggle if he has to play catch up.

Jets at Bills (-2.5)

Charles: Bills

Come aboard the short-term Josh Allen bandwagon! So what if he’s more of a running back under center? I have zero faith in the Jets’ offense to do anything here, too.

Steven:  Bills

The Bills have put together a functional offense based around Josh Allen’s running ability, and there is nothing functional about the Jets offense right now. Buffalo also has the edge on defense. This is an easy pick.

Patriots at Dolphins (+7.5)

Charles:  Patriots

The last time these two teams met, the Pats handed the Fins a 38-7 loss. This time? Pats by 13, at least.

Steven:  Patriots

I’m not going to be scared off the Patriots’ spotty track record in Miami. New England is rolling right now, and I expect that to continue against a Dolphins team that struggles to put up points.

Giants at Redskins (-3.5)

Charles:  Giants

Mark Sanchez Fumble GIF

Steven:  Giants

The Giants are playing better football of late and it seems as if the Redskins have given up on their season. I’m not betting on Mark Sanchez in 2018.

Broncos at 49ers (+3)

Charles: Broncos

Denver is down to Courtland Sutton at receiver and that’s about it. There will be games to bet against the Broncos, but not when it’s against a team that’s cored 25 points combined in the last two contests.

Steven:  Broncos

As much as I don’t trust the Broncos on the road, Nick Mullens doesn’t stand much of a chance against a good Denver defense. This one will be close, but the Broncos will pull it out by more than a field goal.

Bengals at Chargers (-15.5)

Charles:  Chargers

You could make this line -20 and I still might take the Chargers.

Steven:  Chargers

Vegas is setting a trap with that line, and I’m going to take the bait. I don’t know how many points you’d have to give to convince me to bet on Jeff Driskel, but it’s more than 15.5.

Lions at Cardinals (+0.5)

Charles:  Cardinals

I hate myself for taking Arizona here, but the Lions are a bad football team and the Cards have been more feisty lately.

Steven:  Lions

The Cardinals are coming off a nice road win, but the Lions defense should be able to should down this Arizona offense. I’ll take the more experienced quarterback in this one.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles at Cowboys (-3.5)

Charles:  Cowboys

This is all about defense — Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott can take advantage of the Eagles’ Cheese Whiz unit, while the Dallas D shuts down the inconsistent Carson Wentz.

Steven:  Cowboys

My gut is telling me this is a game the Cowboys lose, but they are the better team and had a few extra days of preparation while the Eagles are coming off a short week.

Steelers at Raiders (+7)

Charles:  Steelers

Prediction: Stevan Ridley — and not Jaylen Samuels — runs for 130 yards in a big road win, although let’s all note that the Steelers haven’t won a game away from Heinz Field by more than seven points.

Steven:  Steelers

This is the kind of game the Steelers typically don’t show up for, but I don’t think the Raiders defense stands much of a chance against that offense. And seven points isn’t too much to cover for a team that can score in bunches.

Rams at Bears (+1.5)

Charles:  Rams

With a close spread like this one, you take the better playoff contender, and that’s a Los Angeles team who will win by at least a field goal.

Steven:  Rams

In 2018, I’m taking the offense in a battle of offense vs. defense every time. The Bears might hang around for three quarters, but Los Angeles will blow it open in the fourth.

Vikings at Seahawks (-2.5)

Charles:  Seahawks

Taking the hotter team right now, at home. Something doesn’t feel right about this Vikings squad.

Steven:  Seahawks

Have you seen Kirk Cousins’ record in primetime? And there isn’t a harder place to play under the lights than Century Link Field.

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