Best NFL Week 14 total bets: A high-scoring affair in Baltimore?
There are just five weeks remaining before the playoffs begin. As has become a weekly custom in the NFL, a plethora of backups are starting, which has created some low totals.
If you enjoy defense and horrible quarterback play, this is the week for you. Let's get to our best total bets for Sunday.
Rams @ Ravens over 39.5 points
The Rams' offense is clicking as they fight for a wild-card spot in the NFC. Every game is crucial down the stretch of the season if they want a chance to compete in the dance. Los Angeles has scored 37 and 36 points in the last two weeks, respectively.
The Rams' 36-point performance last week came against the Browns, who had a top-five scoring defense entering that week. Don't expect another 30-point performance against Baltimore on the road; the Ravens have the NFL's best scoring defense, allowing just 15.6 points per game to opponents.
The Rams don't need to score 30-plus to cover, as they're 7.5-point underdogs. If Los Angeles can reach somewhere between 17-to-20 points, the Ravens should take care of the rest against a pedestrian defense. Six of the Ravens' last seven games have gone over this number.
Buccaneers @ Falcons under 40.5 points
Someone has to win the NFC South, no matter how hard each team tries to lose it. The Falcons are in first place with a .500 record, but the Buccaneers are one game back, so the winner of this game will take the division lead.
Both of these offenses have been miserable. They rank in the bottom third of the league in points per game. Atlanta averages 18.8 points per game, while Tampa Bay averages 19.4.
Both teams also have top-10 scoring defenses, creating a low total. This should be an ugly divisional battle that'll come down to field position, with points few and far between.
Lions team total: Over 22.5 points
This is an oddly low line for a Lions squad that averages 28.7 points per game. It's an away divisional matchup, and the Bears are playing solid football, but Detroit's offense has been prolific. The Lions have scored at least 23 points in four of their last six games.
The Lions have only scored less than 20 points once this season, when the Ravens, who have the league's best defense, dominated them.
Detroit isn't just one of the NFL's best offenses; it's also playing one of the worst defenses on Sunday. The Bears allow 24.7 points per game, the league's sixth-worst scoring defense. This could be a close game - Detroit's favored by three - but the Lions shouldn't have a problem scoring.
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.