The Six Defining Games of NFL Week 14; Deshaun Watson Cleared to Practice & Von Miller Speaks on Parsons

Summary of The Six Defining Games of NFL Week 14; Deshaun Watson Cleared to Practice & Von Miller Speaks on Parsons

by Dan Le Batard, Stugotz

52m•December 5, 2025
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Overview of The Six Defining Games of NFL Week 14

This episode of Football America (hosts: Dan Le Batard & Stugotz) covers NFL Week 14 rivalry matchups and college football championship weekend. The show mixes betting/fantasy picks, a sit‑down with Von Miller (promoting his new podcast Free Range), and a preview/prediction rundown of six “defining” NFL games with Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderam. Sponsored segments from DraftKings and Miller Lite are woven throughout.

Key segments

  • Pick 6 (DraftKings-sponsored): hosts share player touchdown and stat picks for the slate.
  • Interview: Von Miller (promoting Free Range) — career reflections, Hall of Fame criteria, jersey numbers, Micah Parsons trade, and how the league has changed.
  • Guest: Matt Verderam (Sports Illustrated) — rivalry week breakdown and predictions for six marquee Week 14 games.
  • Quick notes/promos: DraftKings Pick 6 product and Miller Lite sponsorship; plug for Football America’s YouTube college championship picks with Ryan Shazier.

Pick 6 / Hosts’ betting/fantasy picks

Dan Le Batard’s Pick 6 (touchdown/milestone-style):

  • Derrick Henry — TD
  • James Cook — TD
  • Josh Allen — TD
  • Joe Burrow — multiple TD throws (2)
  • Baker Mayfield — multiple TD throws
  • Jordan Love — continued TD production vs. Bears

Alternate host picks and tweaks:

  • Gino replaced Derrick Henry with Quinshon (Quinceon?) Jenkins for Browns short-yardage work; mentioned Deshaun Watson’s impending return as a variable.
  • Mike chose Jaxon Smith‑Njigba (JSN) to go over 90.5 receiving yards instead of a touchdown pick.

Von Miller — interview highlights

  • Super Bowls vs. Hall of Fame: Von prefers Super Bowl wins over a gold jacket, though ideally he'd have both. He cherishes the lifelong bonds and memories from Super Bowl teams.
  • “Clutch” and postseason moments: Von believes repeatedly delivering in big moments builds belief in clutch performance; postseason moments matter but evaluation can vary by position.
  • Hall of Fame test (his rule): Ask if you can tell the history of the NFL without that player — if not, they’re HOF‑caliber. He used memorable single plays (e.g., Odell Beckham Jr.'s catch) as examples of long-lasting impact.
  • Jersey numbers: 58 (Denver) is retired for him, 40 was a lifelong favorite; now wearing 24 in Washington influenced by style/fit and admiration for Champ Bailey and Kobe.
  • On Micah Parsons trade: Von supports Jerry Jones’ decision — viewed it as a win-win (Parsons got paid; Cowboys got help at defensive tackle and draft capital). He emphasized preferring to invest in interior defensive help and multiple pieces rather than overspending on a single WR.
  • League evolution: More cameras and exposure — everything is caught now; players are bigger/faster/stronger; uniforms/identity continue to change.
  • Free Range podcast: Von promoted his show where he talks pass‑rush craft and other inside stories.

Notable quote (paraphrase): “If you can’t tell the story of the NFL without that player, he’s a Hall of Famer.”

Matt Verderam — Week 14 predictions & analysis (six defining games)

Matt Verderam and the hosts preview six pivotal rivalry/meaningful games for Week 14. Below are spreads/totals as of recording and the panel’s main lean/predictions:

  1. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Chargers

    • Spread/Total noted: Chargers +3, 40.5
    • Panel lean: Eagles favored — Philly by ~4. Reasons: healthier roster overall, Chargers’ offensive line (and Justin Herbert’s left‑hand/hand issue) is a major concern, Philly’s desperation to stay atop the NFC.

  2. Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

    • Line/Total: Jags +1.5, 48.5
    • Panel lean: Jaguars win a tight one. Colts perceived in decline (Anthony Richardson situation / QB injury/mobility issue referenced); Jaguars’ home advantage and remaining schedule tilt division odds to Jacksonville.

  3. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

    • Line/Total: Ravens -6, 42.5
    • Panel lean: Ravens to win (scores cited ~30–22 or 24–20). Both offenses have questions (Lamar’s mobility not 100%, Steelers struggling under Aaron Rodgers). Ravens favored but may not cover.

  4. Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals

    • Line/Total: Bills -5.5, 53.5
    • Panel lean: Bills by about a TD (Dan: 34–? ). Key notes: Bengals’ defense struggles vs. the run; Bills’ James Cook and Josh Allen running game matchup is pivotal. Bengals need an offensive explosion (e.g., 40+ points) to win in Buffalo.

  5. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

    • Line/Total: Chiefs -3.5 at Arrowhead, 41.5
    • Panel lean: Chiefs win narrowly (Mahomes advantage under pressure). Texans’ defense and KC offensive line pass‑rush issues complicate the game; prediction: Chiefs cover barely or win by a field goal, Texans might cover.

  6. Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (Rivalry Week centerpiece)

    • Line/Total: Packers -6.5, 44.5
    • Panel lean: Packers cover / win by about a TD (e.g., 27–20). Considerations: Bears’ Caleb Williams accuracy and lack of playoff/big‑game experience; Packers viewed as the steadier team with Green Bay’s home/experience edge.

General takeaways from Verderam:

  • Rivalry relevance returns when both teams have stakes.
  • Number one seed/home field still matters a lot (fewer playoff games to play/advantage in cold-weather matchups).
  • Domes vs. open air: hosts favor old‑school cold-weather home‑field benefits; domes criticized.

Notable insights & quotes

  • Von Miller: “A Super Bowl win beats a gold jacket for me — the lifelong connection with teammates matters.”
  • HOF criterion (Von): “Can you tell the story of the NFL with or without that player?”
  • Matt Verderam on Packers‑Bears importance: if Bears win they’re in the driver’s seat for the division; same for Packers if they win — big seeding implications.

Recommendations / Action items

  • Listen to Von Miller’s Free Range for pass‑rusher conversations and player perspectives.
  • Check Matt Verderam’s SI coverage and his Friday preview for more game breakdowns and picks.
  • Football America YouTube: college championship picks (they mentioned a Ryan Shazier segment and exclusive content).
  • If you play DraftKings Pick 6, use the hosts’ picks as inspirations but monitor injury reports (Herbert, Watson) and line movement before wagering.

Sponsors & plugs

  • DraftKings Pick 6 — hosts promoted the NBA-focused Pick 6 product and sign‑up credit offer.
  • Miller Lite — holiday season plug and Miller’s 50th anniversary.

This summary captures the episode’s main interviews, betting/fantasy picks, Week 14 game predictions, and the strategic viewpoints from Von Miller and Matt Verderam — enough for readers to know what to watch and why without listening to the full show.