ProFootballDoc: Top 5 Actionable Injury Issues for NFL Week 14

Throughout this season we have chosen five wagers based on injury analysis only with Sunday morning lines. The results have been 38-23-4 for a +15 margin through the first 13 weeks. The theory is the line accounts for talent, matchups, scheme and coaching but does not always reflect the injury analysis we provide.

Let's see if we can keep the winning going, taking five sides:

Everyone down on the Bears, but not us this week



We know Chicago has plummeted losing six straight games. However, they are the healthier side this week vs. Houston. The Texans will miss their top running back, 2 out of the 3 top receivers, half their linebackers and multiple cornerbacks. The Bears are a full grade healthier with most of the offensive weapons healthy and now a healthy Akeem Hicks and Khalil Mack likely to play. Bears +2 or take the moneyline.

Bucs offense to take advantage 

Tampa Bay comes in well rested after their bye and a full grade healthier than the Vikings. More specifically the Bucs offense should dominate the Vikings defense. Mike Evans will play and Chris Godwin is fully healthy despite having surgery on his broken finger. The procedure to remove pins indicates the bone is healed. The Vikings miss four of their top defenders with Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Mike Hughes out. This is a battle for a wild card spot but expect the Bucs to cover the 6.5 points.

Jaguars defenseless 

With 4 out of 5 top corners injured and approaching have of the front seven, the Jaguars defense is depleted and the Titans should be able to take advantage. A.J. Brown is set to play like we thought despite missing two days of practice. The Titans are the better side and a whole grade healthier and should be able to win comfortably with Tennessee -7.5.

Big day for Aaron Rodgers

The Lions defense is without 3 out 4 starting defensive linemen and out their top 2 corners (and 4 out of the top 5) missing with #3 overall pick Jeff Okudah now out for groin surgery. The Packers offense is healthy minus their center. The line is Green Bay -8.5 but that is not too much for an Aaron Rodgers team.

Washington keeps it close

Washington is tied atop the NFC East thanks to their defense. The 49ers have some of the running backs and receivers back but come in without their top two offensive players in George Kittle and Jimmy Garoppolo. The San Francisco defense remains injured with 3/4ths of the defensive line out and half the secondary. Washington will be without Antonio Gibson and Alex Smith will never physically be 100% but his mind and decision making is as sharp as ever. Washington is in position to win and with the +3.5 gets a margin of error.

Runners up for the top five include the Seahawks, Saints and Bills to cover while the under on Dallas vs Cincinnati looks attractive using injury analysis. With fantasy football playoffs, you would be silly to not check out the health of the opposing run defense before deciding between which two of your running backs to start. See the breakdown of all the games with the Field View and Injury Index available for free at www.profootballdoc.com.

Written by
David Chao, MD -- known digitally as Pro Football Doc -- is an expert contributor for Outkick. Chao spent 17 seasons as the team doctor for the San Diego Chargers (1997-2013) and is part of the medical team at OASIS in San Diego where he treats and specializes in orthopedic sports injuries, working with high-profile professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB.