Only a quarter of the season

remains and that means it is crunch-time in the playoff chase. Injuries seem to be piling up, but that’s life in the National Football League as plenty of great matchups fill up the betting action for Week 14.
No better place to start than at the top and this week the Green Bay Packers host the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field. Running back James Starks (knee) is out for the Pack. Meanwhile, the Raiders offense will be missing a number of skill position players with RB Darren McFadden, WR Jacoby Ford and WR Denarius Moore all out with foot injuries.
There was a huge move in the total on this game that opened at 55 and has since been bet down to 51½.
Sticking with the NFC North, the Detroit Lions originally opened as 7½-point favorites over Minnesota, but huge injuries caused that number to come off the board. It now sits with the Lions -9½. Adrian Peterson (ankle) and rookie QB Christian Ponder (hip) are both questionable for the Vikings.
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is still serving his 2-game suspension and rookie DT Nick Fairley (foot) is doubtful for the Lions.
Good news for the Denver Broncos as stud rookie LB Von Miller (thumb) is probable for Sunday against Chicago. However, the resurgent RB Willis McGahee (knee) is questionable. The line has moved in favor of Da' Bears a little as Tebowmania opened -4 and is now -3.
Don’t forget that Chicago RB Matt Forte (knee) is out and could miss far more than just this week.
Houston’s outstanding WR Andre Johnson (hamstring) is out for the huge AFC matchup with Cincinnati. As for the Bengals, DE Carlos Dunlap and CB Nate Clements are also suffering from hamstring injuries and are questionable.
There were questions as to whether or not starting QB Josh Freeman would play for the Buccaneers this Sunday in Jacksonville, but it appears he will be ready to go and is listed as probable with a shoulder injury. The Jaguars have a list of injuries as long as their home field, but the latest is safety Dwight Lowery (shoulder) who is questionable.
Cash has been flowing toward the Tennessee Titans as the New Orleans Saints opened as 4½-point road favorites but now sit at just -3.
Washington now has two players out for the rest of the season facing suspensions for drug use in TE Fred Davis and LT Trent Williams. That certainly won’t help them Sunday as an 8-point home dog to the New England Patriots.
Michael Vick (ribs) should be making his return at quarterback and despite Philadelphia’s 4-8 record, Eagles fans couldn’t be happier with Vince Young taking a seat. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin was just downgraded to questionable today, though, with a hamstring issue. Philly is a 3-point dog to a red-hot and healthy Miami Dolphins team this weekend.
Finally, in the Sunday Night Football pairing out of the NFC East, WR Miles Austin (hamstring) likely makes his return to the Dallas Cowboys lineup. Running backs Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) are both probable for the Giants while they have a little trouble on the defensive side.
Safety Kenny Phillips (knee) is doubtful and expected to miss Sunday night’s game, and DE Osi Umenyiora is out with an ankle injury.
New York opened as a 3½-point underdog and now sits at +4½.