Thursday Night Game:
(7-0) Philadelphia Eagles at (1-5-1) Houston Texans
Eagles by 13.5 (45.5 O/U) This game has blowout written all over it with one big exception, despite being 1-5-1, the Texans have held their own this season with 3 of their five losses within 7 points or less from their competition. The Eagles offense has too many weapons, and far too much talent for the Texans’ defense to contain for 60 minutes, and their defense is one of the best this season. Eagles by 17/OVER.
Sunday Early Games
(4-3) Los Angeles Chargers at (4-4) Atlanta Falcons
Chargers by 3 (49.5 O/U) Vegas is tempting either a blowout or a shootout. The problem is neither team is playing solid ball on either side of the field to warrant such an outcome. Both teams have been battling injuries, so this will most likely become a lower scoring affair. Falcons have a lot riding on this game leading the NFC South, while the Chargers are doing their best to remain competitive in the AFC playoff chase. Upset Special… Falcons by 2/Under.
(5-3) Miami Dolphins at (3-5) Chicago Bears
Dolphins by 5 (45.5 O/U) Miami went and added Bradley Chubb to further bolster their push towards the playoffs while believing they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Chicago looked great last week despite a convincing loss to the Cowboys. Justin Fields showed signs of a future All-Pro, as the offense seemed to finally start gelling collectively. This problem this week is they face a red hot Dolphins squad that sees them as a stepping stool towards their goal, so they have to play to avoid the upset on the road and should have little trouble accomplishing it. Dolphins by 8/Over.
(2-6) Carolina Panthers at (4-4) Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals by 7 (42.5 O/U) Cincinnati hasn’t been laying like the returning Super Bowl Champions, but even Denver managed to go from winning the Super Bowl to missing the playoffs all together. The Bengals are sitting just outside the playoffs and needs to piece together some key wins, and that trek starts here! The Panthers are a mess, but playing well enough to remain competitive against each opponent they’ve played this season. That could end this week as they are completely outmatched. But Cincinnati’s struggles could open a doorway like Atlanta provided last week. Bengals by 10/Under.
(3-5) Green Bay Packers at (1-6) Detroit Lions
Packers by 3.5 (49.5 O/U) On paper, looking at their records, it’s easy to assume neither team has played well this season. The Packers offense is askew, and their defense keeps giving up too many yards, and isn’t forcing many turnovers. Detroit on the other hand, their record is something betters shouldn’t take as an immediate reason to pick against them. This season, 4 of their six loses were by 4 points or less, thus those games could have easily ended as wins. Their two blowout wins were against tougher would be playoff teams on the road. Giving the rivalry involved, and it’s a key battle in the NFC North, it’s safe to assume the Lions intend to bring it, and leave it all on the field this week to secure an upset win. The Packers will have to conquer their issues this season to avoid an upset. Upset Special II… Lions by 4/Over.
(3-4-1) Indianapolis Colts at (4-4) New England Patriots
Patriots by 5.5 (40 O/U) Th Colts looked like contenders before this season started, only to see those aspirations be replaces by uninspired play this season of both sides of the field. Despite a rough start, the Patriots are starting to figure out how to win and stay in the AFC Playoff Chase. The Colts have often struggled against the Patriots at home, and this game will continue that trend. Patriots by 7/Under.
(6-1) Buffalo Bills at (5-3) New York Jets
Bills by 12.5 (47 O/U) One of two AFC Games of the Week. Bills are cruising towards a potential Super Bowl finish. while the Jets have been nothing short of the Cinderella team this season. Both teams are playing at a high level, and both teams are loaded with talent. The Bills pass rush, along with potentially return CB Tre’Davious White will likely give the Jets offense fits in this game. The only hope the Jets have to pull off the upset at home is for their defense to play the nearly perfect game, and their offense to refrain from turning the ball over. A very tall task for a young team facing the best the AFC has to offer this season. Bills by 14/Over.
(6-1) Minnesota Vikings at (4-4) Washington Commanders
Vikings by 3.5 (45.5 O/U) Washington is figuring out how to work their offense effectively while their defense continues to keep the team in most games this season. They are coming off an impressive win with a lot of confidence, which they will need to upset the red hot Vikings. Minnesota’s offense is our top rated in the NFL entering this week, and their defense is in our top five. They have a bolstered offensive line that feeds their ground and pass game to thrive weekly, and are legitimate contenders. If the Commanders defense can force some turnover, and dictate the pace t which the Viking offense moves, they have a chance at the upset. But the Vikings rarely turn it over, and have too much speed at key positions. Vikings by 4/Under.
(2-5) Las Vegas Raiders at (2-6) Jacksonville Jaguars
Raiders by 1.5 (48 O/U) This game shouldn’t be an easy call, but the Raiders sloppy play this season made an easy pick. Jacksonville has played great this season despite their record. This is a team on the verge of taking off, nd this game could be their runway. Upset Special III… Jaguars by 3/Under.
Sunday Late Games
(5-3) Seattle Seahawks at (3-5) Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals by 2 (49.5 O/U) This is a tough pick. Seattle has over achieved thus far, but only one of their wins was against teams with winning records. The Cardinals have the talent to turn their misfortunes this season around, and they also played Seattle earlier this season on the road, which gives them the advantage at home. Expect a shootout is the spread, but it’s more likely this game will be lower scoring but nail biting 60 minutes of football. Cardinals by 4/Under.
(3-4) Los Angeles Rams at (3-5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers by 3 (42.5 O/U) Big game with what could be a key tiebreaker come playoff time. Rms are struggling to move the ball effectively on offense this season, while the defense has struggled equally. The Buccaneers are pinning their hope on the notion that Tom brady has recovered enough from the mental effects a divorce causes to usher them back into dominance in the NFC. That’s a big ask at this point, and while one should never put it past Brady to come alive on gameday, his play this season is far from what anyone expects from him annually. Still, the Bucs are only a game out of first in the NFC South, and with the Rams struggling, now is the time to prove they still are contenders in the NFC. Buccaneers by 6/Over.
Sunday Night Game
(5-2) Tennessee Titans at (5-2) Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs by 12.5 (46.5) 2nd of 2 Games of the Week. Huge matchup with tons of playoff implications and a critical post-season tiebreaker. Chiefs are always dangerous at home, and have found their groove this season. The Titans are playing equally committed football this season, and an upset on the road would give them the confidence they need to make a big push towards returning to the Super Bowl. While the Chiefs are playing great, it’s difficult to fathom how they leave this game with a double digit win, but it has shootout written all over it. Chiefs by just 7/Over.
Monday Night Game
(5-3) Baltimore Ravens at (3-5) New Orleans Saints
Ravens by 2.5 (48 O/U) Baltimore has a one game lead in the AFC North, but their offense still hasn’t regained its dominance from a couple seasons ago, and their defense has slowed this season at key positions. The Saints offense has improved the past couple of weeks under veteran QB Andy Dalton. while their defense is off and on at best. They also are only one game out of first place and have an outside shot at the playoffs. The Ravens need the big upset at home, and should be able to squeak out of NOLA with the win. Quote the Ravens… win by 4/Under.
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