Giants (10-4) at Eagles (5-9), Thursday
Current Line: Giants -3
The New York Giants will look to solidify a playoff spot on Thursday Night in Philadelphia. While the Giants come in as the hotter team, winning at the Link is never an easy task for them. Big Blue has lost three of their last four in Philly and four of their last five overall to the Eagles. That said, this Eagles team is coming off two crushing losses and five losses in a row. I look for them to come out flat after a short week of preparation. While the Giants may be without top cornerback Janoris Jenkins, I don’t see the Eagles receivers providing big problems for Landon Collins and one of the leagues most fearsome secondaries. Look for Eli Manning and the Giants offense to play a smart game and the Giant defense to hold the Eagles to very few points.
Our Pick: Giants -3
Redskins (7-6-1) at Bears (3-11)
Current Line Redskins-3.5
I want to start this by saying the Redskins will win this game. However, Matt Barkley has been hard to bet against. Since he took over as the starter, the Bears are 3-0 against the spread. In the last 5 weeks, the Bears have played close games with the Giants, Titans, Lions, and Packers. This includes a three-point loss to Green Bay last week. The Redskins will be coming off a Monday Night game and are going to have to ready to play after just 4 days of rest. So while I think they will win a game, I like this game to be close.
Our Pick: Bears +3.5
Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-7)
Current Line: Bills -3.5
Matt Moore looked really good last week but lets not forget he did his damage against a disinterested New York Jets defense. Expect Moore to come back to life in frigid Buffalo against a team that needs to win. Expect McCoy and Taylor to be very productive on the ground.
Our Pick: Bills -3.5
Buccaneers (8-6) at Saints (6-8)
Current Line: Saints -3.5
These two teams just met on December 11th, with the Bucs essentially shutting down Drew Brees in a 16-11 win. Brees hasn’t looked like himself over the last couple weeks, a sign that we are starting to see the decline of an all time great QB. I like this Bucs team. They have gone 5-1 in their last 6 and are 5-1 against the spread.
Our Pick: Bucs +3.5
Falcons (9-5) at Panthers (6-8)
Current Line: Falcons -3.5
Carolina just played a terrific game in Washington on Monday Night. However, the Falcons are a much better football team and have scored 40+ points in each of the last two games. We should also see Julio Jones back on the field who torched the Panthers secondary for 300 yards the last time these teams played. Jones will also be looking to stay atop the league in total receiving yards. Unless Vegas knows something we don’t, or your name is Matt Bielawa, taking the Falcons is a no-brainer.
Our Pick: Falcons-3.5
Vikings (7-7) at Packers (8-6)
Current Line: Packers -7
Aaron Rodgers is playing like A-Rod again and Ty Montgomery has surged as of late, giving the Packers the option they have been searching for in the running game. With the addition of Christine Michael, they have a real 1-2 punch in the backfield. Adrian Peterson’s return last week wasn’t as advantageous as expected for the Vikings.
Our Pick: Packers -7
Jets (4-10) at Patriots (12-2)
Current Line: Pats -16.5
Vegas is begging you to take the Jets after weeks of losing money on Tom Brady and the Patriots. Don’t do it. While the Jets typically play the Pats close, most of the close games happen at MetLife. The Jets are prone to being blown out in Foxboro and will be starting either an injured Bryce Petty or a healthy Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Our Pick: Patriots -16.5
Titans (8-6) at Jaguars (2-12)
Current Line: Titans -4
The Titans are playing really good football and lets face it, Blake Bortles couldn’t read a defense if they told him what was coming. To top it all off the Jaguars can’t stop the run. The Titans meanwhile don’t know how to do anything besides run. Be smart, take the Titans.
Our Pick: Titans -4
Chargers (5-9) at Browns (0-14)
Current Line: Chargers -6
If the Browns are going to win a game, its this one. Look for LeBron to lift the spirits of the ailing Browns, and the city of Cleveland once again.
Our Pick: Browns +6
Colts (7-7) at Raiders (11-3)
Current Line: Raiders -4
The Colts have to come out like a desperate team in this one. They are a game back in AFC South and both the Texans and Titans have very winnable games this week. While the Raiders are a good team at home, they are not nearly as good against the spread. Additionally, Derek Carr has not been the same player since his finger injury, but looking at Andrew Luck’s lack of consistency this year, we like the Raiders to win big.
Our Pick: Raiders -4
49ers (1-13) at Rams (4-10)
Current line: Rams -3
Don’t bet on this game. Unless you’re Matt Bielawa, he knows everything (Not).
Cardinals (5-9-l) at Seahawks (9-4-l)
Current line: Seattle -9
Seattle has 10 days to prepare for this divisional game. The last time these two teams met in Week 7, they tied. All things point to Seattle winning this one. That said, it is going to be closer than you think. Arizona will come out playing hard and this will be another closely contested NFC West game.
Our Pick: Cardinals +9
Bengals (5-8-I) at Texans (8-6)
Current Line: Texans -2
Tom Savage is a lot better than people think. Just read his last name. Plus, a switch from Brock Osweiler will more than likely lead to increased production at the quarterback position, no matter who the replacement is. The Bengals are a coming of a game where they blew an 11 point second half lead to their rivals. They may come out hot, but last week was enough to demoralize most teams in their position.
Our Pick: Texans -2
Ravens (8-6) at Steelers (9-5)
Current Line: Steclers -5
The Steelers are playing better and better defense every week. On top of that, Eli Rogers has emerged as one of the leagues top slot receivers. Look for Antonio Brown to torch a painfully average Ravens secondary and Le’veon Bell to continue to break records on and off the field (he raps too). The Steelers will pull away late to cover the spread.
Our Pick: Steelers -5
Broncos (8-6) at Chiefs (10-4), Sunday
Current Line: Chiefs -4.5
The Broncos need to win out to have even a remote chance at making the playoffs. But the Chiefs are currently sitting atop the AFC wild card race so they will look to assert their will this Sunday. The Broncos currently sit in 9th place in the AFC and have lost three of their last four. We don’t expect this to be very close.
Our Pick: Chiefs -4.5
Lions (9-5) at Cowboys (12-2), Monday
Current Line: Dallas -7
Matt Stafford has not looked the same since he injured his finger a few weeks ago. On top of that, the Lions need a win to keep pace with the surging packers. Dallas, on the other hand, has not blown anyone out in a month and has really struggled to convert third downs in recent weeks. While I like the Cowboys at home as long as they have something to play for, the game will be closer than a touchdown.
Our Pick: Lions +7
