We're into the final stretch of the regular season as the playoffs are creeping up and the standings are getting tighter and tighter. Last week, the Bills narrowly escaped Detroit with a victory on Thanksgiving Day, while the Bengals grinded out a tough win on the road over the Titans to bounce back in the AFC North race. Let's take a look at the Week 13 matchups.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Dec. 4)
Buffalo Bills (8-3) @ New England Patriots (6-5)
The wind could be a big factor in this football game, which should favor the Patriots' run game. However, these are the type of elements the Bills drafted Josh Allen for (despite the lingering elbow issue) and I just can't see Mac Jones and the offense doing enough to steal this one. Pick: Bills, 23-13.
Line: Bills -3.5
ML: Bills
Spread: Bills
Cleveland Browns (4-7) @ Houston Texans (1-9-1)
Deshaun Watson makes his Browns debut against his former team and the biggest question mark will be how much rust will he have? I think Kevin Stefanski can lean on the ground game regardless if Watson is a bit shaky in his first start. Maybe there is an over-under on how many times Watson is booed in this game? Pick: Browns, 24-16.
Line: Browns -7.5
ML: Browns
Spread: Browns
Denver Broncos (3-8) @ Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
The Broncos' season has completely gone off the rails and it will make for an interesting offseason being tied into a big contract with Russell Wilson. Meanwhile, the Ravens were stunned by the Jags last week and find themselves neck and neck with the Bengals for the AFC North. I think John Harbaugh's team bounces back here. Pick: Ravens, 24-13.
Line: Ravens -9
ML: Ravens
Spread: Ravens
Green Bay Packers (4-8) @ Chicago Bears (3-9)
It looks like Justin Fields is good to go for this game as it's simply bragging rights on the line at Soldier Field. Last year, Aaron Rodgers engaged in some pleasantries with the fans near the end zone and if that happens again today it might be the most exciting part of this football game. Pick: Packers, 23-17.
Line: Packers -4
ML: Packers
Spread: Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) @ Detroit Lions (4-7)
Both these teams have played better football than their records would indicate and this game has the potential for plenty of offense. Trevor Lawrence was terrific in the 4th quarter last week in a comeback win over the Ravens and Jared Goff seems to have the Lions' offense firing on all cylinders. I like Dan Campbell's squad here on the additional rest. Pick: Lions, 27-24.
Line: Lions -1
ML: Lions
Spread: Lions
New York Jets (7-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
The Jets have a QB controversy in their locker room after Mike White was slinging it all over the field against the Bears last week. If I had to guess, Zach Wilson won't be getting his starting job back anytime soon. I think White has a harder time this week on the road in Minnesota and this game might come down to Justin Jefferson's ability to create space against Sauce Gardner. Pick: Vikings, 24-17.
Line: Vikings -3
ML: Vikings
Spread: Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-7)
It looks like the Steelers will have Najee Harris back for this game, which should boost their offense. I'm not sure how many more times Mike Tomlin can squeeze the fight out of his defense to lead them to another victory, but for now it seems to be keeping them in games. Pick: Falcons, 23-20.
Line: Falcons -1
ML: Falcons
Spread: Falcons
Tennessee Titans (7-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
When is this Eagles team going to face some more adversity? Well, it could be this week against big Derrick Henry. Both these defenses are tremendous at stopping the run and this might be more about the Titans' ability to keep Jalen Hurts in the pocket and forcing him to beat them with his arm. Pick: Eagles, 24-20.
Line: Eagles -4.5
ML: Eagles
Spread: Titans
Washington Commanders (7-5) @ New York Giants (7-4)
This is a big game in the NFC playoff race as the Commanders have caught fire in the second half of the season here. Ron Rivera has his defense playing some great football and Daniel Jones may have to use his legs to create some offense in this game -- Jones is 4-1 in his career against Washington. Pick: Giants, 20-17.
Line: Commanders -2
ML: Giants
Spread: Giants
Miami Dolphins (8-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
This has the potential for game of the week as the high flying Dolphins offense goes to the Bay area to play the stout 49ers defense. The 49ers haven't allowed their opponents to score a single point in the second half, four games in a row. I think Mike McDaniels draws up some creative plays here to get the job done on the road and the Dolphins keep pace in the AFC East. Pick: Dolphins, 27-24.
Line: 49ers -4.5
ML: Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins
Seattle Seahawks (6-5) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-8)
The Rams, just like the Broncos, have had their season go off the rails and now it's looking like Matthew Stafford could be shut down for the rest of the season. This should be a layup game for the Seahawks as they continue to chase the 49ers in the NFC West. Pick: Seahawks, 24-14.
Line: Seahawks -6.5
ML: Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)
Another potential game of the week spot here as Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow face off. All signs point to Ja'Marr Chase returning to the Bengals' lineup and coming off a big win over the Titans, the Bengals are pushing for the lead in the AFC North. Something tells me Mahomes squeaks this one out late though. Pick: Chiefs, 27-24.
Line: Chiefs -2
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers (6-5) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4-7)
The Raiders have won back-to-back games over the Broncos and Seahawks and find themselves as home favorites over the division rival Chargers. This line seems weird to me as the Chargers are the more talented team even without Mike Williams in this game. Give me Justin Herbert in this spot. Pick: Chargers, 24-21.
Line: Raiders -2.5
ML: Chargers
Spread: Chargers
Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
The Cowboys have really found their groove, yet they need a lot of help if they want any chance of chasing down the Eagles for the NFC East divisional crown. Mike McCarthy's squad has been a little bit daring on 4th down in recent weeks and they might need to clean that up ahead of the playoffs. Pick: Cowboys, 27-17.
Line: Cowboys -10.5
ML: Cowboys
Spread: Colts
New Orleans Saints (4-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
The Bucs are one of the more confusing teams in the NFL this year as they just can't seem to find their groove on offense. Both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are healthy, which is a plus for Tom Brady and they still couldn't get the job done against the Browns last week. This is an absolute must-win for the Bucs as they need to find their footing down the stretch here. Pick: Bucs, 23-16.
Line: Buccaneers -3.5
ML: Buccaneers
Spread: Buccaneers
Results
Week 12
ML: 10-6
ATS: 7-9
Overall
ML: 114-66
ATS: 96-78-6
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