Before last week’s picks, there was complaining about the previous week being a sister kisser. Well, a 6-9 week will make you long for the days of making out with a relative. That brings my season-long record to 47-45-4. Time to get back into the black this week.
All odds are from yahoo!sportsbook, with home teams in bold. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Las Vegas (-6.5) over Los Angeles – The Raiders have won three games in a row and have wins over quality teams in the Seahawks and Chargers the past two times out. Meanwhile, the depleted Rams put up a good battle against the Seahawks last week, but came up short. The Raiders just have too much firepower with Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams both in fifth gear. Fork over 25 Lechlers on the visitors.
New York (+9) over Buffalo – After last week’s tough loss to the Vikings, this feels like a make-or-break week for the Jets. A win puts them firmly in the race for the tight AFC East. A loss puts a playoff spot in jeopardy, especially if the Raiders win on Thursday night. The Jets may not be able to match their win over the Bills from earlier in the season but that’s a lot of points to give with the Jets’ defense. Drop 25 Sauers on the Jets.
Cincinnati (-6) over Cleveland – The Browns put up a lot of points last week but it was mostly by units other than their offense. It seems optimistic to think that will happen again. And the Bengals seem to be peaking and the return of Ja’Marr Chase provides defenses with another headache. Toss 50 Esiasons on the Bengals.
Dallas (-16.5) over Houston – In the last five weeks, the Cowboys have scored 202 points, for an average of 40 per game. The Texans have scored 17 or fewer points their last six games and their high-point total for the year is 24, back in Week 4. Pick: 50 Renfros on the home team.
Detroit (-1.5) over Minnesota – Lifetime, the Vikings hold an 80-40-2 edge in head-to-head matchups with the Lions, including wins in nine of their last 10 games. But the Lions are a different cat these days, having won four of their last five games, with the only setback being a 3-point loss to the Bills. Detroit can keep Minnesota from clinching the division with a win. Kick 25 Hansons on Detroit.
Tennessee (-4) over Jacksonville – At the start of the season it would have been hard to believe that this line would be this close. The Titans are coming off back-to-back losses but those were to arguably the two best teams in the league. The Jaguars just got blown out by the Lions. Flip 50 Jeffires on the home team.
New York (+7) over Philadelphia – With last week’s tie, the Giants have just one win in their last five games. But they’ve been playing mostly close games all year, with 10 of their 12 games being decided by eight points or fewer. This game feels like a push waiting to happen. Here’s hoping the Giants go for two at some point to eke out the cover. Feed 25 Toomers on the Giants.
Pittsburgh (-2.5) over Baltimore – In their last three games, the Ravens have scored just 51 points, while going up against teams that are now a combined 11-25. And now Lamar Jackson is banged up. The Steelers are 3-1 since their bye, with their only loss coming to the Bengals. Throw down 25 Roethlisbergers on the home team.
Kansas City (-9.5) over Denver – It’s the first meeting of the year versus these division rivals. Denver still can’t score and it feels like the Chiefs will take out their frustrations for last week’s loss to the Bengals with a big offensive output, even against a good Broncos’ defense. Roll 25 Okoyes on the visitors.
San Francisco (-3.5) over Tampa Bay – Brock Purdy outplayed Tua Tagavailoa last week. Let’s hope the 49ers defense does a better job with the lead than the Saints did last week. Move 25 Staleys on the 49ers.
Seattle (-4) over Carolina – The Panthers finally beat a team from outside of the dismal NFC South but since it was the Broncos, does it really count? They’re coming off their bye but they have to fly cross country to face a Seahawks team that’s won five of their last seven games. Bet 25 Kriegs on the home team.
Los Angeles (+3.5) over Miami – The Chargers have lost three of their last four games and their only win in that span was by one point. The Dolphins had a 5-game winning streak – all against sub-.500 teams – snapped last week in San Francisco. I don’t want to pick either of these teams, so I’m taking the points. Place 25 Seaus on the Chargers.
Arizona (+1.5) over New England – With the bye last week, the Cardinals have had two weeks to stew over their one-point loss to the Chargers. They’re not a good team but most clubs have been able to limit the damage from Mac Jones. Mobile QBs have been a sore spot for the Patriots’ defense this year, as they’ve lost to Tua, Lamar Jackson, Justin Fields and Josh Allen by a combined 114-57 total. Kyler Murray rushed for 56 yards last time out. Throw 25 Plummers on the home team.