There are some really good games on tap this week. Besides the various rivalry games, a number of them with playoff implications, there are several before-the-playoffs showdowns and a potential Super Bowl preview which is also the first ever meeting between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.
Of course, for every down the stretch they come late season matchup, there’s a down the drain they go clunker, but you still have to figure out which side you like, even if the games themselves are less than stellar.
Last Week’s Picks: 8-8-1 Best: 3-1 Season Total: 115-85-3 Best: 28-19
Washington (+10.5) @Indianapolis (5Dimes)
Believe it or not, the announcement that Colt McCoy will start for the RacialSlurs actually makes a big difference. Unlike Robert Griffin III, who has been mishandled into complete incompetence, McCoy is getting a chance to play he thought he’d never get and is intent on making the most of it. The Colts are much better than Washington, obviously, but this is a relatively meaningless game for them and I figure they’ll probably run the ball more than usual just to get it over with.
Indianapolis Colts 28 Washington RacialSlurs 20
Tennessee (+6.5) @Houston (William Hill)
This is a tough one to call. Houston beat this team in Tennessee by two touchdowns, but the Texans may be a bit deflated that their playoff chances are pretty much over. Still, it’s hard to image the Titans staying within a touchdown, they’re just so bad.
Houston Texans 24 Tennessee Titans 17
Cleveland (+3) @Buffalo (Westgate Superbook)
I have no logical reason for you to take the Browns here, other than I just have a gut feeling about Cleveland in this spot, and it includes the fact that they’ve won two straight road games at Cincinnati and Atlanta. These teams are largely evenly matched, but I think the Browns win outright.
Cleveland Browns 23 Buffalo Bills 21
NY Giants (-3) @Jacksonville (Westgate Superbook)
Do you need me to tell you? Do not bet this game. Do not watch this game. The Giants left it all on the field last week. If I could trust Jacksonville at all, I’d pick them to win outright. But I can’t. Blake Bortles in the midst of a typical rookie haze where he throws interceptions ever 5 minutes no matter what. The Jaguars are not as bad as they look, but they’re playing that way. For now, stay away.
New York Giants 27 Jacksonville Jaguars 21
Cincinnati (-4) @Tampa Bay (Wynn Las Vegas)
The Bengals finish the season with the Steelers twice, Cleveland and Denver. If there ever was a look past game, this is it. I don’t trust the Buccaneers to take advantage, not really, but it’s just impossible to take Cincinnati in this spot.
Cincinnati Bengals 24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
Oakland (+7) @St. Louis (MGM Mirage)
This is another stay away game. The Raiders should come in buoyed by their win over KC last week, and they’ve had an extra three days rest, but you can’t trust the Raiders to capitalize. You also can’t trust the Rams, underdogs all season, to suddenly come in as touchdown favorites and cover. I like Oakland to keep this close, but again, this is a no play game.
St. Louis Rams 20 Oakland Raiders 14
New Orleans @Pittsburgh o/u 54 (CG Technology)
This total is based on the Saints still being a potent offensive team. Well they’re not. Not this season. And the Steelers have already had their little fling with ridiculous offensive stats. Expect Pittsburgh to hand the ball off a lot and slowly pound New Orleans out of the game. I don’t see this one reaching 50.
Pittsburgh Steelers 27 New Orleans Saints 21
Carolina (+3) @Minnesota (MGM Mirage)
With two weeks to prepare, you’d think Carolina would be in a position to steal this game, but I have my doubts. The Panthers have not looked good in two months, and why would that change against a Vikings team that has been playing defense pretty much all year. I think Carolina can make it close, but I bet they fall short.
Minnesota Vikings 22 Carolina Panthers 20
Arizona (-2.5) @Atlanta (William Hill)
This is another game where, by all rights, the Cardinals should have no trouble holding the Falcons down and winning the game, but I just have a feeling that isn’t going to be the way this one shakes out. Atlanta seems to come up with one good performance a month. They’re at home and they’re due.
Atlanta Falcons 26 Arizona Cardinals 23
New England (+3) @Green Bay (Westgate Superbook)
This is a better watching game than a betting one, and it very well may be a Super Bowl preview, but I can’t go against Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. No way.
Green Bay Packers 28 New England Patriots 24
Denver (-1.5) @Kansas City (Westgate Superbook)
This is another hunch, but I like the Broncos in this one. They’re the better team, they have the better quarterback, and the Chiefs really blew it last week losing to the Raiders.
Denver Broncos 30 Kansas City Chiefs 27
Miami (-6.5) @NY Jets (MGM Mirage)
Normally I’d say to always take the underdog in a Dolphins game with a spread this high, but the Jets have quit. And they stink. And Geno Smith really stinks.
Miami Dolphins 31 New York Jets 17
Best Picks of the Week
“What is a mockingjay, anyway?”
“I think it’s some kind of Falcon.”
“Like Matt Ryan, you mean?”
“Yeah, like him.”
San Diego (+7) @Baltimore (5Dimes)
I almost feel like the line is telling me to take the Ravens here, it seems so out of whack. These two playoff contenders both come in at 7-4, and they both need a win. I believe in the Ravens, and I think they win this game, but home field is only 3 points, right? What’s with giving a touchdown to a tough San Diego squad?
Baltimore Ravens 24 San Diego Chargers 21
New Orleans (+4) @Pittsburgh (CG Technology)
I truly believe the Saints are just done this year. They can’t seem to turn it around, no matter who the opponent, and they’re certainly not going to do so away from the comforts of the dome, in freezing Pittsburgh. Steelers roll.
Pittsburgh Steelers 27 New Orleans Saints 21
New England @Green Bay o/u 59 (Westgate Superbook)
59? Are you kidding me? That’s a ridiculous number, and maybe this is a sucker bet (certainly these are two QBs who could make me eat my words here), but I’m taking it. I say this game stays under 60 points.
Green Bay Packers 28 New England Patriots 24
