The lines are from Sportsbook Review and the home teams are in CAPs.
L.A. RAMS -4 over New Orleans
The Rams are getting hot at the right time and will be a team that no one wants to see in the playoffs.
PITTSBURGH +2 over Cincinnati
The legend of Jake Browning grows by the week, but this is a tough spot for the QB. Mike Tomlin is excellent at firing up his troops as an underdog and Ja’Marr Chase will very much be missed by Cincy.
Buffalo -12 over L.A. CHARGERS
The Chargers finally canned Brandon Staley, but this remains a team that’s hard to back. The Bills have gotten over their struggles and have had no problem covering big numbers in the past. L.A. still can’t stop the run, so watch for James Cook to feast once again.
Indianapolis +1 over ATLANTA
Quite simply, there’s just no way to trust Arthur Smith’s Falcons. They’ll be going back to Taylor Heinike, which doesn’t exactly give us confidence, either.
Green Bay -5 over CAROLINA
Did the Panthers show us something with their win over the Falcons last week? No, not really. That game was a sloppy mess and now a motivated Packers team should put Carolina back in the L column.
Cleveland -2.5 over HOUSTON
The Browns have proven to be a much worse team on the road – especially on defence – than at home. But we’re looking at another start for Case Keenum and a very banged-up Texans team. They scraped by against a pedestrian Titans team last week and won’t be able to do it again.
Seattle -2.5 over TENNESSEE
The Titans could be playing spoiler in this one after being eliminated from playoff contention, but that’s not a horse we want to back if Ryan Tannehill is starting. The Seahawks
Washington +3 over NEW YORK JETS
Talk about a Toilet Bowl game. Could this turn into Trevor Siemian vs. Jacoby Brissett? The matchup we’re watching for is if the Commanders run game – which may be down Brian Robinson again – can dice up the Jets front seven.
MINNESOTA +3 over Detroit
The general rule of thumb around here is that if the Vikes are getting a field goal or more, take them. Five of their past six games have been decided by three points or fewer and the other game they won by eight over the Saints. Lions QB Jared Goff has been far less efficient on the road not just this season, but over his career. Minnesota has Justin Jefferson is fully back and Ty Chandler has provided some electricity in the running game with Alexander Mattison banged up. At the very least, this should be a close one, so take the points.
TAMPA BAY -1 over Jacksonville
With Trevor Lawrence’s status still up in the air in concussion protocol, there’s no way to back the Jags at this close of a line. Truth be told, Jacksonville’s defensive woes make the Bucs a decent pick either way.
MIAMI -1 over Dallas*
The weather may be a lot better in South Florida than it was in Buffalo last week for the Cowboys, but a road game is a road game and that’s where the Cowboys struggle with a 3-4 record. Dallas will be without all-pro guard Zack Martin which is bad news against this Dolphins pass rush while on the other side of the ball, Dallas will again be missing key run-stopper Jonathan Hankins. After watching the Bills rack up 266 total rushing yards last week, the Dolphins could do something similar. We don’t know yet if Tyreek Hill is playing or not, but it might not matter. Take the Dolphins.
CHICAGO -4 over Arizona
While it’s OK to appreciate the boost that Kyler Murray has provided to the Cards’ offence, their defence ranks dead last in DVOA. Putting a dome team on the road in late December does it no favours either.
New England +6.5 over DENVER
The Pats actually might have what’s necessary to stop the Broncos, or at least keep this close. With a stout run defence to take away the play-action game, we could see Russell Wilson and Co. struggle a bit.
KANSAS CITY -10 over Las Vegas
Patrick Mahomes is 10-1 in his career against the Raiders with just three of those wins coming by fewer than 10 points. The Raiders blowing out the Chargers last Thursday isn’t any indication about their offensive issues being fixed.
New York Giants +12 over PHILADELPHIA
In their current state, it’s hard to make a case for spotting this many points with the Eagles. Jalen Hurts has struggled with injuries, the flu and turnovers while Philly’s defence has left a lot to be desired.
SAN FRANCISCO -5 over Baltimore
We’re ride or die with the 49ers. This could be a Super Bowl preview but there’s really no good reason why to not back the hosts in this one – which says a lot about how far ahead of the pack we feel San Francisco is from other contenders.
Last week: 7-7-2
This season: 105-111-8