Category: NFL Picks

NFL picks against the spread: Week 16 Saturday games

Betting picks for the two Saturday games in the NFL in Week 16.

The NFL has two Saturday games in Week 16. Leading off at 1 p.m. ET, we have the Houston Texans on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. The game will air on NBC.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, despite a mild high ankle sprain, will start for the Chiefs. They are 3.5-point home favorites. They are -190 on the moneyline, while the Texans are +160. The total is 42.

After that game, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens on the road, airing on FOX.

The Ravens are 6.5-point favorites and -300 favorites on the moneyline, while the Steelers are +240. The projected total is set at 44.5.

Below are our betting picks and predictions for the two games for the moneyline, spread and total.

Odds come from BetMGM Sportsbook.

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Texans at Chiefs Week 16 picks and predictions

Moneyline

  • Chiefs -190

Spread

  • Chiefs -3.5 (-105)

Total

  • Over 42 (-110)

Steelers at Ravens Week 16 picks and predictions

Moneyline

  • Ravens -300

Spread

  • Steelers +6.5 (-110)

Total

  • Over 45.5 (-110)

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cards Wire staff predicts outcome for Cardinals-Seahawks

Cards Wire’s Jess Root and Howard Balzer predict the outcome of the Cardinals’ Week 12 road game against the Seahawks.

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field with a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. The game will air on FOX.

The Cardinals are slight favorites in the game and lead the NFC West at 6-4. They have won four straight games.

The Seahawks are 5-5 and have lost five of their last seven. However, if Seattle wins, they will move ahead of the Cardinals in the standings with a head-to-head tiebreaker.

How will this game play out?

Below are our picks and predictions for the game from myself and fellow Cards Wire writer Howard Balzer

Cardinals at Seahawks Week 12 picks and predictions

Jess Root

The Seahawks have been so inconsistent defensively. They have allowed no more than 17 points in any win and no fewer than 26 in any loss. Arizona’s offense is humming. Seattle doesn’t stop the run well and the Cardinals are very good in the run game. Keeping consistent with how Seattle wins or loses, I see the Cardinals scoring a lot but winning a one-score game.

Cardinals 34, Seahawks 28

Howard Balzer

The Cardinals haven’t played a game in two weeks although weirdly it feels longer. It’s likely to be rainy, which is always expected, but the forecast says it won’t be windy. The Seahawks righted their ship for at least one week, snapping a string of five losses in six games with last week’s come-from-behind win over the 49ers. Seattle has allowed 138.6 rushing yards per game and 4.8 per attempt, so expect the Cardinals plan to revolve around running backs James Conner and Trey Benson. This game won’t likely be as one-sided as the 60-15 combined score of the Cardinals last two games. We’ll learn even more about the team this week.

Cardinals 23, Seahawks 16

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Week 12 H-Bomb underdog pick vision is with a divisional matchup

Jess Root and Howard Balzer continue to pick one big underdog (6.5 points or more) to cover the spread in Week 12.

Jess Root made a bold move in Week 11 of the H-Bomb underdog pick of the week (games with spreads of at least 6.5 points), but it didn’t pay off.

We have been locked in a duel since the beginning of the season, but until this week I had never led. In 11 weeks of picks, we have been tied eight times and Jess led after Weeks 7 and 8.

It was his decision to drop the bomb on the 14-point favored Lions last week that dropped him one game behind after Detroit dropped its own 52-6 bomb on the Jaguars.

My pick of the Seahawks to cover the 6.5-point spread against the 49ers paid off, not only with the win but also adding another direct hit (outright win) to my ledger, which tied Jess in that column.

That turned out to be the only H-Bomb success of the week as favorites Miami over Las Vegas and Houston over Dallas joined Detroit in winning and covering the spread.

That 1-3 record reduced the overall mark to 30-14 for the season with 16 direct hits.

Here are the four eligible games this week:

  • Houston Texans -8 vs. Tennessee Titans
  • Miami Dolphins -7.5 vs. New England Patriots
  • Detroit Lions -7.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
  • Kansas City Chiefs -11 at Carolina Panthers

With seven weeks remaining in the regular season, I could play dirty and simply pick the same game as Jess does since he gives me his pick before I write this riveting story each week. That would mean he couldn’t catch me. But, trust me, I wouldn’t do that purposely.

My H-Bomb history (I’ve been involved in a picks contest for close to 30 years) results in me usually going with my initial belief as I look at the eligible games. It doesn’t always happen, but usually there’s at least one game after which I say, “That’s the one.”

It turns out this week, for the fifth time this season, we are picking the same game: the Patriots to cover against the Dolphins. That means I will maintain that slim one-game lead when Week 13 rolls around.

Standings after 11 weeks

Howard: 8-3 (3 direct hits)

Jess: 7-4 (3 direct hits)

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

NFL picks: ‘H-Bomb’ underdogs continue their hot streak

A look at the performance of big underdogs this season and who are the big underdogs in Week 5.

Week 4 had continued success for NFL underdogs as three of the four teams that were given 6.5 points or more covered and one won the game outright.

Notable is that the one favorite that covered was the 49ers, which were 10.5-point favorites over the Patriots. That is the only one of the 17 H-Bomb eligible games this season that had a double-digit spread.

The one direct hit was the Broncos defeating the Jets, while the Jaguars covered against the Texans and the Chargers did the same with the Chiefs.

Jess Root and I both won our picks as Jess went with Jacksonville and my support went to the Chargers.

Overall, the underdogs’ record after four weeks is 15-2 with nine outright victories.

We are both faced with a meager week for eligible games:

  • 49ers -7.5 vs. Cardinals
  • Seahawks -6.5 vs. Giants

As a side note, nine of the games being played Sunday have lines of three points or less.

Jess will drop the bomb on the 49ers, in a game that will played in Santa Clara with a temperature expected in the high 90s. I will go with the Giants to cover, despite the gutsy performance by the Seahawks in their Monday night game loss to the Lions.

As it is often said, the NFL is a week-to-week league and that’s what we are both banking on.

STANDINGS AFTER FOUR WEEKS

Jess           3-1 (1 direct hit)

Howard         3-1 (0)

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

NFL picks against the spread for Week 3 early games

A look at what betting picks to make for the seven NFL games in Week 3 at 1 p.m. ET.

Week 3 of the NFL has begun and there are 13 Sunday games. Seven of them come in the early 1 p.m. ET time slot.

That gives you plenty of opportunities early in the day to make your game predictions and wagers.

Who are the teams to bet on in Week 3 in the early games?

Below are my betting picks for the seven 1 p.m. ET games on the schedule in Week 3. Odds are from BetMGM Sportsbook.

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NFL picks against the spread, winners, total, over/under in Week 3 1 p.m. games

Bears at Colts

Moneyline: Colts -120

Against the spread: Colts -1 (*110)

Total: Under 43.5 (-110)

Giants at Browns

Moneyline: Browns -300

Against the spread: Browns -6.5 (-115)

Total: Under 38.5 (-110)

Packers at Titans

Moneyline: Packers +105

Against the spread: Packers +1.5 (-110)

Total: Over 37.5 (-110)

Eagles at Saints

Moneyline: Eagles +130

Against the spread: Eagles +3 (-120)

Total: Over 49.5 (-110)

Chargers at Steelers

Moneyline: Chargers +105

Against the spread: Chargers +1.5 (-110)

Total: Over 35.5 (-110)

Texans at Vikings

Moneyline: Texans -130

Against the spread: Texans -1.5 (-110)

Total: Under 46 (-110)

Broncos at Buccaneers

Moneyline: Buccaneers -300

Against the spread: Buccaneers -6.5 (-125)

Total: Under 39.5 (-110)

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

NFL picks against the spread: Betting picks for Week 2 late games

Check out Jess Root’s betting picks for the three games in the late afternoon time slot.

The NFL has 15 games remaining on the schedule after the Thursday night blowout of the Buffalo Bills over the Miami Dolphins.

Sunday’s games start with 10 that kick off at 1 p.m. ET. Another three will start at 4:05 p.m. ET or 4:25 p.m. ET.

That gives you several opportunities for some wagers on the game outcomes.

My picks for the early games were published earlier. Below are my betting picks for the three later games on the schedule for the moneyline, spread and total. Odds come from BetMGM Sportsbook.

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Week 2 NFL picks

L.A. Rams at Arizona Cardinals

  • Moneyline: Cardinals -120
  • Spread: Cardinals -1 (-110)
  • Total: Under 48.5 (-110)

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs

  • Moneyline: Chiefs -250
  • Spread: Bengals +5.5 (-110)
  • Total: Under 47.5 (-110)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

  • Moneyline: Steelers -140
  • Spread: Steelers -2.5 (-110)
  • Total: Under 36.5 (-110)

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

2024 NFL division predictions, Super Bowl predictions

Jess Root’s predictions for how each division will play out in 2024, who makes the playoffs and who wins the Super Bowl.

The NFL season starts tonight with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens. Then there will be 15 more games in Week 1 to kick off the season.

The Chiefs are two-time defending champions looking to win a third consecutive Super Bowl, becoming the first team to do it.

Will it happen?

It is time for some predictions. Below, I will give my predictions for how the standings will go in each division and then what will happen in the playoffs.

AFC North

  1. Baltimore Ravens
  2. Cincinnati Bengals
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers
  4. Cleveland Browns

AFC South

  1. Houston Texans
  2. Indianapolis Colts
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars
  4. Tennessee Titans

AFC East

  1. Miami Dolphins
  2. Buffalo Bills
  3. New York Jets
  4. New England Patriots

AFC West

  1. Kansas City Chiefs
  2. Los Angeles Chargers
  3. Denver Broncos
  4. Las Vegas Raiders

NFC North

  1. Detroit Lions
  2. Green Bay Packers
  3. Chicago Bears
  4. Minnesota Vikings

NFC South

  1. Atlanta Falcons
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  3. New Orleans Saints
  4. Carolina Panthers

NFC East

  1. Dallas Cowboys
  2. Philadelphia Eagles
  3. Washington Commanders
  4. New York Giants

NFC West

  1. San Francisco 49ers
  2. Los Angeles Rams
  3. Arizona Cardinals
  4. Seattle Seahawks

AFC playoffs

  1. Dolphins
  2. Chiefs
  3. Texans
  4. Ravens
  5. Bills
  6. Colts
  7. Bengals

Wild Card round:

  • Chiefs over Bengals
  • Colts over Texans
  • Ravens over Bills

Divisional round:

  • Colts over Dolphins
  • Chiefs over Ravens

AFC Championship

  • Chiefs over Colts

NFC playoffs

  1. Lions
  2. 49ers
  3. Cowboys
  4. Falcons
  5. Packers
  6. Rams
  7. Eagles

Wild Card round

  • 49ers over Eagles
  • Rams over Cowboys
  • Packers over Falcons

Divisional round

  • Lions over Rams
  • Packers over 49ers

NFC Championship

  • Lions over Packers

Super Bowl

  • Chiefs over Lions

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

PODCAST: 2023 Cardinals grades, awards; Wild Card picks and prop bets

Jess Root and Seth Cox grade the Cardinals’ position groups, give out awards and talk NFL playoffs in the latest edition of the podcast.

We have the first offseason show of 2024 on the podcast. Seth Cox and I grade each position group of the Arizona Cardinals for the 2023 season and also head coach Jonathan Gannon. We give our offseason awards and then delve into the NFL offseason and playoffs.

We make some early coaching predictions (although one has already been announced since we recorded the show as Jerod Mayo replaces Bill Belichick in New England) and wrap things up with NFL Wild Card playoff predictions and prop bets we like.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!

Times and topics

(1:00) Arizona Cardinals 2023 grades

(40:36) 2023 player awards for the Cardinals

(52:13) Coaching predictions, Wild Card predictions and prop bets

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Expert picks for Seahawks-Cardinals matchup in Week 18

Who do the experts expect will win between the Cardinals and the Seahawks?

The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks face one another for the second time this season in Week 18. This time, it is in Arizona. The Seahawks beat Arizona 20-10 in Seattle in Week 7 despite turning the ball over three times.

This time, the Cardinals are coming off their best win of the season and are 3-4 in seven games with Kyler Murray back in the lineup at quarterback. The Seahawks have lost five of their last seven games and need a win and some help to make the playoffs.

How will this game play out?

We have some expert picks and predictions below.

Expert picks for Cardinals-Eagles in Week 17

Cards Wire, Eagles Wire and other experts pick the winner in Cardinals-Eagles.

The Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles face one another on Sunday in Philadelphia in Week 17. The Eagles are heavy favorites, as they should be.

They have won 11 games and have one of the best offenses in the league.

The Cardinals have only three wins and one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

So who wins?

We have expert picks below.