It’s Week 12 of the NFL season, which kicks off on Thursday with Indianapolis Colts vs. the Houston Texans, so it’s time for our weekly look at the point spreads in order to help you win some money.
Last week, Charles Curtis went 7-6 in Week 11 picks (75-83 overall) and Steven Ruiz went 7-6 (82-76 overall). We now go to each of them for comments before their picks.
Charles: Back on the right side of .500 in the weekly picks … but still under overall. Momentum is now on my side (until next week).
Steven: I feel like I have less of a handle on the league now than I did a month ago. Not good, but there’s still time for a turnaround.
(All bets courtesy of BetMGM)
Colts at Texans (-3.5)
Charles: Colts
The Texans’ secondary can be gotten to and the Colts look back on track with Jacoby Brissett back. I’ll take the points.
Steven: Colts
The Colts should get T.Y. Hilton back which will give them a deep threat who has had a lot of success against this Houston defense.
Dolphins at Browns (-10.5)
Charles: Dolphins
There’s no way I’m expecting the Browns team that has looked somewhat better as of late to cover by 11 points, even against the Dolphins at home.
Steven: Browns
This could be the first time since the Ravens game that the Browns look like the team we thought they’d be before the season. Losing Myles Garrett will hurt Cleveland but not against a bad Miami team.
Broncos at Bills (-3.5)
Charles: Broncos
They nearly beat the Vikings and now I at least expect the Broncos to cover a spread that’s a hair too large.
Steven: Bills
That line is just small enough for me to back the Bills, who played better on defense last week than they had over the previous month. The Broncos will keep it close, but not that close.
Steelers at Bengals (+6.5)
Charles: Bengals
The last time these two teams met, the Bengals put up three points. And that was with Andy Dalton under center. But the injuries to the Steelers’ receivers concern me.
Steven: Steelers
I have ZERO faith in the Steelers offense but I have even less faith in a Ryan Finely-led attack. Pittsburgh’s defense will do just enough to cover the spread.
Giants at Bears (-6.5)
Charles: Giants
Who’s playing quarterback for Chicago? And if it’s Mitchell Trubisky … should this spread really be that large?
Steven: Giants
This spread is way too big. The Giants will have the better quarterback … no matter who starts for Chicago.
Raiders at Jets (+2.5)
Charles: Raiders
This feels like a trap but I’m jumping into it. The Raiders are clearly the better team and should win this game. By the way, fun fact: do you know who leads the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game? The Jets!
Steven: Jets
I feel like the Raiders are being overvalued after this modest win streak. The Jets are at home and facing a team that has to travel across the country. I’ll take the home dogs.
Panthers at Saints (-9.5)
Charles: Saints
The Saints are a Super Bowl-caliber team. The Panthers are not, especially now that Kyle Allen has been completely exposed.
Steven: Saints
This is where the Saints will really start rolling. The Panthers defense isn’t playing at the level it was at the beginning the season and the offense is on a downward spiral. With Alvin Kamara back, New Orleans offense is back where it should be.
Buccaneers at Falcons (-4.5)
Charles: Buccaneers
My hope is it’s a shootout and Jameis Winston keeps it within a field goal.
Steven: Falcons
The Falcons defense doesn’t look so horrible of late and the offense has been good all season. Also, I’m just tired of back this Bucs team only for them to let me down. I’ve been burned too often!
Lions at Redskins (+3.5)
Charles: Lions
Bleh. I hate the spread, I hate the Lions’ defense and I hate that this isn’t like minus-2.5. That would scream TAKE THE POINTS … but my faith in Jeff Driskel is higher than it is in Dwayne Haskins. Yikes.
Steven: Lions
I disagree with Charles. I’d be hammering this spread hard. The Redskins are quite possibly the worst team in the league. Yes, even worse than the Bengals.
Seahawks at Eagles (-1.5)
Charles: Seahawks
The spread actually feels right to me — the Eagles kept things close enough against the Patriots. But Seattle is the better team. so I’ll take the road dogs.
Steven: Eagles
I’m not so sure the Eagles aren’t the better team. And the Seahawks are playing at 10 A.M. western, which should give Philly an edge.
Jaguars at Titans (-3.5)
Charles: Titans
They’re coming off a bye, at home, facing a team that looked mediocre in the past two weeks. I’ll take the favorites.
Steven: Titans
I’m flipping a coin because the AFC South makes no sense. The coin says Tennessee. Always listen to the coin.
Cowboys at Patriots (-6.5)
Charles: Cowboys
Yes, the Patriots’ defense can keep Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott from going off, and yes, Amari Cooper doesn’t look 100 percent. But how much faith do you have in the Pats’ offense right now? Enough to cover by a touchdown? As you can see, I don’t have faith.
Steven: Cowboys
I don’t think the Pats are that good, and the Cowboys offense is very good. In a battle of a top offense and a top defense, I’ll always side with the offense. Give me Dak and Dallas.
Packers at 49ers (-3.5)
Charles: Packers
This is a game I don’t want to bet on, but we’re obligated to make a pick, so Aaron Rodgers and the running game keeps this close.
Steven: Packers
This comes down to the quarterbacks for me. Jimmy Garoppolo is fine, but he’s not Aaron Rodgers. Take the better QB and the points.
Ravens at Rams (+3)
Charles: Ravens
You’re kidding, right? That’s it? With Jared Goff playing like he is and the Ravens playing like they are on both sides of the ball, there’s an obvious pick here.
Steven: Ravens
Yeah, this is the dumbest line of the week. I’ll gladly lay the points to take the best team in the NFL.
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