It’s Week 13 of the NFL season, which kicks off on Thursday with a trio of Thanksgiving games to enjoy on Turkey Day, 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 8-6 in Week 12 picks (83-89 overall) and Steven Ruiz went 8-6 (90-82 overall). We now go to each of them for comments before their picks.
Charles: A second straight good week helps in the quest to get over .500 again … but I’m now seven games behind Steven. Seems insurmountable.
Steven: I don’t know about insurmountable. I’m one bad week away from dropping down to Charles’ level, and, frankly, that’s unacceptable.
(All bets courtesy of BetMGM)
Bears at Lions (+2.5)
Charles: Bears
I would rather eat canned cranberry sauce (c’mon, the real stuff is so much better) than watch this game. I can’t believe I’m going to bet on the Bears here but David Blough will start for the Lions.
Steven: Bears
Whether it’s Jeff Driskel or David Blough starting, I think the Bears should have this one. It’s going to come down to the defenses, and, clearly, Chicago has the advantage there.
Bills at Cowboys (-6.5)
Charles: Bills
I dunno. I think this spread is a little large. The Bills aren’t as good as their record indicates, but I’m a believer in the defense keeping this within five or six.
Steven: Cowboys
We’ve seen the Bills defense “get back on track” against bad competition, but it’s still not where it needs to be for Buffalo to be considered a threat to the league’s top teams. Yes, I consider the Cowboys to be one of those despite their record, which is really the product of poor luck in close games.
Saints at Falcons (+6.5)
Charles: Saints
I keep whiffing on the Saints, who nearly lost to the Panthers last week. But I don’t think New Orleans puts up a 26-9 stinker to this team again, and we should all be worried about Julio Jones’ health.
Steven: Saints
With Julio Jones a game-time decision, I think this is an easy pick. New Orleans is the far better team and won’t lay an egg like it did a few weeks ago.
Packers at Giants (+6.5)
Charles: Packers
No way Aaron Rodgers throws for fewer than three touchdowns in this one, which should be a laugher.
Steven: Packers
This should be a get right game for the Packers offense and Aaron Rodgers. If it isn’t, Green Bay is more trouble than we think.
Redskins at Panthers (-9.5)
Charles: Panthers
Ignore last week’s win (!) over the Lions. The Redskins lost their last three games before that by more than 10.
Steven: Panthers
I have no trust in Kyle Allen or Ron Rivera, but I have even less trust in the Redskins. I know they’re coming off a win, but that offense is an eyesore and the defense isn’t much better. Christian McCaffrey might go for 200 total yards.
49ers at Ravens (-6.5)
Charles: 49ers
I guess I don’t totally get this spread. Yes, San Fran is coming East. Yes, the Ravens are blowing out opponents left and right. But this is the kind of game the Niners can keep relatively close with their defense. I know Baltimore’s D is elite as well, but I’ll take the points here.
Steven: Ravens
The 49ers are a good team, but the Ravens are the best team in football. Lamar Jackson may not have a huge game, but he’ll do enough to beat Jimmy G by more than a touchdown.
Titans at Colts (-2.5)
Charles: Titans
I’m torn here. Ryan Tannehill has been playing well, but they’re on the road against a pretty good Colts team. The X-factor? T.Y. Hilton might miss this game.
Steven: Titans
With T.Y. Hilton possible out, this is a no-brainer for me. Especially with Ryan Tannehill performing like a top-10 quarterback, as he has since taking over for Marcus Mariota.
Eagles at Dolphins (+9.5)
Charles: Dolphins
Betting on the Fins in the past couple of games hasn’t paid off, but there’s no way I’m backing Carson Wentz right now for that many points.
Steven: Eagles
This is a game where the Eagles offense can get out all of its frustration. I’m expecting a particularly big game from Carson Wentz, who has just been off for the last month.
Buccaneers vs. Jaguars (-1.5)
Charles: Buccaneers
Jameis Winston will throw another two interceptions but will end up eating the W.
Steven: Buccaneers
The Jaguars defense is vulnerable and we know what this Bucs offense is capable of. I’ll take them over a punchless Jags offense.
Jets at Bengals (+3.5)
Charles: Jets
So what if Andy Dalton is back? SAM DARNOLD IS ON FIRE!
Steven: Jets
The Jets are on a roll and Darnold is playing well. That’s more than enough for me to lay 3.5 points against the worst team in football.
Browns at Steelers (+1.5)
Charles: Steelers
You know what? Duck Hodges is going to have himself a game. The Steelers defense will force Baker Mayfield into some mistakes and that’ll be that.
Steven: Browns
Yeah, I’m not betting on a dude named Duck.
Rams at Cardinals (+2.5)
Charles: Rams
Let’s go to our correspondent, Admiral Ackbar:
This is a good game for the Rams’ offense to right its ship, so I’ll take Los Angeles even though I don’t feel great about it.
Steven: Cardinals
I’m honestly surprised this line isn’t a bit bigger. The Cardinals offense is just hitting its stride and the Rams offense, well, not so much.
Raiders at Chiefs (-9.5)
Charles: Chiefs
The Raiders fell to Earth last week, and it’s a reminder they beat the Lions and Bengals recently. So I don’t seem them covering against the Chiefs.
Steven: Chiefs
Derek Carr is horrid in Arrowhead Stadium and the Chiefs are just flat-out a better team. The line is a little big, but Patrick Mahomes should have a monster day and put this one away by halftime.
Chargers at Broncos (+2.5)
Charles: Broncos
It’s the upset special! Except it isn’t that big of an upset the way Philip Rivers has been playing.
Steven: Chargers
The long week will serve Rivers well and he’ll have a bounce-back performance. The Chargers defense should have no problem handling whatever Allen the Broncos are starting these days. Is it Brandon? I don’t care.
Patriots at Texans (+3.5)
Charles: Patriots
I’ve changed this one up at least seven times, which means it’s the perfect spread. On one hand, the Patriots haven’t look otherworldly, but I do think they have juuuuust enough to win by four here.
Steven: Texans
I think this is the game where everyone starts wondering what’s wrong with the Patriots. Bill Belichick has trouble against true dual-threat QBs like Deshaun Watson and I don’t know if New England’s offense can keep up.
Vikings at Seahawks (-2.5)
Charles: Vikings
I want to back Russell Wilson badly here, but I just don’t think Seattle’s defense will be up to the task of stopping Dalvin Cook and the Vikes’ receivers.
Steven: Seahawks
I mean, it’s Kirk Cousins against a good team in primetime. I know he did well against Dallas, but playing in Seattle is much tougher task.
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