Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
To the picks!
Point spreads were provided by Bet MGM. (HOME TEAM in all caps).
Week 11 record: 8-6
Season record: 88-85
Chicago (-2.5) vs. DETROIT
Matt LaFleur vs. David Blough (??). Happy Thanksgiving!
Pick: Bears (-2.5)
DALLAS (-6.5) vs. Buffalo
The combined winning percentage of the teams Dallas has beat is .250. The combined winning percentage of the teams Buffalo has beat is .239.
Pick: Cowboys (-6.5)
New Orleans (-6.5) vs. ATLANTA
The Saints lost to the Falcons at home and then almost lost to the Panthers at home. Should they go back to Teddy Bridgewater? Questions worth asking.
Pick: Saints (-6.5)
Green Bay (-6.5) vs. NEW YORK GIANTS
What a brutal travel schedule for Green Bay. They were in Santa Clara late Sunday night, then have to fly back across the country to face the Giants for an early Sunday game. Ouch.
Pick: Packers (-6.5)
CAROLINA (-9.5) vs. Washington
Christian McCaffrey’s fantasy season is the only thing that matters about Carolina’s year now. He might go for 40 vs. Washington.
Pick: Panthers (-9.5)
BALTIMORE (-6.5) vs. San Francisco
Unstoppable force meets immovable object. This could wind up being the game of the year.
Pick: Ravens (-6.5)
INDIANAPOLIS (-2.5) vs. Tennessee
No T.Y. Hilton for the Colts is a huge boost for the Titans, who are in the thick of the playoff hunt thanks to a Pro Bowl caliber performance from Derrick Henry and … *checks notes* … Ryan Tannehill?
Pick: Titans (+2.5)
Philadelphia (-9.5) vs. MIAMI
Brian Flores should get some Coach of the Year consideration for guiding this Dolphins team to two wins.
Pick: Eagles (-9.5)
JACKSONVILLE (-1.5) vs. Tampa Bay
Ah, yes. The battle to find out which city is actually the worst Florida city in the NFL. My money is on Jacksonville because of the whole mayonnaise thing.
Pick: Buccaneers (+1.5)
New York Jets (-3.5) vs. CINCINNATI
The Bengals aren’t going 0-16, are they?
Pick: Bengals (+3.5)
Cleveland (-1.5) vs. PITTSBURGH
The lack of Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph in this one dramatically diminishes the interest level here.
Pick: Browns (-1.5)
Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) vs. ARIZONA
If we swapped Kliff Kingsbury and Sean McVay at the start of this year, which team is better? It’s probably the Rams.
Pick: Rams (-2.5)
KANSAS CITY (-9.5) vs. Oakland
The Raiders either win this game or lose it by 30. To be completely honest, we didn’t expect this game to have legitimate playoff implications.
Pick: Raiders (+9.5)
Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) vs. DENVER
Which of these teams fires its head coach first this offseason? Getting rid of Vic Fangio right away sounds like a John Elway move.
Pick: Broncos (+2.5)
New England (-3.5) vs. HOUSTON
The Patriots haven’t scored more than 20 points in their last three games. Sneaky story line being overshadowed by the Patriots’ dominant defense.
Pick: Texans (+3.5)
SEATTLE (-2.5) vs. Minnesota
This is a huge game for the NFC playoff picture. 49ers fans everywhere are pulling hard for the Vikings.
Pick: Seahawks (-2.5)
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