Boy, the Cowboys looked like they came back to life Thursday, didn’t they? Obviously Alfred Morris going off against his old team was a shock however my biggest shock of the game was the Dallas offensive line. They moved heaven and Earth to open up some monster holes! Regardless, a 12 win week is a 12 win week. It’s rare but do-able. On to today’s games.
| Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons, 1p (Falcons -2.5, O/U: 47)
These two teams basically match each other yard for yard on offense. The main difference is the defense. The Vikings have a top 5 defense (scoring & yards allowed). Yes the Falcons have hit their stride recently but the Vikings have faired well on the road (4-1) and there’s no reason this train will slow down rolling into Atlanta. Take the Vikings to cover in the over, 27-24. |
| Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens, 1p (Ravens -3, O/U: 43.5)
The Ravens have been decent at home (better at home than on the road no matter what the records show). The Lions have been way better on the road than at home (4-1 away, 2-4 home) and their offense is potent. The Ravens defense is stingy and have only allowed 17 points per game (2nd best). The Ravens started to show life inthe run game but lack the big play ability, especially with Flacco at the helm. Freeney will provide a much needed boost to Detriot’s defense. Take the Lions to cover in the under, 21-20. |
| New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills, 1p (Bills +9, O/U: 48.5)
One of the best offenses in the game verus one of the most average. You already know who will be the best coached up team and if you think the Bills will cover, check out their decision to stay in the playoff race the other week by deciding to sit Taylor. The Patriots average 9 points more scored per game. Take the Patriots to cover in the under, 31-17. |
| San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears, 1p (Bears -3, O/U: 41)
The start of the Garappolo era is upon us. With Shanahan finally getting a quarterback with some real talent, his offense can really take off now. Garappolo showed what he has to offer last week, coming in on the last drive and leading them to a TD pass on the last play of the game. The Bears have been keeping tight reigns on Trubisky, limitting his pass plays which keeps him from really playing to his potential. If they get behind, Fox will unleash Mitch-a-polooza more. Take the 49ers to cover in the over, 24-20. |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers, 1p (Packers -2.5, O/U: 45)
The Buccs started the season with so much potential but have faultered. The offense looked a lot more lively under Fitzpatrick the last few weeks but they are turning back to Winston this week in Lambeau. For Green Bay, the news of the week was that Rodgers will return on schedule for week 15. Hundley looked much better last week against a tough Steelers defense and nearly pulled an upset. The news of Rodgers’ impending return will bring a much needed energy boost to the team. Take the Packers to cover in the under, 24-17. |
| Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1p (Jaguars -9.5, O/U: 40)
Brissett has looked solid in his first season as a starter and if Luck eventually becomes healed, Brissett will be the most wanted quarterback come the new season. Gore stepped it up last week after going 7 games without a rushing touchdown, by finding the endzone. The Jags spanked the Colts in Indy in late October. They used the ground and air to shut them out. This game will have a similar outcome. Take the Jags to cover in the under, 24-14. |
| Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins, 1p (Dolphins +2, O/U: 40)
Battle of the 2 ugliest teams in the league. With Siemian getting the start for the Broncos, expect the offense to still be flat. Moore being the better quarterback of the 2 will have a much easier time finding receivers with Talib serving his suspension. Take the Dolphins to cover with a win in the under, 20-14. |
| Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints, 1p (Saints -5, O/U: 48) Carolina has been better on the road than at home this year (5-1, record and ATS) with sone notable wins in the road (Patriots). Their defense is 2nd best in the league in allowing the least amount of yards but have had some surprising losses/close games against teams their physically better than (L to Chicago, close wins against Jets, Buffalo, Detroit). The Saints are firing on all cylinders offensively, especially now that they have a running game. The only thing in question is how they’ll fair against a duel threat Cam who also has a during back in Stewart. After AP was traded, Ingram and Kamara unleashed their powers in full and that offense has looked like that of their championship pass game since. Still, the Saints rocked the Panthers at home earlier this year and the Panthers secondary has let up some big games lately. Take the Saints to cover in the over, 31-24. |
| Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets, 1p (Jets -3, O/U: 44) Josh McCown has looked sneaky good for a team that was predicted to fall flat on its face right out of the gates this year, especially in a tough division. The Chiefs jist finished a horrible, winless November and will look to reignite their team in this one. An offense that was so hot early had cooled and the rookie phenom Hunt has been called into question in the last few weeks. Their defense needs to step up as well, allowing the 6th most yards. Andy Reid is too good of a coach to allow this slide continue. Take the Chiefs to cover in the under, 27-14. |
| Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans, 1p (Titans -7, O/U: 43) Savage has looked miserable in most of his starts this year and is a big reason we saw Watson so early in the season. The Texans are banged up on both sides of the ball and are just bad on the road. Mariota is going through a drop in efficiency as well with his 9/12 TD/INT ratio but he has also been hampered by hamstring issues for a good month. With Henry and Murray picking up the slack more lately, they’ll control the ball more and take advantage of short fields with the turnovers the Texans are likely to have. Take the Titans to return the favor covering in the over, 27-17. |
| Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05p (Chargers -13.5, O/U: 44) This one will be an interesting watch. The Chargers aren’t known for a high flying, high scoring offense (other than that Buffalo game). They’re just 2-3 at home and their stadium is only partially full of their own fans which is tough on a team when they’d like for their crowd to be rowdy for the opposing team’s offense. Don’t be surprised if the Browns keep it close for most of this game. Take the Chargers to cover in the over, 31-17. |
| Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25p (Cardinals +7, O/U: 44) Take the Rams to cover in the over, 31-17. |
| New York Giants at Oakland Raiders, 4:25p (Raiders -9, O/U: 41.5) Take Raiders to cover in the under, 24-10. |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks, 8:30p (Seahawks +5, O/U: 47) Take the Eagles to cover in the over, 31-24. |
Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5
Necessary Roughness 