It’s getting down to the wire in the NFL. There are several key games on the schedule today. Here are our picks.
12/10 1:00 ET Detroit -3 At Tampa Bay: Matthew Stafford is going to play which is huge for a Lions team fighting for its playoff lives. Detroit has struggled of late but the underachieving Bucs are just what the doctor ordered. I like the Lions as a road favorite.
12/10 1:00 ET At Cincinnati -6.5 Chicago: The Bengals playoff hopes are fading. They need to win this game in order to keep them alive. They win today against a Bears team that can’t score points, especially on the road. I like the Bengals as a home favorite in this one.
12/10 1:00 ET At Buffalo -3 Indianapolis: The Bills are starting rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman in place of the injured Tyrod Taylor. Enough said. I like the Colts as a home dog. I think they will find a way to win what will be an ugly game.
12/10 4:25 ET At Jacksonville -2.5 Seattle: I still don’t buy the Jags as a “legit” contender. I am sorry. Maybe it is Blake Bortles. Either way, I like Seattle as a road dog. Russell Wilson is playing at another level right now and the Seahawks front seven will control the line of scrimmage.
12/10 1:00 ET At Kansas City -4 Oakland: Both teams desperately need a win in order to stay in the hunt both in the AFC West and in the AFC playoff picture. Kansas City has been a mess of late and will be without star corner Marcus Peters today. Oakland gets back Amari Cooper so they will be able to exploit the Chiefs suspect secondary. I expect a high scoring affair in this one. That is why I am taking the Raiders as a road dog.
12/10 1:00 ET Minnesota -2.5 At Carolina:I think this will be one of the more intriguing games of the day. Carolina runs hot and cold but they usually play well at home. I don’t expect much scoring in this one. I think it will be a tight game and if that’s the case, I like the Panthers as a home dog.
12/10 1:00 ET Green Bay -3 At Cleveland: Part of me feels like this is a game the Browns could win. With new GM (and former Packers executive) John Dorsey in the house, the Browns will look to impress the new boss. I am taking Green Bay but it is with some trepidation.
12/10 1:00 ET At Houston -2.5 San Francisco: I am so on the Jimmy G bandwagon. Screw it. I’ll probably blow this pick but I like the 49ers as a road dog to pull off the upset. They will keep it close and win it at the end.
12/10 4:05 ET At LA Chargers -6 Washington: The Skins are in L.A for the second time this season but the outcome will be different this time. I don’t think they can beat the smoking hot Chargers right now. Phil Rivers and company are making a late season run for the ages and it continues today. I like L.A as a home favorite in this one.
12/10 4:05 ET NY Jets -1 At Denver: The Broncos are a hot mess right now but despite that, I like them at home against the Jets. Take them with confidence as a home dog.
12/10 4:05 ET Tennessee -3 At Arizona: If the Titans want to be viewed as contenders, then they need to win a game like this. I think Tennessee will win this game but I am taking the Cardinals as a home dog. Tennessee wins by two points.
12/10 4:25 ET At LA Rams -1 Philadelphia: The Eagles got exposed last week in Seattle. One has to wonder if they are as good as they looked going into last week. I really like the Rams. Sean McVay and his staff have done a masterful job turning the organization around. The Rams beating the Saints two weeks ago was a “signature” win. A win this week would be even bigger. That is why I am taking the Rams in this one. They will find a way to get it done and pick up the win.
12/10 1:00 ET Dallas -3.5 At NY Giants: The Cowboys need to win this game to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. On paper, they should dominate against the hapless Giants but something tells me that Steve Spagnuolo will have his team ready to play and ripe to pull off the upset. That is why I am taking the Giants as a home dog. I think Eli and company will upset the Cowboys today.
12/10 8:30 ET At Pittsburgh -4.5 Baltimore: Baltimore is way too inconsistent to go into Pittsburgh and beat their arch rivals. I like the Steelers in this one as a home favorite. Which means next week’s showdown with New England will be for home field throughout the AFC playoffs.
Monday Night Football Point Spread
12/10 8:30 ET New England -11 At Miami: The Patriots are banged up and Miami has been a house of horrors. I think the Pats will win this game but they won’t cover. Take Miami as a home dog.