Odds provided by Bovada.lv 
I was 6-0 combined between Turkey Day and the rest of the weekend’s games. Hopefully, I can keep up my winning ways as we go into this week.
Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3 Total: 43
This game undoubtedly will not be circled on anyone’s list of must-watch contests this coming weekend. Both the Bills and Buccaneers are playing for next year as Buffalo visits Raymond James Stadium this Sunday.
At 4-8, Buffalo’s thin playoffs hopes a few weeks ago are almost certainly no longer a reality. They took their latest loss last week in Toronto for the NFL’s yearly game north of the border, in a 34-31 shootout. Turnovers have been a tremendous problem for the Bills all-season, including last week. With a chance to tie the game late, Stevie Johnson fumbled a pass from E.J. Manuel that would have put them in field goal range. Scott Chandler then fumbled in overtime on the first possession, letting the Falcons easily win the game via field goal.
The Buccaneers first half the year was horrible. The team went 0-8 through their first half schedule. They followed those eight losses with three straight wins but lost last week at Carolina. The Panthers dominated the Buccaneers from the outset in this game, and the tough Carolina defense held Tampa Bay’s offense to a season-low 206 yards of offense.
I love the Buccaneers in this spot. Tampa Bay certainly is not a playoff team, but they have played much better in the second half of the year. Though rookie QB Mike Glennon struggled last week, it was by far his toughest matchup of the season. Glennon has been productive in nearly every start and gives this chance an excellent chance to win each Sunday. He has been by far the best rookie signal caller this season.
Buffalo has also been criminally inept on the road, going just 1-5 away from home this season. Their run-first offense will have issues against Tampa Bay, a team that ranks in the top 10 in rushing yards allowed. It is likely that the Buccaneers will force rookie QB E.J. Manuel to beat them and focus on stopping Jackson and Spiller.
Tampa Bay has a marvellous selection of skill players, including wide receiver Vincent Jackson and running back Bobby Rainey who has a strong matchup against the Bills 24th ranked rushing defense. Three points are a gift for a game that should be dominated by Tampa.
Pick: Buccaneers -3(EVEN)
Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins +3 Total: 45
The Chiefs head to Washington to get back to their winning ways after they made history for the wrong reasons last week. After starting their campaign 9-0, Kansas City is the first team in NFL history to lose their next three games.
At 9-3, they still have a playoff spot locked up whether it be the first Wild-Card in the AFC or the AFC West crown if Denver slips up down the stretch. Their defense has been exposed in recent weeks after not allowing a 300 yard passer for the first nine weeks of the year. Phillip Rivers threw for almost 390 yards two weeks ago, and Peyton Manning carved up the Chiefs secondary for 403 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions last week in a 35-28 win against KC at Arrowhead.
The Redskins managed to lose another game last week, dropping them to 3-9 on the year. Washington blew a 14-0 lead at FedEx Field, losing 24-17 to the New York Giants on Sunday. They committed eight penalties and essentially gave up on the running game in the second half. Defensively, Washington has been a disaster all year long. They are giving an average of 30 points per game and can never seem to hold a lead.
Both of these teams are clearly struggling, but let’s not forget the big scoring numbers the Chiefs offense has put in recent weeks. Forced to keep up with opposing offenses after their defensive miscues, Kansas City has put up 28 and 38 points the past two weeks. Washington’s defense is a better matchup than Denver’s and San Diego’s, although it is close to the Chargers’ ineptitude. I think the Chiefs easily run up the score in this one and will push it close to 30 points.
With that said, I think Washington has success against the Chiefs’ defense, as well. Kansas City’s pass rush has been almost useless the past few weeks without linebacker Justin Houston, and he will again be out this week. Robert Griffin should have more time to throw on Sunday and perhaps the ability to run outside the pocket.
Both of these teams have struggled heavily defensively the past few weeks, and I think this total is off quite a bit. This one clearly has shootout potential, and I would not be shocked to see a 31-21 score line.
Pick: Over 45(-105)
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints -3.5 Total: 45.5
The Panthers head into New Orleans with all the momentum in the world looking to win their ninth straight game this season. Both of these teams have identical records at 9-3, so this game has enormous implications in the AFC South. This is the first of two meetings between these divisional opponents with the next one coming at Carolina in two weeks.
Carolina played a complete game on both sides of the ball in last Sunday’s 27-6 defeat of Tampa Bay. Quarterback Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in another in the rout. They held the Buccaneers to a season low in offensive yards. The Panthers boast the NFL’s best defense allowing just 13.1 points per game and are second in yardage allowed at 289.8 yards.
New Orleans got beaten handily at Seattle, 34-7. They did not seem to have much of a chance against the Seahawks in front of their home crowd as their offense moved up and down the field at will. Quarterback Drew Brees had his worst performance of the season in the loss, throwing for just 147 yards and a touchdown.
However, the Saints head back to the Superdome, a place where they have not lost a game this season. In fact, under Sean Payton’s tenure as Saints’ head coach, the team has never lost consecutive games. Furthermore, Drew Brees has not been held under 300 yards at home and is motivated to show last week was a fluke.
This is a divisional game, so Carolina will certainly come to play, but I do not think they can matchup against the Saints, especially at home. The rematch in two weeks will be interesting, but New Orleans takes this one at home.
Pick: Saints -3.5(+110)
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.