The Windy City gets another shot at the division leading Lions. That comeback that almost looked like it wasn’t going to happen was the 3rd win in a row for the Lions in the series making Detroit winners of 3 of 5 and 4 of 10 vs. the Bears. Just a few years ago that’s correct the Lions had almost zero expectations when they acquired Goff in the trade. If the number is looking like well why is it only 3.5 – Only once in the last 10 matchups have the Lions won by 4 or more at Soldier Field. Down to 3 now with 68% consensus going on the Lions. I liked the Bears a lot more at 3.5 than at 3 but this is a tough game to pick. The Lions are clearly the better team this season, however as we have seen in the division that means they are getting everyone best shot. Tough game and its even tougher to take the Bears here but that is my pick – 110 – NFL – Chicago Bears +3
Colts vs. Bengals – Everyone was either in amazement at how well the Bengals played in Jacksonville or thinking it was some kind of gimmick and the game was fixed. Well the guys who bet their money on these things are betting that the Bengals win wasn’t a fluke, 85% consensus on the Bengals -2. 95% consensus on the Bengals money line. I’m sure there will be plenty of game day wagers on the Colts here. This one is for more than bragging rights as the two teams are tied for playoff positioning. This one may be the fan in me or whatever you want to call it here. The two things that point to the Bengals are the consensus and also that the odds makers have them favored to begin with as the Colts are playing very good football including special teams as of late. 116 – NFL- Cincinnati Bengals -2
Rams vs. Ravens – The Ravens laying the -7.5 and consensus is going all on the Ravens here at 85%. The Rams have won 3 in row and sit at 6-6. I like the Ravens to win this game coming off their bye week. Jackson is 18-3 vs the NFC. This is also the type of game where the Ravens could be sitting on a ten point lead needing to cover -7.5. The Ravens are going to win the AFC North and wins in games like this could change a playoff game from Miami to Baltimore. The Rams however despite missing Higbee this week have played well as of late, playing the early game in a cold weather environment, and have the consensus and Pundits picking against them but we still have a game to play Sunday and after I may very well be 0-3 after this one because I’m going against the consensus and taking the points. 107 – NFL – Los Angeles Rams +7.5
Texans vs. Jets – This is another one where the consensus is 83% against me and I know why… because the Texans have been playing great ball as of late. While they do have guys who had big passing yards last week they lose another WR to injury. This is a cold game in December in New York and the Jets may have a few guys in the secondary who are supposed to be good. They run the ball a lot here and the Texans do too, this may be like a 16-13 Houston win but I’m gonna take the Jets to at least make this a 3 hour fist fight in the cold or maybe I get lucky with the under dogs because the bookmakers shifted those UNDER numbers down where there isn’t so much of an advantage in that at any time if a man on the field gets a chance he is going to want to run it in for 6 so the 17% of the cash and me on the 118: NFL: New York Jets +3.5.
Panthers vs. Saints – Well whoever the QB is I’ll get on the Saints money line here but hope that maybe this thing is a game for a minute and I get a better rate on my investment. 112: NFL: Saints -255
Seahawks vs. 49ers I’ll try to get on the 49ers any way I can here but I’ll be holding on for a live bet here but then I see Gino Smith is likely not to play. In the last one Seattle was hanging around early 3rd quarter but right now the spread is so much that I’m not laying it even though the 49ers are clearly going to have the feel of a 10 point or win more here. I look at the total play also but my pick is the best rate I can get on the 49ers here then I see 87% consensus on the over 46.5, that feels like the best place for me to win or lose in this game. 119: NFL: Seahawks OV o46½-105
Bills vs. Chiefs With these guys at QB I’m just going to follow all the consensus on the OVER here too because I like the Bills to show up but that doesn’t always win in Kansas City. 125: NFL: Bills OV o48½
Eagles vs. Cowboys 3 out last 5 matchups would have gone over the number of 52 here so lets say that’s 60% likelihood and 80 % on the OVER consensus. The Cowboys have won 3 of 5 and the last 5˚ in Dallas. I’ll go money line here and try to get them in game flow and get a better number instead of laying the -3.5 here but my pick is Dallas, when you see them try to go for it on 4th down that would’ve covered against Seattle they looked unstoppable last week. 46 % consensus 128: NFL: Cowboys -3½+ev –
80 % Consensus 128: NFL: Cowboys OV o51.5 –
70 % Consensus 128: NFL: Cowboys -175
As always Best of Luck and Enjoy Your Sunday