Another winning week in our best bets last weekend at 3-2. We are now 43-26-1 overall on the season. Let’s get picking.
Packers -3.5 over Vikings
If the Commanders lose one of their final two games and the Packers win outright (including a Week 18 matchup vs. the Lions), then Green Bay will clinch the final Wild Card spot in the NFC. It’s hard to believe only a few weeks ago, we were writing the obituary on the Packers 2022 season. Now, Aaron Rodgers, once again, is heading toward a postseason berth – and don’t think the Packers will be a pushover in the playoffs either.
The Vikings have been overperforming all season with an unbelievable run differential of just plus-five. It’s remarkable they have snuck by so many games and still managed to accumulate a 12-3 record. In just the last two weeks, they needed to pull off the biggest comeback in NFL regular season history to defeat the Colts and a 61-yard field goal to beat the Giants as time expired.
Fortunately, for the Vikings, they have the division wrapped up, and while they have an outside shot of clinching the No. 1 seed, they don’t have much to play for in this contest. Expect the Packers to bring their A-game and avenge a Week 1 loss in Minnesota. The Packers win and cover.
Cardinals +3.5 over Falcons
Colt McCoy will return and replace Trace McSorley as the Cardinals starting QB this week, which is an immense upgrade at the position. With McCoy under center, the Cardinals should be able to exploit the Falcons, who have struggled since their hot start to the season.
Since handing the starting job to rookie QB Desmond Ridder, the Falcons are 0-2. While Ridder played well in his previous start against the Ravens, he may have difficulties against the Cardinals’ defensive line, led by future Hall of Famer JJ Watt, who just announced he will be retiring at the end of the season. The Cardinals’ defense should rise up to the occasion and give Watt a dignified sendoff.
This should be a low-scoring affair which I expect the Cardinals to not only cover, but pull off the upset. McCoy is a skilled veteran who is a reliable starter when needed and has the better weapons with DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown at his arsenal. Add the powerful run game behind James Conner and the Cardinals have the edge in all categories.
Texans +4 over Jaguars
The Texans, surprisingly, have played well as of late. On Christmas Eve, Houston defeated the Titans and prior to that victory, nearly pulled off upsets against the Cowboys and Chiefs. The Texans have another chance to scoop up a win against Jacksonville on Sunday. In theory, this game is essentially meaningless for the Jaguars. While they have a longshot of a chance to sneak into the final Wild Card spot, all they need to do is defeat the Titans next weekend at home and Jacksonville will win the division and secure a playoff berth. There’s good reason to believe the Jaguars will be resting some of their starters, similarly to what the Titans did in their Thursday night loss to the Cowboys. That should give the Texans the advantage they need to keep the game close and potentially pull off the upset. Houston covers.
Jets -1.5 over Seahawks
The Zach Wilson era in New York is officially over and Mike White will come riding in to save the day for the Jets. Well, that is at least what avid Jets fans are hoping. However, it appears to be true that White is a significant upgrade over Wilson. While the Jets have only one win when White is under center, the team as a whole performs much better, especially on the offensive end. For the Jets to make the playoffs, they need to win outright, including in Week 18 versus the Dolphins. Technically, even if they drop their game against Seattle, they stand a shot at clinching the postseason if Miami manages to lose against the Patriots on Sunday. Any Jets fan or player will tell you, though, they much rather control their destiny than to hope others fail.
The Seahawks, too, are competing for a playoff spot, but they have a far less chance of clinching. Losers of five of their last six, the Seahawks seem to have lost their early season magic and bounced back to reality. While Geno Smith has been named to the Pro Bowl, the offense has struggled as of late. Now, Seattle will have to oppose one of the elite defenses in the league against the Jets.
I love the Jets here to win and cover. White gives the team hope and his teammates will rise to the occasion this weekend. Seattle has too many injuries on both sides of the ball and the offense falters against top defenses. The Jets are the play.
Rams +6.5 over Chargers
A battle of L.A. couldn’t be less exciting this week. The Chargers are fresh off of clinching a postseason berth while the Rams have been eliminated for quite some time. Expect the Chargers to fall flat coming off of their win Monday night versus the Colts, and perhaps some starters may be healthy scratches prior to kickoff.
The Rams have been playing free and motivated since they acquired Baker Mayfield. In Mayfield’s three games with LA, the Rams are 2-1, including a throttling of the Broncos on Christmas Day that ultimately cost Denver head coach Nathaniel Hackett his job. The spread is way too high on this one. Give me the Rams with the points.
