Houston Texans (1-10-1) at Dallas Cowboys (9-3), 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Cowboys -17 | Total: 45
This is the most important unfold of the complete season to date, so it could be tempting to suppose the Texans might sneak in a backdoor cowl. Before you are taking this pile of factors, although, please direct your consideration to final week’s field rating, the place the 11-point-favorite Cowboys led the Colts, 21-19, at first of the fourth quarter and proceeded to attain 33 unanswered factors. That 54-19 win introduced Dallas’s scoring common to 39.8 factors per sport over the previous 5 video games. Make no mistake: They will rating so much in opposition to the Texans. Pick: Cowboys -17
Minnesota Vikings (10-2) at Detroit Lions (5-7), 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Lions -2 | Total: 53.5
The Lions are 4-1 of their previous 5 video games and are holding opponents to 19.8 factors per sport in that stretch. Compare that to their first seven video games, when the Lions’ protection was giving up a median of 32.1 factors per sport. One of these early season losses was to the Vikings in Week 3, when the Lions choked with a 24-14 lead within the fourth quarter.
Minnesota’s protection offers up probably the most passing yards per try within the league, however the Vikings maintain discovering methods to win video games, regardless of the rising refrain of doubters every week. This week that refrain has already wagered 94 % of the cash on the Lions. Pick: Lions -2
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) at Tennessee Titans (7-5), 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Titans -3.5 | Total: 41.5
The Titans fired their common supervisor, Jon Robinson, after the crew misplaced two video games in a row, regardless that Tennessee is on monitor to win the A.F.C. South for the third straight season. Derrick Henry is trying for a bounce-back sport after being held to only 30 dashing yards by Philadelphia final week. The Titans have received 5 straight in opposition to the Jags by a median of 16.8 factors, and Henry has had massive working totals in his previous two video games in opposition to them, with 130 and 215 yards every. Jacksonville, which might want to beat the Titans twice in its final 5 video games to have any shot on the playoffs, has misplaced 22 of its final 23 video games on the highway. Pick: Titans -3.5
Baltimore Ravens (8-4) at (*14*) Steelers (5-7), 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Steelers -2.5 | Total: 37
Last yr when the Ravens have been 8-4, Lamar Jackson damage his ankle, and Baltimore didn’t win one other sport all season. This week, Jackson is prone to be out with a sprained posterior cruciate ligament, with Tyler Huntley filling in. Even with out Jackson, the Ravens’ protection is nice sufficient this yr to beat the Steelers, who solely common 17.8 factors per sport. Pick: Ravens +2.5
Kansas City (9-3) at Denver Broncos (3-9), 4:05 p.m., CBS
Line: Broncos +9.5 | Total: 43
This was scheduled as a quarterback duel, however the Broncos’ protection stays the crew’s primary draw this season. Kansas City owns the league’s highest scoring offense (29.2 factors per sport) and Denver has the bottom scoring offense (13.8), however the distinction could come from Kansas City’s protection, which provides up a median of 237.3 passing yards per sport. Russell Wilson and firm ought to handle to cowl the 9.5-point unfold at house 5,200 ft above sea degree. Pick: Broncos +9.5
Carolina Panthers (4-8) at Seattle Seahawks (7-5), 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Seahawks -3.5 | Total: 43.5
The Seahawks are nothing if not environment friendly. Geno Smith has the very best completion share within the N.F.L., the crew averages 244.4 passing yards per sport, and Seattle’s 26.5 factors per sport is the fifth-highest within the league. But Seattle’s protection struggles in opposition to the run, a fault that Panthers working again D’Onta Foreman will certainly attempt to make the most of. And but, Carolina hasn’t received a sport on the highway but this season. Pick: Seahawks -3.5
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