Best Bets
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-11) at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-7)
LINE: Tampa Bay by 13.5
The Bucs are fourth in league scoring and have picked up the pace with an average of 32.6 in their last six. In control of their own playoff destiny, there’s about a zero chance Spencer Rattler can keep up with Baker Mayfield. If Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave return from injury I like Saints chances of covering more, but still not enough.
TAKING: TAMPA BAY -13.5
Buccaneers 36, Saints 20
CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-12) at ATLANTA FALCONS (8-8)
LINE: Atlanta by 8
The Falcons need the Bucs to lose this weekend for a shot at the playoffs, and that’s not going to happen. Only two of the Panthers last six losses have been by more than a TD, and they’ll want to end what’s being viewed as a turnaround on a positive note.
TAKING: CAROLINA +8
Panthers 27, Falcons 24
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (11-5) at DALLAS COWBOYS (7-9)
LINE: Washington by 4.5
The Commanders have scored an average of 32 points while winning their last four and the Cowboys have averaged just seven since CeeDee Lamb was shut down. Okay, so that’s only one game, but without Lamb they can’t keep up with a Washington team looking to lock up the No. 6 seed.
TAKING: WASHINGTON -4.5
Commanders 31, Cowboys 21
And the rest..
CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-13) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5)
LINE: Baltimore by 17.5
Massive spread but Ravens can clinch the division title and the Browns, obviously in tank-mode with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB, haven’t scored more than seven points in any of their last three games.
TAKING: BALTIMORE -17.5
Ravens 30, Browns 6
CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-8) at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-6)
LINE: Cincinnati by 1.5
MIke Tomlin has always been so reliable as an ATS underdog, but since defeating the Bengals 44-38 in Week 13 the Steelers are 1-4 and, in losing their last three, have failed to cover with points. Steelers are playing for a preferred seeding while the more motivated Bengals have won four straight in a mad dash trying to make the playoffs.
TAKING: CINCINNATI -1.5
Bengals 30, Steelers 28
NEW YORK GIANTS (3-13) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-3)
LINE: Philadelphia by 2.5
Doesn’t matter that the Eagles, who are locked in as the No. 2 seed, are going to rest Saquon Barkley, who is 101 yards from the all-time rushing record, and other starters. Or that Jalen Hurts won’t play. Or that the Giants ended a 10-game losing streak last week with a shockingly explosive performance. Giants haven’t won in 11 trips to Philly and not trusting them here.
TAKING: PHILADELPHIA -2.5
Eagles 23, Giants 14
CHICAGO BEARS (4-12) at GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-5)
LINE: Green Bay by 10
Packers might rest some starters, depending on playoff implications. Bears have lost 10 in a row, a stretch that includes a 20-19 defeat in Week 11. Packers have won the last 11 meetings (and 26 of the last 29) have have not lost to the Bears at Lambeau since 2015, but Chicago has the tools and will stay within 10 in the last game of their sorry season.
TAKING: CHICAGO +10
Packers 24, Bears 17
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-12) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-9)
LINE: Indianapolis by 4.5
The Colts blew their shot at the playoffs with last week’s stunning 45-33 road loss to the Giants. Those who like living in Indianapolis – known for its low cost of living and as a “backyard city” – will be looking to play well at Lucas Oil Stadium in the season finale. It could also be Joe Flacco’s swang song, so expect him to thrive against the second-worst pass ‘D’ in the league.
TAKING: INDIANAPOLIS -4.5
Colts 27, Jags 17
HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7) at TENNESSEE TITANS (3-13)
LINE: Houston by 1.5
Can’t imagine the Texans will want to go into the playoffs without a much better taste in their mouth than they were left with from last week’s 31-2 loss to the Ravens. Expect C.J. Stroud to see enough action to waltz through the Titans defence in Music City.
TAKING: HOUSTON -1.5
Texans 28, Titans 13
BUFFALO BILLS (13-3) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-13)
LINE: Buffalo -2.5
The Patriots only lost by three in Buffalo two weeks ago, when the Bills still had something to play for and were using their full allotment. Josh Allen will begin the game but can’t imagine him or the rest of the starters will hang around too long with nothing at stake for the Bills. It’s been suggested the Patriots will “rest” Drake Maye and some starters too, but I’m not buying it.
TAKING: NEW ENGLAND +2.5
Patriots 17, Bills 14
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-1) at DENVER BRONCOS (9-7)
LINE: Denver by 10.5
The last time the Chiefs lost by more than 10 was Week 8 last season – a 24-9 final in Denver. The Broncos have failed to clinch a playoff spot against the Chargers and Bengals on the road the last two weeks, but back home mostly against Carson Wentz and Chiefs backups, they’ll be able to seal the deal.
TAKING: DENVER -10.5
Broncos 24, Chiefs 9
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-10) at ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-9)
LINE: Arizona by 4.5
As unpredictable as it would have been, these two teams are meeting in the first weekend of 2025 with a combined two wins to show for their last 13 games. With Brock Purdy out, the “Passtronaut” Joshua Dobbs will keep things close.
LINE: SAN FRANCISCO +4.5
Cardinals 24, Niners 23
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MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8) at NEW YORK JETS (4-12)
LINE: Miami by 1
Aaron Rodgers’ last game? Sounds like he could go either or any way next season. But given it could be his swan song, expect Rodgers to put an exclamation mark on what’s been a resurgence of late. Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Broncos loss, but they don’t deserve to be moving on – and in a Tyler Huntley-Rodgers matchup, with two disgustingly underachieving teams, they won’t be.
TAKING: NEW YORK +1
Jets 27, Dolphins 24
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9-7) at LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-6)
LINE: Seattle by 6.5
Rams clinched the division with the strength of victory tiebreaker on the Seahawks and they’ve essentially said they’re less concerned about playoff matchups than resting their starters. Geno Smith has contractual factors to push him, and the Seahawks will give their fans one last cheer.
TAKING: SEATTLE -6.5
Seahawks 27, Rams 20
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (10-6) at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4-12)
LINE: Los Angeles by 5
If the Bengals win in Pittsburgh the Chargers can earn a date with the lowest division winner next week by beating the Raiders. If the Steelers win, the Chargers will likely rest starters. Raiders have won two straight but they’re not good enough to keep pace with a motivated Chargers team. Maybe not even an unmotivated one.
TAKING: LOS ANGELES -5
Chargers 24, Raiders 14
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-2) at DETROIT LIONS (14-2)
Line: Detroit by 2.5
Best for last. Either team could win the NFC and go on to be crowned Super Bowl champ. As evenly matched as they are, we’ll take the visitors to avenge the 31-29 loss the Lions fed them in Week 7. Getting the points is an appreciated cushion.
TAKING: MINNESOTA
Vikings 31, Lions 29
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