Alright, with the turkey out of your system it’s time to re-focus on more football. I was 3-1 last week in football betting, gave you some Thanksgiving picks and I am aiming for 4-0 this week. Here we go, with key NFL betting games on the slate let’s get to the rest of our week 12 NFL picks.
Carolina Panthers at Oakland Raiders (-3.5)
This one seems like a pretty straightforward pick to me. The Panthers are 3-1 in their last four games and have seemingly fixed the leaky problems on defense. Meanwhile, the Raiders are coming off a trip to Mexico and a short week. Carolina has no margin for error and is the more desperate team. As for the Raiders, regardless of the outcome of this game they are guaranteed to be in first place next week. We’ll take the points and the Panthers.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (-7.5)
More value here. The Jaguars are not a good football team. They are inconsistent, have no swagger and will probably fire yet another head coach shortly. That said, the Bills aren’t a ton better. Sure, they’re .500 and have some decent wins to their credit. But they’re wildly inconsistent and have no shot at the playoffs. We see Rex Ryan also being fired at season’s end. So give me the hefty amount of points and the Jags here. Blake Bortles is capable of lighting it up on occasion.
New York Giants (-7) at Cleveland Browns
Nothing is going to get in the way of the Browns recording the second ever 0-16 season, especially not the Giants. Sure, New York plays down to their opponents regularly, like last week at home to the Bears. But they are in an absolute dog fight right now to stay in the divisional race and need this game. The Giants D has been looking pretty decent. Meanwhile, the Browns will start Josh McCown this week, as if that will be any better. Lay the points and take the G-Men.
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons (-5)
I don’t mean to pile on a team that has an ailing coach, but the Cardinals are not the same team as last year, not even close. The pride and confidence isn’t there. The resolve and ability to bounce back isn’t there either. I am finally throwing in the towel on this team. The Falcons should really be favored by more than a touchdown here. But bettors continue to treat the Cards like it’s 2015. Give me Matt Ryan to light it up at home and dispatch Arizona by the third quarter.
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.