The Bengals began post-Joe Burrow life in unsuccessful fashion, as Brandon Allen and company came up just short by a 19-17 score against the Giants. Meanwhile, the Dolphins got the better of the other New York team, trampling the Jets by a 20-3 score in a game that was never really competitive.
Cincinnati was reasonably competitive with Allen under center, although the fact Daniel Jones exited early for the Giants with a hamstring injury helped them keep things close. The second-year quarterback will presumably gain access to a progressively expanded playbook as the rest of the season unfolds. Unfortunately for the young signal-caller, the lack of a competent ground attack in the absence of Joe Mixon (IR-foot) doesn’t do Allen any favors and also prevents them from exploiting Miami’s biggest weakness on defense (129.9 RYPG allowed).
The Dolphins were forced to turn back to Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday with Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a thumb injury. That worked out well against the talent-challenged secondary of the Jets. The rookie may not be ready for a return against Cincinnati. That would likely suit Fitzpatrick just fine, considering the Bengals are almost as ineffective while allowing 253.7 passing yards per contest. There may also be an outside chance Miami gets back Myles Gaskin (IR-knee) for this contest against a Cincy unit surrendering 136.7 rushing yards per game and 5.24 RB yards per carry.
The reduced offensive capacity for Cincy and each team’s respective Week 12 performances have already conspired to currently make the Dolphins robust () home favorites at the moment.
Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets – 1 p.m. ET
The Raiders have some self-evaluation to do after running into an unexpected buzzsaw in the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12. Las Vegas looked lost in all phases of the game in a lopsided 43-6 defeat. Meanwhile, the Jets saw Sam Darnold return to the lineup and generate the same old lackluster results in a 20-3 loss to the Dolphins.
Las Vegas certainly isn’t as bad a team as it came off Sunday. However, the ankle injury suffered by Josh Jacobs in the loss could certainly compromise the Raiders offensively heading into Week 13. Veterans Devontae Booker and Jalen Richard are around to fill in if necessary, but neither naturally brings Jacobs’ all-around ability. The good news for Las Vegas is that irrespective of the running back’s status, success in the game should largely hinge on Derek Carr bouncing back from a forgettable Week 12 performance – New York is allowing an AFC-high 284.0 passing yards per contest.
The Jets also have a good matchup through the air in this game. The question naturally is whether they can come close to exploiting it. Darnold was under 200 passing yards yet again in the Week 12 loss and threw a pair of interceptions to boot. The Raiders give up an elevated 265.0 passing yards per game, although that figure is a lot more respectable 226.8 per road game. Darnold may look better with a game under his belt after a multi-week absence, however, and he does have a competent receiving trio in the form of Breshad Perriman, rookie Denzel Mims and Jamison Crowder.
The Raiders would likely be even bigger favorites had they looked better Sunday, but as it is, they’re still currently carrying a line of ().
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – 1 p.m. ET
The Colts were surprisingly manhandled by a Tennessee Titans team they’d dispatched of rather handily just two weeks prior, as they took a 45-26 beating at the hands of their division rivals Sunday. The Texans come into this contest with some extra rest, having disposed of the Detroit Lions by a 41-25 margin on Thanksgiving Day.
Indy does have a chance to right its ship against a Houston defense that’s found it difficult to stop any offense irrespective of how they’ve attacked. The one notable exception has been cornerback Bradley Roby. He’s allowed just 46.2 percent of the 39 attempts he’s faced in primary coverage to be completed. Otherwise, even if Jonathan Taylor isn’t back from the reserve/COVID-19 list for this contest, the duo of Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines could feast on a Houston defense giving up an AFC-high 154.7 rushing yards per contest.
The Texans could very well extract some value from reviewing what the Titans put on film against the Colts on Sunday. Houston’s primary strength on offense is undeniably its Deshaun Watson-helmed passing attack. Even with Randall Cobb (toe) on injured reserve and Kenny Stills released, the Texans still boast a potent pass-catching trio of Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller and Keke Coutee. Indy’s secondary has been tough most of the year but has shown some vulnerability of late.
Week 12 results certainly seem to be playing a prominent part in the current line, which has the Colts as very modest () road favorites.
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – 1 p.m. ET
The Lions suffered yet another lopsided loss Thanksgiving Day against the Texans and it proved to be one bridge to far from ownership. The latest embarrassment led to the firings of head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. The Bears didn’t look much better in an NFC North beating at the hands of the Packers on Sunday night, a game that featured a mixed performance by Mitchell Trubisky in his return to the starting quarterback job.
Detroit will proceed with elevated offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as its interim head coach. What effect this will have on Matthew Stafford and his teammates on that side of the ball remain to be seen. However, one instant boost Detroit may enjoy is the potential returns of Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola and D’Andre Swift from injury in Week 13. Each missed the last two games as a trio, and Golladay has actually missed the last four games overall.
Trubisky’s hold on the top job under center could be short-lived. As it was, his promotion had largely to do with Nick Foles’ hip injury, which prevented the veteran from suiting up Sunday. Foles wasn’t playing well before going down, however, so coach Matt Nagy may not really have an appealing option heading into what typically has been a favorable matchup for offenses.
Although the Bears are certainly no great shakes themselves, the status of the Lions is such that Chicago is still currently a () home favorite.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings – 1 p.m. ET
The Jaguars fought hard in Week 12 but came up just short at home, dropping a narrow 27-25 decision to the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings barely escaped with a win in their own right. They held on to trip up the Panthers by a 28-27 margin.
Jacksonville could have a chance to build on Sunday’s solid effort by getting Gardner Minshew back from a thumb injury for this game. Minshew was reportedly on the verge of being ready to serve as the emergency backup to Mike Glennon in Week 12 before coach Doug Marrone opted against it. Meanwhile, James Robinson continued to excel versus Cleveland’s typically stingy run defense by racking up 159 scrimmage yards. The matchup against Minnesota’s front seven actually shapes up better on paper – the Vikings went into Week 12 allowing 4.86 adjusted line yards per rush.
The Vikings’ passing attack thrived Sunday despite the absence of Adam Thielen (COVID-19). Coach Mike Zimmer confirmed Monday that Thielen should be ready to return for this game, which will give Kirk Cousins a full arsenal against a Jacksonville defense down several members of its secondary and allowing 310.4 passing yards per road game. The going for star running back Dalvin Cook could be tougher, as the Jaguars’ rush defense had been playing much better before faltering some against Nick Chubb on Sunday.
Although Minnesota is just 1-4 ATS as a home favorite this season, the Vikes currently boast a sizable projected advantage of ().
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – 1 p.m. ET
The Saints enjoyed what could be termed a quasi-bye in Week 12. They played a quarterback-less Broncos team and easily prevailed by a 31-3 score. Then, the Falcons administered a hellacious 43-6 beating to the Raiders, interim head coach Raheem Morris’ fourth win in six games at the helm.
New Orleans’ dominant effort certainly has to be taken with a grain of salt considering the opposition Sunday. However, the fact remains New Orleans is now 2-0 with Taysom Hill at its starting quarterback. The challenge gets a lot steeper in this contest. The Falcons’ thoroughly stymied what had been an above-average Raiders offense Sunday and are now allowing 238.3 passing yards per game over the last three contests. That’s an exponential improvement over their 291.5 season figure. Atlanta is already one of the best units in the league versus the run in allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game (100.3) and RB yards per carry (3.63).
The Saints only upped their already impressive defensive numbers in Sunday’s dismantling of Denver. New Orleans is yielding the fewest total yards per game (284.9), has picked off 13 passes and has recorded 33 sacks. The Falcons have allowed 27 sacks and have seen Matt Ryan throw five interceptions over the last four games, so they’re not exactly trending in the right direction for the challenge ahead. Notably, two of those picks came in a Week 11 loss to the Saints, a game in which Ryan also completed just 51.4 percent of his throws.
Although the Saints won the first meeting by 15 points, NFL Week 13 odds are showing a closer rematch. New Orleans is currently a modest () road favorite.
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals – 4:05 p.m. ET
The Rams were upended by the 49ers for the second time this season Sunday, dropping a 23-20 decision on a Robbie Gould field goal as time expired. The Cardinals experienced the other side of that coin. Arizona fell 20-17 to New England as Nick Folk broke its heart with his clutch kick as the clock hit zeroes.
Los Angeles saw Jared Goff commit his 14th turnover against the 49ers in Week 12. Ball security is a particularly bad problem to go into a matchup against the Cardinals with, considering Arizona has picked off 10 passes, collected 27 sacks and recovered four fumbles. Kliff Kingsbury’s squad has also surrendered the fifth-fewest total yards per game (298.3) over the last three contests. Rookie Cam Akers was the most productive of Los Angeles’ three-headed backfield Sunday, but the matchup isn’t the most appealing – the Cardinals are allowing a relatively modest 114.2 rushing yards per contest.
The Rams have made suffocating defense their trademark this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five in total yards (297.0), rushing yards (93.5) and passing yards (203.5) allowed per game. Those numbers don’t bode well for consistent offensive success on the part of Kyler Murray and teammates, who amassed just 298 total yards against New England. Getting Larry Fitzgerald back from the reserve/COVID-19 list would help Murray round out his receiving corps for this unenviable matchup.
Despite the loss Sunday, the Rams are getting some deference from oddsmakers when looking at NFL Week 13 odds, as they’re currently () road favorites.
New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks – 4:05 p.m. ET
The Giants nabbed a 19-17 win over the Bengals in Week 12, but the hamstring injury that forced Daniel Jones from the contest leaves him questionable for this matchup. The Seahawks will play their Week 12 game Monday night against the Eagles, a game in which they’ll try for their eighth win.
If Jones is unable to make it back for this contest, veteran Colt McCoy will look to exploit a Seahawks secondary that goes into its Week 12 Monday night contest allowing an NFL-high 343.7 passing yards per game. Seattle is also giving up a 68.2 percent completion rate at home. However, McCoy’s arm strength is a fraction of Jones’, which could leave New York ill-equipped to fully take advantage.
With the uncertainty regarding Jones and the overall difference in play between the two teams this season, the Seahawks are unsurprisingly () home favorites, even though they’ll play this game on short rest.
New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers – 4:25 p.m. ET
The Patriots got by with an ugly win Week 12. They toppled the Cardinals by a 20-17 score on a last-second Nick Folk field goal, notching their fifth victory despite Cam Newton throwing for just 84 yards and tossing a pair of interceptions. The Chargers could overcome a tough road matchup in Buffalo, falling to the Bills by a 27-17 score despite Austin Ekeler’s return from injured reserve.
The Pats continued to leave the ground attack largely in the hands of Damien Harris and Newton in Sunday’s win. Sony Michel has been off injured reserve for two weeks at this point and has logged just a single snap in that span. The Chargers are ranked in the bottom half of the league rushing yards per game allowed (120.5) and are much better attacked on the ground. Los Angeles is giving up a sparse 204.0 passing yards per home contest, and although the Bolts have just six interceptions, Newton has nine picks in 10 games. However, L.A. is tied with several teams for the third-most rushing TDs yielded to quarterbacks (four), while Newton has already hit paydirt on the ground on nine occasions.
With each squad beset by a fair share of blemishes, this game is a pick ’em at several books.
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers – 4:25 p.m. ET
The Eagles will go into battle Monday night against the Seahawks, with a victory in that game poised to propel them to first place in the positively mediocre NFC East. Reports indicate rookie Jalen Hurts will see playing time without Carson Wentz on the field. The results of that experiment could certainly have ramifications for this game. Meanwhile, The Packers further strengthened their grip on the NFC North by dismantling the Bears, 41-25.
Green Bay didn’t necessarily stand out with its play in any one facet Sunday, which makes its 41-point haul all the more impressive. Aaron Rodgers continued to benefit from having the speed threat of Allen Lazard back in the fold. He needed just 21 completions to notch four touchdown tosses, including one to Lazard. Just as important, Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams combined for 163 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries. The ground game is by far the best way to attack Philadelphia. The Eagles enter Week 12 allowing 133.4 rushing yards per game while just 209.3 per contest through the air.
The Packers unsurprisingly currently shape up as robust () home favorites when looking at NFL Week 13 odds.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – 8:20 p.m. ET
The Broncos played one of the stranger games in NFL history Sunday. Due to COVID-19, they were devoid of a conventional quarterback and saw multiple players line up under center in a 31-3 loss to the Saints. The Chiefs went down to Tampa and rode a record-setting first quarter from Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill to a 27-24 win over the Buccaneers.
Denver should have Drew Lock back for this game. He was prevented from playing Sunday due to close contact with infected teammate Jeff Driskel and not because of a positive test. However, the second-year signal-caller will have his work cut out for him against a Chiefs defense that’s allowed the 10th-lowest completion percentage (63.7) and recorded 12 interceptions. Lock has thrown 11 picks, including two to Kansas City in a 43-16 blowout loss in Week 7. The ground game therefore be leaned on heavily by coach Vic Fangio. The backfield duo of Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay combined for 147 rushing yards and a touchdown (Gordon) on 26 carries in that contest despite the lopsided loss and the Chiefs enter this game ranked in the bottom 10 with 128.2 rushing yards per contest surrendered.
The Chiefs are essentially matchup-proof, as they’ve proven countless times. Having embarrassed what was believed to be a quality Bucs defense Sunday, KC is now averaging an NFL-high 425.8 yards per game on offense. The running game is often an afterthought, but Mahomes and his arsenal of pass-catching weapons allows for such luxuries. Denver has been a quality defense overall – even while forced to defend 63 plays on the part of the Saints overall Sunday, the Broncos gave up just 292 total yards – but there’s little reason to believe they can do much to slow down Andy Reid’s juggernaut to a significant degree.
To no surprise, the Chiefs are currently sizable () home favorites in what is the biggest line of the week.
MONDAY, DEC. 7
Washington Football Team at Pittsburgh Steelers – 5 p.m. ET
Washington vs. Pittsburgh has now been rescheduled for Monday afternoon after several schedule changes due to COVID-19 issues within the Steelers and Ravens organizations.
The Football Team had a highly enjoyable Thanksgiving, throttling the division-rival Cowboys in the holiday classic by a 41-16 score. In turn, the Steelers are still waiting to play their Turkey Day game against the Ravens, which has now been rescheduled on three occasions due to COVID-19 issues on both teams and weather problems in Pittsburgh.
Washington has plenty of incentive despite its lackluster 4-7 record. That mark is good enough for a first-place tie with the Giants in the NFC East, pending the result of Philadelphia’s Monday night Week 12 contest against the Seahawks. Rookie running back Antonio Gibson was particularly effective against the Cowboys, and while the Steelers defense is normally a black hole for offenses, it remains to be seen what shape Washington will catch Pittsburgh in. As it stands, Mike Tomlin’s squad will be playing its Week 12 game Wednesday night, meaning this will be a short turnaround.
The Steelers already appear set to be without James Conner for both Wednesday’s game and this contest due to a positive COVID-19 test result. The same may be true for valued pass rusher Stephon Tuitt.
Despite the significant logistical challenges they face this week, NFL Week 13 odds show the Steelers are currently robust () home favorites.
Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers – 8:15 p.m. ET
The Bills walked out of their bye and into a tough battle against the Chargers in Week 12, but they ultimately scored their eighth win of the season. The Niners showed some grit in toppling the division-rival Rams by a 23-20 score, a victory secured when Robbie Gould’s 42-yard field goal split the uprights as the clock hit zero.
Buffalo may not be able to get away with some of the sloppy play it endured versus Los Angeles. Josh Allen threw an interception and lost a fumble, while Devin Singletary also gave up possession on a loose ball. Allen also threw for just 157 yards overall and now faces a 49ers secondary that allowed just 206.5 passing yards per game and 6.6 yards per attempt. They’ve also surrendered a modest 64.6 percent completion rate and picked off 10 passes. The going isn’t any easier on the ground, where San Fran is giving up 108.7 rushing yards per contest and a microscopic 3.5 RB yards per carry.
On the other side, San Francisco is getting a lot healthier on offense, which was key to the Week 12 win. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Deebo Samuel all returned from injury Sunday. Brandon Aiyuk should be off the reserve/COVID-19 list for this matchup against Buffalo as well. The Niners could well be in position to control this game with a very balanced attack versus a Buffalo unit that’s allowed 129.6 rushing yards and 243.5 passing yards per contest.
Oddsmakers don’t see the gulf between these teams as anything resembling their three-win difference – the 49ers are currently modest () home underdogs.
TUESDAY, DEC. 8
Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens – 8:05 p.m. ET
The Cowboys added an unpleasant Thanksgiving to their laundry list of 2020 adversities. They were blasted by division-rival Washington, 41-16. The Ravens line up to finally play their Week 12 contest Wednesday night against the Steelers, the third rescheduled date for the AFC North battle. Baltimore continues to deal with a significant amount of COVID-19 issues that have been partly responsible for the shifting of the Week 12 contest. Some of those absences, including that of Lamar Jackson’s, could bleed into this game.
Dallas will hope what shapes up as nearly two weeks of preparation time will pay dividends in this road matchup. The Cowboys clearly need to give Andy Dalton all the reps he can get with his talented receiving trio of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb. Dalton has been adequate in his two games since returning from a concussion and COVID-19 bout, but the offense is significantly less dynamic compared to when Dak Prescott helmed it. Ezekiel Elliott could certainly have a major role to play in this game. The Pro Bowl running back has mostly been underwhelming since Prescott went down. However, there’s a chance he faces a Ravens defense that could be without up to six members of the front seven rotation.
Given all the uncertainty surrounding Baltimore, the line for this contest will undoubtedly have a fair share of fluctuation over time. At present, the Ravens are currently () home favorites.
