The game that will be getting the most focus though is the 49ers vs. Ravens game. They look like the to hottest teams in the league right now, as Brady and the Patriots appear to be having offensive issues. I believe the battle in Baltimore can be a preview for all NFL fans on what may go down on Feb. 2nd. The 49ers have done an amazing job shutting QBs down, including Aaron Rodgers most recently. The only QB who has gotten the best of them is the mobile Russel Wilson. While Lamar Jackson has shown his mobility, breaking records already when it comes to combined pass and rush yards by a QB. The Ravens defense silenced Goff, Gurley, and the Rams with ease. Though both these teams just scored a bunch of points, I actually expect a low scoring game decided by which defense slips first. I went 11-3 last week, making me 109-66-1 on the season, here are this weeks predictions.
Thursday, November 27th
5-6 Chicago Bears (-2.5, -140) vs. 3-7-1 Detroit Lions (+2.5, +120)
There has been a lot of doubt in Trubisky, I mean you can't blame them he has been having a bit of a rough time. But he looked rather good against the Giants secondary in the Bears win last week. On the short week, I expect Stafford will remain out. So Mack and the Bears defense gets to rush Driskel, which I bet they will have fun with. Like New York, Detroit's secondary is not very impressive, so Trubisky will have another opportunity to change critics minds.Prediction: Bears 20-15
8-3 Buffalo Bills (+7, +270) vs. 6-5 Dallas Cowboys (-7, -330)
Ok first upset of the week. A full seven point spread, are you kidding me? The Cowboys are winless against teams with a winning record this year. Their offense appears to have no motivation and I have no faith in any of their players being able to come up with a big play at the moment. I do in Allen though, those deep passes to hit Brown in the endzone have been impressive. Sorry Cowboys fans, but the Bills have more to fight for when it comes to making the playoffs with the Eagles, Giants, and Redskins posing very little threat in the NFC East.Prediction: Bills 24-20
9-2 New Orleans Saints (-7, -330) vs. 3-8 Atlanta Falcons (+7, +270)
Atlanta sure had a tough time with the Buc's pass game and now they get to face Brees and Thomas again. They enjoyed sacking Brees and coming away with the win on Week 10, the question is if they will be able to display those skills again after their tough loss. The Saints on the other hand are coming off a motivating win, slipping away by three points over the Panthers. They now hold a bye in the playoffs and will look to keep it that way. Seven points may be a bit much, but after some studying of what went wrong before the Saints should take this one.Prediction: Saints 27-21
Sunday, December 1st
8-3 Green Bay Packers (-6.5, -300) vs. 2-9 New York Giants (+6.5, +250)
The Packers are looking to redeem themselves after their embarrassing loss on primetime. Well that shouldn't be to much of a challenge against the Giants and their defense that can make an QB look like an MVP. Barkley has been disappointing recently, but the Packers don't have a very good defense either, so this is a good chance for him to get things rolling again. I was expecting a bigger spread, so the Packers should cover after a couple passes to Adams leading to them still holding the lead in the NFC North.Prediction: Packers 31-17
2-9 Washington Redskins (+10, +400) vs. 5-6 Carolina Panthers (-10, -500)
The Panthers are angry, they just dropped one they should not have. Had Slye made that late kick they could of come away with the win over the Saints. The Redskins on the other hand should be very happy with their win, as they look to add a third on the season. I doubt that happens though. This is the only large spread I agree with, as Allen and McCaffrey will find plenty of ways around the Redskins defense leading to a good amount of points.Prediction: Panthers 38-13
10-1 San Francisco 49ers (+6, +220) vs. 9-2 Baltimore Ravens (-6, -260)
Here is the big one. I can't wait to see what these two teams bring to the table. Those defenses are amazing, shutting down opposing offenses with pressure on the QB and held up lines that are like a wall to the RB. The difference in this one will be Jackson's ability to escape the pressure. Bosa and the Niners bring a lot of it, so Jackson will probably get sacked a few times, but this game shouldn't have to many points in it. Six points is to much for a spread, but I expect the Ravens to slip away with it. A rematch in February would be great, as these teams met each other the last time they were both int he Super Bowl.Prediction: Ravens 21-20
6-5 Tennessee Titans (+2.5, +125) vs. 6-5 Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, -145)
The Titans have found their groove, as Henry and Tannehill are putting up a good amount of points. Indy on the other hand has been struggling offensively with some injuries on that side of the ball. Both of these teams sit one game behind the Texans for the AFC South lead, so this should be a good fought battle. But I am calling for upset number two, as the Titans have confidence and strong momentum right now. I just hope Vrabel doesn't make any bad decisions.Prediction: Titans 24-21
5-6 Philadelphia Eagles (-9, -420) vs. 2-9 Miami Dolphins (+9, +350)
The Eagles are having a rough time and not just on the field. They have some many big injuries its is straight up crazy, then all the social media drama that is just so unnecessary. I will admit, Fitzpatrick has impressed me with his late offensive efforts. Now they have not all paid off, but he still has made games more interesting recently. I believe the Dolphins will come up short yet again, but not by a full nine points.Prediction: Eagles 23-18
6-5 Oakland Raiders (+9.5, +375) vs. 7-4 Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5, -475)
The Raiders are coming off a tough one and now have an important battle in front of them. A win ties them with the Chiefs in the AFC West, the question is though if they can hold off Mahomes. Especially after Darnold laid waste to their secondary. I bet the Raiders come into this one looking to put a good fight, Gruden will probably say something to get his boys hyped. But this offensive duel will end with a Chiefs win. Both of these teams poor defenses and Mahomes will remind us of his skills in this one. Nine and half points is a large spread, as the Raiders will make sure they don't get blown out back-to-back weeks. Chiefs take it, but don't cover.Prediction: Chiefs 30-23
4-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1, +100) vs. 4-7 Jacksonville Jaguars (-1, -120)
Time for upset number three, I mean this is the smallest spread of the week, but I have no idea how they expect the Jaguars to keep up against Godwin, Evans, and Winston. The Jags would need to force a few turnovers to keep up in this game, not that that isn't impossible but the guy who was known for doing that is on the West Coast now. I think Winston will show us another good passing game, finding his two favorite targets for some big yards and a lot of points.Prediction: Buccaneers 32-21
4-7 New York Jets (-3.5, -185) vs. 0-11 Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5, +165)
The Jets offense has woken up and become a real threat. The Bengals just can't seem to face anyone at the right time this year. Darnold has done a good job to use all his targets, hitting Crowder a lot early in the season and now showing us guys like Anderson for big plays. I am honestly surprised this spread wasn't a little bigger yet, but I guess the Bengals should win one at some point. It won't happen this week though. Jets will cover this after a few plays from Bell and Darnold.Prediction: Jets 28-14
6-5 Los Angeles Rams (-3, -180), vs. 3-7-1 Arizona Cardinals (+3, +160)
Here is upset number four. The Rams are in shock, their so called great defense couldn't stop Jackson once. Now they get to take on another QB who is good at avoiding pressure in Kyler Murray. The Cardinals are coming off the bye and end the Rams hopes of making the playoffs. The Rams won't get blown out again of course, but this should be a good back and forth battle. The Cardinals have the best record against the spread and with enough quick passes and run game they will take this one late.Prediction: Cardinals 27-24
4-7 Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5, -140) vs. 3-8 Denver Broncos (+2.5, +120)
Here are two teams you just can't trust to come through for you when you need them to. This one is actually the toughest one for me to pick on the week, as Rivers has his good days and bad days while Allen has looked well better for Denver. I think the difference here will be Bosa and that Chargers defense. The Chargers are going to be applying more of a pressure than Denver will and that will end up being the difference. Both of these teams are already pretty much out of the picture, but Rivers has got more to play for at this point in his career.Prediction: Chargers 27-17
5-6 Cleveland Browns (-2, -130) vs. 6-5 Pittsburgh Steelers (+2, +110)
Upset number five will be here in Pittsburgh. Hodges has already been announced the starter, as he showed us he deserves it will his performance last week. Rudolph just didn't have it, missing passes everywhere possibly having a hard time after his drama against these Browns a couple weeks ago. With Garrett and Rudolph both off the field, hopefully we get a clean competitive game between these AFC North rivals. The Steelers currently hold the last playoff seat in the AFC, as Cleveland wants to take it from them. At Heinz Field though, I think the Steelers defense will come through and get some big turnovers to win this one.Prediction: Steelers 24-23
10-1 New England Patriots (-3, -170) vs. 7-4 Houston Texans (+3, +150)
This will be a good one. As I mentioned earlier the Patriots offense appears to be struggling, but their defense should be able to keep Watson rather quiet. I expect a low scoring game where a turnover makes all the difference. I believe New England's defense will be the one that forces that difference maker late, as Brady knows how to take care of the ball compared to Watson. Hopkins will be well covered and we have seen Houston to have a really tough time putting up points when that is the case this season. A close one, but the Patriots take it on defense just like their victory over Dallas.Prediction: Patriots 21-17
Monday, December 2nd
8-3 Minnesota Vikings (+3, +135) vs. 9-2 Seattle Seahawks (-3, -155)
This is a big game, these two teams currently hold playoff seats and are still int he hunt to catch their division leaders. I think this one will mean more to Seattle though, they are one game behind SF but have the win over them. The 49ers meet Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, so this is the Seahawks chance to take the division lead in the NFC West. The Vikings have the same record as the Packers, but lost to them earlier this year and Green Bay meets the Giants, so they can't put to much hope into grabbing the lead on Week 13. Wilson will be the difference maker, as both teams will apply pressure, but Wilson can do more to escape and make a play still. I think he will outplay Cousins and get his team the W.Prediction: Seahawks 31-27
-Tom Franich
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