Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
The Chicago Bears (3-7 SU, 4-6 ATS) visit the Detroit Lions (0-9-1 SU, 6-4 ATS) in Thursday’s early game. Both teams have some uncertainty at quarterback, as Jared Goff is dealing with sore ribs and is questionable, while the Bears are likely to start Andy Dalton after rookie Justin Fields was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. If Goff can’t go, backup Tim Boyle likely will make his second career start. Boyle threw for just 77 yards Sunday at Cleveland. Despite their winless record, the Lions have been profitable for bettors at 6-4 ATS. The Bears are favored by 3.5, and the total is 41.5.
Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
The Las Vegas Raiders (5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS) visit the Dallas Cowboys (7-3 SU, 8-2 ATS) with the home team favored by 7. The Cowboys’ potent offense was held out of the end zone in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs and might be without top wide receivers Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. The Raiders were once 5-2 but have lost three straight in a season plagued with turmoil and controversy. Both teams are near the top of the league in averaging over 6 yards per play on offense. With uncertainty for Lamb and Cooper, the total has dropped from 54.5 to 51.
Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints
The Thursday slate wraps up with a pair of teams looking to bounce back from poor performances as the Buffalo Bills (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) visit the New Orleans Saints (5-5 SU and ATS). The Bills were the favorites to win the Super Bowl entering last week’s game against the Colts but got trounced 41-15 at home and are now behind the Patriots in the AFC East. The Saints are coming off consecutive losses, including last week against the Eagles, when they trailed 27-7 at halftime. Star running back Alvin Kamara has missed the last two games, and his status will be something to monitor. The Bills are favored by 4.5, and the total is 46.5.
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots
The Tennessee Titans (8-3 SU, 7-4 ATS) visit the New England Patriots (7-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) in a battle of division leaders. The Patriots will have extra rest, having shut out the Falcons on Thursday night for their fifth straight win. The Titans’ five-game winning streak was snapped last week as they were upset by the Texans as double-digit favorites. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw four interceptions in the loss. The Patriots are favored by 5.5, with the total at 44.5. This game could be key in determining who gets the No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the playoffs.
New York Jets at Houston Texans
The New York Jets (2-8 SU and ATS) visit the Houston Texans (2-8 SU, 5-5 ATS) in a game with major draft-position implications, if nothing else. The Texans are off a major upset of Tennessee despite gaining only 190 yards on 3.1 yards per play. Though they’re just 2-8, the Texans are actually 2-1 in games started and finished by quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Jets have started Joe Flacco and Mike White in the last month while rookie quarterback Zach Wilson has been out, but Wilson seems to be nearing a return. The Texans are favored by 2.5, and the total is 44. Jets rookie running back Michael Carter suffered a mild high ankle sprain and will miss two to three weeks.
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
The Philadelphia Eagles (5-6 SU, 6-5 ATS) visit the New York Giants (3-7 SU, 5-5 ATS) with the road team favored by 3.5 points. After a 2-6 start, the Eagles have won three in a row to get back into playoff contention. The Giants will be off a short week after getting held to 215 yards of offense Monday night in a loss to the Buccaneers. Giants running back Saquon Barkley returned after missing five games with an ankle injury. The Eagles’ recent hot streak has come despite a passing attack near the bottom of the league with just under 200 yards per game. The total is 46.5.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3 SU, 4-6 ATS) visit the Indianapolis Colts (6-5 SU, 7-4 ATS) in a battle of teams looking to solidify their standing in the playoff picture. The Buccaneers snapped a two-game skid Monday night, holding the Giants to 215 yards of offense, and will be on a short week. Nose tackle Vita Vea missed last week’s game but hopes to play this week. Vea’s presence could be key against a Colts running game that features emerging star Jonathan Taylor, who scored five touchdowns against the Bills last week. The Bucs are favored by 3, and the total is 51.5.
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Atlanta Falcons (4-6 SU, ATS) visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8 SU, 4-6 ATS) with the visitors favored by 1. The Falcons will have extra time to prepare coming off their shutout loss Thursday night against the Patriots. They are still without wide receiver Calvin Ridley (personal reasons), while running back Cordarrelle Patterson missed their last game with an ankle injury and is questionable. The Jaguars are coming off a loss to the 49ers in which their only touchdown came when it was 30-3 late in the fourth quarter, and they were held to 200 yards of offense. The total is 47.
Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins
The Carolina Panthers (5-6 SU, ATS) visit the Miami Dolphins (4-7 SU, 6-5 ATS) with the road team favored by a point. The Dolphins won their opener and lost their next seven games but have won three in a row to get on the fringe of playoff contention. The Panthers have been streaky as well, losing four in a row after a winning streak of three to start the year before splitting their last four games. The Panthers are second in the league in yards per play allowed at 4.9, while the Dolphins are near the bottom of the league with just under 5 yards per play on offense. The total is 42.5.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1 SU, 4-6 ATS) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) in a crucial matchup with both teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race. The depleted Steelers were gashed for 533 yards in a wild loss to the Chargers on Sunday night, and it will be important to monitor whether they get back key defenders T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, who both missed last week’s game. The Bengals snapped a two-game skid by defeating the Raiders despite gaining only 288 yards on 4.1 yards per play. The Bengals are favored by 4, and the total is 45.5.
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
The Minnesota Vikings (5-5 SU, 6-4 ATS) visit the San Francisco 49ers (5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS) in a pivotal NFC matchup with both teams competing for playoff spots. Both teams are 5-5, and both have won two in a row after being in danger of falling out of contention at 3-5. The 49ers held the Jaguars out of the end zone until the final minutes of last week’s 30-10 victory, surrendering only 200 yards. The Vikings were gashed for over 8 yards per play but held on to win a wild game against the Packers 34-31. The 49ers are favored by 3, and the total is 48.5.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
The Los Angeles Chargers (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) visit the Denver Broncos (5-5 SU, ATS) as both teams try to emerge from a crowded AFC West. The Broncos are off a bye and have dropped five of seven after a 3-0 start. The Chargers racked up over 500 yards of offense last week against the Steelers and held on to win 41-37. The Chargers are dead last in the league, allowing over 145 rushing yards per game. Denver is third in the league, allowing just over 18 points per game. The Chargers are favored by 3, and the total is 47.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
The Los Angeles Rams (7-3 SU, 4-6 ATS) visit the Green Bay Packers (8-3 SU, 9-2 ATS) as the Rams are looking to snap a two-game losing streak. After a 7-1 start, the Rams’ offense has been silenced the last two games, but Los Angeles is looking to rev it back up after its bye week. The Packers had covered nine in a row, but despite averaging over 8 yards per play at Minnesota, they lost and did not cover as the Vikings kicked a field goal as time expired. The Packers are favored by a point, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a sore toe. The total is 47.5.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
The Cleveland Browns (6-5, 5-6 SU) travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens (7-3 SU, 4-6 ATS) in the AFC North, a division in which every team is over .500 and the Browns are in last place at 6-5. Both teams face uncertainty at quarterback, as Baker Mayfield is dealing with a number of injuries and Lamar Jackson missed last week’s game against the Bears due to an illness. The Browns just held the Lions to 77 yards passing but mustered only 13 points against a subpar defense. The Ravens edged the Bears in the final seconds with backup Tyler Huntley at quarterback. The Ravens are favored by 4, and the total is 46.
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Football Team
The Seattle Seahawks (3-7 SU, 5-5 ATS) travel to Washington (4-6 SU, 3-7 ATS) to wrap up Week 12 on “Monday Night Football.” The Seahawks welcomed back quarterback Russell Wilson two weeks ago but have only 13 combined points to show for it, as they lost at home to the Cardinals and backup QB Colt McCoy last week. Washington has rebounded from a 2-6 start and has won two consecutive games to get on the fringe of the playoff race. Seattle was favored by 3.5 on the lookahead line, but last week’s poor showing coupled with another strong effort from Washington has flipped this line, with the home team now laying a point. The total is 46.5.