It’s Turkey Day! Week 12 of the 2016 NFL season is set to begin. There are no bye weeks this week as the final set of bye weeks will take place next week. I will now attempt to pick the winners of each game based off of the spreads. If you agree of disagree tweet at me @treydaubert to let me know where I’m wrong for my NFL week one predictions. *All spreads are courtesy of oddsshark.com
Thanksgiving Day 12:30 ET: Vikings At Lions (MIN +2.5)
For whatever reason, the Lions and Cowboys play every Thanksgiving. Interestingly enough the winner will take control of first place in the NFC North. I tend to like the Vikings in this one. It seems to me they have cleaned up the offensive problems during their 4 game losing streak. In a short week that favors coaching, I’ll take the Zimmer staff over Jim Caldwell. While Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense has been rolling, let’s not forget the Vikings are still 2nd in the NFL with 17.6 points against. The Vikings do enough offensively to win.
Vikings defeat Lions 26-23
Thanksgiving Day 4:30 ET: Redskins At Cowboys (WAS +7)
Dallas frankly has been unbelievable this season. They have been so good that they are 9-0-1 against the spread. I’m not going to bet against them at this point. While Washington has been on a little roll themselves, they are facing a short turnaround. Playing a Sunday Night game to then turn around and play Thursday on the road is a tough feat to overcome. I love what Jay Gruden is doing with the Skins, I just don’t like them in this one. Face it the Cowboys have something special right now.
Cowboys defeat Redskins 38-24
Since it’s Thanksgiving, Let’s celebrate the Cowboys latest video.
Thanksgiving Day 8:30 ET: Steelers At Colts (IND +9)
Hold on, wait a minute. You’re telling me I get the Colts plus 9 points at home! Forget it folks, Andrew Luck’s not playing. This game is over before it ever begins. Andrew Luck is the Colts, good luck Scott Tolzien. It seems like the Steelers are going to have to take this game seriously as they head into a tight AFC North race with the Ravens. Steelers win big.
Steelers defeat Colts 35-6
Sunday 1 ET: Rams At Saints (LA +7)
First overall pick Jared Goff wasn’t very impressive last week in his debut. I’m not sure he can keep up offensively with Drew Brees and the Saints. The Rams are a much better defensive team but I’m going with the Saints in this one. I don’t expect a better showing from the sure fire bust Jared Goff.
Saints defeat Rams 30-20
Sunday 1 ET: Giants At Browns (CLE +7)
How in the world are the Giants 7-3. I think they are the worst team in their division. Thankfully for them, they play the pitiful Browns this week. Cleveland has turned back to Josh McCown after Cody Kessler has been shut down for the year with concussion issues. Cleveland, despite being underdogs every week, finds themselves only 2-9 on the year against the spread. The Giants win and cover.
Giants defeat Browns 17-6
Sunday 1 ET: Cardinals At Falcons (ARI +4)
I had a tough time picking this game. There’re two ways this one could go. The Cardinals lay in egg concerned about the health of head coach Bruce Arians, or they rally around him for a huge win. Getting 4 points is enough for me to take the red birds. While Atlanta is tough at home, Arizona still hosts a really great defense. Arizona leads the NFL in fewest yards allowed. The Cards bounce back and take out the Falcons.
Cardinals defeat Falcons 31-20
Sunday 1 ET: Chargers At Texans (HOU +1.5)
Another tough game to call in this one. Houston has the better roster. San Diego has the edge at quarterback. San Diego scores 29.2 points per week. Houston only gives up an average of 21.2 per game. I think Philip Rivers scores enough to pull out a win. Regard the 1.5 points and take the Bolts.
Chargers defeat Texans 27-14
Sunday 1 ET: 49ers At Dolphins (SF +7.5)
The Dolphins are winners of 5 in a row and couldn’t look better. Jay Ajayi is turning into one of the best backs in the league. San Francisco also can’t stop the run to save their lives. Ryan Tannehill also looks like a different quarterback under Adam Gase. While I like the Dolphins to win, I’ll take the 49ers to cover. Miami has only beaten 1 team by more than 7 points all season, 49ers cover.
Dolphins defeat 49ers 24-17
Sunday 1 ET: Bengals At Ravens (CIN +3.5)
Yes I know the Bengals just lost A.J. Green and Gio Bernard for the season. While picking the Ravens seems logical, I warn you they tend to keep things close. 8 of the Ravens 10 games have been decided by one possession. Joe Flacco often times has that thing where he purposely messes up when the Ravens are up and plays well from behind. I like the Ravens but only by a field goal at home.
Ravens defeat Bengals 19-16
Sunday 1 ET: Jaguars At Bills (JAC +7.5)
I like the Jags in this one. They seemingly have let me down all season but have covered the spread on occasion going 5-5 ATS. Buffalo, a run dominant team, also looks like they will be missing LeSean McCoy in this one. Even if Buffalo wins, I don’t think they win by more than a touchdown.
Bills defeat Jaguars 24-20
Sunday 1 ET: Titans At Bears (CHI +4.5)
Matt Barkley. That’s who is starting at quarterback for the Bears this week. You better have some serious guts to bet on Matt Barkley getting only 4.5 points. Tennessee has also put up some points in a number of games. The Titans have put up 30 points in 4-5 wins. I think they get another one here.
Titans defeat Bears 34-3
Sunday 4:05 ET: Seahawks At Buccaneers (TB +6)
Tampa surprised Kansas City last week in an upset win. I think they can do it again this week. Seattle looks virtually unbeatable right now but I think they could be in for a shocking loss. They may be sleeping on the Bucs who can be rather efficient at times. Seattle is a much better home team, I just have a feeling the Bucs pull off the upset.
Bucs defeat Seahawks 20-18
Sunday 4:25 ET: Patriots At Jets (NYJ +7.5)
The Jets are a mess right now. Ryan Fitzpatrick steps in again as the starter after a poor showing from Bryce Petty. The only valuable member of the Jets team is their defensive line. Unfortunately for them, the Pats are getting healthy at the right time. New England will feature all of their tools outside of Gronk who is expected to be back next week. Pats win by 10.
Patriots defeat Jets 28-18
Sunday 4:25 ET: Panthers At Raiders (CAR +3)
I love the Panthers in this one. Sure call me crazy but I have my reasons. Oakland currently ranks last in the NFL in sacks. The last thing anyone wants to do is to make that pouting Cam Newton comfortable. Oakland’s defense is also terrible ranking near the bottom in just about every category. Derek Carr has had to carry this team to an 8-2 record. Carolina’s defense has been improving as their young secondary gets more experience. Give me the field goal and Carolina.
Panthers defeat Raiders 27-24
Sunday Night: Chiefs At Broncos (KC +3)
Both teams are 7-3 and look like safe bets to win both wildcard spots. However, I like the Chiefs. Kansas City clearer has the most efficient offense as Denver’s has been disastrous, especially lately since losing C.J. Anderson. KC’s defense has also been scary good as they lead the NFL in takeaways. Dee Ford leads the NFL in sacks and Justin Houston is starting to get healthy. Let’s not forget about interception machine Marcus Peters either. The only thing I worry about is Denver’s home-field advantage but I’ll take the field goal just in case.
Chiefs defeat Broncos 13-10
Monday Night: Packers At Eagles (GB +4)
The Eagles are going to blow out Green Bay in this one. Aaron Rodgers isn’t the same guy as he was a few years ago. It’s clear something is wrong. The Packers gave up 42 to Washington, I’ve expected a similar result here. I have no reason to believe in this Packers team until some changes are made. Carson Wentz and the Eagles make some strides to try to steal one of those NFC Wildcard spots.
Eagles defeat Packers 41-14
