Welcome to SLICED SPREAD, the place on Inside Pulse Sports for weekly NFL picks against the spread, head to head survivor picks, and score prognostications.
In case you were wondering, I am now 95-97 against the spread for the entire season after going 10-6 last week. I am also 19-20 ATS in my locks of the week, and I was on a nice roll in Survivor picks until the Bears tripped me up in Week 13.
With that said, let’s get down to the business at hand. Onto the picks!
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
OAKLAND (+10.5) over Denver — The first of three games where the spread is just a bit too overinflated. The Broncos will struggle to get up for this road game on the West Coast on a Thursday night, too. They’ll win, but not cover. Broncos win 27-19
SUNDAY:
*LOCK IT UP: Kansas City (+6.5) over CLEVELAND — The Chiefs have played tough lately against the spread, so I’m taking the points. Browns win 20-16
PITTSBURGH (-6.5) over San Diego — Let the Chargers’ swoon continue, especially now that it’s December. Steelers win 24-14
NY Jets (-2.5) over JACKSONVILLE — The Jets love to dangle the carrot in front of their fans, so I firmly believe they will run the table, only to miss the Playoffs anyway. Jets win 24-21
*LOCK IT UP/H2H SURVIVOR PICK: INDIANAPOLIS (-5.5) over Tennessee — Andrew Luck was incredible last week in the clutch. He won’t need such heroics here. Colts win 29-17
*LOCK IT UP: Atlanta (-3.5) over CAROLINA — I can’t keep going against the Falcons and getting burned, so… Falcons win 34-21
CINCINNATI (-3.5) over Dallas — Man, the Bengals look sharp lately. I wouldn’t want to face them in the AFC Playoffs, that’s for sure. Bengals win 28-24
St. Louis (+3.5) over BUFFALO — I like the Rams’ grit under Jeff Fisher. This one won’t be easy, but I like an upset. Rams win 17-13
MINNESOTA (+2.5) over Chicago — Adrian Peterson has really hit his stride and while the Bears should win this one, they just seem to be too uneven at the moment for me to pick them on the road against a division rival. Vikings win 26-20
Philadelphia (+7.5) over TAMPA BAY — The Eagles covered a big number last week, and despite their head to head losing streak I think they cover again. Bucs win 27-23
WASHINGTON (-2.5) over Baltimore — This is a tough one to call, but I am riding the RGIII bandwagon after last week’s impressive performance against the defending Super Bowl Champs. Redskins win 23-20
Miami (+10.5) over SAN FRANCISCO — Are the Dolphins good enough to not get blown out in SF? It can really go either way, but… Niners win 26-17
Arizona (+10.5) over SEATTLE — I know the Cardinals aren’t setting the world on fire offensively, but defensively they can be stingy at times. Seahawks win 20-10
NY GIANTS (-5.5) over New Orleans — Drew Brees should torch the Giants’ secondary, you know, if he still cares enough to win this season. With that said, I just like the Giants more at home and outdoors. Giants win 31-23
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
GREEN BAY (-7.5) over Detroit — The Lions’ Playoff hopes are gone and now they travel to Green Bay with the calendar flipped over to December to face Aaron Rodgers on national television. Yikes. Packers win 34-19
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Houston (+3.5) over NEW ENGLAND — This could be a preview of the AFC Championship game, and I expect both teams to deliver. This is more of a statement game for the Texans than it is for New England, yet Tom Brady usually thrives in these big moments. I’ve gone back and forth so much on who might come out on top, so I’m taking the 3.5 points with more confidence than my actual score prediction. Well, here goes nothin’ … Texans win 28-27
That’s all for this week’s edition of SLICED SPREAD.
See you next week — CB.
