This week’s picks include a pair of teams currently destined to make a deep playoff run padding their resumes, one high number going Over, one low number going Under, and a three-point underdog making more noise against a division leader.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
5
Take Pittsburgh Steelers on the moneyline (+130) at Washington Commanders
The Commanders are one of the great stories of 2024, and you aren’t lucky getting to 7-2. However, the Steelers are going to show Jayden Daniels things he hasn’t seen on film. Pittsburgh isn’t a legit Super Bowl contender, but they’re one of the bigger dogs in the yard in the AFC. The Steelers have won three straight by totals of 19, 22, and 8 points and are primed to come in as a road underdog and slow the Commanders’ momentum.
4
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers UNDER 40.5 points (-105)
In five of nine games, the Panthers have scored 14 points or fewer. In six of nine games, the Giants have scored 18 points or fewer. Punting and field position should be more critical than scoring touchdowns. These are games owned by defense. The O/U is low, but it’s low for a reason; if there isn’t a defensive/special teams TD, it should remain Under.
3
Takes Detroit Lions and lay 3.5 points (-110) at Houston Texans
It can be argued the Lions are the best team in the NFL, and when they beat teams, they beat up them. Detroit has won six straight games — and, of their seven wins, only one has been by less than six points. The Texans have lost two of their last three after a 5-1 start, and being at home won’t be enough of an advantage to slow down the Lions’ roll.
2
Take Buffalo Bills and lay 4 points (-110) at Indianapolis Colts
The Bills aren’t getting the same attention as the Kansas City Chiefs or Baltimore Ravens, but are scoring points at a significant level and winning big. In their seven wins, the Bills have scored 30 or more points six times. In their last four games, the Colts haven’t scored more than 20 in any of them and simply don’t have the firepower to go up and down the field with the Bills.
1
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Rams: Take OVER 50 points (-110)
Coming into the season, both teams were viewed as having as much offensive explosiveness as anyone in the league. Injuries slowed that down, but the Rams have Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from leg injuries, and the Dolphins have Tua Tagovailoa back from his latest concussion. As long as both teams have all their offensive stars together, a primetime shootout seems almost inevitable.
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