A slew of teams are getting lots of points this week and we’re man enough to back them on the road. These are your best picks against the spread for NFL Week 12.
Thanksgiving is upon us. We’re most thankful for not having to listen to Booger McFarland for a while. The new Monday Night Football crew has been receiving criticism, but Boog is the biggest culprit of being bad. Even Jason Witten can’t help but contradict McFarland numerous times each night when the latter says something clearly false.
The three Thanksgiving day games will be televised on CBS, FOX and NBC, respectively, leaving the MNF crew to its normal date and time. Let us be thankful.
NFL Week 12 also offers us a ton of intriguing wager options, as multiple teams are garnering over a touchdown. Do we dare back inferior road teams? Hell yes, because their competition is being over-valued. These are your best picks against the spread for NFL Week 12. All lines are via Odds Shark.
Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate NFL Week 12 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.
Dan Salem’s 2018 record ATS: 12-10
Todd Salem’s 2018 record ATS: 13-9
Todd Salem’s Best Picks ATS:
Washington Redskins +7.5 at Dallas Cowboys
The sky is falling in Washington. Alex Smith is out for the year, and Dallas is coming for the division lead. The Cowboys may get it, but let’s be real in thinking this Dallas offense can cover more than a touchdown against a quality defense on the other side. Washington (7-3 ATS) has only gotten pounded by two teams this season, both being top-10 offenses in New Orleans and Atlanta.
Average or below-average units (like Dallas) don’t move the ball against the Skins. Houston last week only managed 181 passing yards and one total offensive touchdown. Things look grim for Washington right now, but its defense will easily cover this game regardless of what Colt McCoy accomplishes.
Carolina Panthers -3.5 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle and Carolina are pretty evenly ranked on the season. The main difference is Carolina’s excellence at home. The Panthers are 5-0 at home and 4-1 against the spread. It feels reminiscent of what Seattle itself used to do at home. Carolina hasn’t lost a home game since October of 2017. That came at the hands of the soon-to-be world champion Philadelphia Eagles. Though Seattle is finally getting its offense in gear, this is no championship contender this season.
Dan Salem’s Best Picks ATS:
Oakland Raiders +12 at Baltimore Ravens
Even bad teams win sometimes…or at least cover on the road against a rookie quarterback who doesn’t throw the ball very much in a passing league. Can Lamar Jackson keep running? Will the Ravens hold things together behind their rookie? How bad are the Raiders? None of this matter. Baltimore hasn’t blown anyone out all season and barely won last week. This game screams trap, making it a close finish between two desperate franchises. I’m taking 12 points, because Baltimore isn’t that good right now.
New York Giants +7 at Philadelphia Eagles
Look at me, backing two bad football teams on the road. Picking in favor of the Giants plus seven points is more a knock on Philadelphia. The Eagles stink right now and I’m dubious that they suddenly find themselves at home against a surging New York team who is not entirely out of the race for the NFC East. Saquon Barkley appears unstoppable and the Eagles’ secondary is not going to contain Odell Beckham. Go Big Blue.
If you hadn’t noticed, I love taking points against average opponents. This is a must win game for both the Eagles and Giants, because both can keep their playoff hopes alive with a victory. There’s little chance of a blowout, considering the state of each team’s defense. I’m taking a touchdown. You should too.