NFL Week 13, 2019: Best picks against the spread (ATS)

Road teams are hot picks this week, regardless of the spread. There are major mismatches to be had and these are your best picks against the spread (ATS) for NFL Week 13.

Thanksgiving week offers up a platter of betting options for NFL Week 13. On Thursday, we have three games being played. In two of them, the home team is a field goal or more underdog. In the third, we see the third-best team in the AFC by record getting a touchdown. Who do you favor?

On Sunday, there is an under-.500 team giving double digits. There is a game between first- and second-place teams in the same division with one favored by double digits over the other despite being ahead by just a single game in the standings.

We also have a double set of primetime games featuring likely playoff contenders facing off. To wrap it all up, there are a whopping nine home dogs in NFL Week 13. And none of those mentions includes arguably the best game of the year when the Baltimore Ravens host the San Francisco 49ers.

With so many juicy spreads, we are rolling with the road teams in NFL Week 13. These are your best picks against the spread. All lines come courtesy of The Action Network.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate NFL Week 13 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

2019 Record ATS

Dan Salem’s record ATS: 14-10
Todd Salem’s record ATS: 10-13-1

Todd Salem’s Best Picks ATS

New Orleans Saints -6.5 at Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers -6.5 at New York Giants

These two road favorites are looking for revenge in different ways. New Orleans’ beautiful season was ruined by an inexplicable home defeat at the hands of Atlanta earlier this month. Three weeks later, the outcome still makes little sense. The Falcons have a completely one-dimensional offense, and Julio Jones remains questionable on a short week. I don’t see how they hang with a Saints team looking to respond to the Week 10 loss.

As for Green Bay, it has no beef with New York specifically, but the Packers are looking to prove themselves. Green Bay was just dismantled by San Francisco, perhaps indicating it is not among the NFC elite. A definitive, bounce-back win would help alleviate some concerns. And the Giants are the perfect opponent to bounce back against. They have the longest losing streak outside of Cincinnati and can’t put a good game together on either side of the ball.

Atlanta and the Giants are a combined 2-8 at home. They allow the sixth- and seventh-most yards per game respectively. They are two of just five teams in the league giving up at least 27 points per game. The Falcons and Giants are each 4-7 ATS. The Saints and Packers are each 7-4. If New Orleans and Green Bay want to make statements heading down the home stretch, these are games they should each win by more than a touchdown.

Dan Salem’s Best Picks ATS

New York Jets -3.5 at Cincinnati Bengals

This pick is all about defense. New York has the top rushing defense in the NFL, while Cincinnati is below average on defense. The Jets have also been averaging 34 points a game over their last three games, meaning the offense is currently clicking on all levels. While Andy Dalton will be back for this game, I’m not concerned. Cincinnati is winless for a reason. Give up a mere 3.5 points and ride with Gang Green.

Tennessee Titans +2.5 at Indianapolis Colts

I too am backing two road teams this week, as well as two premier defenses. The Titans defense has been playing out of its mind, while Indianapolis is struggling to find a consistent rhythm on offense. And then there is Ryan Tannehill, who is seizing every opportunity as Tennessee’s quarterback. I’m buying the Titans playoff run and it continues with a divisional win over the Colts.

These two teams know one another very well and are evenly matched on paper. But Tennessee’s defense and an extra 2.5 points put me on the side of the Titans. I expect a close scoring game, which makes starting with a lead the way to go.