Raiders at Dolphins (-7.5)
Miami has sneakily been playing very well in the three games since Tua Tagovailoa’s return from injury. Despite winning only one of those three games, both of the Dolphins’ losses came against quality opponents, the Cardinals and the Bills, and both games were decided by a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Miami’s 23-15 road win on Monday Night Football against the Rams was their most impressive outing of the season. Not only did their defense keep Matthew Stafford and the high flying Rams’ offense out of the endzone, Tyreek Hill was also able to score his first touchdown since Week 1. The Dolphins should be able to build on their momentum with another victory against a lowly Raiders team that has failed to win a game since September.
Dolphins win 30-20
Ravens at Steelers (+3)
The Steelers are 7-1 in their last eight games against the Ravens. Lamar Jackson has also struggled in his career against Pittsburgh, having a record of 1-3 with 4 touchdowns to 7 interceptions over those four starts. Baltimore’s defense has continually proven to be a liability throughout the first half of the season. Now, they are pitted against a Steelers’ offense that has been revitalized with Russell Wilson under center.
In Wilson’s three starts, Pittsburgh has averaged over 30 points per game, an improvement of almost 10 points per game from what they were averaging with Justin Fields at the helm. Both offenses will be able to move the ball, but ultimately the Steelers’ defense is considerably better than the Ravens’ defense—enough so to be the difference maker in this game. The Steelers cover and win outright.
Steelers win 30-27
Falcons (+2) at Broncos
Atlanta has not lost back-to-back games all season. Despite falling to the Saints by three points in Week 10, the Falcons proved to be the better team, accumulating 468 total yards of offense and having a 10-minute time of possession advantage over New Orleans. Atlanta would have likely won the game had they not missed three field goals.
This week, the Falcons get a favorable bounce back opponent in the Denver Broncos, who have dropped consecutive games. Denver continues to struggle on offense, having been held to 14 points or less in each of their last two games. The Falcons have more offensive firepower than the Broncos do and it will decide the game.
Falcons win 23-20
Chiefs (+2.5) at Bills
It’s a good bet anytime you are lucky enough to get Kansas City as an underdog. The Chiefs have not lost a game since last Christmas and Patrick Mahomes has won both of his previous starts against the Bills in Buffalo. After a rough start to the season statistically, Mahomes has 6 passing touchdowns to just 1 interception over the last three games.
Josh Allen, on the other hand, has caught the turnover bug, throwing at least 1 interception in three consecutive games. Buffalo is also expected to be without three of their most important pass catchers: Keon Coleman, Amari Cooper, and Dalton Kincaid. Kansas City wins it on a last second field goal.
Chiefs win 27-24
Bengals (+1.5) at Chargers
This is close to a must win game for the Bengals if they are to keep pace in the AFC Wild Card race. Cincinnati has been a deceptively good road team this season where they have a 3-2 record and both of those losses have been by just a single point (against the Chiefs and Ravens no less). Joe Burrow is on pace to have his best season statistically. He leads the NFL in both passing yards (2,672) and passing touchdowns (24), and ranks 3rd in the league in passer rating (108.1). Furthermore, Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL in receptions (66), receiving yards (981), and receiving touchdowns (10).
The Chargers’ six wins this season have come against Gardner Minshew, Bryce Young, Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler, Jameis Winston, and Will Levis. Despite ranking near the top of the league in most defensive categories, L.A.’s offense is still a work in progress. The Chargers rank 19th in points per game (20.7), 22nd in yards per game (314.3), and 29th in 1st downs per game (16.8). Cincinnati wins coming off a 10-day rest.
Bengals win 28-27
For More Sports Content
Follow me on X at @genz_sportz
