Week 15 wasn’t good for me with my picks. In fact, it was one of my worst weeks of the season.
Ouch.
So much for having a hot streak in the last month. But it’s Christmas week, which means the best gift I can give you all is a bunch of winners — and I intend to.
But first, a review of last week’s disaster. I went 11-5 with my straight up picks, 5-10-1 with my against-the-spread expert picks, and 1-3-1 with my best bets as part of the pick six podcast. PS Two of my best bets were the Patriots – thanks to the crazy ending – and the Saints – thanks to the two-point conversion.
That brings my records straight up to 136-87-1, 101-114-9 ATS and 47-36-5 with my best bets.
It’s time to pick it up in three weeks. Or the coal goes in my stocking.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Baltimore Ravens vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Ravens could have Lamar Jackson back in this one. You need him badly. The passing game is difficult. However, the Falcons have defensive issues that could help. Desmond Ridder was just OK in his first start last week and now faces a tougher defense. Ravens win it.
Choose: Ravens 26, hawks 13
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions
This is an important game for both teams in terms of playoff implications. The Lions are playing back-to-back road games, which will be challenging. Carolina looked bad last week losing to the Steelers. The Lions are a tough challenge on Carolina’s defense, which will make all the difference in the game. The lions keep rolling.
Choose: Lions 27, Panthers 17
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are trying to secure the top seed in the AFC playoffs while the Bears are playing the string. But the Bills play the Bengals next week after beating the Dolphins. This looks like a sandwich game. It won’t be. Josh Allen will rack up a ton of points for the Bills as they roll on.
Choose: Bills 37, bears 21
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints
These two are alive in their playoff races, but neither can afford another loss. That makes this game a great one for both of them. The Browns haven’t been great on offense with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, but this could be the game to get it started. Look for the Browns to win it.
Choose: Brown’s 23, Saint’s 16
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Chiefs are winning games, but they’ve been ripping things off over the past few weeks. Seattle has also had problems in recent games. This is a must for them, but this is a difficult place to play. Their defense has big issues that will surface here as Patrick Mahomes sheds light on them.
Choose: Chiefs 35, Seahawks 21
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants
The Vikings won their division while the Giants are playing for a wild card spot. The Giants play back-to-back road games while the Vikings got an extra day off. However, Minnesota’s defense is a major concern, which is why the Giants will be hanging around this game. It’s close, but the Vikings take it.
Choose: Vikings 27, Giants 26
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) with the New England Patriots
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are playing back-to-back road games but the Patriots sting after a horrible loss to the Raiders last week. The Bengals have some defensive injuries, but the Patriots are struggling offensively. Make sure Joe Burrow continues to play well if the Bengals win.
Choose: Bengal 30, Pats 17
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans
The Titans are in danger of missing the playoffs if they don’t turn things around. The Texans have been playing a lot better in recent weeks, but it will be a challenge against a team that badly needs it. The Titans will remedy this with a big performance from Derrick Henry.
Choose: Titans 23, Texans 21
Saturday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Commanders
This is a tough journey for Washington against a team that will have four extra rest days. Washington struggles on offense, which never does well against a 49ers defense that’s the best in the NFL. Watch for that defense to shine again if Brock Purdy does enough to win it.
Choose: 49ers 25, commanders 14
Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will likely start Gardner Minshew here for the injured Jalen Hurts. It changes the way they play offensively. The Cowboys have looked bad on defense for the past two weeks, but I think that’s changing here. They’ll be after Minshew without a quarterback run threatening with him in the game. Cowboys win it.
Choose: Cowboys 33, Eagles 25
Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET (NFL Network, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Pittsburgh Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders
This is another two-team game with small playoff hopes. The Raiders pull off an amazing victory over the Patriots while the Steelers defeat the Panthers on the road. Kenny Pickett should be back here for the Steelers, which is important. Pittsburgh’s defense will bring out the best in Derek Carr. Steelers take it.
Choose: Steelers 24, Raiders 16
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are still alive after Monday night’s win, but that’s a tough turn in a short week. The Dolphins have lost three times in a row, but they played better last week. This will be a shootout with the Packers staying close while Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa put on a show.
Choose: Dolphins 31, Packers 30
Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Nickelodeon, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Rams vs. Denver Broncos
This is a game that many expected to be an important one, but instead it offers two of the biggest disappointments of the year. Both teams have problems on offense. The Broncos have the better defense and Russell Wilson will be back. The Rams are also playing in a short week. But something says the Rams will find a way to win it.
Choose: Rams 21, Broncos 14
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Arizona Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
These two are in big trouble, but the Bucs are still up first while the Cardinals are done. Arizona could be against third-team quarterback Trace McSorley against a Bucs team that blew a big lead last week. Tom Brady has struggled but I think he will play well here. Bucs take it.
Choose: Bucs 24, Cardinals 20
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, fuboTV)
Featured Game | Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Colts have suffered a loss that blew away a 33-point lead, the kind of loss that can pack a team for the year. They will also be able to do without running back Jonathan Taylor. The Chargers beat the Titans last week but didn’t play well. You will here. Justin Herbert is playing big to keep the Chargers en route to the playoffs.
Choose: Chargers 30, Colts 20