For this week’s picks, we take an in-state rivalry to go Under, a potential shootout between two elite young quarterbacks, a Super Bowl contender making a statement in prime time, and a pair of moneyline bets involving the NFL’s last two undefeated teams.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
5
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns UNDER 41.5 points (-110)
The Browns appear to be waving the surrender flag, but until they make more trades, Cleveland’s defense stacks up pretty well against opponents given the ineptitude of its offense. The Bengals should win this game handily, but the Browns defense will force Cincinnati into enough field goals that this O/U number won’t get topped.
4
Take the Detroit Lions on the moneyline (+105) at Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota has earned a 5-0 record with wins over the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers. The Vikings are coming off their bye week and at home against division-rival Detroit. Everything should point to advantage Vikings. However, Minnesota’s defense is going to face a stiff test from the Lions running game. If Detroit gets that established, everything opens up and divisional dominance will be asserted.
3
Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers OVER 47.5 points (-110)
The Packers have scored 29 or more points in four of six games and in the two games they’ve played against teams with winning records, they allowed 34 and 31 points. Houston is coming off a 41-point outburst but has allowed 20 or more points in each of its last four games. With C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love both looking to take chances to win this playoff-caliber game, those risks will lead to points.
2
Take Kansas City Chiefs on the moneyline (+105) at San Francisco 49ers
Bet against Patrick Mahomes at your own peril. In the 13 games Mahomes has started as an underdog, he is 10-3 straight up – and covered in two of the three losses. The 49ers are at home and should be favored, but they were identical favorites last February … and what happened then? Bet against Mahomes. The house hopes you do.
1
Take Baltimore Ravens and lay 3.5 points (-110) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are a solid team building an impressive resume – they beat the Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. But this Ravens team has figured out that nobody is prepared to take on an offense with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Tampa Bay has a chance to win, but no chance of blowing out the Ravens. Baltimore has a chance to win and an equal chance of blowing out the Bucs, so 3.5 points isn’t enough to shy away from laying.
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