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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
John Holler

The 5 best bets for Week 12

The slate of Sunday games is reduced due to Thanksgiving, but we still found a collection of picks that cover the gamut of bets. We have a favorite covering the spread, an underdog taking the points, a game going Over, another staying Under, and a game on the moneyline.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving leftovers with a pick stew that includes a little bit of everything.

Note: Odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook

5
Carolina Panthers vs. Tennessee Titans: Take UNDER 36.5 points (-110)

Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina’s offense is among the weakest in the league. Over the last four games, the Panthers have scored 15, 13, 13 and 10 points. The Titans haven’t been much better, scoring 16 or fewer points in their last three games, five of their last six and seven of 10 this season. The young quarterbacks for both teams will look to run the ball and throw short, high-percentage passes, which requires stringing a lot of plays together to get scoring drives and will likely result in more touchdowns than field goals.

4
Take Tampa Buccaneers plus 2.5 points (-105) at Indianapolis Colts

Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers are a veteran team that hasn’t lived up to expectations, losing four of their last five games. The Colts have won their last two games but are just 1-4 at home and have found ways to lose in front of the home fans with regularity. The Colts have been established as a small favorite because they’re home, but that hasn’t kept other teams from coming in and beating them. The Buccaneers could move into first place with a win because the NFC South is weak and wide open, and this is a win the Bucs need badly to right the ship.

3
Take Cleveland Browns on the moneyline (+105) at Denver Broncos

Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

After starting 1-5, the Broncos have won four straight (including wins over playoff teams Kansas City, Buffalo and Minnesota), but the Browns have won five of their last six, including wins against the 49ers and Ravens. The Broncos have had a turnover ratio of 13-to-2 during their four-game winning streak and still could have lost every one of those games. The Browns defense is going to be coming after Russell Wilson. If the Browns offense doesn’t gift Denver two or three turnovers, Cleveland has the horses to improve to 8-3 even without Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb.

2
Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Take OVER 48.5 points (-110)

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles and Chiefs were expected to put up 50 points or more last week, but that didn’t happen. Buffalo has no problem abandoning the run and the Eagles defense gets beat over the top – opposing quarterbacks have better numbers than Jalen Hurts having combined to throw for 2,688 yards with 21 touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 96.4. Look for the Bills to go up-tempo and take shots downfield. The Eagles are equipped offensively to get in a back-and-forth shootout with anyone, and the Bills will dare them to get into that kind of game with their season potentially on the line.

1
Take Baltimore Ravens and lay 3.5 points (-110) at Los Angeles Chargers

(Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)

When people think of the Ravens, they tend to think ball control offense and opportunistic defense. However, Baltimore has scored 31 or more points in each of its last five games, and each of its last five wins have come by seven points or more. The Chargers are capable of hanging with anyone but find ways to lose. The biggest problem is that the Chargers defense is allowing 316 passing yards a game, and Lamar Jackson is deadly when given time to throw deep downfield. If the Ravens get up by double digits at any point, a bad situation will only get worse for the Chargers if they try to go up and down the field with the Ravens.


Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

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