The last time I/we did this, I was 2/3…not bad for my first chiming in of the year right? Lee is busy on assignment, so I will be covering 3 games this week and offering my valuable opinions on them! This weeks lines come courtesy of sportsbooks online.
Dallas @ Cincinnati (-3)
This is a pretty interesting match up and one that will have a playoff implication for both the winner and loser more than likely. The Bengals are riding a four game winning streak and playing well while Dallas is certainly hanging tough in a division that is completely up for grabs (except you know, in Philly). I like the young Claiborne in Dallas’ secondary but I am not sure their defense has enough to contain A.J. Green, dynamic tight end Jermaine Gresham and the law firm in the backfield. I look for this to be a close game regardless, but give the nod to the home team.
Dallas – 24 Cincinnati - 28
New Orleans @ New York Giants (-4.5)
Very much like the Cowboys and Bengals game, this one is going to have a big playoff impact. Can New Orleans complete the hail Mary and squeak in? Can New York take hold of a very close divisional race of their own? The thing that will be fun to watch are both of these offenses perform. For some reason, I have always liked watching New Orleans and am a particular Brees and Jimmy Graham fan. That said, I think the Giants are out for blood and this is the time of year that Eli shines. Add that to a fairly poor defense with the Saints and I think this is going to potentially become a shootout depending on the Giants’ front four and their ability to get to Brees. Definitely a game I won’t be missing this week, and I have to give the edge to a gritty New York team that knows how to take care of things in December.
New Orleans – 17 New York Giants – 35
Houston @ New England (-3)
What a Monday night battle this one could be. Seriously, this is what Monday night football is all about folks and this game will feature two of the elite teams in the NFL right now. Houston is rolling through this season and looking to secure the #1 seed in the AFC while New England is still the same, efficient and deadly team led by one of the best ever in Tom Brady. The intriguing thing for me here is just how alike these two teams are statistically. This could be one of the highest scoring games of the week (Now, I am sure J.J. Watt will have a lot to say about that) as well as an AFC championship game preview. With all that said, I am going with the team that has experience with how to play the game this time of year and one that is especially tough at home.
Houston – 30 New England – 38
