The Lions are an infuriating team to watch when you have money riding on them. Their untimely turnovers, senseless penalties and other colossal blunders are legendary. Yet this is a team with a talent level far above its 7-7 record. A team that, at home on Ford Field’s fast, dry track, has the ability to overcome mistakes and win big. Think back to Thanksgiving, when the Lions had two fumbles, two picks and a missed field goal and still beat the Packers 40-10.
It’s true the Lions are just 4-3 at home, and that includes a miracle one-point win against the Cowboys. They’ve lost to the Bengals, Buccaneers and most recently the Ravens. But Sunday’s matchup against the demoralized and decimated Giants resembles the Turkey Day roasting of an Aaron Rodgers-less Pack. The Lions, now on the outside of the playoff picture, need the game desperately, and the Giants have shown no inclination they will do anything other than show up.
The pick: Lions -9.
JETS (-2 ¹/₂) over Browns: Unlike the Giants, the Jets players do appear to be fighting to the finish for Rex Ryan. And their health situation is far better, with most of their injured offensive weapons (by Jets standards at least) back in the lineup. Browns are tough for a 4-10 team. This one shouldn’t fall far from this spread.
Dolphins (-3) over BILLS: Tough scheduling season for the Bills. First they have their Toronto indoor game in December against the dome Falcons, and lose. Now it’ll be 60 and rainy (on Dec. 22!) when the Dolphins visit. TE Charles Clay has become great third option to Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline for Ryan Tannehill, who is closing in on 4,000 yards passing. Bills won 23-21 in Miami, but that was during height of the Richie Incognito mess.
PANTHERS (-3) over Saints: Even with last week’s inexplicable double-digit loss at Rams, Saints are in position to clinch the NFC South with one a winwhich they could get next week at home vs. Bucs. But they are 3-4 on road, while Panthers are 6-1 at home, losing 12-7 to the Seahawks, then winning by 38, 15, 24, 4, 21 and 10.
REDSKINS (+2¹/₂) over Cowboys: We’ll take points at home with a rejuvenated Kirk Cousins-led Redskins offense against a Dallas D that allowed the Bears to score on every non-kneel possession two weeks ago, then gave up points on every second-half drive by the Packers last week.
RAMS (-5 ¹/₂) over Buccaneers: Rams just went 3-2 in a killer stretch, beating the Colts, Bears and Saints, and losing to the 49ers and Cards (both on road). Bucs are game, but Rams can rack up the points
Colts (+6 ¹/₂) over CHIEFS: Boatload of points to be giving a Colts team that already has beaten the Seahawks, 49ers and Broncos. Indy has clinched AFC South but still has a shot at the No. 2 seed and a bye.
BENGALS (-7¹/₂) over Vikings: Bengals are trying to hold on in AFC North after brutal loss in Pittsburghwhich transported them back to an ugly time when the Steelers regularly punched them in the mouth and stole their lunch money. It’ll be good to be back home, where the Bengals are 6-0 and winning by an average of 16. Take out the 40-point win over the Jets and it’s still 5-0 by 11.2 ppg)
Broncos (-10 ¹/₂) over TEXANS: Extra days off following a Thursday night loss to the Chargers will help the Broncos’ walking wounded. Can’t pick the Texans anywhere at any price.
JAGUARS (+5 ) over Titans: Can’t quite figure out why this line’s so high with a 5-9 team at a 4-10, particularly when the Jags won 29-27 at Tennessee on Nov. 10. Titans have lost three in a row, five of six and eight of 10.
SEAHAWKS (-10 ¹/₂) over Cardinals: Ton of points to be giving a Cards team that is 9-5 and fighting for a wild-card berth. But in this latest 5-1 stretch, only one of the wins has come against a team currently over .500 (Colts). Hawks clinch NFC top seed in style
Steelers (+2 ¹/₂) over PACKERS: Still awaiting word on an Aaron Rodgers return. Regardless, or not, the Steelers are the pick. In a disappointing season results-wise, Ben Roethlisberger has a 25 TD-11 INT ratio and should blow by 4,000 yards in the first half on Sunday. Ask the Bengals if the Steelers still are hitting
Raiders (+10) over CHARGERS: San Diego needs two wins, plus two losses by the the Dolphins and Ravens, to make the wild card. Miami could hang a season-killing score right around kickoff. Even if Chargers are still alive, the Raiders are 3-0-1 against spread when getting double-digits this season.
Patriots (+2 ¹/₂) over RAVENS: Ravens have the look of a team of destiny and very well could win out and steal the AFC North from the Bengals. But nine of their past 11 have been decided by three points or less, three of those by two points. So we’ll gladly accept this head start with the Pats, who still are gunning for a playoff bye.
Bears (+3) over EAGLES: Don’t trust Eagles after that egg they laid in Minnesota. Maybe the small spread will come into play if it’s a back-and-forth game. Sad thing for the Giants is they probably could have won the division if they had kept winning.
MONDAY NIGHT — 49ERS (-13) over Falcons: Interesting that 49ers still will be alive for NFC West or forced to battle for the wild card depending on Cards-Seahawks result. Good motivation either way in final regular season game at Candlestick.
BEST BETS: Lions, Broncos, 49ers
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Lions (Locks 6-8-1)
LAST WEEK: 8-8 overall, 2-1 Best Bets