by Week 15 was not good for me with my choices. In fact, it was one of my worst weeks of the season.
Ouch.
So much for going on 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 that’s what I plan to do.
But first, a recap of last week’s debacle. I went 11-5 with my straight picks, 5-10-1 with my picks against the spread, 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 crazy end — and the Saints — thanks to the two-point conversion.
That brings my records to 136-87-1 straight, 101-114-9 ATS and 47-36-5 with my best bets.
With three weeks to go, it’s time to pick it up. Or the coal comes in my sock.
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime Video)
Selected game | New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
This is a huge game in the AFC playoffs. Jacksonville is riding high behind Trevor Lawrence, but the Jets defense has been outstanding. This will pose a real problem for Lawrence. Jacksonville’s defense has struggled, and so has Zach Wilson. Look for Lawrence to be at his best in the 2021 first-round quarterback battle. Jacksonville continues its push for the postseason with a win.
Choose: Jaguars 24, Jets 20
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Selected game | Baltimore Ravens vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Ravens could have Lamar Jackson back in this one. They need him in the worst way. The passing game is struggling. However, the Falcons have defensive issues, which could help. Desmond Ridder was okay last week in his first start, and now he faces a tougher defense. The Ravens win it.
Choose: Ravens 26, Falcons 13
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Selected game | Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions
This is an important game for both teams in terms of playoff implications. The Lions play back-to-back road games, which will be a challenge. Carolina looked bad last week in a loss to the Steelers. The Lions are a tough challenge for Carolina’s defense, which will be the difference in the game. The Lions keep rolling.
Choose: Lions 27, Panthers 17
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Selected game | Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are trying to lock down the top seed in the AFC playoffs, while the Bears are playing tight end. But the Bills will play the Bengals next week after beating the Dolphins. This is like a sandwich game. Will not be. Josh Allen will put up plenty of points for the Bills as they continue to roll.
Choose: Bills 37, Bears 21
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Selected game | Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints
These two are alive in the playoffs, but neither can afford another loss. That makes this game big for both of them. The Browns haven’t been great on offense with Deshaun Watson returning at quarterback, but this could be the game to make it. Look for the Browns to win it.
Choose: Browns 23, Saints 16
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Selected game | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Chiefs are winning games, but have been neglected in recent weeks. Seattle has also struggled in recent games. This is necessary for them, but this is a difficult place to play. Their defense has major issues, which will show here as Patrick Mahomes lights them up.
Choose: Chiefs 35, Seahawks 21
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Selected game | Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants
The Vikings have their division locked up, while the Giants are playing for a wild card spot. The Giants play back-to-back road games, while the Vikings took an extra day off. However, Minnesota’s defense is a major issue, which is why the Giants will hang around in this one. It’s close, but the Vikings pull it off.
Choose: Vikings 27, Giants 26
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at New England Patriots
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Selected game | New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are coming off back-to-back road games, but the Patriots are stinging from a blowout loss last week to the Raiders. The Bengals have some defensive injuries, but the Patriots have issues on offense. Look for Joe Burrow to continue to play well as the Bengals win it.
Choose: Bengals 30, Pats 17
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Selected game | Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans
The Titans are in danger of missing the playoffs if things don’t turn around. The Texans have played much better in recent weeks, but this will be a challenge against a team that needs it badly. The Titans will fix things here with a big performance from Derrick Henry.
Choose: Titans 23, Texans 21
Saturday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Selected game | San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Commanders
This is a tough trip for Washington against a team that will have four extra days of rest. Washington has struggled on offense, which is never a good thing against a 49ers defense that is the best in the NFL. Look for this defense to shine again with Brock Purdy doing enough to win it.
Choose: 49ers 25, Commanders 14
Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Selected game | Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will likely start Gardner Minshew here for the injured Jalen Hurts. This changes the way they play in attack. The Cowboys have looked bad the last two weeks on defense, but I think that changes here. They will take Minshew without threatening a fourth run 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)
Selected game | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
This is another game featuring two teams that have slim playoff hopes. The Raiders are coming off a stunning win over the Patriots, while the Steelers handled the Panthers on the road. Kenny Pickett should be back for the Steelers here, which matters. Pittsburgh’s defense will get the best of Derek Carr. The steel workers get it.
Choose: Steelers 24, Raiders 16
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Selected game | Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are still alive after Monday night’s win, but that’s a tough turnaround in a short week. The Dolphins have lost three straight, but played better last week. This will be a shootout with the Packers keeping it close as Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa put on a show.
Choose: Dolphins 31, Packers 30
Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Nickelodeon, Paramount+)
Selected game | Los Angeles Rams vs. Denver Broncos
This is a game that many expected to be important, but instead has two of the biggest disappointments of the year. Both teams have offensive problems. The Broncos have the best defense and Russell Wilson will be back. The Rams are also playing on a short week. But something says the Rams find a way to win it.
Choose: Rams 21, Broncos 14
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fuboTV)
Selected game | Arizona Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Those two have big issues, but the Bucs are still in first place as far as the Cardinals go. Arizona could go without third quarterback Trace McSorley against a Bucs team that blew a big lead last week. Tom Brady has struggled, but I think he’ll play well here. Bush take it.
Choose: Bucs 24, Cardinals 20
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, fuboTV)
Selected game | Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Colts are coming off a loss where they blew a 33-point lead, the kind of loss that can cause a team to stuff things up for the year. Jonathan Taylor will also be left without a nomination. The Chargers beat the Titans last week, but they didn’t play well in doing so. I’ll be here. Justin Herbert plays a big role in keeping the Chargers on the path to the playoffs.
Choose: Chargers 30, Colts 20
