NFL Best Bets for Week 16
December 15th 2012 - Old Man Winner
Lots of great opportunities this week! I'm feeling especially generous in
this most festive of seasons, so I'm gonna give you a few games this week.
Here we go . . . .
Atl -3.5 @ Det
I've heard Detroit described using the Forrest Gump famous line, "they are
like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." I think this is
dead wrong. I think you know exactly what you are going to get. A team with no
discipline, an erratic quarterback, poor game day coaching, and one phenomenal
player. Atlanta, on the other hand, is very consistent. They may not always win,
but they will always give you a solid effort, and seem to be in every game, even
when they are not playing their best.
Atlanta wants to win this one to lock up the first seed in the playoffs and look
forward to resting some of their guys next week. Don't think that is not
motivation for the players!
I think this game will be close early, but Detroit as always will make a few key
mistakes and the Falcons should cover late in the game. I wouldn't be surprised
to see a late pick 6 by one of the Falcon ball hawks (yes, pun intended).
Atl 31 Det 20
Car -8.5 vs. Oak
Oakland is awful. They are almost as bad as Kansas City. That is one reason
I like Carolina so much this week. I believe that last week was the Raiders swan
song for the season. When you have got nothing to play for, what's the only
thing you play for? No, not pride, silly. To beat your cross town rival! That
was the Raiders Super Bowl last week. They shut out their cross town rival.
That's a wrap! They're done. We won't even mention that this is one of the
longest trips in the NFL, west to east, playing in an early Sunday game.
Carolina has been looking much better over the last month since they exited the
playoff picture. It sure seems as though Cam Newton has played better once that
pressure was eliminated. He looks in good form and I see this one being over
early.
Car 34 Oak 13
Cle +13 @ Den
Cleveland is slowly and steadily forming into a decent program. Dare I say
that they will even compete for their division crown next year, but I digress.
The Browns are very solid defensively and their all-world corner, Joe Haden,
should take Manning's favorite receiver, Demaryius Thomas, out of the game.
Don't get me wrong, I think Denver will win this game, and should still be
considered among a handful of the best teams in the NFL. However, 13 points is
just too many. I believe this game sets up well for the Browns and feels like
your classic trap game for the Broncos.
Den 26 Cle 20
NYG -2.5 @ Bal
If you have followed the NFL at all for the past 5 years you know that this
is the Giants time of year. Whenever their backs are against the wall they
always seem to deliver. They also may be the best road team in the NFL. Look for
Eli to have a strong game.
Baltimore is reeling. They have a solid head coach, but past that they are a
mess. A mid-season Offensive Coordinator change, many key injuries, and a tough
schedule have all battered this team. They are a good club, but just not in
synch at a bad time of the year.
NYG 27 Bal 17
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