The trifecta almost came through last week.
I went 11-5 straight up, 3-2-1 with my best bets as part of the Pick Six Podcast, but went 8-8 with my CBSSports.com expert picks. Why couldn’t the Packers score late to get the cover, rather than kicking that field goal?
As it is, it was another solid week. The 3-2-1 raises my best-bet record to a sizzling 40-27-3. That I will take. My ATS record overall is now 82-90-8 and my straight-up record is 106-74-0.
We are into December games now, which means it’s crunch time down the stretch. It also means it’s time for the contenders to really emerge on the field and picking games. There are six weeks left. Let’s close with a big-time rush.
Buffalo Bills (-4) at New England Patriots
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime Video)
Featured Game | New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills knocked the Pats out of the playoffs last year, so you know the Pats want to get back at them for that. Both teams played on Thanksgiving, so they are rested. But Josh Allen has played really well against the Pats in recent years, going 4-1 in the last five. That stays true. Bills win it.
Pick: Bills 28, Patriots 21
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons (+1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are playing consecutive road games outside the division and this one is on a short week. That’s tough to do. It’s also tough to prepare for the Falcons offense on a short week. Atlanta lost a close one last week to Washington, but will bounce back here and beat the Steelers.
Pick: Falcons 23, Steelers 20
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens (-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are lifeless on offense, which is never a good thing playing consecutive road games and especially against a team coming off a horrible loss. The Ravens haven’t exactly been lighting things up on offense, but they will do enough here to win it and make the Broncos’ season-long misery continue.
Pick: Ravens 26, Broncos 10
Green Bay Packers (-4) at Chicago Bears
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers should be playing in this one, which is not a good thing for the Bears. He has owned them in his career. Rodgers is banged up, but Justin Fields is hurting for the Bears if he does play. Look for the Packers to go into Soldier Field and win a game against a team they have dominated in recent years.
Pick: Packers 27, Bears 17
Jacksonville Jaguars (-1) at Detroit Lions
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Detroit Lions vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are coming off an impressive home victory over the Ravens, while the Lions lost a tough one on Thanksgiving to the Bills. Both teams can score, which means this game will likely get loose. Look for a lot of points as Trevor Lawrence stays hot and the Lions score as well. The Jaguars will win a shootout.
Pick: Jaguars 33, Lions 30
Cleveland Browns (-7) at Houston Texans
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns
This is the return of Deshaun Watson at quarterback for the Browns. It’s his first game and it comes against his former team. How perfect. Will there be rust? Does it matter against the Texans? No, it does not. Browns win it big.
Pick: Browns 30, Texans 14
New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets
This game is intriguing because of the battle between the Vikings offense and the Jets defense, two really strong units. I think the Vikings will get the best of that. So what does Mike White do for the Jets offense? I don’t think he will play as well as last week. Vikings win it.
Pick: Vikings 23, Jets 17
Washington Commanders (-2.5) at New York Giants
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders
This is suddenly a big game for playoff contention. Both teams would be in right now. The Commanders have won six of seven and three straight by running it and playing good defense. The Giants use the same formula to win games. The Commanders have the better defense, which will show. They keep streaking with a victory.
Pick: Commanders 23, Giants 19
Tennessee Titans (+5) at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tennessee Titans
This is a game matching two teams that want to run the football. The Eagles are coming off an outstanding rushing effort against the Packers, but the Titans defense is much better. The Titans will counter with Derrick Henry running into an Eagles defense that can’t stop the run. This game might be over quickly with all the runs. Eagles take it, but Titans will hang around.
Pick: Eagles 24, Titans 23
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (+7.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Rams are a mess and they are done. Seattle is coming off a bad home loss to the Raiders where the defense was awful. The good news is the Rams are terrible on offense. Seattle will get back on track in this one. The Seahawks win it, but the number is too big.
Pick: Seahawks 27, Rams 20
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers (-4)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
This is one of the best games of the week. The Miami offense against the 49ers defense will be a treat to watch. Can the 49ers slow down Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami passing game. The other thing to watch is whether Miami’s defense, which hasn’t played that well, can slow the 49ers offense. I don’t think they do. The 49ers will take it.
Pick: 49ers 28, Dolphins 22
Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals (+2)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This is a rematch of the AFC Championship Game from last January, a game won by the Bengals in Kansas City. The Bengals also beat the Chiefs at home last year. This Chiefs team is the best in the league right now. Patrick Mahomes and the passing game will be tough to stop. But so will Joe Burrow with Ja’Marr Chase back. This will be a shootout. Chiefs win a close one.
Pick: Chiefs 35, Bengals 34
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders (+1.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Both of these teams are coming off dramatic victories last week, victories they badly needed. The Raiders saw running back Josh Jacobs run wild, which he can do here against the Chargers’ bad run defense. But look for Justin Herbert to have a big day too. This will be wild, but the Raiders will take it.
Pick: Raiders 34, Chargers 31
Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys (-11)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Dallas Cowboys vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Cowboys defensive line against the Colts offensive line is a major mismatch. Matt Ryan could be in for a long night. Not only that, but the Cowboys will be rested while the Colts are playing on the road after a short week. That’s tough to do. Blowout.
Pick: Cowboys 30, Colts 16
New Orleans Saints (+3.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
These two have losing records, but this is a big division game. Can you believe it? The Saints have had great success against Tom Brady in his time in Tampa. But this is a different Saints team. They are limited on offense. That shows up.
Pick: Bucs 20, Saints 19
require.config("baseUrl":"https://sportsfly.cbsistatic.com/fly-0367/bundles/sportsmediajs/js-build","config":"version":"fly/components/accordion":"1.0","fly/components/alert":"1.0","fly/components/base":"1.0","fly/components/carousel":"1.0","fly/components/dropdown":"1.0","fly/components/fixate":"1.0","fly/components/form-validate":"1.0","fly/components/image-gallery":"1.0","fly/components/iframe-messenger":"1.0","fly/components/load-more":"1.0","fly/components/load-more-article":"1.0","fly/components/load-more-scroll":"1.0","fly/components/loading":"1.0","fly/components/modal":"1.0","fly/components/modal-iframe":"1.0","fly/components/network-bar":"1.0","fly/components/poll":"1.0","fly/components/search-player":"1.0","fly/components/social-button":"1.0","fly/components/social-counts":"1.0","fly/components/social-links":"1.0","fly/components/tabs":"1.0","fly/components/video":"1.0","fly/libs/easy-xdm":"2.4.17.1","fly/libs/jquery.cookie":"1.2","fly/libs/jquery.throttle-debounce":"1.1","fly/libs/jquery.widget":"1.9.2","fly/libs/omniture.s-code":"1.0","fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init":"1.0","fly/libs/jquery.mobile":"1.3.2","fly/libs/backbone":"1.0.0","fly/libs/underscore":"1.5.1","fly/libs/jquery.easing":"1.3","fly/managers/ad":"2.0","fly/managers/components":"1.0","fly/managers/cookie":"1.0","fly/managers/debug":"1.0","fly/managers/geo":"1.0","fly/managers/gpt":"4.3","fly/managers/history":"2.0","fly/managers/madison":"1.0","fly/managers/social-authentication":"1.0","fly/utils/data-prefix":"1.0","fly/utils/data-selector":"1.0","fly/utils/function-natives":"1.0","fly/utils/guid":"1.0","fly/utils/log":"1.0","fly/utils/object-helper":"1.0","fly/utils/string-helper":"1.0","fly/utils/string-vars":"1.0","fly/utils/url-helper":"1.0","libs/jshashtable":"2.1","libs/select2":"3.5.1","libs/jsonp":"2.4.0","libs/jquery/mobile":"1.4.5","libs/modernizr.custom":"2.6.2","libs/velocity":"1.2.2","libs/dataTables":"1.10.6","libs/dataTables.fixedColumns":"3.0.4","libs/dataTables.fixedHeader":"2.1.2","libs/dateformat":"1.0.3","libs/waypoints/infinite":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/inview":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/jquery.waypoints":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/sticky":"3.1.1","libs/jquery/dotdotdot":"1.6.1","libs/jquery/flexslider":"2.1","libs/jquery/lazyload":"1.9.3","libs/jquery/maskedinput":"1.3.1","libs/jquery/marquee":"1.3.1","libs/jquery/numberformatter":"1.2.3","libs/jquery/placeholder":"0.2.4","libs/jquery/scrollbar":"0.1.6","libs/jquery/tablesorter":"2.0.5","libs/jquery/touchswipe":"1.6.18","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.draggable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.mouse":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.position":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.slider":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.sortable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.touch-punch":"0.2.3","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.accordion":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.menu":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.dialog":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.resizable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.button":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tooltip":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.effects":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.datepicker":"1.11.4","shim":"liveconnection/managers/connection":"deps":["liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4"],"liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4":"exports":"SockJS","libs/setValueFromArray":"exports":"set","libs/getValueFromArray":"exports":"get","fly/libs/jquery.mobile-1.3.2":["version!fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init"],"libs/backbone.marionette":"deps":["jquery","version!fly/libs/underscore","version!fly/libs/backbone"],"exports":"Marionette","fly/libs/underscore-1.5.1":"exports":"_","fly/libs/backbone-1.0.0":"deps":["version!fly/libs/underscore","jquery"],"exports":"Backbone","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs-1.11.4":["jquery","version!libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core","version!fly/libs/jquery.widget"],"libs/jquery/flexslider-2.1":["jquery"],"libs/dataTables.fixedColumns-3.0.4":["jquery","version!libs/dataTables"],"libs/dataTables.fixedHeader-2.1.2":["jquery","version!libs/dataTables"],"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js":["https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js"],"map":"*":"adobe-pass":"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js","facebook":"https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js","facebook-debug":"https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all/debug.js","google":"https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js","google-platform":"https://apis.google.com/js/client:platform.js","google-csa":"https://www.google.com/adsense/search/async-ads.js","google-javascript-api":"https://www.google.com/jsapi","google-client-api":"https://apis.google.com/js/api:client.js","gpt":"https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js","hlsjs":"https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/hls.js/1.0.7/hls.js","recaptcha":"https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?onload=loadRecaptcha&render=explicit","recaptcha_ajax":"https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api/js/recaptcha_ajax.js","supreme-golf":"https://sgapps-staging.supremegolf.com/search/assets/js/bundle.js","taboola":"https://cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/cbsinteractive-cbssports/loader.js","twitter":"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js","video-avia":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/player/avia.min.js","video-avia-ui":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/ui/avia.ui.min.js","video-avia-gam":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/gam/avia.gam.min.js","video-avia-hls":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/hls/avia.hls.min.js","video-avia-playlist":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/playlist/avia.playlist.min.js","video-ima3":"https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3.js","video-ima3-dai":"https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3_dai.js","video-utils":"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js","video-vast-tracking":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/sb55/vast-js/vtg-vast-client.js","waitSeconds":300);