The Florida Alabama odds are probably the biggest TV-viewing and football-betting draw this week – who isn’t going to watch that game – but the NFL is getting very interesting too. Here’s a first look at early action from Week 13, including the Thursday nighter, which Toronto’s Rogers Center will host.
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
Thursday, December 3, 8:20 p.m. ET
Online sportsbook favorite: Jets -3
The Perry Fewell era has started reasonably well for Buffalo, who stayed competitive until the end against Jacksonville in Week 11 and upset Miami last week. With Dick Jauron out as head coach, Fewell has removed the shackles form Buffalo’s offense and let the Bills stretch the field. The result: two huge games for Terrell Owens. Before you get too excited, though, note that T.O.’s big games came against pretty suspect pass defenses. This week, he’ll get a steady diet of Darrelle Revis, the NFL’s best shutdown corner. The New York Jets rank second in the NFL in rushing and will hand off the rock to Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene plenty since Buffalo has the league’s worst run defense. Expect the Jets to handle Mark Sanchez with kid gloves, shut down the Bills’ passing attack and run their way to victory.
Sports betting pick: Jets -3
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. ET
Online sportsbook favorite: Colts -6.5
A month ago, who could’ve imagined that so much would be at stake in this Titans/Colts tilt? Led by Vince Young’s resurgence, Tennessee is the first team in NFL history to win five straight games after starting 0-6. The Titans are back in the playoff race but can’t afford a single loss. Can that motivation propel them past a Colts team that already has the AFC South title locked up? Probably not. Peyton Manning picked apart Tennessee’s secondary earlier this season and will probably do so again. The Titans will push Indy hard, especially via NFL rushing leader Chris Johnson, but no lead is safe against the Colts. Expect a hard fought game but Manning’s group should find a way to eke out another win and inch closer to home field for the playoffs.
Sports betting pick: Colts -6.5
St. Louis Rams @ Chicago Bears
Sunday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. ET
Online sportsbook favorite: Bears -9
The Bears are officially…not good. We can’t call the Jay Cutler trade a bust after one season but he certainly looks lost and unconfident right now. No one trusts the Bears in their NFL picks anymore but surely the Bears can handle the Rams, right? St. Louis has the No. 28 overall defense and has picked off just eight passes this season. Cutler has thrown just three of his league-worst 20 interceptions at home; he has to beat the Rams, doesn’t he?
Sports betting pick: Bears -9
