Xam’s Daily Gems:
Packers -2.5 -170
The Packers are facing a virtual must win game today to keep their playoff hopes alive. They have lost 2 straight and have not played well defensively. However, today is the perfect remedy. The Panthers are the worst team in the league, and have struggled mightily on offense this year. This is the perfect rebound spot for a maligned defensive unit. Jordan Love has been playing well for the Packers, and he should keep it going against a defense that has struggled throughout the year. The Packers have a battle tested group and a coaching staff that has the experience needed to win these types of games.
Browns Money Line -172
The Browns are surging towards the playoffs thanks to a stifling defense and power running game. That should be the formula again today. The Browns have one of the best offensive lines in the league and they’ll be sure to lean on them again today on the road. The key here will be Joe Flacco limiting the mistakes. Davis Mills is starting again for the Texans, and he struggle for large portions of the game against the Titans last week. The Browns defense should give their offense plenty of time to figure out ways to put points on the board. Flacco has made a career out of winning these types of games, and frankly, the Browns have more talent on both sides of the ball.
Lions Money Line -152
The Lions will clinch the NFC North with a win today. They’ll have to do it in a hostile environment, but they should be ready to go for this game. In fact, the Lions still have an outside shot at the #1 seed in the NFC. The Lions have the better QB and better offensive weapons. The difference in this game will be Detroit’s defense, which has been hit or miss recently. The Vikings have dealt with QB issues ever since Kirk Cousins was lost for the year, and Justin Jefferson is banged up. The Vikings can be tough to handle at home, but the Lions will need to show the mettle to win games like this if they want to go on a deep run in the playoffs.
Jets Money Line -156
It’s hard to have confidence in the Jets after no-showing and losing by 30 last week against a division rival. However, this is the last home game of the year for the Jets, and the entire coaching staff was given a vote of confidence after Aaron Rodgers stated his confidence in head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nate Hackett. This should provide a boost and spark for everyone involved. The Commanders just seem like they’re playing out the strings as new ownership seemingly waits patiently fire the offseason to fire everybody. The Jets have an excellent defense and should put the offense in a position to score. The Jets offense doesn’t scare anyone and the offensive line has been awful, but the Commanders have perhaps the worst defense in the league and traded away their best pass rushers. Look for the Jets to lean on the running game and defense to pull this one out.
Buccaneers Money Line +100
The Bucs, somehow, control their own destiny to win the NFC South. Head Coach Todd Bowles has the defense playing well and Baker Mayfield has been reborn with some underrated offensive weapons. The Jaguars have lost 3 straight and been off-kilter since Trevor Lawrence sprained his ankle against Cincinnati. Trevor Lawrence was also in concussion protocol this week. The Bucs have the better defense, better offensive weapons, and come into this game healthier than the Jaguars. Expect the Bucs to bring pressure early and often in this game.
Cowboys/Dolphins Over 48.5 Points -105
The Cowboys got waxed in their worst game of the season last week in Buffalo. Expect them to be fired up and ready to go for this game. The Cowboys had their worst game of the year offensively, and head coach Mike McCarthy and QB Dak Prescott will surely be ready to get that corrected. The Dolphins should have Tyreek Hill back today, but as last week showed, they didn’t need him to do well offensively against a competent defense. The Dolphins control their own destiny to win the AFC East and will surely be motivated to remain in contention for the top seed in the AFC. The Cowboys defense has proven to be vulnerable on the road, and both of these head coaches love dialing up big plays in the passing game.
Jared Goff Over 251.5 Passing Yards -110
Goff is coming off a dominant game in his last outing, throwing for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns. Goff has led this offense all year and has gone over this number in 7 games this season. The Lions love throwing the ball and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has shown tremendous confidence in Goff throughout the year. With a division title in their sights, and an extra day to prepare for this game, expect the Lions to be aggressive and left their QB do what he’s done all year.
Dak Prescott Over 264.5 Passing Yards -110
Dak Prescott has played himself squarely into the MVP discussion this year, and coming off his worst game of the year, he will surely be tuned in and ready to get himself and the Dallas offense back on track. He’s gone over this number in 7 games and did so in 3 straight games against quality defenses before last week’s game in Buffalo. The Dolphins have played well at defensively this year but good passing games have played well against them. The Cowboys may be the best team they’ve faced all year and this game has all the makings of a shootout with two elite offenses going back and forth.