NFL Week 13 Betting Picks

The Year of the Underdog continued in NFL Week 12 as dogs covered in nine of 15 matchups, including SU wins by the Oakland Raiders and three AFC North squads – the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. Here is a look at a few of the key matchups in Week 13 that could dramatically impact the rapidly evolving NFL playoff picture.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

Game Line: Detroit -7 | OU 47.5

The 7-4 Detroit Lions need a win in their Thanksgiving matchup with the 5-6 Chicago Bears to stay in the hunt in the tight NFC North and NFC Wild Card races. The Lions enter Week 13 with the NFL’s top defense, surrendering just 17.3 points per game, but have struggled to generate points, scoring just a combined 15 in their last two, SU and ATS losses to Arizona and New England.

Detroit takes on a resurgent Bears squad that has surrendered just 13 points per game in two straight wins at home, SU and ATS, ending a 1-5 SU skid. It has been feast or famine for the Bears on the road this season, 3-3 SU and ATS. They have posted three stunning upset road victories, but have given up 50+ points in road losses to Green Bay and New England. You never know which Bears team will show up, but they have looked strong enough defensively in their last two outings to contain the struggling Lions’ feeble attack, which should be enough to keep them close, if not give them a SU win.

Free Pick: Take Chicago and the points. Chicago 20-17

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

Game Line: Dallas -3 | OU 54.5

With a healthy Tony Romo back in the saddle, the 8-3 Cowboys look to reclaim sole possession of top spot in the NFC East, in their Thanksgiving meeting with the 8-3 Eagles. After losing two SU while Romo was sidelined with a back injury, it is clear that Dallas is a different team with him at the helm. The Cowboys are 8-3 SU in their last 11 at home when Romo is healthy and are 3-0 SU in their last three against Philly in which Romo has started.

Conversely, the Eagles have struggled on the road of late, 1-3 SU in their last four, 2-2 ATS. While QB Mark Sanchez has performed admirably in place of the injured Nick Foles, last week he failed to get the Eagles into the end zone on four of six drives inside the red zone against Tennessee’s 28^th-ranked defense, settling for four field goals. Outright losses in three of four matchups with playoff-contending teams this season is further cause for concern for the Eagles, who have otherwise enjoyed a light schedule.

Free Pick: Take Dallas and give the points. Dallas 31-25

Oakland Raiders @ St. Louis Rams

Game Line: St. Louis -7 | OU 42.5

The 1-10 Oakland Raiders take on the 4-7 St. Louis Rams in a matchup between two losing teams that have consistently rewarded bettors in recent weeks. The Raiders picked up their first SU win of the season last week, hanging on to top Kansas City 24-20 as seven-point underdogs. The Raiders have endured a tough schedule with nine straight games against above-.500 teams, going 5-4 ATS. Oakland is also 5-1 ATS when pegged as underdogs of seven points or more, while holding opponents to just 16.5 points per game in their last two, and surrendering more than 24 points on just four occasions.

The Rams are a solid 3-3 SU in their last six, 4-2 ATS, with outright wins as dogs over Denver and Seattle in their last two home dates. But the Rams have scored just 16 points per game in their last five, dropping them to 19.0 points per game on the season, posting just one SU win by more than three points. While the Rams may be a solid moneyline bet at home against the Raiders, they do not have the offensive horses to outpace Oakland by more than a TD.

Free Pick: Take Oakland and the points. St. Louis 21-19

New Orleans Saints @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Game Line: Pittsburgh -3 | OU 52

The 4-7 New Orleans Saints travel to Pittsburgh after being swept in a three-game homestand for just the third time in franchise history. With just one SU win in five road games this season, the Saints now find themselves in desperate need of a win to maintain a share of top spot in the feeble NFC South.

The 7-4 Steelers eked out a 27-24 win in Tennessee last weekend, failing to cover in their third straight road game. But Pittsburgh has been dominant SU and ATS winners in their last three at home, averaging 41.3 points per game, powered by QB Ben Roethlisberger’s 1127 combined passing yards and 14 TD passes. That is bad news for the struggling Saints’ 23^rd-ranked pass defense, which has given up over 253 passing yards per game this season.

Free Pick: Take Pittsburgh and give the points. Pittsburgh 31-17