NFL Picks for 12/18/22
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #314
Jets -1.5 over Lions (loss)
The Lions are red hot, winning five of their last six games, but they are not used to cold weather games, and Jared Goff has never been successful in cold weather as he has not played in many coming from the Rams to a team that plays indoors in Detroit. The Jets are a physical football team and should play smash-mouth football against a bad Lions defense. Zach Wilson should have a decent day passing the ball against a Lions’ secondary that is one of the worst in football. The NYJ should win in the trenches and send the Lions home to warmer weather by dominating the game. Take the Jets.
NFL
4:05 PM EST
Rotation #330
Raiders -1.5 over Patriots (win)
The storyline in this game will be teacher vs. student as Coach Belichick will face his former offensive coordinator and now Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. The real story will be that the team that loses this game’s playoff chances will be in grave danger. I am not knocking the Patriots, they have a great team, but they have lucked out this year playing many teams with backup quarterbacks. Derek Carr will be a tough battle, and the Raiders might be getting back Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller today. The Raiders are trying to get the awful loss from last week in the rearview mirror and can do so against an overrated Patriots team. New England has a few banged-up running backs and could be down a few receivers today. Look for Las Vegas to get the much-needed home win. Take the Raiders.
NFL
4:25 PM EST
Rotation #326
Chargers -3 over Titans (push)
The Titans hit the road to take on the Chargers. Tennessee has a significant injury with running back Dontrell Hillard out today. Call me crazy, but I don’t think Derrick Henry can carry the load alone anymore. Treylon Burks will also be out, leaving Ryan Tannehill down a great receiver. The Titans have injuries in the secondary, making it hard to stop the Chargers on 3rd down. No one can stop Mike Williams and Kennan Allen in the Titans’ secondary. The Chargers are the healthier team and should be well-balanced, passing and running the ball with Austin Eckler. LA doesn’t have the best crowd, but I like them at home. Take the Chargers.
NFL
4:25 PM EST
Rotation #328
Bucs +3.5 over Bengals (loss)
Bucs/Bengals Over 44.5 (win)
Tampa Bay is in a weak division but needs a big win at home today. Vita Vea is out for the Bucs, which means the Bengals can run up the middle. The Bengals had a few injury scares, but Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins should play today. Ja’Marr Chase is back in the mix, and the Bengals should score today. Tampa has been struggling on offense, but they face a Bengals defense without Trey Henderson and Logan Wilson up front. The Bengals are also without their nickel cornerbacks today, making it very hard for them to stop Tom Brady on third down. Both teams should move the ball well on offense to score points. We will take the Over, and we will also take Tampa. The public is all over the Bengals, but the Bucs are a great value getting 3.5 points at home. It’s a perfect day for football in Tampa. Take the Bucs and the Over.