Picks for 12/21/25
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 115
Bucs -3 over Panthers (loss)
Who would have ever thought the Panthers would be in playoff contention this late into the season? There are no moral victories in the NFL, but the Panthers’ season has already been a success. Tampa was favored to be a Super Bowl contender just a few short months ago, but injury and bad play derailed them. Luckily for the Bucs, their best receivers are all back healthy. Baker Mayfield has many options to throw the ball to. On the other side, Bryce Young doesn’t have many reliable targets with David Moore still on IR. The Panthers’ offensive line has been thin all season long as three starters remain on the sidelines. Vita Vea will look to stop the run, and the Bucs defense will force Bryce Young to beat them. Tampa is a little bit more experienced and has the talent edge across the board. I don’t think Carolina can keep up on the scoreboard and will make a game-changing mistake to secure Tampa the win. Take the Bucs.
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 115
Bucs -3 over Panthers (loss)
Who would have ever thought the Panthers would be in playoff contention this late into the season? There are no moral victories in the NFL, but the Panthers’ season has already been a success. Tampa was favored to be a Super Bowl contender just a few short months ago, but injury and bad play derailed them. Luckily for the Bucs, their best receivers are all back healthy. Baker Mayfield has many options to throw the ball to. On the other side, Bryce Young doesn’t have many reliable targets with David Moore still on IR. The Panthers’ offensive line has been thin all season long as three starters remain on the sidelines. Vita Vea will look to stop the run, and the Bucs defense will force Bryce Young to beat them. Tampa is a little bit more experienced and has the talent edge across the board. I don’t think Carolina can keep up on the scoreboard and will make a game-changing mistake to secure Tampa the win. Take the Bucs.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 129-130
Bengals/Dolphins Over 48.5 (win)
The Bengals had a small window to make the playoffs, and ultimately failed. It’s too bad Joe Burrow was hurt for a good portion of the year, but injuries are a part of the game. Burrow is back healthy and, luckily for him, has his main receivers, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, both playing today. The Bengals have a good coaching staff and can chalk this year up to injuries. The Dolphins, on the other hand, might have a regime change soon. We will get our first look at QB Quinn Ewers today. The only thing that might save Mike McDaniel’s job over the next few weeks is an Ewers success story. The playbook will be open. One glaring weakness both teams have is the lack of talent on the defensive front seven. Trey Hendrickson is out for the Bengals. Joseph Ossai is out, and BJ Hill is not at full strength. The Dolphins shipped off Jaelan Phillips, and top tackler Jordyn Brooks didn’t practice due to a foot injury. Both teams are down a few key secondary players, so I expect a lot of points today, given the perfect conditions. The offenses should score enough to make it a high-scoring game. Take the Over.
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 129-130
Bengals/Dolphins Over 48.5 (win)
The Bengals had a small window to make the playoffs, and ultimately failed. It’s too bad Joe Burrow was hurt for a good portion of the year, but injuries are a part of the game. Burrow is back healthy and, luckily for him, has his main receivers, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, both playing today. The Bengals have a good coaching staff and can chalk this year up to injuries. The Dolphins, on the other hand, might have a regime change soon. We will get our first look at QB Quinn Ewers today. The only thing that might save Mike McDaniel’s job over the next few weeks is an Ewers success story. The playbook will be open. One glaring weakness both teams have is the lack of talent on the defensive front seven. Trey Hendrickson is out for the Bengals. Joseph Ossai is out, and BJ Hill is not at full strength. The Dolphins shipped off Jaelan Phillips, and top tackler Jordyn Brooks didn’t practice due to a foot injury. Both teams are down a few key secondary players, so I expect a lot of points today, given the perfect conditions. The offenses should score enough to make it a high-scoring game. Take the Over.
NFL
4:25 PM EST
Rotation # 125-126
Steelers/Lions Under 52.5
A Lions loss will more or less eliminate them, and a Steelers loss will bring their playoff odds down to a coin flip. It’s not a playoff game, but it’s a playoff game. Both teams have issues with their offensive lines. Dylan Cook is not 100 percent committed to Pittsburgh, and key starters are on IR. The Steelers aren’t built on big, explosive plays because the offensive line isn’t good enough to give the QB time. The Lions have issues at Center, as Graham Glasgow is dealing with a knee injury, and Taylor Decker doesn’t even practice during the week because his shoulder is a mess. Detroit has dealt with injuries in the secondary all year, but the front seven, led by Aidan Hutchinson, has been good enough to combat the lack of talent on the backend by putting pressure on the quarterback. This is not the type of game you can mess around and take a bunch of silly chances in. Every possession counts. I don’t think it will be a snooze fest, but a lot has to go just right for 53 points to hit the board. Let’s hope there is no funny business with no quick defensive scores. Take the Under.
4:25 PM EST
Rotation # 125-126
Steelers/Lions Under 52.5
A Lions loss will more or less eliminate them, and a Steelers loss will bring their playoff odds down to a coin flip. It’s not a playoff game, but it’s a playoff game. Both teams have issues with their offensive lines. Dylan Cook is not 100 percent committed to Pittsburgh, and key starters are on IR. The Steelers aren’t built on big, explosive plays because the offensive line isn’t good enough to give the QB time. The Lions have issues at Center, as Graham Glasgow is dealing with a knee injury, and Taylor Decker doesn’t even practice during the week because his shoulder is a mess. Detroit has dealt with injuries in the secondary all year, but the front seven, led by Aidan Hutchinson, has been good enough to combat the lack of talent on the backend by putting pressure on the quarterback. This is not the type of game you can mess around and take a bunch of silly chances in. Every possession counts. I don’t think it will be a snooze fest, but a lot has to go just right for 53 points to hit the board. Let’s hope there is no funny business with no quick defensive scores. Take the Under.
NFL
8:20 PM EST
Rotation # 114
Ravens -3 over Patriots
8:20 PM EST
Rotation # 114
Ravens -3 over Patriots
Ravens/Patriots Over 48.5
We have a two-part side and a total. No parlays as always. The Patriots are coming off a demoralizing loss at home in a game they thought they had wrapped up in the first quarter. Drake Maye is an outstanding young talent with a great receiving room and a running game good enough to keep the defense honest. The Ravens’ secondary has struggled, so Maye could have a big night. Baltimore runs the ball well with Derek Henry and the ability of QB Lamar Jackson to take off. That threat keeps defenses guessing, which allows the receivers to do damage. New England is in a great spot, while Baltimore must win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. M&T Bank Stadium will be electric tonight. Look for a hard-fought, high-scoring battle. The Ravens need to limit the silly self-inflicted turnovers if they want to be playing a month from now. Take Baltimore. Take the Over. Both straight bets, no parlay.
We have a two-part side and a total. No parlays as always. The Patriots are coming off a demoralizing loss at home in a game they thought they had wrapped up in the first quarter. Drake Maye is an outstanding young talent with a great receiving room and a running game good enough to keep the defense honest. The Ravens’ secondary has struggled, so Maye could have a big night. Baltimore runs the ball well with Derek Henry and the ability of QB Lamar Jackson to take off. That threat keeps defenses guessing, which allows the receivers to do damage. New England is in a great spot, while Baltimore must win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. M&T Bank Stadium will be electric tonight. Look for a hard-fought, high-scoring battle. The Ravens need to limit the silly self-inflicted turnovers if they want to be playing a month from now. Take Baltimore. Take the Over. Both straight bets, no parlay.