Picks for 12/22/24
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 114
Commanders +4 over Eagles (win)
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 114
Commanders +4 over Eagles (win)
The Eagles are still hopeful of getting the #1 seed, but the Commanders are in a more desperate situation. They are currently holding on to the last playoff spot and can be a shoo-in for the postseason with a win at home. It will be a cold afternoon in Landover, MD, so both defenses should have the upper hand. The Eagles run the ball very well, so it’s up to the Commanders to stuff the box and slow down Saquon Barkley. The Eagles kryptonite is their passing game, which ranks among the teams eliminated from the playoffs weeks ago. It’s hard to win on the road against a divisional rivalry when you are not a balanced attack. The Commanders are a great running team, but I have more faith in Jayden Daniels’s arm now than Jalen Hurts. It’s not a matter of skill but schemes called by the offensive coordinators. Washington is a generous dog at home. Take the Commanders.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 116
Falcons -9.5 over Giants (win)
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 116
Falcons -9.5 over Giants (win)
The Falcons would be out of the playoffs if the season ended today. However, if they can win today, Atlanta will boost their stock. The Giants are playing for the #1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Atlanta benched Kurt Cousins after their game last week, which is an interesting decision after a win. I am shocked the oddsmakers made the Falcons this big of a favorite, with rookie QB Micahel Penix getting the start, but it is a testament to how bad the Giants are. The Giants have played the QB carousel for weeks, and the running game is below average. The Falcon’s defense should be able to hold New York to a few points. Atlanta has a great running game, which will take the pressure off the young rookie QB. The Giant defense is weak, so there isn’t a better team to face when trying to get a quarterback’s confidence up. The Giants have packed it in for the year and will show no killer instinct once they get down. Take the Falcons.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 119-120
Rams/Jets Over 47 (loss)
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 119-120
Rams/Jets Over 47 (loss)
If the season were to end today, the Rams would be sitting pretty in the fourth spot, but there is a lot of football left as the Seattle Seahawks are on their tail. The Rams will look to run Kyren Williams against a struggling Jets front seven that isn’t at full strength. Matthew Stafford can then find a handful of talented receivers down the field. It will be a cold day, but the wind won’t be terrible. Nothing slows down a game like the wind. The Jets have nothing to play for, but Aaron Rodgers will compete and get to pick on a Rams defense that isn’t great against the run. Breece Hall will look to have a big game himself. Both teams will have the ability to be well-balanced as they can be unpredictable. Look for both teams to do enough to make it a high-scoring affair. Take the Over.
NFL
4:25 PM EST
Rotation # 127
Jags +2.5 over Raiders (loss)
4:25 PM EST
Rotation # 127
Jags +2.5 over Raiders (loss)
The Jaguars have shown signs of life after Trevor Lawrence went down for the year. Mac Jones has held his own. Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne are a good 1-2 punch and should be able to soften up a Raiders defense without Max Crosby. The Jaguars don’t have a talented receivers room, but they do get the luxury of facing off against a Vegas secondary nursing a lot of injuries. The Raider’s offense is lacking, as their running game has a lot of talent on the sidelines for the rest of the season. Vegas has not scored over 20 points in a game for six weeks, so any team they play has a chance. Neither team has anything to play for, but if you are Jacksonville making a trip across the country, you should play to win. I don’t trust the Raiders coaching staff. Take the Jaguars.
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