10*

This is a 10* play on the Buffalo Bills.

The Steelers perfect record went up in smoke in last week's loss to the Redskins, and playing on the road in Buffalo this week looks like a let down spot for a Steelers team that is a little banged up. With an 11-1 record the Steelers can afford to be complacent, and they might not be able to match the intensity of a hungry Buffalo team. The Steelers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games in December, while the Bills are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a home favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland has run over it's opponents this season, and last week they ran for 231 yards in a 10-7 win over Houston. The final score is a little misleading, as Cleveland never trailed in the game, and only allowed a late touchdown when the game was already out of reach. Nick Chubb wisely passed on a potential TD at the end of the game, allowing the Browns to kneel and run out the clock. The Eagles gave up over 150 yards and three rushing TDs in a loss to the Giants last week, and they have to be having second thoughts about the future of Carson Wentz. Baker Mayfield has his fair share of critics, but so far this season he has a higher QBR (71.4) than Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Phillip Rivers. He's within a few decimal points of Tom Brady (71.8). The recipe for success in Cleveland is less is more for Baker Mayfield. Expect that trend to continue and the Browns to run all over Philly in Week 11.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Cleveland.

There is a lot of talk about how good the Colts are on defense, and we will find out just how good they really are this week. Their stats are skewed afte playing teams with a combined record of 5-11. I don't think Indy has any business being a road favorite at a 3-1 Cleveland team that is 2-0 at home and has averaged 31 points per game this season. The Browns running game has been dominant, unlike any team that the Colts have faced this season. Baker Mayfield takes a lot of flack for throwing a lot of picks, but let me tell you he has a long way to go to catch up to Phillip Rivers. Rivers has thrown three INTs in four games so far, and he's struggled to protect the football his entire career. In fact, he's thrown 201 INTs in 232 career starts. He's averaged an INT per game over the last three seasons.

Take CLE.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the San Francisco 49ERS.

The Chiefs come into Super Bowl LIV as favorites, despite the fact that San Francisco has a better record. The 49ers are statistically better both on offense and defense, and they appear to have very few weaknesses. One thing that San Francisco doesn't have is Patrick Mahomes. There is no doubt that Mahomes is the one player that is most likely to directly influence the result of this game. As difficult as it is for me to bet against Mahomes, I am more than a little concerned about just how much pressure he will be facing. The 49ers don't need a great game from their quarterback, or any single player. If their defensive line can control the line of scrimmage the way they did against Green Bay, Mahomes might not be able to save the Chiefs. Kansas City has been very impressive in these playoffs, but let's not forget that they fell into a big hole in both their wins over Houston and Tennessee. It might not be so easy to come from behind against this San Francisco team.  

Take SF.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the 49ers.

The Packers took advantage of a banged up Seattle team at home, and they barely hung on in the second half of that game. Seattle outscored them 20-7 after halftime, and they will need to avoid another blowout loss in San Francisco. The 49ers beat them by 29 points in San Francisco earlier in the season. Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times and threw for just 104 yards on 20-of-33 passing. As much as you could call this a revenge game, the Packers might not be equipped to do anything about the ferocious San Francisco pass rush. The Packers are thin at several key positions, and they have a rookie head coach. An interesting stat to keep in mind is that over the last five seasons, seven times we've seen Conference Championship games featuring teams that played during the regular season. The team that won the first meeting has won six of those seven games.

Take SF.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Seattle Seahawks.

The Packers will be four point favorite at home versus Seattle, and this is a game that figures to be decided in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks beat the Packers by a score of 27-24 at home last year, and the last time these two teams met in the playoffs the Seahawks won in overtime in a thriller. As much as Green Bay has the home field advantage, the Seahawks won seven of eight games on the road this season. The Seahawks are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 road games. At this point it appears that Russell Wilson is a better quarterback than Aaron Rodgers, and the defense looked great in Philly last week. The Packers deserve to be the favorite, but it might be wise to take the points in a game that could go either way.

Take SEA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The Titans held the Patriots scoreless in the second half at Foxboro on Wild Card Weekend, and Derek Henry ran wild. Mike Vrabel will likely look to continue to pound away with his power running game, especially given the weather here in Baltimore. The Ravens are perfectly comfortable running the ball, and with both teams leaning on the run we should see the clock run. The Ravens defense held opponents to just over 17 points per game this season, while Tennessee allowed just over 20 points per game. Lamar Jackson tore up the league this year, but it remains to be seen if that success will translate in the post-season. It didn't last year, in a 23-17 loss to the Chargers. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes for 194 yards, 2 TDs and an INT. Both his touchdowns came in garbage time after the Ravens trailed 23-3 in the fourth quarter. The under is 5-1 in the Titans last six playoff road games, and the Ravens have gone under in six straight home playoff games.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on NYG.

If you checked last Sunday's scores, you might think that the Eagles beat the Cowboys last week? Well I watched that game quite closely, and let me tell you that Dallas beat the Cowboys. Poor decisions from head coach Jason Garrett beat the Cowboys. A boat load of dropped balls by the Dallas receivers beat the Cowboys. On a crucial 3rd and 1 late in the game, with Dallas having an opportunity to take the lead, they ran a toss to Tony Pollard that lost yards. Zeke Elliott was on the bench. Philly is a mess, banged up in the secondary and in their receiving corps. Zack Ertz has fractured ribs, and they come into New York asked to cover a bunch of points. My money is on Danny Dimes and Saquon to terrorize this Eagles team, and I think the Giants win outright.

Take NYG.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Cleveland Browns.

After losing 21-7 at Cleveland two weeks ago, you might call this a revenge game for the Steelers. The truth is that they might not have the personnel to compete with Cleveland. This isn't the same team that has won five of their last six overall. They will miss their leading rusher, their top wide receiver and they have a third string quarterback under center. Cleveland is now looking for a fourth straight win, and Baker Mayfield has turned his season around. He's thrown seven TD passes with just one INT in his last three starts. The Browns are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six versus Pittsburgh.

Take CLE.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Dallas Cowboys.

During the Brady and Belichick era, no matter who the Patriots played on any given Sunday, they could always say they have the better quarterback. Now 10 games into the 2019 season, and it's a tough argument to make that Brady is better than Dak (currently). Even in a 28-24 loss to the Vikings, Prescott threw for 397 yards and three TDs. While Zeke has been underperforming, Prescott has been carrying the Cowboys. The Patriots on the other hand have had to lean on their defense, and Belichick's genius. The result has been an offense that is ranked 17th in the NFL in total yards. The Cowboys rank 1st overall in total yards. New England is tough to beat at home, but I think they are being asked to cover too many points here against a dangerous opponent.

Take DAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the NYG.

The Cowboys will be a huge road favorite in New York on Monday night, despite the fact that Dallas has lost three of it's last four overall. The Giants are just 2-6, but they have improved tremendously since Daniel Jones took over at QB. They are coming off four straight losses after Jones won his first two starts, but both of their last two losses came in games decided by less than seven points. Saquon Barkley was injured for two of the last four losses, but perhaps for the first time Jones will have his star running back at full strength. The Cowboys have lost two of three road games including a loss in New York to the Jets. They have no business being favored by more than a TD here.

Take NYG.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the #NYG.

The Giants are just 2-4, but they still have a shot in the NFC East, with Dallas and Philly sitting at just 3-3. The Cardinals on the other hand aren't going anywhere, with a stranglehold on last place on the NFC West. Both Daniel Jones and Kyler Murray have given their teams reason to be optimistic about the future, but Jones has showed the world why he was drafted 6th overall in the first round, and he's been more consistent than Murray. When you consider what he's had to work with, his performance is even more impressive. This week he's going to have Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram back. He's going up against an Arizona defense that ranks 30th in the NFL against the pass. While the Giants defense is stastically just as bad, they have played tougher opposition, and they have scored significantly more points of their own. This is a tough spot for an NFC West team traveling to the East Coast for an early game. All signs point to a blowout win for the Giants.

Take NYG.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Pittsburgh.

I was impressed with the Steelers last week in San Francisco. That was a game they were not supposed to win, but they came ever so close. Mason Rudolph played well, gaining confidence in the second half. This might be a battle of two 0-3 teams, but the Steelers are in a lot better shape than Cinci. At this point there's nothing left to be positive about if you are a Bengals fan.

Take PIT.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Seattle.

The New Orleans Saints travel across the country to play in Seattle, where the Seahawks have been quite formidable over the last decade. With Drew Brees sidelined by a thumb injury, the Saints have annouced that they intend to split the snaps between Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill. While some might think that sounds "dynamic", to me it reeks of desperation. They don't have the confidence in Bridgewater to name him the starter, and their offense is likely to be a shambles. Their defense wasn't impressive in a Week 1 win over Houston, giving up over 400 yards, and last week's loss to the Rams wasn't much better.

Take SEA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The first Sunday Night Football game of the season features a pair of Super Bowl contenders and a couple of aging Hall of Fame quarterbacks. You might think that these teams have lit up the scoreboard in previous meetings, but that hasn't been the case. Four of the last five meetings have gone under the total dating back to 2013. The last time these teams met the Steelers won by a score of 17-10 last December. Big Ben threw for 235 yards, two TDs and a pair of INTs in the win. Brady was even more pedestrian, throwing for 279 yards, a TD and an INT in the loss. The Steelers have managed to find ways to win without LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown, but there is no denying that they aren't as talented as they once were. The Patriots will be getting used to life without Gronk, and Sony Michel should play a bigger role in this year's offense. The Patriots have failed to reach the total in four of their last five at Foxboro.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on New England.

Why do you think the Rams beat the Saints? Are you one of those conspiracy theorists that believes the only reason the Rams are playing in the Super Bowl is because a referee missed a call at the end of the NFC Championship Game? If that's what you believe, then I think you are missing something. You have to give credit where credit is due, and I think it's fair to say that Jared Goff outplayed Drew Brees. I also think it's pretty clear that Sean McVay outcoached Sean Payton. I don't think the Rams can count on winning the quarterback battle or the coaching battle here against Brady and Belichick. My money is on experience over youth, and I expect Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to turn back the clock.

Props include:
- Todd Gurley anytime TD.
- Sony Michel anytime TD.
- Gronkowski over 3.5 receptions.
- Tom Brady over 1.5 TDs. 

Take NE.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Colts.

Patrick Mahomes will probably win the MVP Award this season, but there is no way anybody can convince me that he's a better quarterback than Andrew Luck. I've seen rookie quarterbacks like Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin and Jameis Winston go from boom to bust overnight. The fact is that Mahomes walked into an offense that was already one of the league's best when Alex Smith was the quarterback. Players like Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt have contributed to the success of Mahomes. Without Hunt, the Chiefs haven't been the same. They were held to just 10 points in the first half of a loss at Seattle, and they needed a miracle to beat the Ravens at home. Mahomes was outgunned by Phillip Rivers in a home loss to the Chargers. Now he faces a veteran gunslinger in Andrew Luck, and a Colts defense that has allowed 10 points per game over their last six overall. The Chiefs 28th ranked run defense faces a running back that ran for 148 yards and a TD on 24 carries against the Texans last week.

Take Indy.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Chicago Bears. 

Can you believe that the Eagles are back in the playoffs, and last year's Super Bowl MVP is once against playing like one of the league's best quarterbacks. Nick Foles is capable of being great (at times) but let's not get carried away when we compare him to other great quarterbacks. The Bears have wins over the Packers and the Seahawks, and Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers have been consistently great for their entire careers spanning the better part of the last decade. Nick Foles on the other hand has had a handful of great games in an otherwise mediocre career. He comes into Chicago nursing sore ribs, and he's in serious danger of taking a beating today. I like the Bears to win big at Soldier Field.

Take CHI.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the LA Chargers.

Lamar Jackson has turned things around for the Baltimore Ravens, who might not have made the playoffs without him. I am not convinced he is the quarterback of the future for this franchise though, as I have seen this script before. It seems like nobody remembers his teammate RGIII early in his career in Washington. As exciting as it is when he eludes defenders and picks up big gains with his athletic ability, he's nothing short of a disaster in the passing game. He matches up against a potential future Hall of Famer in Phillip Rivers, and heaven forbid if he needs to rally his team late (as Rivers has done countless times in the past). The Ravens defense is statistically the best in the NFL, but they almost didn't survive in a must win game against the Browns last week. Baker Mayfield lit them up for 376 yards and three scores. I expect Rivers to be just as good here in this Wild Card game.

Take LAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Indianapolis Colts.

The Titans may have won four straight, but those wins came against the Jets, Jags, Giants and Redskins. Not only have they built their winning streak against some of the weaker teams in the NFL, many of those wins were far from impressive. They trailed at home against the Redskins last week, and they were losing 16-6 at the half in a home win over the Jets a few weeks ago. The Colts have won eight of their last nine overall, including a 38-10 win over Tennessee. They led 24-3 at halftime in that game, and Andrew Luck threw for 297 yards and three TDs on 23-of-29 passing. The Colts last road game was a 24-21 win over the Texans in Houston, and they led 17-7 at the half in that game. If Marcus Mariota is healthy enough to start this game, he might not finish it. The Titans leading receiver Corey Davis is also banged up, and keeping up with Andrew Luck is going to be a tough ask for Tennessee.

Take IND.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Minnesota Vikings.

I took Minnesota +3.5 when they lost 25-20 at Chicago a few weeks ago. A missed two-point conversion at the end of the game cost me the cover. Here is what I said before kickoff: "The Bears have looked really good this season, coming into this weekend's home game against the Vikings with a 6-3 record, sitting first in the NFC North. The Vikings are hot on their heels, and at 5-3-1 they have navigated a much tougher schedule. Two of those three losses came against the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the league (Saints and Rams). Coming off a bye week, Minnesota is as healthy as it has been all year. Dalvin Cook is back, and he had over 100 yards from scrimmage in the win over Detroit. Minnesota has had success on the road, they are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games. The most significant number to me is ZERO! That's the number of wins Chicago has versus teams with a winning record this season. The Bears are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 versus teams with a winning record." The Bears have since won four of five games, including road wins at Detroit and San Francisco. This will be the Bears first road game against a team with a winning record. They have lost at Miami and at New York (Giants). It's hard to beat a team twice, and that is going to be especially true given what's at stake for the Vikings here.

Take MINNY.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The Seahawks return home with a bitter taste in their mouth after losing in overtime at San Francisco. They might just get back on track against a Chiefs team that appears to be vulnerable. I bet against the Chiefs last week, and here is what I said prior to their loss to LA: "The Chiefs offense has been flying high all season, but they come into Thursday's home game against the Chargers a little banged up. They lost one of their most dangerous weapons when they released Kareem Hunt, and Spencer Ware has been pretty mediocre filling his place. Now they might not even have Ware or Sammy Watkins for this game, and if my memory serves me correctly I seem to recall Tyreek Hill limping off the field with a sprained ankle in overtime on Sunday." Patrick Mahomes gets a lot of attention with his "no look" passes, and the rest of his "hot dog" antics. He could be in for a rough ride here in a cold weather game in the Emerald City.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* (GOY) play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The Steelers got it done with their defense in a 17-10 home win over New England last week, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Saints high flying offense has been grounded in recent weeks, losing to Dallas, scoring three points in the first half at Tampa, and then last week they trailed Carolina 7-6 at halftime. The bookmakers seem to be ignoring that here in this game with a total between 55-60. This is a big game for both teams, and both defenses are dialed in. I'll fade the inflated number.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the LAC.

I bet on the Chargers on TNF last week, and they pulled off an amazing comeback to beat the Chiefs. Here is what I said prior to that game: "The Chargers defense has been solid all year, and they rank in the Top 10 in the league versus the pass, allowing just 225 yards per game. The Chargers have covered the spread in four straight road games, and the road team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven head to head meetings" The Ravens played the Chiefs a week earlier, and they lost in overtime by a score of 27-24. Lamar Jackson played well in Kansas City, throwing for 147 yards and two TDs on 13-of-24 passing. He had thrown three picks and just one TD pass in his previous three starts, and he had a mediocre game against a terrible Tampa Bay team last week. I don't think this rookie can keep his team in the game against Phillip Rivers and a Chargers defense that ranks among the best in the NFL. A healthy Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon will be a huge boost for the home team.

Take LAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Panthers.

Most people still consider the Saints to be the best team in the NFL, but if there is one weakness it is Drew Brees on the road. A week after losing to Dallas, the Saints put up just three poins in the first half at Tampa Bay. They went on to rally for a win and cover in the second half of that game, but tonight they face a different monster. Cam Newton and Riverboat Ron are still alive in the playoff hunt, and they won't be an easy out here at home in Carolina.

Take CAR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* GOY play on the Vikings.

The Seahawks are rolling, coming into Monday's home game against the Vikings riding a three game winning streak. Two of those three wins came by just three points, and none of those games were against a team with a winning record. The Vikes are coming off a loss to the Patriots at Foxboro, and they really need to get back on track here in Seattle. Minnesota has won two of it's last three on the road, and the one loss came by just five points against the Bears. A missed two-point convert cost the Vikes the cover in that game. This should be a good game between two evenly matched teams, and I'll take the points with a desperate Minnesota team.

Take MINNY.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Over the total.

When I saw the total open at 43 for Monday's game between Washington and Philly, I assumed that bad weather must be in the forecast in the City of Brotherly Love. That's not the case though, and I think the bookmakers are overreacting to the injury to Alex Smith. The Redskins are still tied for first place in the division, and it's not like Alex Smith was lighting it up when they were winning games. Smith averaged 206 yards per game on 62.5 percent passing, averaging 6.6 yards per pass. McCoy has completed 60 percent of his passes, and has averaged 6.4 yards per pass. On Thanksgiving Day in Dallas, he threw for 268 yards and two TDs, but was picked off three times. He matches up against a Philly team that is very thin in the secondary, and I expect him to have some success moving the ball. These teams actually have a history of playing high scoring games, going over in four of the last five meetings, and four straight meetings in Philly. The total for this game is far lower than it was in any of the previous 10 meetings. I'll fade this low number.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Over the total.

The Eagles will need to score plenty of points if they want to hang with the Saints at the Superdome on Sunday. That's even more true given all the injuries in the secondary for Philly. Carson Wentz might have some success against a Saints defense that was lit up for 391 yards by Jared Goff in a 45-35 win in their last home game. The Saints have scored 40+ in three of their four home games this season. These two teams have gone over the total in six of the last eight head to head meetings, and Philly won the last meeting by a score of 39-17. I expect the Eagles to score their share here in a shootout in the BIG EASY!

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the New Orleans Saints.

The Rams bring an 8-0 record into the Super Dome, and this game has all the signs of a let down spot for an undefeated team. LA is actually a favorite against the 6-1 Saints, and that's a little shocking when you consider it's Jared Goff versus All Time Passing Leader Drew Brees. The Saints haven't just been winning, they have beaten the likes of Minnesota and Baltimore on the road during their six game winning streak. The Rams got off to a slow start in last week's home win over Green Bay, a game that could have easily gone the other way. Anybody who knows anything about betting the NFL, would know that almost every team is capable of having a bad game. There's only one team in NFL history to have a perfect season (72 Dolphins). Chances are that the Rams will lose a game, and this looks like the spot for exactly that to happen.

Take NO.

GL,

Jesse Schule.

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The Vikings defense hasn't been as good this year as it was when they beat New Orleans 29-19 in Week 1 last year. They also won a thriller in the playoffs, winning on a walkoff TD by Stephan Diggs making it 29-24 (still less than 55 points). That game likely should have finished 24-23 if it wasn't for a miracle 61 yard play. New Orleans looks to be vastly improved on the defensive side of the ball this season, and I think this total appears grossly inflated.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on Denver.

The Broncos aren't rolling over for anybody at home in Mile High Stadium. We saw that two weeks ago when the Broncos held a 10-point advantage in the fourth quarter versus the Kansas City Chiefs. While Kansas City rallied to win that game, it was a lot closer than some might have expected. This week the Rams will travel to Denver, and they are asked to cover even more points than the Chiefs. The Rams have been impressive on offense, but they gave up 31 points to the Vikings and the Seahawks in each of their last two games. LA has yet to be punished for their poor play on defense, coming into Sunday's game with a 5-0 record and the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl. This looks like a bit of a tricky spot though, and asking them to cover more than a TD seems a little overly optimistic. I'll take Denver plus the points.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Cleveland Browns.  I had this game circled back in the beginning of the summer, and since then the money has really come in on the Browns. While it's been a long time since the Browns have actually won a game, they are expected to be a lot better here in 2018. Tyrod Taylor might not be your favorite quarterback, but he's a pretty solid bet as an underdog when you are looking to cover the points as a home dog. Taylor's biggest asset is his dependability, protecting the football and not making many costly mistakes. In a rivalry that has  seen three straight games decided by four points or less, an improved Browns team at home getting points is quite attractive. The Le'Veon Bell situation has gone from bad to worse, with members of the offensive line publicly blasting Bell for putting himself above the team. The Steelers have failed to cover in five of their last seven season openers, and I think they'll have their hands full here in Cleveland.  Take CLE.  GL,  

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Super Bowl to go OVER the total.

While neither of the Conference Championship games saw a combined total of as many as 48 points, both those games were played outdoors in adverse weather conditions in the dead of winter. The Super Bowl will be played indoors, where we last saw the Saints and Vikings tally a combined 53 points in the divisional round of the playoffs. Rather than each team coming in a week removed from their previous game, both teams get a full two weeks to rest, practice and draw up a game plan. The Patriots game plan in their epic come from behind win over the Jags, was to force Blake Bortles to beat them. While they did a pretty good job of containing Leonard Fournette (76 yards on 24 carries), Bortles had one if his best games all year, throwing for 291 yards and a TD on 23-of-36 passing. The Eagles let Nick Foles air it out early and often in their win over the Vikings. Foles threw for 352 yards and three TDs on 26-of-33 passing. He had a lot of success with big plays, and it makes sense for Philly to have the same approach here against the Pats. These two teams have a history of playing high scoring games, going over in four of the last five head to head meetings. The Patriots have gone over the total in eight of their last 10 post season games.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Minnesota Vikings.

The New Orleans Saints hung on to beat the banged up Carolina Panthers last weekend, but they head out on the road to play at Minnesota this Sunday. The Vikings have the advantage of an additional week off to rest and prepare for the Saints. Drew Brees did all the heavy lifting last week, throwing for 376 yards with two TDs and an INT on 23-of-33 passing. The running game failed to gain any traction, and the Panthers held New Orleans to just 41 yards on 22 attempts. Things have changed since the Vikings beat the Saints by a score of 29-19 in Week 1, but the Vikings defense hasn't slipped up at all. Minnesota has held four of it's last five opponents to 10 points or less, and the Vikes rank first overall in total defense. A lot of people will talk about the quarterback matchup between Case Keenum and Drew Brees, and the knee jerk reaction is to say that the Saints have a huge advantage. Keenum hasn't played like a backup quarterback stepping in to be a game manager, he has a higher QBR than Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. The Vikings are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 home games versus a team with a winning road record, and I think their defense will make enough plays to get past the Saints here at home.

Take MINNY.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on the New England Patriots.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have now won eight in a row, and they have narrowly avoided disaster in three straight weeks. Brett Hundley, Andy Dalton and Joe Flacco have lit up the Steelers defense for 28, 20 and 38 points in the last three weeks. Chris Boswell has kicked game winning field goals in the dying seconds in all three of those games. The New England Patriots are visiting Steel Town this week, and Tom Brady is a different animal than the previously mentioned mediocre signal callers. The Pats have owned the Steelers in recent years, winning four straight since 2013, all of those victories coming in games decided by at least seven points. They could be catching the Steelers at a good time, as they have been decimated by injuries to several key defenders. Leading tackler Ryan Shazier suffered a serious spinal cord injury in the win at Cincinnati. After clinching the AFC North with the come from behind win over Baltimore, this could be a let down spot for the Steelers. The Patriots are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games, while the Steelers have failed to cover in four of their last five when coming off a win.

Take NE.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers have now won seven in a row, but four of their last five wins have come in games decided by less than a touchdown. Their come from behind win at Cincinnati on Monday night came at a significant cost. Leading tackler Ryan Shazier was carted off the field with a serious injury, and it was a particularly physical game, heading into a short week. The Ravens have won four of their last five, and the one loss during that span came by a field goal at Tennessee. Joe Flacco has been playing better of late, throwing for 269 yards and a pair of TDs on 23-of-36 passing in last week's win over the Lions. The Ravens have won two of their last three in Pittsburgh, with the one loss coming in a close game (31-27) last December. In fact four of the last five meetings between these teams have been decided by seven points or less. The Ravens have been a strong play in divisional matchups, covering in 10 of their last 12 versus AFC North opponents.

Take BAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the LA Chargers.

The Chargers have won three of their last four against the Cowboys, and two of those three wins came in Dallas. They catch the Boys at a good time, as Ezekiel Elliott is serving a suspension, and LT Tyron Smith and LB Sean Lee have missed the last two games. Lee won't play versus the Chargers, while Smith remains questionable, and is also likely to miss another game. Dak Prescott is finding life in the NFL a whole lot tougher without the security of Elliot running behind the best offensive line in football. He threw for just 145 yards and three INTs on 18-of-31 passing in the loss to the Eagles. The Chargers have won four of their last six games, and Philip Rivers is playing as well as he ever has. The veteran threw for 251 yards and a pair of TDs on 20-of-32 passing in the 54-24 win over the Bills last week. The Chargers defense ranks in the top 10 in the NFL against the pass, and they rank 3rd in the league in sacks. That's terrible news for Dak Prescott who has been sacked 12 times in the last two weeks. There are so many problems for Dallas to address, and just a few days between games. It seems like Mission Impossible for America's Team.

Take LAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles are flying high after picking up Jay Ajayi from the Dolphins. The best team in the NFL got better, while the overrated Cowboys lost their star running back. It's not just the loss of Elliot, but their star left tackle and their best linebacker are also expected to miss this game. Ajayi was brilliant in his debut, running for 77 yards and a TD on just eight carries. Wentz has plenty of weapons to work with, while Dak will be expected to carry the load without much help. The Cowboys are a disaster waiting to happen, and I think their season goes up in smoke on Sunday night.

Take PHI.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go OVER the total.

The Broncos defense used to be called the "no fly zone", but after giving up 51 points in a loss to the Eagles, that nick name is no longer appropriate. The Broncos host the Patriots this week, and with very little left to play for, I expect another half-hearted effort from the defense. The Patriots come in as winner of four straight, and they've played a lot better defense of late. This looks like it could be a tough game for New England to get up for, and the Pats have failed to cover in six of their last eight at Denver. History tells us to expect plenty of scoring when the Patriots are coming off a bye week, as the over is 6-1 in the last seven such situations. New England leads the NFL averaging 302 passing yards per game. As well as they've played defensively in recent weeks, they still rank below average allowing 22.4 points per game this season. I expect to see a high scoring game on Sunday night.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Detroit Lions.

The Lions have lost three straight, but I like their chances of getting back on track on Monday night in Green Bay. The Packers were getting by on smoke and mirrors and Aaron Rodgers magic, but since his injury the reality has set in. Green Bay tried to lean on it's running game in a home loss to New Orleans, and they might look to do the same here. The Lions are one of the best in the NFL when it comes to defending the run, ranking 5th in yards allowed per attempt. Brett Hundley has completed just 52 percent of his passes, with four INTs and just one touchdown pass since coming in to replace Aaron Rodgers. Detroit has an opportunistic defense that can really take advantage of rookie mistakes. Darius Slay and Glover Quinn each have three INTs, and they will be looking to add to those starts here in Green Bay. The Lions may have a losing record, but they should have scored a game winning TD that was controversially reversed against Atlanta, and the potential game winning drive against Pittsburgh stopped short on the five yard line last week against Pittsburgh. Mathew Stafford threw for over 400 yards against the Steelers #1 ranked pass defense, and he should have plenty of success against a banged up Packers defense.

Take DET.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Both the Chiefs and the Texans won in dramatic fashion last week, but after blowing out Tennessee, Houston looks primed to suffer a let down. They face the league's only remaining undefeated team, led by the #1 ranked quarterback and the NFL's leading rusher. Despite impressive offensive performances against New England and Tennessee, Houston still has plenty of issues. Kansas City has won three of their last four versus the Texans, and two of those wins came at Houston. The Chiefs have covered the spread in five of their last seven at Houston, and the road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between the two teams. Kareem Hunt comes in averaging 7.4 yards per carry, and he's already scored six TDs in four games. He should have another big game here on the road at Houston.

Take KC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Tennessee Titans.

My biggest play of Week 1 was on Oakland, and they won by double digits at Tennessee. The Titans played well in that game, they were just matched up against a tough opponent. They head out on the road this week, playing the Jags in Jacksonville. After upsetting Houston by a score of 29-7, some people think the Jags might be for real. Blake Bortles almost lost his job this pre-season, and he failed to impress throwing for just 125 yards with a TD and an INT on 11-of-21 passing in Week 1. Leonard Fournette ran for 100 yards, but averaged a rather pedestrian 3.8 yards per carry. In my opinion, the only thing we learned about Jacksonville in Week 1 was that if you turn the ball over four times, give up a pair of defensive/special teams TDs, they will probably beat you. The Titans offensive line held up, allowing Marcus Mariota to throw for 256 yards on 25-of-41 passing against Oakland. He was sacked just once, and ran for 26 yards and a TD on three carries. The Jags have failed to cover in four of their last five home games, and they are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 2. The Titans should roll here.

Take TEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go UNDER the total.

When the Falcons played the Packers in the NFC Championship game, we saw the highest total in the history of the NFL Playoffs. We saw a lot less scoring than expected in the first half of that game, but both teams exploded to score 41 combined points in the second half. Here is what I said prior to that game: "In order for both teams to score 30+ points, everything has to go right offensively. There's plenty that can go wrong. An injury to a key offensive player (heaven forbid one of the quarterbacks). We could see several drives cut short by turnovers (fumbles or INTs). Or one or both teams could be heavily penalized. Offensive holding penalties, offensive pass interference, unsportsmanlike conduct etc." The Patriots defense ranks 1st in the NFL in points allowed, so we shouldn't expect Atlanta to score at will the way they did against the Packers. While I expect a high scoring game, this number is so inflated, I believe there's a good chance that these teams come up just a little short of the total.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Atlanta Falcons.

The Green Bay Packers did it again in Dallas. They used smoke and mirrors, and Aaron Rodgers magic to escape with a 34-31 win over the Cowboys. Now they gave up 429 yards, and Dak Prescott threw for 302 yards and three TDs. It was the fourth time in five games that an opposing quarterback threw for at least 300 yards on this Green Bay defense. The one exception was when Eli Manning threw for 299 yards at Lambeau a week earlier. Even Sam Bradford and Matt Barkley (Bears backup) have torched the Packers secondary. It could get ugly here in Atlanta, facing the league's #1 offense. The Falcons not only have a stud quarterback, but they can also play defense, and run the football. They say defense wins championships, and that's not good news for Green Bay fans. You rarely see one dimensional teams make it this far in the playoffs, and I think we'll see the Packers magical run come to an end here in the NFC Championship Game.

Take ATL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Le'Veon Bell told reporters this week that he considers himself the "Stephen Curry of football". I don't know about all that, but he certainly is a beast in the backfield for the Steelers. Bell ran for 167 yards and two TDs on 29 carries in a win over Miami last week. He had a rushing and a receiving TD in a win over the Ravens in his previous start. The Steelers will play at Kansas City, and the Chiefs have struggled to stop the run. Kansas City allowed opponents to average 121 rushing yards per game, ranking 26th in the NFL during the regular season. I like Bell's chances of finding "Pay Dirt". He ran for 144 yards on just 18 carries in a 43-14 home win over the Chiefs during the regular season. Kansas City has managed to win a dozen games this season, despite the fact that they have a below average quarterback, not much of a running game, and a lack of talent in the receiving corps. You take a look at some of their wins, and you realize that this team is quite fortunate to have made it this far. They beat Atlanta on a failed PAT that went for two points the other way. They needed to score 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come back and beat the Panthers, and in Week 1 they rallied to beat the Chargers after trailing 21-3 at half time. I don't think the Chiefs can keep on relying on luck here against the NFL's top teams in the playoffs.

Take PIT.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the New York Giants.

Green Bay has scored 30 or more points in four straight games, and comes into Wild Card Weekend as winners of six straight. The Packers success on offense has made everybody forget about how bad this team was in the first half of the season, and there are still plenty of reasons to be concerned about this defense. Mathew Stafford lit up the Packers secondary for 347 yards and two TDs last week, and week earlier Sam Bradford torched them for for 383 yards and three TDs. The week before that it was Chicago's backup Matt Barkley throwing for 362 yards and a pair of TDs. Eli Manning hasn't had his best season, but he's won a pair of Super Bowls and has a reputation for elevating his game in the post-season. He's facing a Packers defense that ranks 31st in the NFL against the pass. Only the Saints gave up more passing yards, and only the Browns conceded more TDs. New York hasn't had a lot of success running the football, but Rahsad Jennings might be to blame for that. Jennings has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, and in recent weeks he's taken a back seat to rookie Paul Perkins. The former UCLA Bruin ran for 102 yards on 21 carries last week, and he's been far more reliable than Jennings down the stretch. As good as the Packers have looked the last few weeks, the old saying is: "Defense Wins Championships". The Giants are the more complete team, and I like their chances of hanging with Green Bay at Lambeau.

Take NYG.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Baltimore Ravens.

While neither of these two teams are going to the playoffs, I like the Ravens to end the season on a high not with a win in Cincinnati. The Bengals are going to rest some injured players, and will be without several key players including: Tyler Eifert, A.J. Green and Vontaze Burfict. The Ravens can finish with a winning record if they win today, and this could be a huge game for veteran receiver Steve Smith, who is expected to retire after this season. Flacco has played well down the stretch, throwing for over 1400 yards with 10 TDs and five INTs in his last five starts. The Ravens won three of those games, with losses at New England and Pittsburgh. The Ravens are 8-0 ATS in their last eight versus division rivals, and that trend should continue here today.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs ran all over the Titans last week, running for 157 yards and two TDs. They led 17-7 at halftime, but ended up losing by a score of 19-17 to Tennessee. They host Denver tonight, needing a victory to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The Broncos are the defending Super Bowl champs, but they are not going to get a chance to defend their title. Denver has really struggled since C.J. Anderson went down with an injury, and they haven't been able to get anything going on the ground with Devontae Booker and Justin Forsett. The Broncos still rank #1 in the NFL against the pass, but they haven't been able to stop the run. Denver ranks 27th in the NFL allowing 117 yards per game. The Chiefs have covered the spread in five straight when coming off a loss.

Take KC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Tampa Bay Bucs.

The Bucs have won five of their last six overall after coming up short in a 26-20 defeat at Dallas on Sunday night. They turned the ball over four times in that loss, putting their defense in a tough spot. Heading into last Sunday's game the Bucs had won five straight, limiting opponents to an average of less than 13 points per game during that span. One of those wins came against New Orleans, and they picked off Drew Brees three times in a 16-11 home win. Brees is coming off a big game on the road at Arizona, but the Cardinals look like a team that has already thrown in the towel. The Bucs are still fighting for a playoff spot, and they should go all out here at the Super Dome. These two teams have gone under the total in 13 of the last 16 meetings, and the Saints have failed to reach the total in seven straight versus teams with a winning record. The Bucs have covered the spread in five straight road games, and four of their last five meetings with the Saints.

Take TB,

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals came into this season expected to be a Super Bowl contender, but here in Week 15 they have just five wins. The Saints come into Arizona with a 5-8 record, but they've lost four of their last five games, and Drew Brees has struggled during that span. Brees is coming off back to back games without a TD pass, throwing a whopping six picks in those losses. He'll face an Arizona defense that ranks #1 overall, and second overall versus the pass. The Saints defense ranks near the bottom of the league, allowing opponents to average over 366 yards per game. While the Cardinals have struggled on the road, they've been pretty good at home, with a record of 4-2-1. Their last home game was a 31-23 win over Washington, and Carson Palmer threw for 300 yards and three TDs on 30-of-46 passing. I think this is a great spot for Palmer and Arizona to bounce back from a tough road loss in bad weather last week.

Take ZONA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

After losing to the Patriots at Foxboro, the Ravens still control their own destiny. They are just one game back of the Steelers in the AFC North, and they play at Pittsburgh next week. They need to win here at home this Sunday against the Eagles, a team that has come crashing back down to earth after a hot start. Carson Wentz appeared to be wise beyond his years in the first half of the season, but he's thrown just four TD passes and nine INTs in his last six starts. He faces one of the NFL's toughest defenses this week, and the Ravens rank 2nd overall with 15 INTs this season. "This is at least where you want to be," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "The opportunity to control your own fate with victory is really what you hope for at this time of the season. Two teams in our division have that -- us and the Steelers. We'll both be fighting for that division championship." The Eagles have failed to cover the spread in four straight, while the Ravens are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games.

Take BAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule.

This is a 10* play on the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens have won four of their last five games, and their only loss during that span came by a score of 27-17 at Dallas. The Patriots are 10-2, but both of those losses came at home in Foxboro. Brady's favorite target Rob Gronkowski is done for the year with a back injury, and I think the Pats are a little overrated here as they get set to host the league's #1 ranked defense. Joe Flacco threw for a season high 381 yards and four TDs on 36-of-47 passing in a blowout win over Miami last Sunday, and he had a big game the last time he faced the Patriots. Baltimore lost 35-31 at New England in the 2014 playoffs, and Flacco threw for 292 yards and four TDs in a losing effort. The Ravens actually held a 14 point lead in that game, but couldn't hang on. Dennis Pitta looked like a man among boys last week, catching nine passes for 90 yards and two TDs. The Ravens defense held Jay Ajayi to just 61 yards on 12 carries, and they picked off Ryan Tannehill three times. This looks like a great spot to take the Ravens getting a bunch of points.

Take BAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Dallas Cowboys 1st Half.

The Giants are the only team in the NFL that has beat the Cowboys, but I don't like their chances of doing it twice. The Giants actually rank 5th in the NFL in rushing defense, holding opponents under 100 yards per game. They got shredded for well over 100 yards in Pittsburgh last week though, and when I look at their schedule I can see those numbers may be skewed. Their six game win streak ended in Steel Town last week, but check out the six teams they beat during that run. The Browns, Rams, Bears, Eagles, and both the Ravens and Bengals who were really banged up. With a schedule like that, it's not surprising they put up some nice numbers. The Cowboys will be looking to avenge this season's only loss, and I expect Zeke to run all over these Giants.

Take DAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Washington Redskins.

Washington was riding a 6-1-1 run heading into Thanksgiving, but they lost to the NFL's best team in Dallas by a score of 31-26. They followed that up with another tough loss on the road at Arizona, and now they face a must win game at Philly if they want to keep any playoff hopes alive. The Eagles have lost five of their last six, and they can't blame the schedule for their struggles. They are coming off a 32-14 loss to the Bengals, and Carson Wentz threw three INTs in that game. The rookie quarterback looked like a seasoned veteran in his first four games, but he's since thrown twice as many picks (10) as TDs (5). The Redskins expect to get Jordan Reed back this week, and he didn't play when the Eagles lost at Washington earlier in the year. Wentz was sacked five times, and only completed 11 passes in the first meeting, and I don't see things changing much this time around. Washington has won four of the last five in this series, and they are 5-0 ATS in those games.

Take WAS.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go OVER the total.

The Panthers are in dead last in the NFC South, and they come into Seattle with one of the league's worst defenses. They are particularly vulnerable against the pass, ranking 27th in the NFL, allowing opponents to average 275 yards per game. Russell Wilson really struggled in Tampa last week, but he had had thrown for over 900 yards with six TDs and no INTs in his previous three games. He threw for 348 yards and three TDs in a win over the Patriots at New England just two weeks ago. These two teams played twice last year, and both those games went over the total. Wilson threw for 366 yards and three TDs on 31-of-48 passing in a 31-24 loss at Carolina in the playoffs. The Panthers have gone over in four of their last five road games, and five straight at Seattle. I think the Seahawks will be forced to throw the ball here in order to take advantage of the Panthers poor secondary, which should result in another high scoring game between these two teams.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders have won five straight, and eight of their last nine overall. Derek Carr threw for 315 yards and two TDs on 26-of-38 passing in a 35-32 win over Carolina last week. The Raiders will host the Buffalo Bills, who just barely beat Jacksonville last week. Buffalo leads the NFL in rushing, averaging 157 yards per game. Buffalo is 3-3 on the road this year, but those wins came against the Patriots without Brady, the Bengals without A.J. Green, and against the 4-7 Rams. The Raiders do not look all that impressive defensively, but they have the talent to come up with key plays. DE Khalil Mack has nine sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his last eight games. The Bills have failed to cover in four straight versus Oakland, and four of their last five overall. The Raiders have covered the spread in four of their last five games.

Take OAK.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go OVER the total.
The Cowboys have won 10 in a row, but that streak can't last forever. Dallas will lose, it's just a matter of when. There will be plenty of situational handicappers picking Minnesota to record the upset here at home, but I just don't think the Vikes match up well versus Dallas. The Cowboys weakness is that they are vulnerable against the pass, but the Vikings rank 25th in the league in passing. Their running game is even worse, ranking dead last in the NFL rushing. They won't have any choice but to pass, and that could result short possessions, taking little time off the clock and handing the ball right back to the mighty Cowboy's offense. As good as the Vikings defense is, the Vikes have given up 20+ points in five of their last six games. During that span they've only held one team under 100 rushing yards, and that was Detroit. They'll have their hands full tonight against the best offensive line in football, and I can't see them stopping Dallas from piling up the yards and scoring plenty of points. The Cowboys have scored at least 27 points in seven straight games, and not even the Baltimore Ravens #1 ranked defense was able to stop them. I am expecting a shootout in Minny.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys have won 10 in a row, but that streak can't last forever. Dallas will lose, it's just a matter of when. There will be plenty of situational handicappers picking Minnesota to record the upset here at home, but I just don't think the Vikes match up well versus Dallas. The Cowboys weakness is that they are vulnerable against the pass, but the Vikings rank 25th in the league in passing. Their running game is even worse, ranking dead last in the NFL rushing. They won't have any choice but to pass, and that could result short possessions, taking little time off the clock and handing the ball right back to the mighty Cowboy's offense. As good as the Vikings defense is, the Vikes have given up 20+ points in five of their last six games. During that span they've only held one team under 100 rushing yards, and that was Detroit. They'll have their hands full tonight against the best offensive line in football, and I can't see them stopping Dallas from piling up the yards and scoring plenty of points. The Cowboys have scored at least 27 points in seven straight games, and not even the Baltimore Ravens #1 ranked defense was able to stop them. I am expecting the Cowboys to win in a shootout in Minny.

Take Dallas.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Denver Broncos.

I am not going to mince words, I think the Chiefs are a FRAUD! They aren't anywhere near as good as their 7-3 record would indicate. They trailed by double digits in wins over San Diego and Carolina, but rallied to win those games. Falling behind here in Denver could prove to be fatal, as this defense doesn't often blow leads. The Broncos are coming off a bye week, and that extra time to rest an prepare for the Chiefs should give them a huge advantage. Derek Wolfe and Aqib Talib are back for the Broncos, while Tamba Hali, Marcus Peters, Dee Ford and Jeremy Maclin are all banged up for Kansas City. Alex Smith has not played well at all, and playing on the road against the Super Bowl champs isn't going to be easy for the struggling quarterback. The Broncos are 6-1-1 in their last eight home games, while the Chiefs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games versus a team with a winning home record.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders are 8-2, and quarterback Derek Carr is making a case for NFL MVP. He threw for 295 yards, three TDs and just one INT in last week's win over the Texans in Mexico City. I expect Carr to put up big numbers here at home today against a Carolina defense that is reeling after losing Luke Keuchly. Carolina has really missed Josh Norman, and the Panthers come into this game at Oakland ranked 21st in the league versus the pass. They've lost three of four road games so far this season, and haven't covered the spread on the road in eight straight dating back to last season. The reigning MVP has really struggled all year, and last week against the Saints he completed just 42 percent of his passes for 192 yards and a TD. That's not likely going to be good enough to keep up with Carr and the Raiders high powered passing game.

Take OAK.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle has won three straight, and Russell Wilson has thrown for 902 yards with six TDs and no INTs during this winning streak. Wilson had been limited by a knee injury earlier this season, but since he regained his mobility, he's been a handful for opposing defenses. The Bucs have lost two of their last three home games, and they gave up at total of 73 points in those losses. Tampa's defense ranks 24th in the NFL allowing 26 points per game. I don't like the Bucs chances of stopping Seattle, and it's going to be tough for Tampa to score enough point to keep this game close. Jameis Winston hasn't seen a defense like Seattle's since he played at home versus Denver in the first week of October. He threw for 179 yards on 17-of-35 passing, with two picks and no TDs in a 27-7 loss in that game. He was even worse against Arizona, throwing four picks in a 40-7 loss in Week 2. Seattle has covered the spread in five straight games in November, and the Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five at Tampa.

Take SEA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go OVER the total.

The Cowboys have now won nine straight, and they've been unstoppable on offense during that span. They rank 3rd in the league in scoring, averaging over 28 points per game. They've scored at least 27 points in six straight games, and that trend should continue here at home against the Redskins #22 ranked defense. They'll likely need to score plenty to beat the Redskins, who are one of the leagues highest scoring teams. Kirk Cousins ranks 3rd in the league in passing, and he should be primed to put up big numbers against an injury depleted Dallas secondary. Jordan Reed is a matchup nightmare, and the Washington TE caught five passes for 70 yards in a 27-23 home loss to Dallas earlier in the year. Cousins has been playing far better since that game, and he's got plenty of weapons with DeSean Jackson back and healthy, Jamison Crowder and Pierre Garcon. These two teams have gone over the total in three of the last four head to head meetings, and Washington has gone over in eight of it's last 10 overall.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Washington Redskins.

The Packers have lost three straight, allowing an average of 37 points per game during that span. Aaron Rodgers has been struggling, and he was picked off twice in an ugly loss at Tennessee last week. Without any real threat in the running game, opposing defenses have been able to put a ton of pressure on Rodgers. He was sacked five times in last week's loss to the Titans. Washington is 5-1-1 in it's last seven overall, and the Skins have won three straight at home during that span. Kirk Cousins is playing a lot like he did last year, ranking fourth in the NFL in passing, with 2,716 yards, 14 TDs and seven INTs. He's benefiting from strong play by the Skins O-Line, as well as an abundance of weapons to throw to. Last week against Minnesota, he was sacked just once while throwing for 262 yards and a pair of TDs on 22-of-33 passing. With Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and Vernon Davis, Cousins has an embarrassment of riches. It only gets better as DeSean Jackson is expected to return to the lineup to face Green Bay. The Packers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games in November, while the Skins are 6-1 ATS in their last seven overall.

Take WAS.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Baltimore Ravens.

The Dallas Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFL, coming into this week's home game versus Baltimore as winners of eight in row. It's not easy to stay on top in the NFL, and that is especially true for a rookie quarterback like Dak Prescott. He might be feeling just a little more pressure this week, after Dallas legend Tony Romo gave an emotional speech, passing the torch to Prescott and calling him the undisputed team leader. He's facing a Baltimore defense that ranks #1 in the NFL in total defense and #1 overall versus the run. The Ravens are 5-4, but their average margin of defeat in the four games they lost is less than five points. If Baltimore can slow down Ezekiel Elliot, it's going to put a ton of pressure on Prescott, which may spell trouble for the Cowboys. Dallas is just 5-11-1 ATS in it's last 17 home games, and I think it's going to be difficult for the Cowboys to run up the score here against the league's best defense.

Take BAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the San Diego Chargers.

The Miami Dolphins take a three game winning streak into this Sunday's game at San Diego, but all three wins came at home. Playing on the road on the other side of the country looks like a tough spot for the Fish, who are still looking for their first road win this season. Phillip Rivers is having another outstanding season, and he's thrown for 994 yards with nine TDs and just one INT at home this season. The Chargers are 3-1 at home, and the home team has won six straight in this series since 2008. The Dolphis have been successful in recent weeks, leaning on running back Jay Ajayi. He's facing a stout San Diego defense though, that ranks among the NFL's best run defenses, holding opponents to an average of 85 rushing yards per game. The Dolphins run defense has been one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 29th overall, allowing over 136 yards per game. That could mean another big game for Melvin Gordon, who ran for 196 yards and a TD in last week's win over Tennessee. The Chargers are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, while Miami has failed to cover in four of it's last five on the road.

Take SD.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints are surging, coming into this week's home game versus Denver as winners of four of their last five. The Broncos on the other hand are coming off an ugly loss on the road at Oakland, and have lost three of their last five. Denver has really missed C.J. Anderson, who has been sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Backup running back Devontae Booker has been playing through a shoulder injury, and he's been limited to just 76 yards on 29 carries while starting the last two games. The Broncos are also dealing with injuries on defense, and they really struggled in the loss to Oakland, taking 12 penalties for a total of 104 yards. Drew Brees threw for 323 yards and three TDs on 28-of-39 passing in a win at San Francisco last week, and he ranks second in the NFL in passing yards. He has incredible numbers at home, completing almost 70 percent of his passes for 1,529 yards, 12 TDs and just two INTs. His last home game was a win over the Seattle Seahawks, throwing for 265 yards and a TD on 27-of-35 passing. I expect a similar result this week against another tough defense at the Super Dome.

Take N.O.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Washington Redskins.

After losing their first two games of the season, the Redskins have gone 4-1-1 in their last six overall. Kirk Cousins ranks among the league leaders in passing, and he threw for a whopping 458 yards in last week's 27-27 tie versus Cincinnati. Washington's biggest problem has been a poor run defense, which isn't likely to hurt them against Minnesota, a team that ranks 31st in the league in rushing. The Vikings offense is in shambles, averaging just 12 points per game during a three game losing streak. Minnesota's defense carried the team early this season, but injuries to several key players have hurt the Vikes. It looks like they will be without starting corners Marcus Sherels and Captain Munnerlyn. Washington might be without DeSean Jackson, but Cousins still has his fair share of weapons in Jordan Reed, Jamison Crowder, Pierre Garcon and Vernon Davis.

Take WAS.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go OVER the total.

The defending Super Bowl champs are tied with Oakland in the AFC West with both teams at 6-2 after eight games. The Raiders host Denver on Sunday night, and the total looks a little low considering how potent Oakland's offense has been. Derek Carr is having an MVP caliber season, throwing for 2,321 yards with 17 TDs and just three INTs so far. He threw for a whopping 513 yards and four TDs on 40-of-59 passing in a win over Tampa last week. Surely he will have a tougher time against Denver's defense, but I like his chances of putting enough points on the board to push this total over. While Oakland is a team that has a pass happy offense, the Broncos normally try to establish the run. They were a little more pass happy last week, with Trevor Siemian attempting 38 passes in comparison to just 25 running plays. Injuries in the secondary, and a depleted backfield for Denver should also contribute to a potential higher scoring game. The Raiders have been trending over at home, reaching the total in nine of their last 12 in Oakland.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the New Orleans Saints.

Both the Saints and the 49ers have losing records, but these two teams have very different goals ahead of this Week 9 matchup. San Francisco needs to start looking ahead, with this season already a write off. The Saints are 3-4, but are still in second place in the NFC South. They've won three of their last four games, and their defense has tightened up in recent weeks. Drew Brees is having another MVP caliber season, completing almost 70 percent of his passes for a total of 2,366 yards, 18 TDs and five INTs. He'll face a San Francisco defense that ranks dead last in points allowed, giving up over 31 points per game. The Niners were lit up last week at home by Jameis Winston, who threw for 269 yards and three TDs in a 34-17 blowout win. Colin Kaepernick is completing less than 50% of his passes, throwing for just 330 yards the last two weeks. He's also been sacked seven times in those games. This game appears to have blowout written all over it.

Take N.O.

GL,

Jesse Schule