A quick look at the final scores from around the league a week ago will shed light on the outlook that games are won and lost on the field, and although teams could be overwhelming favorites in different scenarios, there is never a sure thing. Beyond the undefeated Green Bay Packers, every team in the NFL has at least one lost, and most have suffered defeat in at least one game in which they were listed as favorites by the pay head bookies. Despite appearing relegated to outside of the playoff picture in their respective conferences, the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and San Diego Chargers are each on the heels of at least consecutive wins heading in to this week, and it will be interesting to see what happens when they take the gridiron this Sunday.
[FONT="]Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears (-4)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 1:00 PM ET[/FONT]
The Seahawks will be in a tough position this week, as winners of two in a row but forced to travel across the country to face a Chicago Bears’ team that has their backs against the wall in the NFC Wild Card race after another tough loss. Seattle is mathematically still alive in that same race, and although they are unlikely to get in, they have played good football of late. Running back Marshawn Lynch has been a force in the ground game, and should be looking forward to taking on the team that drafted him but cut him loose after it appeared he didn’t have the desire or focus to make it at the NFL level. Lynch and the offense have registered at least 30 points in consecutive games, which the Bears have combined for just 13 points in their last two in two losses as favorites according to the per head numbers.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Seattle Seahawks + 4[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Cleveland Browns @ Arizona Cardinals (-6.5)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 1:00 PM ET[/FONT]
The Cardinals and Cleveland Browns are two teams heading in opposite directions, as Arizona has battled back following a slow start and is now just one win below .500, while Cleveland has dropped three in a row to deny themselves a chance to finish with an even record. The biggest difference along the way has been the Cardinals’ resolve, as they have battled through injuries to win consecutive games in which they were labeled by the price per head bookmaking odds makers as underdogs, with two of their last three wins against NFC division leaders. The Cardinals have just one game remaining against a team with a record better than .500, and are on pace to close out the season strong with two of their final three games at home.
NFL Betting Pick: Arizona Cardinals – 6.5
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) @ San Diego Chargers
Sunday, 8:30 PM ET
There really is no other team that turns it on like the Chargers in December, but unfortunately for them they will face a true AFC contender this week, a team that needs this game even more than they do. San Diego has won consecutive games to keep their slim AFC Wild Card hopes alive, but the Baltimore Ravens have won four straight, and will lay it all on the line to avoid conceding the AFC North lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a loss as pay per head sportsbook favorites.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Baltimore Ravens – 2.5[/FONT]
[FONT="]Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears (-4)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 1:00 PM ET[/FONT]
The Seahawks will be in a tough position this week, as winners of two in a row but forced to travel across the country to face a Chicago Bears’ team that has their backs against the wall in the NFC Wild Card race after another tough loss. Seattle is mathematically still alive in that same race, and although they are unlikely to get in, they have played good football of late. Running back Marshawn Lynch has been a force in the ground game, and should be looking forward to taking on the team that drafted him but cut him loose after it appeared he didn’t have the desire or focus to make it at the NFL level. Lynch and the offense have registered at least 30 points in consecutive games, which the Bears have combined for just 13 points in their last two in two losses as favorites according to the per head numbers.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Seattle Seahawks + 4[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Cleveland Browns @ Arizona Cardinals (-6.5)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 1:00 PM ET[/FONT]
The Cardinals and Cleveland Browns are two teams heading in opposite directions, as Arizona has battled back following a slow start and is now just one win below .500, while Cleveland has dropped three in a row to deny themselves a chance to finish with an even record. The biggest difference along the way has been the Cardinals’ resolve, as they have battled through injuries to win consecutive games in which they were labeled by the price per head bookmaking odds makers as underdogs, with two of their last three wins against NFC division leaders. The Cardinals have just one game remaining against a team with a record better than .500, and are on pace to close out the season strong with two of their final three games at home.
NFL Betting Pick: Arizona Cardinals – 6.5
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) @ San Diego Chargers
Sunday, 8:30 PM ET
There really is no other team that turns it on like the Chargers in December, but unfortunately for them they will face a true AFC contender this week, a team that needs this game even more than they do. San Diego has won consecutive games to keep their slim AFC Wild Card hopes alive, but the Baltimore Ravens have won four straight, and will lay it all on the line to avoid conceding the AFC North lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a loss as pay per head sportsbook favorites.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Baltimore Ravens – 2.5[/FONT]