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Best Bets - Week 15

There are plenty of intriguing matchups on the Week 15 board, as multiple teams are doing everything they can to maintain their position in the playoff picture.

Division matchups are starting to litter the board as rivalry games take on heightened stakes and it's two of those contests that I've isolated as the best wagering opportunity this week.

Best Bet #1: Jacksonville/Houston Under 39.5

The Houston Texans are looking to do everything they can to hold onto 1st place in the AFC South and recently they've relied on their defense to lead the way. The Texans held Andrew Luck and the Colts offense – who were coming off a 40-point performance the week before – to just 17 points last week in a must win game for both sides.

It marked the fifth time in six weeks that Houston has held their opponent to 21 points or less and one of those games includes the first meeting with Jacksonville. That initial meeting saw the Texans win 24-21, sailing 'over' the total of 42, but we should see a reversal of fortunes this week for total bettors.

Jacksonville has been a complete mess this year as the calamity of errors they commit on a weekly basis continually puts them in the loss column. This is an organization that has to seriously consider moving on from QB Blake Bortles in the off-season as the offense hasn't been able to put up more than 22 points in nine straight games.

It's no surprise that the Jags are 1-8 SU (3-6 ATS) in those contests and this week should be no different. If it wasn't for a late TD with just over two minutes left in that first meeting with Houston, 'under' bettors would have cashed their ticket.

On the other side of things, Jacksonville's defense isn't half bad (5th overall in yards allowed) and they'll get to go up against a Houston offense that has serious QB issues of their own.

Brock Osweiller has failed in living up to the big contract he signed this spring and while it's the running game that typically carries the Texans, the Jags have enough talent in their front seven to mitigate Lamar Miller's success.

Houston has stayed 'under' the total in three straight games and have a 2-8 O/U run going in their last 10 at home. Meanwhile, Jacksonville is 2-5 O/U in their last seven games against a winning team and with the spoiler role firmly tattooed on the Jags here, look for a defensive battle – or in better terms, an offensive struggle from both sides.


Best Bet #2: Pittsburgh/Cincinnati Over 44

There is definitely no love lost in this AFC North rivalry and the Bengals would love to cling onto their slim playoff hopes with a win and put a dent in Pittsburgh's at the same time. Many of the storylines coming into this game is the fact that it will be the first time Vontaze Burfict will face the Steelers since injuring LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown a season ago and while that's good for headlines, it does have a practical implication on this total.

Everyone will be waiting for Burfict to do something stupid and tempers to flare given the nature of this rivalry, but chances are we see a relatively tame game in that regards. Tame football typically means limited defense and given the ability of both offenses to put up points, and the fact that they know each other so well, getting a 27-24 type game is very possible.

The first time these two teams met in September it was a 24-16 Steelers win, but the total closed at 48.5. Obviously weather conditions play more of a factor this time around, but other then it being a little cold on Sunday, it shouldn't hinder these offenses too much.

Furthermore, we've got over four points of value in backing this 'over' compared to the first meeting, one which saw more than 80% of bets come in on the high side of the total. Bettors who took that side then got burned, and it appears that many remember that as nearly 70% of the money so far has come in on the 'under' this week.

Yet, the Steelers offense is much more in sync these days then it was then as they've scored 24+ in five straight games, and while the defense has been making headlines recently, I'm not so sure that will be the case against a Bengals team that has learned how to attack them over the years.

These two rivals have not played two consecutive regular season matchups 'under' the total since 2012, and with the Bengals sporting a 4-1 O/U run at home against a team with a winning road record, and a 13-6 O/U run after failing to pass for 150+ yards last time out, don't get caught following the herd on the 'under' in this contest.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Underdogs: Week 15 pointspread picks and predictions
By ANDREW CALEY

We are officially one week out from Christmas. It sure comes fast doesn’t it?

And if you’re anything like me, you have only checked a few items off your gift list. A pair of funny socks for a friend and a transforming bat cave for the kid. That’s about it, with still about a dozen or so gifts to go.

Every year, I say to myself, this will be the year when I get my Christmas shopping done early. But, nope. Another year and here I am, preparing myself for the ritual that is last minute Christmas shopping. Luckily for me, I have become a seasoned veteran when it comes procrastinated holiday gift buying and there are a few tips I have learned to make this practice as painless as possible.

First off, if you’re going to procrastinate this Christmas, don’t half-ass it. Shop on Christmas Eve. If you’re not looking for the hot item that sold out weeks ago, Christmas Eve is the time for you. Most people have actually thought well in advance and are done by the 24th, so the malls are relatively less crowded.

Second, gift cards are your best friend. Whether it’s to your local grocery store for your broke college buddy, some iTunes money for that friend addicted to their phone to a Home Depot card for the do-it-yourself guy on your list. There are gift cards for everyone. Besides, most people like picking things out for themselves these days.

And finally, alcohol is your even better best friend. I don’t know may people who will turn down the gift of booze. A nice bottle of wine, a few pints of craft beer, or even some spiced rum to go with egg nog. Once again, there is something for everyone and multiple people can be checked off the list in one spot. But more importantly, if you’re feeling flustered, you can pick yourself up your favorite festive spirit, sit back and enjoy some football this year.

But we’ve got one week to go before that, so let’s check out some dogs that could help your last minute Christmas shopping bank roll, starting with a team that likes to procrastinate on the field. The Detroit Lions.

Everyone knows by now the Lions and their affinity for fourth quarter comebacks this season, but there is so much to them than that and it all starts with Matthew Stafford.

Who would have thought not having Calvin Johnson would actually make the Georgia product better, but it did. Stafford is legitimately in the MVP conversation 66.7 percent of his passes for 3,447 with 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Most importantly he seems to be always making the tough throws when they matter most.

They go up against a good Giants team with a very good defense. But Big Blue plays in a lot of tight games this season (they’ve played in just two games all season that have been decided by more than a touchdown), something the Lions feast on.

Pick: Lions +3.5

Cleveland Browns (+10) at Buffalo Bills

I picked Cleveland last week and that came back to bite me in the butt. So this time around I’m hoping I’m not trying to get water from an already dry well.

Robert Griffin III struggled in his first game back under center, but the Browns will probably rely on their ground game, which got rolling again last week, rushing for 169 yards on 22 carries versus the Bengals.

Luckily for Browns backers, the Bills are just as bad a bet at home as the Browns are on the road, both at 2-4 against the spread. So 10-points seems like a lot for a team to cover that hasn’t faced this much chalk all season and only covered twice at home.

Also, I’m just praying the Browns give their fans an early present this year.

Pick: Browns +10

New Orleans Saints (+3) at Arizona Cardinals

It’s been a home away from dome, kind of season for Saints backers.

New Orleans has traditionally been known for its dominance in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, but that hasn’t been the case this season. While only recording two wins, the Saints have covered the spread in five of six outings away from home.

While the Arizona defense in yards allowed at just 298.5 yards per game, they have been suspect to the big play and have been gashed for 117 yards over the last four games. Meaning they are susceptible to quick strikes. Something that plays right into the Saints hands.

Moreover, the Cards just look like a team in turmoil this season. They’re just 1-6 ATS in their last seven games.

Pick: Saints +3

Last Week: 1-2 ATS
Season: 23-18-1 ATS

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

How to bet the NFL's coldest games
By JASON LOGAN

To steal a line from a somewhat creepy and possibly inappropriate Christmas song, “Baby, it’s cold outside”.

Football bettors will want to dress in layers for Week 15 of the NFL season, even if you’re watching from the comforts of your own home, with sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast for a handful of Sunday’s contests.

The cold can play a big factor when it comes to deciding the outcome of a game. Some teams welcome Mother Nature’s challenge, sporting short sleeves and a “bring it on” attitude. Others don’t come out for pregame warmups.

Case in point: the Dallas Cowboys played the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on a Monday night in Week 14 of the 2013 season. Temperatures were recorded at 8 degrees F but felt much colder with winds whipping around the stadium. Dallas, a warm-weather team with a domed venue, looked defeated from the coin flip and was blasted 45-28 as a 1.5-point road underdog.

Going back to 2009, home teams in NFL contests with game-time temperatures of 19 degrees F or lower are 12-6 ATS (14-3-1 SU), outscoring their frozen opponents 27.9-17 for a difference of almost 11 points per game versus an average pointspread of -4.4. That’s a buffer of 6.5 points – or a touchdown – in that span.

However, home teams didn’t always have the edge in these cold weather outings – at least as far as sportsbooks were concerned. From 2004 to 2008, those host teams were just 6-17 ATS (9-14 SU) in games when the thermometer read 19 degrees F or colder.

As for the cold weather’s impact on the betting totals, those frigid environments didn’t cool off the scoring too much, with NFL games played in 19 degrees F or colder boasting an 11-7 Over/Under mark since 2009 (61 percent Overs) and a 23-17-1 O/U count since 2004 (57.5 percent Overs).

Over the past eight seasons, those sub-19 degree F games have produced an average final score of 44.9 combined points versus an average closing betting total of 42.3 points – going Over by an average of 2.6 points.

The Week 15 weather in Chicago falls into the “frightful” category, with the forecast calling for temperatures to dip to 2 degrees Fahrenheit for Sunday’s 1 p.m. showdown between the Bears and the visiting Green Bay Packers (-5.5, 38.5). Toss in that famous Chicago wind, which is supposed to blow at around 15 mph, and game-time temps will feel more like -15 degrees F.

This game saw significant action from the wiseguys earlier in the week, trimming the total from 44.5 to 38.5 and betting the host Bears down from +7 to +5.5.

Chicago is 4-2 ATS (5-1 SU) at home in those qualifying cold games and 3-0 ATS (1-2 SU) in that same weather on the road since 2004 – a combined 7-2 ATS mark in games played in 19 degrees F or colder. Green Bay, on the other hand, is 4-9 ATS in that same environment.

At Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City faithful will put their bodies on line for the Chiefs’ home date with the Tennessee Titans (+5), with temperatures falling to 7 degrees F and feeling more like zero when you factor in the wind chill.

Kansas City is 2-1 SU and ATS at home and 1-0 ATS (0-1 SU) on the road in those sub-19 degree F outings since 2004. Tennessee, meanwhile has played two of these freezing games in the last 13 seasons, losing both SU and ATS at Denver in 2013 and at Arrowhead in 2010.

In Orchard Park, New York, the mercury will read 25 degrees F on Sunday when the Buffalo Bills host the Cleveland Browns (+10, 41.5), but when you mix in winds blowing around 20 mph that temperature will feel more like 12 degrees F down on the field.

Buffalo has hosted only one game at 19 degrees F or lower since 2004, knocking off the Indianapolis Colts 30-7 as a 9-point home favorite in Week 17 of the 2009-10 season when temperatures dropped to 12 degrees F. The Bills won and covered on the road in two cold weather stops, knocking off Cincinnati in 2004 and Denver in 2008. Cleveland is 2-2 SU and ATS in the same weather, going back to 2004.

Other locations feeling the chill in Week 15 are Cincinnati (27 degrees, feels like 18) and Denver (26 degrees, feels like 16).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Essential Week 15 betting tidbits and odds for NFL Sunday

Week 15 of the NFL season is upon us and with so many games on the slate it can be hard to handicap them all. But fear not NFL bettors, we have you covered with our quick hitting breakdown of every game on the schedule.

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (+5.5, 38.5)

* Rodgers did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but despite hurting his right calf on the opening drive against Seattle, he threw for 246 yards and threw touchdowns on 18-of-23 passing and wound up winning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Rodgers played well down the stretch while dealing with a similar calf injury in his left leg two years ago and, of course, he has plenty of experience playing in the frigid conditions of Green Bay. "It'll be about pain management on Sunday, but the good thing is I'll be out there," said Rodgers, who torched the Bears for 326 yards and three scores on 56 pass attempts in a 26-10 win on Oct. 20. Jordy Nelson caught a pair of TD passes last week to boost his league-best total to 12.

* Chicago is down to third-string quarterback Matt Barkley, but nearly pulled off an upset of division-leading Detroit last week, only to see backup wide receiver Josh Bellamy drop an easy touchdown pass in the end zone. "I want to say that I feel like, if I was playing, some of those games we would have had a different outcome," said Jeffery, who had only one touchdown and one 100-yard game prior to his suspension. "We probably would have won." Rookie running back Jordan Howard is closing has rushed for at least 100 yards in five of the last 10 games, but he was held to a season low-tying 22 by Green Bay. Chicago's defense had held up well against the pass of late, holding four straight opponents to 227 yards of fewer.

LINE HISTORY: The Packers opened this NFC North battle battle as 6.5-point favorites and that number has dropped to 5.5. The total opened at 40.5 and has been inching down all week to sit at 39.

TRENDS:

* Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.
* Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss.
* Under is 12-3 in Packers last 15 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 6-1 in Bears last 7 games following a straight up loss.
* Favorite is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 meetings.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-5, 39.5)

* It seems just a matter of time before the Jaguars cut ties with coach Gus Bradley whose career record of 14-47 is the worst in modern NFL history. Bortles has passed for 3,187 yards and 21 touchdowns but he's second in the league in interceptions with 15 and ranks 29th in passer rating at 77.9. The Jaguars don't run the ball well either as T.J. Yeldon leads the squad with a paltry 432 yards with one touchdown. Yeldon may be the lone healthy back on the roster this week.

* With 107 yards and a score, Lamar Miller went over 1,000 for the season last week and Houston rushed for 185 yards in the game to improve to fifth in the league, averaging 126.1 yards on the ground. Otherwise, the offense has been a mess as they rank 30th in passing (190 yards per game) and is tied for 28th in scoring at 17.6 points a contest. The defense has been steady and last week it got a boost with the return of Jadeveon Clowney, whose strip- sack of Luck proved to be a game-changer at Indianapolis.

LINE HISTORY: The Texans opened the week as 5-point home favorites over their division rival Jags and that number was bet up early in the week to 6, before fading back to 5 late in the week. The total opened at 40.5 and has been driven down one full point to 39.5.

TRENDS:

* Jaguars are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Texans are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
* Over is 5-1 in Jaguars last 6 vs. AFC South.
* Under is 8-2 in Texans last 10 home games.
* Road team is 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 meetings.

Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills (-10, 41.5)

* Griffin threw for just 104 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in his first game back under center since suffering a shoulder injury in the first week of the season. Griffin managed to rush for Cleveland's only score and Isaiah Crowell gained 113 yards on 10 carries but the Browns generated little offense elsewhere. Cleveland ranks both 31st in the league in scoring offense (15.9 points) and scoring defense (28.8) and appears headed to the No. 1 pick in the draft.

* LeSean McCoy needs just 24 yards to go over 1,000 for the season for Buffalo, which is the league's top-ranked rushing offense, averaging 154.6 yards a game. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who has battled a foot injury for the bulk of the season, caught his first touchdown pass of the season last week. The Bills rank seventh in the NFL defending the pass, but Ryan's vaunted defense has been gouged on the ground, allowing 125.8 yards a game, which ranks 28th in the league. The Bills have surrendered at least 21 points in six of the past seven games.

LINE HISTORY: The Bills opened as 10.5-point home favorites and that number has held firm all week. The total opened at 43 and has been bet down to 41.5.

TRENDS:

* Browns are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
* Bills are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Under is 5-0 in Browns last 5 games overall.
* Over is 8-1 in Bills last 9 games overall.
* Favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens (-6, 40.5)

* Philadelphia's offensive line remains in flux as tackle Allen Barbre didn't practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury and right guard Brandon Brooks is dealing with an anxiety condition that forced him to miss two of the last three games. Veteran running back Darren Sproles remained in the concussion protocol after a brutal hit during a punt return versus the Redskins, likely leaving the rushing duties to Ryan Mathews. The 29-year-old Mathews, who will have a tall order against the top-ranked Ravens' rush defense (75.5 yards per game), returned from a two-game injury absence to record 15 carries for 60 yards against Washington.

* Joe Flacco (NFL fifth-best 3,582 yards) hasn't been shy about throwing the ball, it's how far down the field (average throw: 6.53 yards) that raises an eyebrow as the veteran quarterback often relies on the short passing game. Rookie Kenneth Dixon, who is averaging 94.3 scrimmage yards over his last three contests, collected his first career touchdown last week and outsnapped fellow running back Terrance West 42-14. Shareece Wright is expected to replace fellow cornerback Jimmy Smith (ankle) in the starting lineup and should face off against Eagles wideout Jordan Matthews, who has received double digits in targets in five of his last six outings.

LINE HISTORY: The Ravens opened as 5.5-home favorites and within minutes jumped to 6, faded back to 5.5 midweek and back up to 6 by Saturday. The total opened at 41.5 and inched down a half point to 41.

TRENDS:

* Eagles are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 road games.
* Ravens are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
* Over is 10-1 in Eagles last 11 road games.
* Over is 5-1 in Ravens last 6 games when playing on Sunday following a Monday night game.

Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-5, 41.5)

* Tennessee’s offense has flourished with the addition of running back DeMarco Murray to complement second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota. Murray ranks second in the league in rushing (1,135 yards) and has taken the pressure off Mariota, who has limited his mistakes and hurt defenses with his arm and his legs. The Titans’ defense has been susceptible against the pass but outstanding against the run and held the Broncos to 18 yards on the ground last week.

* Kansas City looks like a middle-of-the-pack team on paper, but the Chiefs have come up with big plays on both sides of the ball when needed. The defense has forced a league-high 25 turnovers and is coming off a dominant effort in holding the Raiders to 244 total yards, though the loss of linebacker Derrick Johnson (torn Achilles tendon) is a huge blow. Smith and the offense have done just enough to get by at times, though Jeremy Maclin’s return to the lineup last week provided some life to the passing game.

LINE HISTORY: The Titans opened up as 5-point road dogs and that number was bet down to 4.5 late in the week. The total opened at 43 and has been bet down a full point to 42.

TRENDS:

* Titans are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Chiefs are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Chiefs are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 8-2 in Titans last 10 games overall.
* Under is 6-1 in Chiefs last 7 games following a straight up win.
* Road team is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings (-5, 45.5)

* Indianapolis' inability to protect quarterback Andrew Luck is a big part of the problem this season, and the team figures to start three rookies on the offensive line Sunday. "It’s really been pretty much every week this season," Colts offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski told reporters about the offensive line challenge. "It seems like we’re talking about the same thing. The guys have to step up, step forward. Whoever that is that goes into the game and plays in that game, we have our challenges ahead of us. They’re outstanding (up) front." Luck missed practice time this week with shoulder and elbow injuries but is not expected to sit out on Sunday.

* Peterson has not played since suffering a torn meniscus in Week 2, and a potential return this week will be discussed by several people in the organization. "I wouldn't say it was his decision," Zimmer told reporters of Peterson. "I would say it's a combination. We'll sit down and talk, and the medical people (will weigh in). It's a lot to do with the medical." Minnesota is last in the league in rushing yards (954) and yards per rushing attempt (3.0), and leading rusher Jerick McKinnon managed 31 yards on 14 carries in last week's win at Jacksonville.

LINE HISTORY: The Vikings opened as 3.5-home favorites and that number has grown to 5. The total opened at 45.5 and quickly faded down to 44 on Monday and since been bet up as high as 46, where it stands now.

TRENDS:

* Colts are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 road games.
* Vikings are 8-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 4-1 in Colts last 5 games following a ATS loss.
* Over is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.

Detroit Lions at N.Y. Giants (-4, 40.5)

* Cornerback Darius Slay routinely covers the opponent's top wide receiver without much fanfare -- so little in fact that the 25-year-old felt he was snubbed from last season's Pro Bowl. "As long as my teammates really see me as a Pro Bowl player, I ain't really worried because I feel it's a politic thing anyway," Slay said. "... I'd rather just get the All-Pro status and don't go Pro Bowl." Detroit's running game could be stuck in neutral again with Theo Riddick (wrist, ankle) sitting out practice this week and backup Zach Zenner in the league's concussion protocol. Tight end Eric Ebron, who is a native of Newark, N.J., has just 70 yards receiving over his last three games after reaching that mark in each of his previous three contests.

* Eli Manning has failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in each of his last three games and tossed three interceptions in that stretch, causing the two-time Super Bowl MVP to cast a critical eye on his own performance. "I've got to play better," Manning said. "Got to find completions, got to protect the football better. That's what's got to happen in these types of games. You get into December, you've got to protect the football. That's the most important thing right now." A 31st-ranked running game hasn't helped matters, with Rashad Jennings (team-leading 459 yards) limited to just 64 yards in his last two contests heading into a tilt with the 11th-ranked Lions' rush defense (97.7).

LINE HISTORY: The Giants opened as 4-point home favorites and was bet up to 4.5, before fading to 3.5 late in the week. The total opened at 43 and has dropped three-points to 40.

TRENDS:

* Lions are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf.
* Under is 7-0 in Lions last 7 games overall.
* Under is 6-1 in Giants last 7 games following a ATS win.
* Road team is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (+3, 44.5)

* Pittsburgh's winning streak coincided with the decision to dole out a heavy workload to Bell, who has amassed 620 yards rushing and five touchdowns while added 22 receptions. Bell, who has carried the ball at least 23 times in each of the last four games, does not have pleasant memories against the Bengals, suffering season-ending injuries in each of the previous two years. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is coming off one of his worst games of the season, tossing three interceptions at Buffalo to mark the third time he's failed to thrown a touchdown pass on the road. Pittsburgh's defense has been a force during the four-game run, registering 18 sacks.

* After failing to complete 56 percent of his passes during a three-game skid, quarterback Andy Dalton connected on better than 70 percent while tossing four touchdowns and zero interceptions in back-to-back wins over Philadelphia and Cleveland. Running back Jeremy Hill went over 100 yards for only the second time this season in last week's win over Cleveland. Hill could be line for another heavy workload, particularly with the iffy status of Green, who practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day Thursday. Tackle Geno Atkins was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after registering two sacks and five tackles against the Browns.

LINE HISTORY: The Steelers opened this AFC North battle as 3-point road favorites and that number has held firm all week. The total opened at 44.5 and dropped to 44 on Monday, bettors appear to be happy as that number hasn’t moved since.

TRENDS:

* Steelers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
* Bengals are 0-6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 5-1 in Steelers last 6 road games.
* Over is 4-1 in Bengals last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
* Steelers are 16-4-2 ATS in their last 22 meetings in Cincinnati.

New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (-3, 50.5)

* New Orleans has committed 13 turnovers in its past five games, losing four of them. The Saints managed only 294 total yards in last week’s 16-11 loss at Tampa Bay, as they were held to 46 rushing yards – the second straight game with 50 yards or fewer. The subpar offensive outing wasted a strong performance from an improving defense, as the Saints gave up fewer than 300 total yards for the third time in the last four contests.

* The turnover issue has held back an Arizona offense that has plenty of weapons beginning with versatile running back David Johnson. Johnson leads the league in yards from scrimmage (1,830) and touchdowns (15) and ranks third in rushing yards (1,085), and Carson Palmer’s receiving corps has been plagued by injuries and illness while the veteran quarterback has had a tough time hanging onto the ball. The defense, which is especially tough against the pass, has forced at least one turnover in six straight games and 12 of 13 this season.

LINE HISTORY: The Cardinals opened the game between wildcard contenders as 2.5-point home favorites and that number has risen to a field goal. The total opened at 50 and had been bet up one full-point to 51.

TRENDS:

* Saints are 6-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
* Cardinals are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Over is 9-1 in Saints last 10 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 vs. NFC.
* Home team is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons (-13, 50.5)

* San Francisco hasn’t had many bright spots in 2016, but the offense showed signs of life last week with Carlos Hyde rushing for a career-high 193 yards and catching a touchdown pass while Colin Kaepernick put together a decent outing. Kaepernick will be without one of his top receivers in Torrey Smith, who is recovering from a concussion suffered against the Jets. The league’s worst defense melted down in the second half last week and has allowed 400 or more total yards in six of the past eight games.

* Atlanta boasts the league’s highest-scoring offense but put up pedestrian numbers in last week’s 42-14 win at Los Angeles with Julio Jones – the league’s leading receiver – sidelined with a sprained toe. Quarterback Matt Ryan is putting up MVP-like numbers, leading the league in rating (113.2) and ranking second in passing yards (4,050), but the status of his receiving corps is up in the air with Jones and Mohamed Sanu (groin) both nursing injuries. Atlanta’s young defense has had its share of growing pains but turned in a dominant outing against the Rams, forcing five turnovers and scoring two defensive touchdowns.

LINE HISTORY: The Falcons opened as massive 13-point favorites and that line was bet up to 14 midweek, before fading back to the original number as of Saturday morning.

TRENDS:

* 49ers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC.
* Falcons are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
* Under is 4-1 in 49ers last 5 games following a straight up loss.
* Over is 8-1 in Falcons last 9 vs. NFC.
* Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (+3, 43.5)

* Facing the league's top-ranked defense, Brady shredded the Ravens by throwing for three touchdowns and a season high-tying 406 yards, but he acknowledged New England cannot go with a similar game plan against the Broncos. "Because they play the pass so well, we have to find ways to make yardage in the run game," said Brady, giving a nod to a Denver defense that surrenders a league-low 183.5 yards per game and ranks second with 38 sacks. That could mean a heavy dose of running back LeGarrette Blount, who has establish career highs with 14 rushing touchdowns and 1,029 yards. New England's defense is permitting an AFC-low 17.7 points per game.

* The only thing separating Denver from a four-game losing streak was a blocked extra point that was returned against New Orleans, although three of its last four contests have been played on the road. The lack of a consistent running game has put more of an onus on quarterback Trevor Siemian, who has thrown for 702 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past two games while airing it out 51 times at Tennessee last week. The Broncos have perhaps the league's best cornerback tandem in Chris Harris Jr. and ex-Patriot Aqib Talib. Von Miller has 13.5 sacks for Denver, which dropped Brady five times in last season's playoff win.

LINE HISTORY: The Broncos opened the week as field goal dogs at home and bettors seem happy with that number. The total opened at 44 and has dropped half-point to 43.5.

TRENDS:

* Patriots are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. AFC.
* Broncos are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
* Under is 7-1 in Patriots last 8 road games.
* Under is 5-1 in Broncos last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Home team is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (+2.5, 49)

* Carr produced a dramatic comeback in his first game since injuring the pinkie on his throwing hand, but he struggled miserably in frigid conditions at Kansas City while producing a season-low 49.1 quarterback rating. In the first meeting against San Diego, Carr threw for 317 yards and connected on scoring passes to wideouts Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, who were each limited in Thursday's practice. Running back Latavius Murray sat out the earlier matchup because of injury, but he is coming off his second 100-yard game of the season and has nine rushing TDs in the last seven games. Defensive end Khalil Mack has registered 10 sacks during an eight-game streak.

* San Diego absorbed a huge blow when running back Melvin Gordon was carted off the field early last week with knee and hip injuries. Gordon, who is three yards shy of 1,000 and has racked up 12 touchdowns overall and 10 on the ground, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and is not expected to play, leaving undrafted rookie Kenneth Farrow to carry the ground game. Rookie defensive end Joey Bosa, the No. 3 overall selection in this year's draft, practiced fully on Wednesdy and Thursday after sufftering a sprained neck against Carolina. Philip Rivers is struggling down the stretch with 10 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions over the past four games.

LINE HISTORY: The Raiders opened this AFC West battle as field goal home favorites and that number has dropped half-point to 2.5 late in the week. The total opened at 50 and has been bet down to 49.

TRENDS:

* Raiders are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 road games.
* Chargers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up loss.
* Over is 6-1 in Raiders last 7 games overall.
* Over is 4-1-1 in Chargers last 6 home games.
* Underdog is 14-2 ATS in their last 16 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lions (9-4) at Giants (9-4)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

The showdown between two of the NFL's hottest teams could be decided by a single digit. In this case, that digit happens to be the middle finger on Matthew Stafford's throwing hand.

Stafford reportedly suffered torn ligaments and a dislocation in the first quarter of the Detroit Lions' 20-17 win over Chicago on Sunday. He threw two interceptions, including a pick six, after having the finger taped and putting on glove on his hand. Stafford still led his club to its eighth fourth-quarter comeback victory, the most by any team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Detroit, which leads the NFC North, will try to extend its winning streak to six games when it faces the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The Giants have won seven of their last eight games, including a gritty 10-7 victory over NFC East leader Dallas on Sunday night.

"I expect it to be extremely competitive," Stafford said. "They're playing for a lot and we're playing for a lot. It's an NFC game and it's going to be a big one. So we're excited for the opportunity. It's great to be in this position, we've just got to go out there and play well."

His finger complicates that process. The Lions' pedestrian running game puts added pressure on Stafford to carry the offense. He's ninth in the league in both completion percentage (66.7) and passing yards (3,447). He's also tossed 22 touchdown passes and was intercepted just five times prior to the injury.

Stafford, who scored the game-winning touchdown against the Bears with a 7-yard scramble, hopes the injury will be less of an issue with a week to experiment on equipment and treatment options. He's unsure whether he'll wear a glove against the Giants. An early forecast of inclement weather could force another in-game adjustment.

"It's never fun when it's on your throwing hand but I'll figure it out and we'll go from there," he said. "(The glove) is not really for my state of mind, it's for what's going to be functional. So whatever's most functional, with what I can perform the best with, that's what I'll go with."

Stafford's job won't be any easier if Detroit is missing its leading rusher once again. Theo Riddick, who is most effective as a receiver out of the backfield, sat out against the Bears with wrist and ankle injuries. Riddick did not practice on Wednesday and one of his backups, Zach Zenner, is in the league's concussion protocol.

With three games remaining, the Lions (9-4) could wrap up their first NFC North title with a victory on Sunday and a Green Bay loss. The Packers and Minnesota Vikings are tied for second place with 7-6 records and Detroit already holds the tiebreaker over Minnesota after sweeping the season series.

The Lions don't have any soft touches remaining on the schedule. They have to play the Cowboys in Dallas the night after Christmas, then face the Packers at home on New Year's Day.

In coach Jim Caldwell's mind, the upcoming games aren't any different from the ones his team just played.

"It didn't matter what the Bears' record was last week," he said. "That game still had a lot of magnitude. It was very, very important. This one is exactly the same. It just so happens, and that's how it's going to be down the stretch, that you've got a team that's playing very, very well and that's riding high."

The Giants (9-4) kept their division title hopes alive by defeating the Cowboys for the second time this season. They diffused the Dallas attack despite the absence of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who underwent sports hernia surgery last week and is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. New York forced three turnovers, sacked rookie quarterback Dak Prescott three times and held Dallas to 260 total yards.

Other than the crossing route that wide receiver Odell Beckham turned into a 61-yard touchdown reception, the Giants' offense was a virtual no-show on Sunday. Quarterback Eli Manning threw an interception and lost two fumbles and the rushing game averaged 2.8 yards per carry.

"I've got to play better," Manning said. "Got to find completions, got to protect the football better. That's what's got to happen in these types of games. You get into December, you've got to protect the football. That's the most important thing right now."

Manning was also picked off twice the previous week in a 24-14 loss to Pittsburgh and has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in the last three games. Fortunately for him, the defense has masked the offense's struggles. Opponents have been held to 20 or fewer points in five of the team's last six victories.

"We've got to keep finding ways to win," he said. "The defense is playing outstanding, so we've got to help them out. We've got to score more points, give them a lead and don't make it hard on them."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Eagles (5-8) at Ravens (7-6)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

The Baltimore Ravens face a vital game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The Eagles (5-8), meanwhile, are trying to snap a four-game losing streak that has all but ended any shot at the playoffs.

With a 30-23 setback to New England on Monday night, Baltimore (7-6) fell into second place in the AFC North behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also took the Ravens' spot as the third seed in the postseason standings. Baltimore, however, still controls its playoff destiny and will win the division with victories in the final three games.

"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."

Despite the recent losing streak, the Eagles are mathematically still alive in the playoff race. However, Philadelphia has to win its final regular season games, and needs the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and Redskins to go winless over that stretch to make the postseason, among other scenarios.

A win by Philadelphia on Sunday would create a similar uphill battle for Baltimore.

"It's frustrating because you put so much work in -- players and coaches -- during the week, and you want to go out there and you want to perform well," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said in a conference call with the Baltimore media. "When it doesn't happen, that's the frustrating part. The beauty of it is you can come back to work the next week and get ready for your next opponent. It's just unfortunate you're running out of weeks."

After a strong start, rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has struggled over the past few weeks running an injury-marred offense. Wentz, who has thrown for 3,215 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, will face an aggressive Ravens defense that will try to keep him under pressure throughout the game.

"The first thing you see when you turn on the tape, of the defense especially, is a really sound football team," Wentz said about the Ravens. "They fly around. Obviously, (safety) Eric Weddle back there, he's all over the field making plays everywhere. A guy like (linebacker) Terrell Suggs, you have to always know where he's at. We have our work cut out for us, but we're excited for the challenge."

Wentz will look to get tight end Zach Ertz involved early to keep Baltimore's defense off-balance. Ertz has been a key part of the offense over the past two weeks when he has been targeted 28 times and managed 19 receptions for 191 yards.

"We are learning on the fly," Ertz said about working with Wentz. "We didn't really get a lot of reps during the pre-season so everything has been kind of building and building with a lot of the guys. Carson is a heck of a talent and we have a lot of talent at the skill positions."

Baltimore will attack the Eagles' with an its imbalanced offense. Quarterback Joe Flacco has attempted 554 passes this season, while the Ravens have run the ball just 301 times.

Flacco is ranked fifth in the NFL with 3,582 passing yards. He also has 17 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

Flacco, however, is more concerned about winning the final three games and overtaking Pittsburgh for the AFC North title, which would mean a home playoff game.

"It doesn't really matter what our record is," Flacco said. "We've just got to win our games. Obviously, Pittsburgh is a game ahead of us, but we still have another game against them at their place, so it will be tough, but we've just got to focus one week at a time and go win football games."

The Ravens know they just need a victory to keep moving toward their goal. Baltimore certainly will not be looking past Philadelphia.

"We've got Philly coming in to our place for our last home game in front of our fans in the regular season and they're a good team even though they've lost a couple of games," linebacker Zachary Orr said. "They're a good team."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Packers (7-6) at Bears (3-10)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered a clear message to his coach as questions swirled about a calf injury that forced him to miss practice this week.

"Game-plan-wise, his comments were, 'Don't hold anything back,'" Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

Not exactly what the Chicago Bears wanted to hear.

Rodgers and the Packers (7-6) will go for their fourth win in a row on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Chicago Bears (3-10) at Soldier Field. Frigid temperatures are forecast along Lake Michigan with highs expected to be at or near 0 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.

Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy had his team practice outside this week to brace for the deep freeze. McCarthy knows a setback could be devastating to his team's playoff hopes as it aims to reach the postseason for the eighth consecutive year.

"We're fortunate we can practice in (the cold)," said McCarthy, whose club trails Detroit by two games in the NFC North with three games to play. "The biggest thing is the football and the fundamentals."

The same principles hold true for Chicago. The Bears already have secured their third straight season with double-digit losses, but they look forward to the chance to play spoiler against their rivals to the north.

Already, the Bears have knocked off division rivals Detroit and Minnesota at Soldier Field this season. Chicago is 3-3 overall on its home turf as it goes for a home sweep against the NFC North.

Green Bay is 2-4 on the road but has played much better on both sides of the ball in recent weeks. During their current three-game winning streak, the Packers have outscored opponents 86-36.

If Rodgers is limited in any way, the Bears could have a better chance. He exited last week's blowout win against the Seattle Seahawks because of a calf injury. He also has dealt with a bad hamstring this season.

That said, Rodgers leads the NFL with 32 touchdown passes and has thrown for multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games.

Rodgers torched the Bears for 39 completions (a franchise record), 326 passing yards and three touchdowns on Oct. 20 as the Packers cruised to a 26-10 win. Wide receiver Davante Adams hauled in 13 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns as Rodgers' preferred target.

To avoid a sequel, Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said his players would have to be ready.

"He's a complete quarterback," Fangio said. "He's got a big arm. He's very accurate. He anticipates things well. He's got a quick release. And then, on top of all the passing talent he has, the scrambling and the improvising just makes it really a complete package."

When the Bears have the ball, they will turn to inexperienced but improving signal-caller Matt Barkley. The former USC standout will make his fourth consecutive start in place of injured teammates Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer. In his past three games, Barkley has passed for four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Barkley has been burned by dropped passes in recent weeks, but this time around he will have a Pro Bowl playmaker in his ranks. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is set to return after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Jeffery has 40 catches for 630 yards and one touchdown in nine games this season.

"It was pretty tough watching, knowing that there was nothing you can do," Jeffery told reporters this week when asked about his suspension. "I feel like if I was playing, some of those games, we would have had a different outcome. We probably would have won."

Bears running back Jordan Howard needs 31 rushing yards to reach 1,000 as a rookie. Meanwhile, in the opposite huddle, Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson needs 87 yards through the air for his fourth career season with 1,000 receiving yards.

Historically, the teams have matched up about as evenly as possible. Chicago clings to a 94-93-6 series lead entering Sunday's 194th meeting. Green Bay leads in points scored -- barely -- 3,305 to 3,304.

However, the series has been much more lopsided in recent years. Green Bay has won 13 of 16 meetings since 2009, including the NFC Championship Game during the 2010 season. The Packers have won six games in a row at Soldier Field and will try to make it seven this weekend.

McCarthy told his team to take nothing for granted.

"It's the Packers and the Bears," he said. "This is rivalry week. You make sure you educate your first-year players what they're getting ready to walk into down there at Soldier Field.

"Expect the unexpected because of where they are in their season. Everybody understands what kind of game this is going to be. This is going to be a juggernaut. That's the way we've always approached these division games, especially the Chicago Bears."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Colts (6-7) at Vikings (7-6)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- Tickets to see the Minnesota Vikings in their new home this season have been expensive. On Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts make their first visit to U.S. Bank Stadium, ticket buyers will be treated to a bunch of desperate playoff scenarios for free.

Both the Vikings (7-6) and the Colts (6-7) are clinging to hopes that they will be playing after Jan. 1, and both are going to need a win on Sunday -- and plenty of help -- to get it done.

It's also billed as a meeting between two No. 1 overall NFL draft picks with Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (the top pick in 2010) facing Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (the top pick in 2012).

The injury bug seems determined to take a bit of the shine off that showdown. Luck missed practice on Wednesday with a sore shoulder and elbow on his throwing arm -- leftover ailments from the Colts' loss to the Houston Texans last weekend in which he was sacked just once but hit on more than a dozen occasions.

"I didn't feel as good after that game as you would like," Luck said Wednesday. "December football. Nobody feels like they want to at this point. You just make sure you are ready to go on Sunday."

Bradford will also be ready to go on Sunday and practiced Wednesday but was limited by a sore shoulder. But for the Vikings, Wednesday was more about one player that was back at practice and less about those that are missing.

Star running back Adrian Peterson, who has been out with a knee injury since the third quarter of Minnesota's Week 2 win over Green Bay, practiced with the team and offered an immediate emotional lift, although nobody has yet said he will be in uniform on Sunday.

"It was great to see him out here in the walk-through today," Bradford said. "I think he's just one of those guys, he has been a leader on this team. Obviously, he's one of the best players in this league, and he has been for quite some time. So I think just having him back out at practice in the huddle, I think it's a definite lift to our guys."

The possible re-emergence of Minnesota's running game could hardly come at a better time for the Vikings, who won in Jacksonville last weekend despite getting stuffed on the goal line twice and ending up with zero points in two trips to the 1-yard line.

Defensive-minded Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he's just as focused on stopping the Colts' running game and speed at receiver.

"They have the eighth-best rusher in NFL history. So that's kind of a challenge. Frank Gore is a terrific back," Zimmer said. "They've got tremendous skill, speed with (Donte) Moncrief and (T.Y.) Hilton obviously. They've got great speed.

"They've got two decent tight ends. One's a second-leading receiver (Jack Doyle) and defensively the 3-4 stuff. We've been in a little bit of a 4-3 mode the last couple of weeks. So we've got to get back to the 3-4 and the things we do there and changing some of that up."

Sitting third in the AFC South behind Houston and Tennessee, Indianapolis is in must-win mode and could be eliminated Sunday if it loses and the Texans and Titans both win. The Colts have won their last three road games but know a unique challenge awaits inside Minnesota's new stadium, which is notoriously noisy.

"We've got to go on the road in a hostile environment, in a new venue," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. "We understand the elements and the noise and all that other stuff that we have to deal with, that our offense has to deal with. We're trying to do the best we can to replicate that and put them under as much duress as we can."

The Vikings, who started 5-0 and have gone just 2-6 since then, cannot be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday but would face long, long odds with a loss. They close the season with divisional games at Green Bay on Christmas Eve and at home against Chicago on New Year's Day.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Browns (0-13) at Bills (6-7)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills are all but assured of extending the NFL's longest playoff drought. They are adamant about avoiding another dubious distinction -- becoming the first team in 2016 to lose to the Cleveland Browns.

"We ain't gonna be that team," Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus said Wednesday. "That's just a guarantee."

The Bills (6-7) and Browns (0-13) resume their Rust Belt rivalry on Sunday at New Era Field. Interest in the game is low, evidenced by tickets selling on the secondary market for as low as $7. But players on both teams are using the Browns' winless record as motivation.

"When a team loses almost every game, it comes that question, who will be the team that they will beat," Bills running back LeSean McCoy said. "You never want to be that team."

Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III said, "Everyone's trying to kick us when we're down, so we just have to go take it. We're going to get everybody's best shot because nobody wants to lose to us."

Griffin is also trying to prove that he is still a viable starting quarterback. He struggled last week in his first start since returning from a fractured shoulder in the season opener, posting a 38.4 passer rating in the 23-10 loss to Cincinnati.

But coach Hue Jackson is not yet ready to give up on Griffin.

"I am going to work through it and see where we are," Jackson said. "That is the whole part of him playing, so we can evaluate where we are and have a good feel about it when the season is over. ... Let's go through this week and see where he is and see if he improved or not before we just write him off."

As long as the Bills have even the slightest chance of making the playoffs, coach Rex Ryan won't write off his quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, either.

Buffalo ranks last in the NFL in passing and management is reportedly ready to move on from Taylor after this season. The Bills have until March to decide whether to pick up the option on a contract signed before the season. Under terms of the deal, Taylor would be guaranteed more than $30 million in the next two seasons, or release the embattled quarterback and owe him nothing.

"The reason he's our starting quarterback is, in my opinion, he gives us the best chance to win," Ryan said. "And that's what we signed up for. We're trying to win these games."

The Bills have lost two in a row and even if they run the table to finish 9-7 for just the third time this century, they are unlikely to overcome their 12th place standing in the AFC to claim a Wild Card spot.

"Until they officially announce us out or dead or whatever in the playoffs, we are going to try whatever it takes to win these games," Ryan said. "We may have a one percent chance, or less than that, I don't know, but we are still going for it."

Once eliminated from the playoffs, Ryan may be more inclined to get backup quarterbacks E.J. Manuel and rookie Cardale Jones on the field.

Ryan will pick Buffalo's starting quarterback for another week, at least, but his own job security is as tenuous as Taylor's.

Bills players have even begun to speculate on what changes will be made once the Bills officially miss the playoffs for the 17th year in a row.

"Of course guys sit there and talk and wonder what the situation is going to be," wide receiver Sammy Watkins said. "We know if we lose what the situation is going to be like. And for me, I'm trying to be here forever. I'm not trying to start over a whole team in free agency. So my job is to really go out there and sell out and try to win for myself, for my name, and for this team. If anybody else isn't thinking that way, then that's a problem."

Watkins missed practice Wednesday due to lingering soreness in his surgically-repaired foot, but is expected to play. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams (back), left tackle Cordy Glenn (back), tight end Charles Clay (knee) and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (rest) also did not practice.

Left tackle Joe Thomas (knee) did not practice for Cleveland, but is expcted to play. Wide receiver Ricardo Louis (thumb), defensive tackle Jamie Meder (thigh) and defensive back Jamar Taylor (groin) were limited.

Cleveland claimed rookie running back Darius Jackson off waivers from Dallas on Wednesday and released linebacker Corey Lemonier.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Titans (7-6) at Chiefs (10-3)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Just one victory away from clinching a spot in the AFC playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Early weather predictions call for temperatures in the low teens with the wind-chill factor falling into single digits. That's cold conditions for even Kansas City in December.

The 10-3 Chiefs moved into the control seat of the AFC West with their victory last week over Oakland in similar conditions. Andy Reid's team can assure itself of at least a spot in the six-team postseason field with one more victory in the remaining three games.

"Every game is important as you go down the stretch," Reid said. "Nothing has been declared yet, so you've got to keep the pedal to the metal."

The 7-6 Titans will arrive in Kansas City with their postseason chances still alive. They share first place in the AFC South with the Houston Texans. Tennessee is coming off a 13-10 victory over Denver on Sunday in Nashville.

The man that leads the offense says the Titans will have quite a task dealing with the Chiefs' defense at Arrowhead and in the cold.

"I think they have a great defense," quarterback Marcus Mariota said. "They have a bunch of playmakers across the board. They find ways to get turnovers and when they do, they're really good at turning it into points. Up front they do a great job of doing different things, causing some identification problems and just doing things that in terms of communication for an offense. You have to make sure everyone's on the same page and doing the same thing."

Mariota comes off his least productive performance of the 2016 season from last Sunday against Denver. He threw for only 88 yards, completing just six of 20 passes, a completion percentage of 30 percent and an average of 4.4 yards per attempt.

That doesn't jive with his play in November, when he was named the AFC's Offensive Player of the Month with 11 scoring throws, two interceptions, a completion percentage of 66 percent and an average of 8.7 yards per attempt.

Reid has been very impressed by Mariota's overall performance this year.

"His ability to throw the football and read the defenses have come a long ways," Reid said. "Things have slowed down for him. The addition of the run game has also helped their football team. You can see that he's more comfortable now then he was when he first came in. He's healthy now too, which helps."

Kansas City is coming off a mini-bye after winning last Thursday night. That 21-13 victory over the Raiders was the third for the Chiefs in 12 days, with two of those on the road - including a 75-minute overtime decision against Denver. That was three victories by a total of 12 points.

"It was a gritty, gritty performance," Reid said. "That's a tough thing to do with that many games in that short period of time and to play at a high level against really good football teams. I think credit is due there."

But in the NFL, that's considered old news and promises nothing for the coming Sunday.

"The games just get bigger every week when you are in this situation," Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith said. "It's so close right now, you can't start counting the games and doing the math. You can't let yourself go there. We have a team coming in that's really playing good and we have to take care of our business."

For another victory, the Chiefs' defense must handle a strong Titans' running game that put up 180 yards against the highly ranked Denver defense. Tennessee is also the NFL's top offense in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 71.4 percent of its 42 trips inside the 20-yard line. The Titans are the fourth-best third-down offense, converting 46 percent of their chances.

In the season's first 13 games, Mike Mularkey's team has been in the mix for victory every week. Tennessee has not lost by double digits, and it has won four games that were decided by six points or less. The Titans also are 3-3 on the road.

"Every one of these games, we've had a chance to win," Mularkey said. "They've all been close. We've won some of them. We've lost some of the close ones. I think the experience has been great for (the players.) Our guys believe we're going to win the game, no matter what the situation is."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jaguars (2-11) at Texans (7-6)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- Despite notching a win that to an extent salvaged their postseason hopes, the Texans haven't yet found themselves in position to rest on their laurels.

Should the Texans (7-6) defeat the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) on Sunday at NRG Stadium, they'll inch one step closer to clinching the AFC South title. Houston would improve to 5-0 in the division with games against the Bengals and Titans remaining, with that finale in Tennessee and the division title likely up for grabs.

By beating the Colts in Indianapolis for only the second time in franchise history, the Texans remained in a first-place tie with Tennessee. And while Jacksonville doesn't present a serious threat to disrupting their momentum, the Texans will enter the matchup hamstrung in the passing game, already an offensive weakness.

With receivers Jaelen Strong and Braxton Miller on injured reserve, the Texans also have tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz in concussion protocol. Fiedorowicz is second on the team in receptions (48) and receiving touchdowns (two), and third in receiving yards (505). He is a huge loss for a passing attack ranked 30th in the NFL.

"C.J. is a big part of what we've been doing, obviously," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's had a good year. He's a guy that does both things well. He blocks well and obviously he's had a good year in the passing game. I'd put him in the day-to-day category. He's played a lot snaps for us this year. He's pretty banged up but I know he's going to do everything he can to try to play on Sunday. I know that.

"As far as the passing game goes, I think it's a unit that steps up week in and week out. I know it hasn't been the numbers that maybe everybody looks at but I think there's been some consistency in some of the certain routes that we run and things like that. I think our guys understand the game plan. They understand how we want to attack Jacksonville."

Given their roster attrition, the Texans must lean on their prior postseason experience to navigate the final three weeks of the season. There are veterans sprinkled throughout the roster, even some who aided playoff runs elsewhere.

The Texans have pointed to marginally improved play from quarterback Brock Osweiler, who in turn believes his experience in Denver last season is beneficial.

"I was very fortunate in my time in Denver to be a part of playoff teams, be a part of teams that were fighting for playoff positions in the month of December," Osweiler said. "Then, obviously, last year I was fortunate to be able to contribute actually on the field. Just like I always talk about in here, there's nothing that replaces game reps.

"Well, there's nothing that replaces experience of being able to experience the playoffs. So, just being around that team, I think it helps me out big-picture-wise of what to expect this month, how to prepare and how to go about things."

The Jaguars have no such expectations. After following a pair of one-possession losses in September with back-to-back victories over the Colts and Bears in October, Jacksonville has dropped eight consecutive games. Four of those losses have come by one score, underscoring how frustrating this season has been for the Jaguars.

"I think it definitely took us by shock," Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson said of the skid. "I think offensively it's not something that we thought at all. Unfortunately, it is the position that we are in, but at the end of the day, we are still trying to build some light up and trying to get some momentum heading into next season."

That resolution leaves the Jaguars playing the role of spoiler yet again, especially given their closing schedule. After visiting the Texans this weekend, the Jaguars will host the Titans before closing on the road in Indianapolis. With the Colts just one game behind Houston and Tennessee, the Jaguars will have a say in the AFC South.

"Well, anytime it's an AFC South opponent, I think every team in our division is looking at that saying, 'We all want to own the AFC South,'" Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. "When you have three opponents like we do the next three games, it's a great opportunity."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Steelers (8-5) at Bengals (5-7)

Date: December 18, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Just a month ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were floundering amid a three-game losing streak, Mike Tomlin's job was in jeopardy and there was serious talk about missing the playoffs.

But then the Steelers rediscovered Le'Veon Bell and the running game, and now Pittsburgh (7-5) is knocking on the postseason door. And all is well with everyone in the Steel City who waves the Terrible Towel.

That's bad news for the Cincinnati Bengals, who need a lot of things to go right if they are going to make the playoffs for the six straight season.

After going winless in November, Cincinnati (5-7-1) has reeled off two straight victories to have just a minuscule chance at the playoff.

Now the road gets tougher for Cincinnati with Sunday's home game against Bell and the Steelers. AFC North rival Baltimore comes to town before the Bengals close out the regular season with a road game at Houston.

"There are three big weeks left and it will be a challenge," tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "It's three really good teams, and so we'll have an opportunity to really put our will forward. We have a great opportunity with Pittsburgh coming to our place and what should be a big battle."

After running roughshod over the Buffalo Bills last week, the Steelers control their own destiny as they took over sole possession of first place in the North.

Pittsburgh turned its season around when the coaching staff realized Bell could take pressure off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and shoulder the offensive load.

Against Buffalo, Bell set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards with an additional 62 receiving yards. He scored three touchdowns.

In the past four games that coincided with the Steelers becoming a serious contender again, Bell has averaged nearly 30 carries and 115 rushing yards. There's nothing more valuable than a workhorse running back in wintry conditions.

"It's December football," Bell said. "We understand everybody is fighting for position. We just want to get the job done. That's all there is to it."

The Steelers control their own fate with games left against AFC North rivals Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland.

"We are in a good situation right now, but we obviously have to win this game and (get) better," Bell said.

During the Steelers' four-game losing skid that preceded the winning streak, Bell was the forgotten man. In each of those games, he was held to 81 yards or fewer; in three of those four losses he was held to 60 yards or fewer.

"I can't say enough about the run game, and when I talk about the run game, it's not just Le'Veon Bell -- our guys out front did a heck of a job," coach Mike Tomlin said. "Fullback Rosie Nix and our big personnel packages did a really good job of blocking a myriad of fronts because as the game wore on, they threw a lot at us."

The Bills challenged Roethlisberger, who struggled in the snow and wind at Orchard Park as he completed just 17 of 31 pass attempts for 220 yards and three interceptions. Roethlisberger will need to be more efficient this week against a Bengals' defense that is all too familiar with the Steelers signal-caller.

The past couple of times the two teams have met, there have been accusations of dirty play as players on both sides have been injured.

"I hope it's not dirty," Roethlisberger said. "We expect a physical game. That's what we want it to be. We expect them to be the same way. We are not going to be a dirty team. We are going to go out and play football and play hard and physical, not retaliate. Just play this game the way it's supposed to be played. If there are a lot of nasty things going on, I guess we will know why."

Against Cleveland last week, Andy Dalton wasn't at his best -- but he didn't have to be as Cincinnati ran for 213 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Jeremy Hill ran for 111 yards and a touchdown as the Bengals earned a second consecutive win for the first time this season.

And they won both those games without All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green, who was out with a hamstring injury. Green could return against the Steelers. On Wednesday, he took part in practice for the first time in 24 days.

Cornerback Adam Jones (ankle) did not take part in Wednesday's practice, but is expected to play Sunday.

Dalton has 17 touchdown passes this season. He knows if the Bengals are to stay in the race until the end, he has to be at his best in the last three games. But Dalton is looking ahead -- not behind.

"We wasted some opportunities early in the year," he said. "We can't worry about that. For us, it's all about finishing strong."

Both defenses are coming off solid performances.

Running against the Steelers is going to be a challenge for Hill, despite the Steelers missing Cameron Heyward, their best defensive lineman.

During their four-game winning streak, they haven't allowed a team to rush for 100 yards. Buffalo was the top rushing team heading into Sunday, but the Bills were held to just 67 yards. Running back LeSean McCoy was held to 27 yards on 12 carries.

The Steelers also recorded five sacks and an interception.

Cincinnati held the Browns to 10 points and was led by defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks and five tackles.

The Cincinnati defense has held its last four opponents to under 15 points per game.

Neither Vontaze Burfict nor Bell played in Week 2 when the two teams tangled in Pittsburgh, a 24-16 Steelers' win. The Bengals also were without tight end Tyler Eifert.

One Bengal who did play, kicker Mike Nugent, was released on Tuesday. Cincinnati signed veteran Randy Bullock.

Neither Roethlisberger nor Maurkice Pouncey practiced on Wednesday, but neither was injured. Safety Shamarko Thomas (concussion) and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) missed practice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Saints (5-8) at Cardinals (5-7)

Date: December 18, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- When the NFL schedule was first released, Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints figured to be a Week 15 classic NFC matchup with plenty on the line for both franchises as the playoffs approached.

Now?

With each team out of the running -- the Cardinals limping along at 5-8-1 and the Saints at 5-8 in danger of their third straight losing season -- there isn't a whole lot on the line when the two clubs collide at University of Phoenix Stadium.

It holds about as much drama as one of those throw-in bowl games in college football, the ones with the funky names and below-average teams.

Unless, of course, you factor in this underlying little factoid: It will be a matchup of the NFL's top-ranked defense of the Cardinals, who are allowing just 285.5 yards per game, against the league's No. 1-rated offense of the Saints, who are averaging 418.3 yards per game.

"I guess that's kind of exciting, isn't it?" Saints quarterback Drew Brees said sarcastically.

"No, it will be a great challenge for us in a lot of different areas, our ability to execute. We look at the statistical categories of this defense, and they're tops in the league in just about every category.

"When you look at that, you say, 'Wow, it's a big challenge for us to run the football, it's a big challenge for us to protect, to get open and to make plays and get points.' At the end of the day, it's our team against their team, but our offense against their defense just poses a great challenge for us."

The Cardinals, NFC West champions a year ago when they went 13-3, have only won two of their last seven games (2-5-1) and not only have they been besieged by injuries to key personnel across the board but they also cut No. 2 wide receiver Michael Floyd this week, just two days after his arrest on suspicion of DUI.

Floyd's departure puts that much more pressure on veteran Larry Fitzgerald, who ranks second in the league with 91 receptions. It also means the Cardinals need more from J.J. Nelson and John Brown, the latter of which has dealt with leg cramping issue most of the season brought on by complications from sickle-cell trait.

"We're not going to change," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "We're not putting in new plays, taking out plays. We're running our stuff."

So will the Saints, although it hasn't worked very well the past two weeks in back-to-back losses to the Lions and Buccaneers. Brees had zero touchdown and three interceptions in each of those games.

The future Hall of Famer last went two straight games without a touchdown in 2008 and never before in his career had he been intercepted three times in consecutive games. He did have two potential touchdown passes dropped during the loss to Tampa Bay, and the Saints were flagged 13 times for 104 yards.

"It was just like one thing after another," Brees said. "All the bad things that could have happened, happened. I'm a confident guy. I know how to correct things when they occur. A lot of it's just with my process and how to prepare, and then how I take that to game day. I know I've got to be better in certain ways. I'll do that."

Saints coach Sean Payton has no doubts about that. He knows his star quarterback, who turns 38 next month, will bounce back.

"I think he's one of those guys that's extremely competitive," Payton said. "Just like we do as coaches, when you watch the tape, you feel like there are things that certainly we could do better and put him in better positions. It angers you. It frustrates you.

"To be at this stage of the season, you always want to be playing for something. I think that those are the things that drive the guys like him, and I think you'll see that."

Arizona's defense will be playing short-handed, as starting inside linebacker Deone Bucannon (ankle) and safety Tyvon Branch (groin) have both been placed on season-ending injured reserve. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, however, hopes to be able to play after missing four of the last five games because of a nagging shoulder injury.

Still, the Cardinals know they'll have their hands full against Brees and a pass rush that could expose Arizona's patchwork offensive line, which seems to change from week to week.

A loss would guarantee the Cardinals their first losing season in coach Bruce Arians' four years in Arizona. All the adversity his team has faced this year would seem to be a full plate for any coach, but Arians brushed it off.

"No, there are guys that have it a whole lot worse than I do," Arians said. "It's just part of the job. You embrace it and you go on. Injuries or whatever it is, you have to get a game plan and go until the season is over."

One of the consistent positives in the Cardinals' disappointing season has been the continued production and versatility of running back David Johnson, who stands a chance to become only the third player in NFL history to finish with more than 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards.

Johnson already has 1,085 rushing yards and he's 255 receiving yards from 1,000 with three games to play. Marshall Faulk (1999) and Roger Craig (1985) are the only players to accomplish the feat.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: 49ers (1-12) at Falcons (8-5)

Date: December 18, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

The Atlanta Falcons sit in the driver's seat in the NFC South and, with a favorable schedule in final three weeks, are very much in the mix for a first-round playoff bye.

But they need to get healthy ahead of the playoffs.

The banged-up Falcons (8-5) kick off their closing stretch Sunday, when the lowly San Francisco 49ers (1-12) visit the Georgia Dome for the final time. This is the last season for the Falcons in the dome, before moving down the block to their new stadium for the 2017 season.

Seven Falcons sat out Wednesday's practice, including superstar wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones missed last week's road win over the Los Angeles Rams with a toe injury.

Atlanta coach Dan Quinn on Wednesday re-classified Jones' injury as a sprained toe. Quinn had initially described the injury as turf toe, which could have lingered much longer than the sprain is expected to.

"We'll get him back here shortly," Quinn said of Jones. "When he can explode like he does...the good news is it's not something that's going to be a long-term thing."

Atlanta's second-leading receiver Mohamed Sanu, who also missed last week's game with a groin injury, returned to practice Wednesday. But defensive end Adrian Clayborn (knee), cornerback Jalen Collins (knee) and safety Kemal Ismael (shoulder) were among those who sat out Wednesday's practice.

The 49ers are battling their own injuries, with left tackle Joe Staley (hamstring) and receiver Torrey Smith (concussion) both sitting out Wednesday's practice. Staley had started 92 consecutive regular season games, before missing last week's loss to the New York Jets. Smith is in the league's concussion protocol and still needs to be cleared before taking the field again.

Even if the 49ers were at full-strength, they'd be hard-pressed to keep up with the Falcons, who boast the league's most prolific offense, led by quarterback Matt Ryan, an MVP candidate. Ryan has already thrown for more than 4,000 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He threw three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Rams.

"Matt's one of those quarterbacks that transcends any system," San Francisco coach Chip Kelly told reporters Wednesday. "It doesn't matter, I really don't think, what system he's running. Although, the one he's running right now he's very, very successful in. I think he fits very well into what (offensive coordinator) Kyle (Shanahan) is doing. But he's had a couple different coordinators and been successful with whoever was coaching him. That's just the type of player he is. I think he's an elite quarterback."

Despite missing Jones and Sanu, the Falcons put up 42 points in last week's win over the Rams. The 49ers have scored a total of 47 points in their last three games combined.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday against Atlanta. Kaepernick has completed 54.8 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, since taking over as the starter for Blaine Gabbert in Week 6.

"I think Colin has gotten better each week with us," Kelly said. "The more comfortable he gets in our system, the more comfortable we are around him. ... We've been pleased with Colin."

Kaepernick has yet to lead a victory this season, though. Last week, San Francisco jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter against the Jets, but was held scoreless in the second half and lost their 12th straight game, despite a 193-yard rushing performance from Carlos Hyde.

"Once again, it comes down to our execution," Kaepernick said. "We have to be able to make plays and we didn't make enough in the second half to put points on the board."

The Falcons lead the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers by one game in the NFC South and are within a game of the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions in the battle for the second seed in the NFC.

After Sunday's game against the 49ers, the Falcons close out the regular season at the Carolina Panthers and at home against the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta's three remaining opponents are a combined 11-28.

"Who we're playing and where we're playing -- that's kind of irrelevant, so to speak, because you want to just go and battle for it," Quinn said. "(That's) the intent of the players, that's what we're set out to do."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Patriots (11-2) at Broncos (8-5)

Date: December 18, 2016 4:25 PM EDT

DENVER -- With their playoff fate hanging in the balance, the Denver Broncos face make-or-break games in the last three weeks of the regular season, starting Sunday against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).

The defending Super Bowl champions, the Broncos (8-5) enter the game as the sixth (and final) seed in the AFC, but the Miami Dolphins are also 8-5 and could overtake the Broncos if tiebreakers shift in their favor. Three more AFC teams have seven wins apiece.

"We're going to have to play exceptional from here on, especially this week," said Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who added that he viewed New England as "the best team in football."

The Patriots (11-2) enter the game with the best record in the AFC. They are no strangers when it comes to playing the Broncos, whom they faced 13 times in the past 12 years. Four of those meetings came in the postseason, including last season's AFC Championship Game, which Denver took en route to its Super Bowl triumph over the Carolina Panthers.

However, Denver is treading an uncertain path in its title defense. The Broncos lost two of their past three games, and they face a brutal stretch in the final three weeks of the season.

After playing New England, the Broncos face a Christmas night meeting with the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs followed by a New Year's Day regular-season finale against the Oakland Raiders. Each of Denver's three closing opponents has at least 10 wins.

"I don't care who we play," Broncos safety T.J. Ward said. "We need to win these next three games. We've been in some tough games and come out on top, and we've been on the bottom of some tough games. We've played two of the teams already (the Chiefs and Raiders). One game was close. One was not. Divisional games are always tough. The Patriots are almost a divisional game. ... It's another great challenge with Brady coming up."

The Broncos' struggles are most noticeable on the offensive side of the ball, particularly in the running game, where they are having difficulty establishing a consistent threat since the early-season injury loss of C.J. Anderson.

Trevor Siemian, in his first year as the Broncos' starting quarterback after the retirement of Peyton Manning, is showing promise as a passer, helped by playmaking wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

"You look at the production the couple of years together in Denver, I don't know if you'll find a pair of receivers better than them," Patriots safety Devin McCourty said of Thomas and Sanders.

Even so, the lack of offensive balance is causing the offense to sputter -- especially early. Denver has been outscored 70-23 in the first quarter this season.

With the offense having trouble moving the chains, the Broncos' vaunted defense has been on the field for longer periods and under more sustained pressure. In Denver's loss last week at Tennessee, the Titans ran roughshod, gaining 180 yards on the ground. Even though the Titans had a tough time moving the ball through the air, their rushing attack more than made up the difference.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum behind the streaking Brady, who has 22 touchdown passes and just two interceptions in nine games. He missed the first four games of the season while serving a league-imposed, four-game suspension for the "Deflategate" controversy.

"He's (effective) day in and day out," McCourty said of Brady. "Practice can go like that when he gets going, so it's not new to us. We see it all the time."

McCourty won't get any argument on Brady from the Broncos.

"He is the best quarterback in the league," said Denver cornerback Aqib Talib, a former member of the Patriots.

There is no question the Broncos' defense will again try to zero in on Brady, who was sacked five times and hit on numerous other occasions in Denver's AFC title-game win last January.

The Patriots will keep a keen eye on pass-rushing linebacker Von Miller, who made life miserable for Brady in the teams' last meeting.

"He's a very hard guy to block," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "He can do a lot of things. He's explosive. He's fast. He's quick and he can play with power. Even when you get him blocked, he doesn't stay blocked. He's got the ability to separate. He's an outstanding player."

The Broncos are dealing with injuries among their corps of linebackers. Brandon Marshall (hamstring) missed last week's game and remains a question mark for the Patriots game. Fellow linebacker Todd Davis missed practice time this week because of an oblique injury.

Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola is questionable this week because of an ankle injury. Tight end Martellus Bennett also had some restrictions in practice this week because of ankle and shoulder issues, as did cornerback Malcolm Butler (hip) and safety Jordan Richards (knee).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raiders (10-3) at Chargers (5-8)

Date: December 18, 2016 4:25 PM EDT

The Oakland Raiders are on the verge of ending a 14-year playoff drought.

A victory over San Diego will do the trick and the Raiders are focused on securing the long-craved postseason spot when they visit the Chargers on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).

Oakland (10-3) is tied for first place in the AFC West and has a two-game lead in the wild-card chase with three games to play.

The possible realization of the goal prompted quarterback Derek Carr to reminisce on his rookie campaign of 2014 -- when saying things were bleak seems a bit kind.

"Starting 0-10 was not fun. It makes these moments so awesome," Carr told reporters. "It makes these moments really cool to already have 10 wins and those things. I know for our team, our sole focus is beating the Chargers because if we don't, we're still sitting there hoping and wishing. Our focus is just going down to San Diego and trying to come out with a win."

The Chargers (5-8) won't be part of the playoffs and also face an unclear future. San Diego voters shot down a stadium proposal last month and the team moved closer to a relocation to Los Angeles on Wednesday when NFL owners unanimously approved a tenant-lease contract between the Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.

The Chargers have until Jan. 15 to exercise an option to move to Los Angeles. Team president Dean Spanos has repeatedly stated he won't announce a decision until following the season.

Sunday's contest could be the next-to-last home game in San Diego and it will likely be one in which standout running back Melvin Gordon misses due to hip and knee injuries.

Coach Mike McCoy termed it "highly unlikely" that Gordon will play against Oakland.

Gordon has rushed for 997 yards and is craving the 1,000-yard mark after experiencing a disappointing rookie season in 2015.

"It would mean a lot but I'm just going to take it for what it is," Gordon told reporters. "If I feel I can go back out there and be ready, I'm going to go back out there. ... I know my body. If I can go out there and feel I can be productive, then I'll be out there. If I can't, we've got the guys who will make it up for me."

The Chargers' most promising young defensive player is also ailing. Rookie defensive end Joey Bosa sprained his neck in last Sunday's 28-16 loss to the Carolina Panthers but there is hope that he will play.

Meanwhile, Carr has enjoyed an MVP-caliber season with 3,492 yards and 24 touchdowns against just five interceptions.

But he also is coming off an atrocious performance in a 21-13 loss to the Chiefs on Dec. 8. The combination of frigid conditions and an injured right pinkie finger didn't help as Carr was 17-of-41 passing for 117 yards.

The showing was easily Carr's worst of the season but he made it clear his finger had nothing to do with the sub-par effort.

"It was just execution -- literally inches," Carr said. "There's a whole bunch of plays that I think about that we always hit and for whatever reason, we just missed by an inch. Sometimes that happens in practice and you never want it to happen in a game. This time it did."

Carr's favorite target is second-year receiver Amari Cooper, who went over the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight campaign. Cooper, who has 73 receptions, ranks sixth in the NFL with 1,010 receiving yards.

Oakland leads the NFL with a plus-15 turnover margin and is receiving remarkable play from standout defensive end Khalil Mack.

Mack is tied for third in the NFL with 11 sacks and has recorded at least one in eight consecutive games, two off the record shared by DeMarcus Ware (Dallas, 2007-08) and Simon Fletcher (Denver, 1992-93). Mack is shooting to become the first player with a sack in nine consecutive games in a single season.

Mack also has forced five fumbles and his presence can't rate as a comfortable feeling for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

Though he has passed for 3,589 yards and 27 touchdowns, Rivers also has been intercepted a league-worst 17 times. He was personally responsible for five turnovers in the loss to the Panthers -- three on interceptions and two strip-sack fumbles -- as the Chargers' turnover count grew to an NFL-worst 30.

"I know better than that but at the same time I don't want to stand back there and throw balls away and get beat 35-3," Rivers said. "It just felt like that was the way it was going, and again, that is no excuse to make some bad mistakes and turnovers."

Oakland has prevailed in the past three meetings, including a 34-31 home win on Oct. 9. Carr passed for 317 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, while Rivers passed for 359 yards and four touchdowns and was intercepted twice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Buccaneers (8-5) at Cowboys (11-2)

Date: December 18, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Dak Prescott is 11-2 as a starting quarterback. He's thrown for 20 touchdowns with only four interceptions and his team has the best record in the NFC and is tied with the New England Patriots for the NFL's top mark.

The season has gone better than anyone's wildest expectations.

So, should Prescott be looking over his shoulder?

Such is life with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys didn't invent quarterback controversies, but the argument could be that the franchise perfected the art of pitting signal callers against each other in the press and among the fandom.

To be fair, the Cowboys aren't publicly talking about benching Prescott in favor of veteran and longtime starter Tony Romo. Such chatter also doesn't appear to be taking place behind the scenes.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett reiterated as much going into Sunday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

"You can make it as simple or as complex as you want to make it," Garrett told reporters at his weekly press conference. "It's pretty simple for us: Dak's going to play quarterback as we go forward."

Prescott is coming off a series of subpar performances, at least by his standards, culminating in Sunday's 10-7 loss at the New York Giants. Dallas' offense has sputtered, and Prescott is finally playing like a rookie.

The fourth-round pick from Mississippi State completed just 17 of 37 passes for 165 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Giants. It was the first time this season he's thrown multiple picks in the same game.

Prescott has failed to reach 200 yards passing in each of his last three games. The Cowboys have been successful on just 2 of 24 on third-down conversions in the last two contests. Dallas has scored just 24 points in those two games.

Still, Garrett appears to have no interest in turning to Romo.

"We're just focused on Dak playing quarterback for us," Garrett said. "And we'll continue to do that in our preparation this week and as we go forward.

"He's done a really good job for us up to this point, won 11 of 13 games that he's started, and he's handled really every situation as well as you can handle it, so we'll just continue that way. Tony will be in a backup role for us and he'll be ready to go if he's called upon to play."

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones has helped stoke the controversy fires with comments in recent weeks suggesting that Romo will play a significant role before the season ends.

Jones admitted on his radio show this week that Romo getting into a game is a possibility due to injury or poor play by Prescott.

"I understand the question, but I don't want to get into the scenario," Jones said. "It goes too far into talking about what we don't want to talk about. But given the need for (Romo), we want him ready on the spur of the moment."

The Cowboys have a playoff spot secured and their magic number to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC is two with three games to play.

The Buccaneers (8-5) are tied with Atlanta atop the NFC South and riding a five-game winning streak.

Tampa Bay's longest unbeaten run since 2002 is turning heads, but the Bucs aren't getting caught up in the hype.

"That's for the media and you guys to say," defensive end Robert Ayers told reporters this week. "All I know is that we're 8-5 right now, we're trying to get to 9-5. We're taking it one game at a time and we're trying to keep hunting. We let you guys give labels and stuff like that, but I know we're hungry."

As coach Dirk Koetter said, "We're an 8-5 football team, but we've got bigger goals than that."

In addition to the division race, the Buccaneers control their postseason destiny by sitting in the second wild card slot in the NFC. The playoffs are in view.

"It's in my mind, but going 1-0 (each week) is very important to us as a team," quarterback Jameis Winston said. "We're not really trying to look forward. (Offensive coordinator Todd Monken) says all the time, 'Be where your feet are.' We've got to keep winning. As long as we keep getting Ws, the playoffs are going to be in there."

Defense has carried Tampa Bay during its streak. The Bucs have given up a league-low 12.8 points per game since Week 10. The six total touchdowns scored by opponents are tied for the fewest during that span.

The offense has struggled some under Winston, scoring just six touchdowns in the last four games. The reasons for the sputtering attack are varied.

"Sometimes it might be the play call, it might be execution, it might be a penalty, a combination of all those things," Koetter said. "I know how these guys can play on offense and I know when we get there."

Dallas leads the series 13-4 against Tampa Bay, but the Bucs won 10-6 last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Panthers (5-8) at Redskins (7-5)

Date: December 19, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The matchup Monday night between the Carolina Panthers and host Washington Redskins has playoff implications with three games to go in the regular season.

Yet there's another topic that naturally has been making the rounds leading up to the game in Landover, Md. (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

That's the role of Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, who played with the Panthers and was the focal point of the secondary until he wasn't retained in the spring.

Now Norman goes against his former team. At least the Panthers don't expect any surprises from the often-flamboyant and talkative defensive back.

"I think the guys know what to expect from Josh," Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. "That's the beauty of it."

The Redskins don't want Norman or anything else to be a distraction because it's a critical time for them as they try to stay in line for an NFC wild card spot. Close games have become part of the process for Washington (7-5-1).

"With the parity in the NFL, we keep grinding it out and it's what we expect," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said.

The Panthers have been complimentary of Norman, noting that he became a high-level player with them the past couple of years.

"He listened and he learned and he grew," Rivera said of Norman said. "Those long arms of his come into play. ... The way he practiced improved the level of play around him. He brought a swagger to us. Guys feed off of that and that's what happened."

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said he can't become consumed with Norman's actions.

"It's not a game about him vs. us," Newton said. "We just need to win this game."

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins consulted with Norman months ago about some of what to expect from Carolina's defense.

"It really goes back to the spring," Cousins said. "We talked some about the coverages and stuff, but at the end of the day it's about executing."

Cousins was in the same pre-draft training group a few years ago with Norman, so they had a connection prior to become teammates.

"What I've always loved about him is that he's a worker," Cousins said. "Winning matters to him. He has been a part of a winning team. He knows what that looks like."

Cousins looks like a different quarterback at times as he continues to develop and might be directing a playoff-bound team.

"I see him building his confidence," Rivera said. "I see him making good decisions. I see why they like who he is. To me, it all starts with Kirk Cousins. He has really come along. ... They've got play makers and that's what you have to be aware of."

Carolina ripped the Redskins in a 44-16 home victory last season. That included the defense forcing five turnovers.

"Hopefully, we don't turn it over five times," Cousins said. "You'd like to think we're a more mature team ... and you protect the ball better."

Cousins said there are lots of similarities with the Panthers defense to what the Redskins had to face a year ago.

"I remember Carolina being one of the better defenses we played all year," Cousins said. "A lot of the same players are back. I do think their defense is still very good and smart players."

With Norman now on the opposing team, the Redskins have been keen on praising the Panthers secondary this week. That includes rookie cornerbacks James Bradberry and Daryl Worley.

"It's hard to come into this league and play right away," Cousins said of Carolina's rookie cornerbacks.

Cousins has been praised for his poise and precision at times as the Redskins have hung tough in the NFC East. The offense has become more difficult to defend.

"No matter who's on the field, we spread it around," Cousins said. "You're building that chemistry on knowing where guys should be."

It's unclear if Cousins will have to contend with Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who has missed three games because of a concussion. He returned to practice several days before last week's game against San Diego, but ultimately wasn't cleared to play.

The Redskins were glad to have extra time because of the Monday night game. That might give linebackers Su'a Cravens (elbow) and Will Compton (knee sprain) time to recover from ailments, while special teams player Mack Brown entered the concussion protocol based on a hit last week against Philadelphia.

The Panthers (5-8) have to win their final three games and receive quite a bit of help to land in the playoffs. It's a complicated path to the postseason even for a team that has won four of its last seven games.

"There is no room for error and we have to rely on certain other things happening," Rivera said. "At the end of the day, our concern is our next game. We play the Redskins on Monday night and I believe our guys are going to prep and get ready. ... Our intention is to win them all."

Washington holds a 7-5 edge in the all-time series with the Panthers, who've won the past four meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Expert NFL Picks: Detroit Lions at New York Giants Odds and Predictions
by Alan Matthews

I'm not hearing anyone complain about the NFL's TV ratings of lack of quality play at this point. There has been some really intriguing football played for the past few weeks, and that should continue in Week 15. It was an easy call for me to examine Sunday's Detroit at New York Giants game with both clubs at 9-4.

The Lions' Jim Caldwell entered the season as one of the betting favorites to be the first coach fired because he nearly was after 2015. But the best move Caldwell ever did was to fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi during last season and promote quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter. The work Cooter has done with QB Matthew Stafford since then -- and remember that Stafford lost future Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson to retirement this offseason -- has been so spectacular that Cooter is considered a head-coaching candidate around the league even though he's only 32.

Detroit hasn't won a division title since 1993 and has made the playoffs just twice this decade but would take the NFC North with a win and Packers loss in Chicago (doubtful) OR a tie and Packers loss and Vikings loss or tie vs. Indianapolis. Thus, in my opinion, the Lions will have to wait at least a week. They currently hold the No. 2 seed in the NFC. But the remaining schedule is really tough: at Dallas and home to Green Bay. If I'm the Lions, I'm praying the Cowboys clinch the top seed in the NFC this week and have zip to play for next week.

Meanwhile, the Giants pushed out Tom Coughlin last offseason after missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year. They promoted offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo because of his work with Eli Manning. So far so good with New York set to clinch a playoff berth with a win plus all of the following: Redskins loss, Vikings loss or tie and Packers loss or tie. So that's not likely. New York still has an outside shot at the NFC East title, but the Cowboys would take that with a Sunday night win over Tampa Bay if New York loses this.

But it's quite possible we could see a Giants at Lions wild-card round playoff game. That's what it would be if the postseason began today.

Lions at Giants Betting Story Lines

After last season, the Tampa Bay Bucs were so high on their offensive coordinator who was going to be in demand for some head coaching jobs that they fired Coach Lovie Smith and promoted that coordinator, Dirk Koetter. Might the Lions do the same thing to keep Cooter? Stafford has by some metrics been the NFL's best quarterback under good 'ol Jim Bob. Last week against Chicago, Stafford scored the winning touchdown on a 7-yard run with 3:17 left in the 20-17 victory. It was Stafford's NFL single-season record eighth winning fourth-quarter (or overtime) drive this year. Detroit's eight wins after trailing in the fourth quarter are also a league record.

However, I'd be a bit worried about Stafford going forward. He actually wasn't all that sharp against the Bears in throwing for 223 yards, a TD and two picks. That's likely because during the game he dislocated and tore ligaments in the middle finger of his throwing hand. Go try and throw a football without using your middle finger. Stafford will keep playing with a glove on, but that's going to be a problem -- especially, one would think, in chilly cold-weather games with potential precipitation like this one.

As for the Giants, they improved to 2-0 against Dallas this year with a terrific defensive effort in last Sunday night's 10-7 mini-upset. New York made Cowboys QB Dak Prescott look very much like a rookie and held the Cowboys to season lows in points and yards (260). Dez Bryant was a total non-factor with one catch. Even after losing top pass-rushing lineman Jason Pierre-Paul to season-ending sports hernia surgery, that defense was able to get pressure on Prescott.

While McAdoo was promoted because of his offensive work, that unit has underachieved. Manning has been held under 200 yards passing three games in a row. New York averages just 19.6 points, way down from last year. But the defense is leaps and bounds improved after a free-agent spending spree on that side of the ball. It is allowing 18.8 points per game, seventh in the NFL.

Lions at Giants Betting Odds and Trends

New York is a 4.5-point favorite (-110) with a total of 41.5. On the moneyline, the Giants are -225 and Lions +185. On the alternate lines, the Giants are -5 (-105) and -4 (-118). Detroit is 8-5 against the spread (3-3 on road) and 4-9 "over/under" (2-4 on road). Big Blue is 7-5-1 ATS (4-3 at home) and 3-10 O/U (3-4 at home).

The Lions are 6-1 ATS in their past seven vs. the NFC and 5-1 ATS in their past six vs. teams with a winning record. The Giants are 5-0 ATS in their past five at home vs. teams with a winning road record. The under is 7-0 in Detroit's past seven. It's 5-0 in New York's past five. The road team is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings.

Lions at Giants Betting Prediction

First meeting between the teams since Week 1 of 2014, a 35-14 Lions home win. Manning threw for only 163 yards and was picked off twice. Stafford threw for 346 and two TDs, both to "Megatron."

It looks to be a bit messy weather-wise in East Rutherford, which should make this interesting because neither team can run the ball, Stafford is hurting and Manning is struggling. But I have to lean the Giants here because they are home and they have the best offensive playmaker on the field and probably the NFL in receiver Odell Beckham Jr. He scored the Giants' only TD vs. Dallas, a short pass he took 61 yards to the house. Beckham already has nine career touchdown catches of at least 60 yards, the second-most by a player in his first three seasons in the league (Harlon Hill 10 from 1954-56). So give the points and go under the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Buccaneers head to Dallas

SNF Betting Preview
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Odds: Dallas (-7); Total set at 46.5

The decision the NFL made to flex this Tampa/Dallas game into SNF was interesting, especially since the Cowboys were featured in this same prime-time spot a week ago. Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot, but they've got their eyes set on a division championship and the 1st overall seed in the NFC, while Tampa is looking for a division title -or at the very least a playoff spot – themselves.

Clearly the NFL determined that having these two playoff contenders featured in prime-time would be best for ratings, but a point spread of a touchdown might suggest otherwise. So will Tampa shock the Cowboys and keep this game close/win outright, or will Dallas be able to rebound from their first loss since Week 1?

Dallas made plenty of headlines this year during their 11-game winning streak that was snapped last week, but rather quietly, at least if you solely go by mainstream media outlets, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won five in a row. The Bucs haven't just taken advantage of a weak schedule either as there are victories over two top two seeds in Kansas City and Seattle. Going cross country and beating the Chargers was also impressive, and the fact that this streak started as home dogs against the Chicago Bears of all teams speaks volumes about how hot Tampa Bay has gotten.

In fact, it wasn't until last week that the Bucs were actually laying points (-2 at home vs. New Orleans) and now against the top seed in the conference, Tampa is back to their familiar underdog role. Betting percentages at Vegas Insider show that over 85% of the money has come Tampa's way this week as sports bettors are finally starting to take notice of this team.

Part of that exposure also has to do with the struggles the Cowboys have recently had – specifically going 2-for-24 on third down the last two weeks – and feeling like this is too many points for the Cowboys to cover, but oddsmakers did a very good job setting this line and it's right where it should be in my opinion.

However, a combination of those perceptions and recent low-scoring results from both organizations has caused nearly just as many tickets to be written on the 'under' in this contest when looking at VI's percentage numbers and that's a wager I strongly disagree with. Yes, Dallas' 3rd down struggles are concerning and the Bucs defense has been lights out during this winning streak, but this game has an underlying feel of being a prime-time shootout.

When you consider that Tampa Bay is on a 9-2-1 O/U run as an organization after allowing 14 or fewer points in their last game, and 8-3-1 O/U on the road against a winning team at home, getting QB Jameis Winston and company to put up some points should occur. The Cowboys defense is near the bottom of the league vs. the pass and Tampa's best games offensively this year have come when Winston throws it a bunch for 250+ yards.

Big body WR Mike Evans can go 1-on-1 with anyone in the Cowboys secondary, and with Tampa knowing how explosive the Cowboys offense can be when things are going well, the touchdown underdogs battling for a NFC South championship won't be shy about taking shots.

All week the Cowboys have heard about their third down woes and after their first loss nearly three months with Prescott under center, the whole Prescott vs. Romo debate has been reignited. But with the Giants game now in the rear-view mirror, we should expect this Dallas offense to be much more relaxed out there, knowing they still control their own destiny right now and sit in quite a favorable position overall.

The Cowboys are 35-15-3 O/U in games after allowing 14 points or less, and they've got a 9-4-1 O/U run going at home against teams that have a winning road record. Tampa is 5-1 SU away from home this year and Dallas is fully aware that the Bucs will bring their A game to town this week.

With a 24-23 score cashing an 'over' bet in this game, and both teams are more than capable of putting up those type of numbers, don't expect the recent string of third down woes for Dallas to continue, nor the stellar defensive play by the Bucs.

Considering prime-time games are typically heavy on action with the favorite and the 'over,' seeing one of these games get so much love the other way on both options is something I have no problem being in the minority on; especially when we get to take a perceived unpopular 'over' play that the sportsbooks will be rooting for at this point.

Best Bet: Over (46.5)