Bob Balfe
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #108
Bills -14.5 over Patriots
The Bills will guarantee a playoff spot if they win today. New England beat Buffalo earlier in the year, but they are a shell of what they were then. QB Mac Jones was benched for poor play, and the Bailey Zappe experience hasn’t been all that great. New England struggles to score at a historic rate. New England lost Rhamondre Stevenson for the year with an ankle injury, which will cost them in the run and passing game. The Patriot’s receivers are not at full strength, so I expect the Bills to hold them to a low point total. Bills QB Josh Allen should be able to will his team to a big win today. Buffalo has depth on both sides of the football, and their home crowd will be electric today, knowing a win over their rivals will secure a trip to the postseason. Take the Bills.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #113-114
Raiders/Colts Over 41.5
The Colts are in a do-or-die situation, as they need to win to have a chance at the playoffs. The Raiders would need the seas to part to have a chance, but under their new coach, they are all playing for jobs next year. Las Vegas has played a lot looser since the coaching change and should be able to attack Colt’s secondary, which is far from 100 percent. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is doubtful, so QB Aidan O’Connell should pass more. The Raider’s offensive line has improved, and Davante Adams can score from anywhere on the field. The Colts will be without running back Zach Moss, but Jonathan Taylor should step up, and Gardner Minshew should find his receivers against a bad pass defense. Look for a high-scoring game. Take the Over.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #120
Eagles -12.5 over Cardinals
Eagles/Cardinals Over 48
The Eagles almost got a gift last night as the referees called a questionable penalty to take the Lions’ win off the board. Philadelphia is trying to win the division, so they can’t slip up today. Arizona has a lot of injuries this year on defense, so the Eagles should be able to move the ball at will. Philadelphia has struggled the last month and needs a punching bag. Arizona QB Kyler Murray could have a better offense in front of him, but he is a playmaker and should crack the Eagle’s shaky secondary a few times. Today’s game should be high-scoring, but in the end, the Philadelphia home advantage will spring Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to a big passing day. Take the Eagles and the Over.
NFL
4:25 PM EST
Rotation #127-128
Bengals/Chiefs Over 45.5
The Bengals need a win to stay in the playoff hunt. Kansas City needs a win to get their mojo back. We are trying to remember when Kansas City looked this mediocre. The Chiefs will likely be the third seed as they won their division. Bengals QB Jake Browning will need to bring his very best game to get a win in Kansas City. The Chief’s running backs are all dealing with injuries. Patrick Mahomes will have no choice but to throw a lot. Kansas City was embarrassed on Christmas Day at home. The Chiefs fans will get on them early and often if they play poorly. Mecole Hardman is back in the lineup, so his presence will take pressure off Travis Kelce and the other receivers. Look for KC to get their offense on track today. The Bengals have a two-dimensional offense as they have a veteran offensive line that can open up lanes for the running back and protect the QB when throwing to his receivers. Look for this matchup to be higher scoring. Take the Over.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #108
Bills -14.5 over Patriots
The Bills will guarantee a playoff spot if they win today. New England beat Buffalo earlier in the year, but they are a shell of what they were then. QB Mac Jones was benched for poor play, and the Bailey Zappe experience hasn’t been all that great. New England struggles to score at a historic rate. New England lost Rhamondre Stevenson for the year with an ankle injury, which will cost them in the run and passing game. The Patriot’s receivers are not at full strength, so I expect the Bills to hold them to a low point total. Bills QB Josh Allen should be able to will his team to a big win today. Buffalo has depth on both sides of the football, and their home crowd will be electric today, knowing a win over their rivals will secure a trip to the postseason. Take the Bills.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #113-114
Raiders/Colts Over 41.5
The Colts are in a do-or-die situation, as they need to win to have a chance at the playoffs. The Raiders would need the seas to part to have a chance, but under their new coach, they are all playing for jobs next year. Las Vegas has played a lot looser since the coaching change and should be able to attack Colt’s secondary, which is far from 100 percent. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is doubtful, so QB Aidan O’Connell should pass more. The Raider’s offensive line has improved, and Davante Adams can score from anywhere on the field. The Colts will be without running back Zach Moss, but Jonathan Taylor should step up, and Gardner Minshew should find his receivers against a bad pass defense. Look for a high-scoring game. Take the Over.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #120
Eagles -12.5 over Cardinals
Eagles/Cardinals Over 48
The Eagles almost got a gift last night as the referees called a questionable penalty to take the Lions’ win off the board. Philadelphia is trying to win the division, so they can’t slip up today. Arizona has a lot of injuries this year on defense, so the Eagles should be able to move the ball at will. Philadelphia has struggled the last month and needs a punching bag. Arizona QB Kyler Murray could have a better offense in front of him, but he is a playmaker and should crack the Eagle’s shaky secondary a few times. Today’s game should be high-scoring, but in the end, the Philadelphia home advantage will spring Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to a big passing day. Take the Eagles and the Over.
NFL
4:25 PM EST
Rotation #127-128
Bengals/Chiefs Over 45.5
The Bengals need a win to stay in the playoff hunt. Kansas City needs a win to get their mojo back. We are trying to remember when Kansas City looked this mediocre. The Chiefs will likely be the third seed as they won their division. Bengals QB Jake Browning will need to bring his very best game to get a win in Kansas City. The Chief’s running backs are all dealing with injuries. Patrick Mahomes will have no choice but to throw a lot. Kansas City was embarrassed on Christmas Day at home. The Chiefs fans will get on them early and often if they play poorly. Mecole Hardman is back in the lineup, so his presence will take pressure off Travis Kelce and the other receivers. Look for KC to get their offense on track today. The Bengals have a two-dimensional offense as they have a veteran offensive line that can open up lanes for the running back and protect the QB when throwing to his receivers. Look for this matchup to be higher scoring. Take the Over.
