Overall, my picks were just okay last week, and they were really bad as far as my CBSSports.com Choice of experts. I went a miserable 4-9, but went 9-4 straight and 3-2 with my best bets as part of the Pick Six podcast.
That brings my season bests to 46-33-4 with my best bets, which I’ll take, 126-81-1 with my direct picks, and a terrible 96-104-8 with my ATS picks.
Picking the whole roster for the ATS picks beat me this year. I just can’t get into a groove. I had a great week 13, then week 14 went to hell. That changes this week.
The winners are coming.
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime)
Featured Game | Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks’ defense has crumbled in recent weeks as they head into this key game in the division. The 49ers beat them earlier this season with Jimmy Garoppolo, and they should do it again here with Brock Purdy. He played well last week on his starting debut and I think he will do well here too. The 49ers take it.
Take: 49ers 27, Seahawks 21
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Featured Game | Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are coming off a bye, while the Vikings are coming off a loss on the road. The Colts’ offense has suffered a lot this season, but so has Minnesota’s defense. But I’m giving the Minnesota front an edge on the Colts offensive line. Expect the Vikings to bounce back here as the defense plays better.
Take: Vikings 28, Foals 14
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Featured game | Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens won’t have Lamar Jackson, but will they have Tyler Huntley, who suffered a concussion last week? Or will it be rookie Anthony Brown? The Browns have finished, so it’s a game of pride. Deshaun Watson hasn’t been very good, which is concerning. The Ravens play a back-to-back game on the road, which is tough. They will win behind their defense, but it’s tight.
Take: Crows 23, Browns 22
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Featured game | Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have lost two straight games and are now playing their third straight game on the road. It’s brutal. The Bills lost to Miami in the first meeting, even though they dominated. Tua Tagovailoa has struggled for the past two weeks and conditions are supposed to be tough in this one. The Bills will win it because they play good defense and Josh Allen does his part.
Take: Bills 27, Dolphins 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, Fubo TV)
Featured game | New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Both of these teams are coming off a bye, and both are alive in pursuit of the playoffs — but barely. The Falcons make a quarterback change, moving to rookie Demond Ridder. It’s a tough place to debut because these two teams don’t like each other and it’s a tough place to play. The Saints will win this one behind their defense and ruin Ridder’s first start.
Take: Saints 27, Falcons 16
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Panthers can advance to the playoffs by winning, starting with this one. Carolina relies on defense and running play on offense to win games. The Steelers could be without Kenny Pickett in this one (concussion), but even if he plays, it won’t matter. Carolina’s running game will win this game.
Take: Panthers 23, Steelers 16
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, Fubo TV)
Featured Game | Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Bears are coming off a bye, while the Eagles are playing their second straight road game. So what. It won’t matter in this one. The Eagles offense is rolling and it will against Chicago. Look for Jalen Hurts to continue his MVP push with another big day as Justin Fields won’t be able to keep up.
Take: Eagles 33, Bears 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Texans played well losing a close relative to the Cowboys last week, as the Chiefs picked up a narrow victory over the Broncos. The Chiefs also play back-to-back games on the road, but that won’t matter. They do it on both sides here. Explosion as Patrick Mahomes plays well.
Take: Chiefs 33, Texans 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, Fubo TV)
Featured game | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Jaguars are alive in the hunt for the playoffs, while Dallas tries to hunt down the Eagles in their division. Jacksonville is coming off an explosive Tennessee offense behind Trevor Lawrence. But it is a much more difficult challenge. The Cowboys offense will score points here against a poor Jacksonville defense. Look for a lot of points, but Dallas is the better team.
Take: Cowboys 34, Jaguars 28
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions
It’s a big game. Yes, it’s a big game. The Lions have won five of six to enter the playoff race. The Jets are coming off a second straight loss with Mike White at quarterback. He played well, but this game will be about the Lions offense against the Jets defense. I think the Lions are making the most of it.
Take: Lions 25, Jets 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, Fubo TV)
Featured Game | Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray finished the season with a torn ACL, which means Colt McCoy starts for the Cardinals in this game between two disappointing teams. Russell Wilson suffered a concussion last week, so his status is up in the air. It could be Brett Rypien at quarterback. Rypien versus McCoy. Oh man. The Broncos have the best defense, so that’s what will win them this game.
Take: Broncos 20, Cardinals 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, Fubo TV)
Featured game | Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots
The Patriots beat the Cardinals with an impressive second half on Monday night, while the Raiders are coming off a terrible loss to the Rams last Thursday. The Patriots are staying in Arizona for the week, which will resolve travel issues. Mac Jones showed life against the Cardinals and I think he will do it here too. The Patriots win it.
Take: Patriots 30, Raiders 27
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans
It’s a long journey for a Titans team that has lost three in a row. The Chargers are coming off an impressive win over Miami. Trevor Lawrence cut the Titans last week and this week it’s Justin Herbert. The Chargers win it behind a big day that passes.
Take: Chargers 31, Titans 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have big injuries before this one, but Tampa Bay has appeared lifeless on offense for much of the past month. The Bengals defense made a big improvement during this time. This is a problem for Tom Brady. Joe Burrow will get the best out of him.
Take: Bengals 27, Bucs 20
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, Fubo TV)
Featured game | Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants
The Commanders get the hourly break here as they come out of the bye, while the Giants suffer a bad loss to the Eagles. These two were tied two weeks ago in New York, but this time the Commanders will prevail behind their running game and defense. The Giants are in shock.
Take: Commanders 23, Giants 17
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, Fubo TV)
Featured game | Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Baker Mayfield was impressive in his early days with the Rams, but now he has to hit the road to face the Packers. He should know the offense better, which will help him. But it’s game for Aaron Rodgers to keep his team alive in the pursuit of the playoffs. The packers take it.
Take: Packers 28, Rams 17