I was worried about the Cowboys in a let down spot this week in Indianapolis, but I didn’t expect them to be completely shutout by the Colts D. Luckily, the Lions beat the spread, even though they lost the game, so I finished the week going 1-1 with my picks. That brings my season record against the spread to 14-19-2, and it’s looking like I will not be able to get back to .500, at least during the regular season.
I’m using SportsInteraction.com for all of the spreads and odds for my NFL picks this season. You can see our full SIA review here. I’m sticking with 2 picks this week, rather than digging myself a bigger hole trying to get back to .500.
Green Bay Packers @ New York Jets
- Green Bay -3
- New York +3
The Packers were eliminated from playoff contention with their 24-17 loss in Chicago this past week. The Packers have simply not been very good this season whatsoever. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t played badly, but he’s not been elite QB and best player in the league that the media seems to anoint him as. The offense for the Packers hasn’t been good enough this season.
I don’t expect the Packers to flip the switch and start playing well now that they have been eliminated from the playoffs. In fact, I could see the opposite happening. Aaron Jones is out of the season, which leaves a significant hole in the running back position and takes one more main weapon away from Rodgers arsenal. I don’t expect the Packers to be able to move the ball that well against this Jets defense, that has actually been very solid this year.
On the other side of the ball, Sam Darnold has been playing better of late, and starting to make me a believer that he could be a good long term solution at QB for the Jets. He’s found chemistry with Robby Anderson, and I think this Jets offense will be able to score on the Packers at home this weekend.
The Packers are an abysmal 0-7 on the road this season and I think they’re going to finish the year winless away from Lambeau Field.
Play: Jets +3
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
- Minnesota -5.5
- Detroit +5.5
The Vikings looked great when they went with a run heavy approach against the Dolphins this past Sunday. Cook and Murray were both able to have big games and the two running backs combined for 204 yards and 3 TD’s on the ground. I expect them to continue that style of play in Detroit this week, while mixing in some big throws to Thielen and Diggs, and for the Vikings to really have no trouble putting up points against the Lions team.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions have been awful offensively since trading away Golden Tate midway through the year. Matt Stafford does not have any weapons at the moment, and his check down options are not picking up yards like Tate could. Kerryon Johnson is still sidelined, and this Lions offense can barely move the ball with only Kenny Golladay as a legitimate threat. The Vikings sacked Stafford a ton in their last meeting, and I’m expecting more of the same this time around with the Lions having trouble getting first downs.
Even though this game is in Detroit, I still think this could get ugly with the Vikings running away with it.
Play: Vikings -5.5
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