Let last week be a lesson. Don’t bet on a game like Browns-Bills based on weather conditions when the status of the game’s location remains up in the air. Surely, we all would have taken Buffalo at a neutral site without snow.
Either way, Week 11 was a step in the right direction for me, with a 7-5-2 record (73-84-7 overall). Charles Curtis also went 7-5-2 (72-85-7) and Blake Schuster went 4-8-2 (61-68-7). Caroline Darney (66-79-5) is back after a week off.
Here’s a word from them before we get into Thanksgiving week games:
Blake: Ok, so we didn’t get to .500. But there’s still hope this week!
Charles: Steadily creeping back to the win column!
Caroline: I wish I could say I missed making picks, but I don’t want to lie to you all.
1
Bills at Lions (+9.5)
Prince: Bills
The Lions are coming off a big win, but Buffalo’s offense is a different beast than what they just faced.
Blake: Bills
Lions getting blown out on Thanksgiving, a classic tradition.
Charles: Bills
Uh yeah, sorry Lions fans.
Caroline: Bills
We’ve hit a couple rough spots in the Bills fan camp over here, but we’re feeling good this week.
2
Giants at Cowboys (-9.5)
Prince: Giants
Might be picking with my heart a little here. But something tells me the Giants have been waiting for this game.
Blake: Giants
I like the line for New York but also wouldn’t be stunned if the Giants won this straight up. Feels like a trap for Dallas bettors.
Charles: Giants
The Giants can play this team close, even on the road. Beware of division games with large spreads!
Caroline: Cowboys
I came in here 100% going to pick the Giants because of the points, but since all of y’all did, I’m switching to the Cowboys.
3
Patriots at Vikings (-2.5)
Prince: Vikings
The Vikings might not be as good as people thought, but they’re at least a field goal better than the Patriots.
Blake: Vikings
Agree with Prince. The loss to Dallas was a wake-up call.
Charles: Patriots
Um, hello. IT’S A PRIMETIME GAME WITH KIRK COUSINS STARTING.
Caroline: Vikings
lol I have no idea.
4
Bears at Jets (-4.5)
Prince: Bears
Whether Justin Fields plays or not, the regression of New York’s offense is making stick with the points.
Blake: Jets
The Bears continue to lose close, exciting games en route to the greatest tanking season ever. I’ll stick with that trend.
Charles: Bears
Assuming Fields plays, I will bet against Mike White.
Caroline: Bears
This pick hinges on Fields playing, but there is so much going on with the Jets right now that I just can’t go with them.
5
Texans at Dolphins (-13)
Prince: Dolphins
Miami just beat a much better Browns team by 22.
Blake: Dolphins
The only thing that could hurt Miami’s chances here is a Houston offense that does its best to eat up the clock, but that feels pretty unlikely at this point—especially considering how quickly the Dolphins can put up points.
Charles: Dolphins
Miami could put up 30 points by halftime here.
Caroline: Dolphins
What they said.
6
Buccaneers at Browns (+3.5)
Prince: Buccaneers
I’ll roll with Tom Brady’s offense out of a bye against a bad defense.
Blake: Buccaneers
The Browns are an absolute mess. The Bucs are well-rested after one of their more satisfying wins of the season.
Charles: Buccaneers
Don’t look now, but the Bucs are rounding into form and are facing a vulnerable defense here.
Caroline: Buccaneers
I’m already annoyed at the postseason run that the Bucs are going to make.
7
Broncos at Panthers (+2.5)
Prince: Panthers
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers won outright.
Blake: Broncos
I still think Denver’s defense does enough to get the win.
Charles: Broncos
Sigh. Can I just say no thanks? No? Fine, I’ll avoid betting on Sam Darnold.
Caroline: Panthers
I feel terrible about all of these picks.
8
Ravens at Jaguars (+4)
Prince: Ravens
I think the Ravens offense bounces back in this one.
Blake: Jaguars
We’ve been talking about the Ravens’ offense bouncing back like every other week. I’ll take the home underdog.
Charles: Ravens
See, I think the focus is the Ravens’ defense, which is getting better.
Caroline: Ravens
Baltimore is better on both sides of the ball, I think. Let’s go with that.
9
Bengals at Titans (+1.5)
Prince: Titans
Maybe the toughest pick of the week for me, I think the Titans’ defense makes the difference in this game.
Blake: Bengals
I hate this pick already.
Charles: Titans
Home dawgs for a team that can win close games? Yes please.
Caroline: Bengals
I went back and forth on this one, so I likely got this wrong.
10
Falcons at Commanders (-4)
Prince: Falcons
Atlanta is a little more desperate right now.
Blake: Falcons
I love this pick already.
Charles: Falcons
I really, really, really want to take Washington at home, but Atlanta is the kind of team that can keep this one close.
Caroline: Commanders
I’m doing it. I’m picking the Commanders. I feel terrible about it.
11
Chargers at Cardinals (+4.5)
Prince: Chargers
The Chargers looked like a much improved team against Kansas City with their offensive playmakers back in the fold.
Blake: Chargers
Let me be clear: this is a pick based on how dysfunctional the Cardinals look rather than having faith in Los Angeles to turn things around.
Charles: Chargers
Another tough one, but I can’t back the Cardinals right now. Bleh.
12
Raiders at Seahawks (-3.5)
Prince: Seahawks
I like Seattle at home out the bye. Huge game for Geno Smith loading.
Blake: Seahawks
The Raiders’ suffering will continue until moral improves.
Charles: Seahawks
How can you NOT bet on Seattle to win this by at least four?
Caroline: Seahawks
Going with the kiss of death picks sweep.
13
Saints at 49ers (-9)
Prince: 49ers
I don’t love the Saints’ chances traveling West against a Niners team hitting its stride.
Blake: 49ers
San Francisco needs to build on a big Monday Night win. What better team to do that against than New Orleans?
Charles: 49ers
I’ll be betting on the Niners until I see anything change. They’re a true contender.
Caroline: 49ers
Another one that made me balk at the spread, but I think San Fran is actually that much better.
14
Rams at Chiefs (-14.5)
Prince: Chiefs
I don’t think this will a swift blowout, but over the course of four quarters the Chiefs should be able to get up by three scores.
Blake: Chiefs
This will absolutely be a swift blowout. Expect the Chiefs to make (a further) mockery of every analyst who said the AFC West was up for grabs this year.
Charles: Chiefs
Super Bowl hangover, more hung over.
Caroline: Chiefs
No one loves Bryce Perkins more than me, but this one is Chiefs all the way.
15
Packers at Eagles (-7)
Prince: Eagles
The Packers won’t have an easy time passing in this one. And Philly’s new-ish additions on the defensive line should pay dividends in the run game.
Blake: Eagles
This should be another game that gets out of hand quickly.
Charles: Packers
I … just don’t know. Maybe I’m trying to be different here. Maybe the Eagles have taken a slight step back in recent weeks. But I’m nervous.
Caroline: Eagles
Still just won’t pick the Packers.
16
Steelers at Colts (-2.5)
Prince: Colts
Matt Ryan should outplay the rookie Kenny Pickett.
Blake: Steelers
They really couldn’t find a better Monday Night Game?
Charles: Colts
Ew.
Caroline: Steelers
Why do I have to waste my Monday night on this.
