NFL picks against the spread 2017, Week 13: Jets, Panthers offer enticing bets

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Updated Dec 3, 2017, 2:38 PM UTC

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It’s not the best week for betting. To be honest, it’s not the best week for NFL games period. We get thrilling matchups between the also-rans like the Broncos at the Dolphins and the 49ers at the Bears. Then, you get the lopsided ones, games like the Patriots at the Bills or the Rams at the Cardinals.

The most interesting category of games this week are the ones featuring teams struggling to keep a foothold in the playoff race, the teams that entered the season with high expectations that have since fallen apart.

LAST CHANCES

JETS (+3) over Chiefs

The Chiefs are only the fourth team in the Super Bowl era to start 5-0 and go 1-5, or worse, in their next six games. None of those teams made the playoffs, and none of those teams finished better than 8-8.

The Chiefs have a clear edge in terms of offensive talent, but these two teams are way more even than Kansas City fans would probably care to admit.

Patriots (-8.5) over BILLS

Buffalo is hanging around in the AFC wildcard battle. It’s going to be difficult to stay there with two more games against the Patriots, starting with this one. New England’s defense, the same one we were all putting a toe tag on back in September, has been the league’s best since Week 5. Nobody’s managed to even put up 20 points on them.

RAIDERS (-9) over Giants

Oakland’s playoff hopes aren’t dead yet either, thanks to Kansas City’s collapse. Ben McAdoo gave them a gift for this week with the Eli Manning benching.

THE WEEK’S BEST GAMES

Panthers (+4.5) over SAINTS

This one’s still a toss up to me, but I’m looking forward to it either way. It looks like Marshon Lattimore will play, but he’s not 100 percent. The Saints probably have the overall edge to win this one, but I think the panthers can cover.

FALCONS (-3) over Vikings

The biggest difference here is that the Falcons seem to have remembered that they have Julio Jones. Not seeing many of those silly short routes they insisted on using him for earlier in the season, and hey, will you look at that, they’re winning now.

Eagles (-5.5) over SEAHAWKS

Seattle’s done much better than I thought they would without Richard Sherman or Kam Chancellor. But this is the Eagles, not the 49ers they’re playing this week. That’s just too tall of a task to cover.

UNDERDOG PICKS FOR THE ADVENTUROUS GAMBLER

Texans (+7) over TITANS

For a team with seven wins, it speaks volumes about the Titans that they’ve only managed to cover the spread four times this season. A lot of that has to do with the fact that their offense is stuck in neutral. It’s been good enough to wrap up some weaker opponents on the schedule, but not enough to dominate anyone. The Tom Savage-led Texans aren’t great, but they’re not the mess I thought they’d be.

Browns (+13.5) over CHARGERS

It’s always dangerous picking the Browns. It very rarely pays off. The difference to me this week is Josh Gordon. He’s back. And remember last time he was playing, he was putting up No. 1 receiver stats with Purple Drank flowing through his system. Imagine what he can do now.