We're off Thanksgiving and heading down the runway to Christmas, New Years' and the NFL playoffs.
This is when stuff gets real, brother. This is when we have to sharpen our focus and really dig deep to find the wins. They're out there, make no mistake, we have to hunt them down and bring those babies home.
That's what we do and we're at it again this Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) at Buffalo Bills
1 p.m. ET
It's hard to fathom that these two teams met in a playoff game just last season. Now they enter this matchup both at 3-7. All that means is one of these teams will get their fourth win on Sunday.
Buffalo is off a bye week, but is still very much the Buffalo Bills. The Jags were at home last week and lost to Pittsburgh after giving up a brutal fourth quarter comeback to the Steelers.
If the Jags play that same game they beat Buffalo by double digits. The Jags have struggled, no doubt, but the Bills are still the Bills.
THE PICK: Jaguars -3
New England Patriots (-10) at New York Jets
1 p.m. ET
Don't overthink this. Both teams are off a bye week. The last time we saw the Jets they were getting blasted by Matt Barkley and the Buffalo Bills at home.
The Patriots own this team. That won't change on Sunday.
They're rested and ready for the home stretch. The Pats don't slip up in this spot.
THE PICK: Patriots -10
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Denver Broncos
4:25 p.m. ET
Denver enters this game off a surprising upset of the Chargers last week, and maybe a little overvalued. The Steelers are absolutely rolling right now. Against a very good Jags defense, they orchestrated an exciting fourth quarter comeback.
As my colleague/boss/muse/best friend, Chad Millman said on The Favorites podcast this week, maybe the Steelers' annual struggle is already behind them.
Maybe it was the first three weeks of the season and now they're primed to cruise through the remainder of the season.
I'm buying.
THE PICK: Steelers -3
Let's cash some tickets, baby!
Editor’s note: The opinions on this game are from the individual writer and are based on his research, analysis and perspective. They are independent of, and may not always match with, the algorithm-driven Best Bets from Sports Insights.
