NFL Odds, Picks, Predictions: Expert Betting Previews For Ravens-Steelers, Seahawks-49ers, WFT-Raiders, More

NFL Odds, Picks, Predictions

Jaguars at Rams Odds

Phillip Kall: Both of these teams have shown reasons to worry about them in recent weeks. With a spread of more than two touchdowns, that makes backing either team even more difficult. The Jags have been beaten by that amount several times, and the Rams have not shown the consistent offense you need with a spread that large. Instead, we will turn to the total in this one.

As mentioned above, the Jaguars offense has simply been a mess since returning from the bye. Now, the Jaguars bring that mess toe-to-toe with one of the most talented defenses in the NFL. To have any success, they will need to run the ball so the Rams cannot pin their ears back and attack Trevor Lawrence. This will keep the clock rolling and shorten the game.

As for the Rams, they still need to figure out who their go-to second option is outside of Cooper Kupp. In a game the Rams should control, the answer could be their running game. We have seen Los Angeles abandon the run quickly in recent weeks because of Matt Stafford’s critical mistakes. To avoid those in what is a must-win for their pride, handing the ball off is the best way to make sure you don’t lose it.

With both teams running the ball, the clock should move quickly and limit both teams' chances to score. Even if the Rams do somehow find themselves and start lighting up the scoreboard, I am going to trust their defense to show it is not just great on paper.

Pick: Under 47 | Bet to: 45.5

Washington at Raiders Odds

Michael Arinze: In boxing, you often hear the phrase "styles make fights." Well, I think we have a similar scenario on our hands with this matchup. We know the Raiders will want to throw the ball, but how effective will they be given that their most-targeted player, Darren Waller, won't suit up? And while Las Vegas signed DeSean Jackson following the release of Henry Ruggs III, one thing you can almost count on is the 14-year veteran landing on the injury report with one ailment or another.

As for Washington, the loss of Landon Collins will likely have the most significant impact on the team given the hybrid role he plays as a safety and a linebacker. Thus, massive question marks on both sides make this handicap quite challenging.

One thing I found that's intriguing is that while Washington will be on six days of rest, teams in this spot are 157-136-9, up 14.72 units. Furthermore, this system is on a 9-1 against the spread (ATS) run dating back to last season.

However, the injury report remains a bit of a concern for me, so I'll take the non-traditional route and play some different combination teasers by pairing Washington with any one of the following teams: Vikings -1 from -7, Cardinals -1 from -7, Patriots +9 from +3, and Dolphins PK from -6.

Pick: Two-team six-point teaser: Washington +7.5 plus Vikings -1 (-110) | Risk 0.5 units

Bonus Pick: Five-team six-point teaser combo: Washington +7.5, Vikings -1, Patriots +9, Dolphins PK, Cardinals -1 (+410) | Risk 0.25 units

Ravens at Steelers Odds

Billy Ward: Both teams have major injury questions on the defensive side of the ball, with T.J. Watt's absence being most impactful. Both of these teams' offensive strengths also align nicely with the corresponding weaknesses in the opposing defense — Baltimore's running game and Pittsburgh passing.

These teams have combined to score 44.3 points per game on the season while combining to allow 46.1 points per game. Both of those numbers are (slightly) above this games 44-point total, but they also involve the past play of healthier versions of their defenses.

I generally don't like betting overs in divisional games late in the year — but this is the first time these teams are meeting for the season. That's another good sign for betting the over. It's a bit scary given the play of Ben Roethlisberger this year, but I'm also banking on his famous home/road splits to boost the offense this week.

Finally, this game should be reasonably fast-paced. Baltimore plays at the 11th-quickest pace with a lead — which is likely to be the scenario for much of the game — while the Steelers play at the quickest pace in the second half of games.

Second-half totals will likely have some value here, but keep an eye out on live betting opportunities if this one starts slow.  Even so, the full-game over should get there, even if it looks rough in the first half.

Pick: Over 44 | Bet to: 45

49ers at Seahawks Odds

Michael Arinze: From a power rating perspective, there's a case to be made for the Seahawks in this spot.

If you're looking for a spot to buy low on them, this might just be it. Even with one win in its last seven games, Seattle (0.071) still has a higher point per play margin than San Francisco (0.035) on the year. If you're still undecided, here are some key trends to keep in mind for the game:

• San Francisco is just 5-14-1 against the spread (ATS) in the last 20 meetings vs. Seattle.
• The 49ers are 2-7-1 ATS on the road against the Seahawks in their last 10 meetings.

But here's the kicker. Seattle is a perfect 5-0 ATS as a home dog of at least 3.5 points and on a losing streak of at least two games.

I think I just talked myself into a wager. There's no question that this is a hold-your-nose type of bet. As a result, I'll limit my risk to just a half-unit of my bankroll on the lowly Seahawks to cover the spread at +3.5.

Pick: Seahawks +3.5 | Bet to: +3

Editor's note: The following previews were for 1 p.m. ET games.

NFL Odds, Picks, Predictions

Bucs at Falcons Odds

Joe Klein: These teams combined for 73 points in Week 2, and while there were two late pick-sixes to push the total high, it was a 28-25 game at the start of the fourth quarter. The Buccaneers offense got whatever it wanted, and Matt Ryan was able to use short, efficient passing to move the ball against the Tampa secondary.

Will we see a repeat this weekend? The Buccaneers are scoring 31.5 points per game, and with a dominant passing and rushing attack, this team should be able to name its score against a fairly hapless Atlanta defense. Even in a game state where the Bucs are comfortably ahead, their offensive line should pave some nice holes for Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones against a bottom-five run defense.

Can Matt Ryan answer? He did in Week 2, and with Cordarrelle Patterson back in the mix, this offense should be able to have some success moving the ball. Atlanta will likely throw the ball on 70% of snaps or more, either stopping the clock or moving the ball down the field.

And if Atlanta has a lead, Tampa Bay will certainly be able to put points on the board in a comeback effort given the Falcons' inability to run the ball.

In the end, all game states point toward an over. The Bucs offense is a juggernaut, while Atlanta may have more firepower than the market suggests. A total of 50.5 is widely available at time of writing, and there's some value here in backing points at that price.

Pick: Over 50.5 | Bet to: 50.5

Cardinals at Bears Odds

Phillip Kall: Right when Justin Fields started to hit his stride for Chicago, an injury struck and sucked optimism out of the Bears. They are now hurt on both sides of the ball and possibly waiting for a new coach to come in. Had Fields been healthy, he would give the team and fans someone to rally around as hope for the future. Instead, this is a banged-up team led by Andy Dalton stumbling along.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, have been able to overcome each hurdle thrown their way. Their three best players have all missed time and Arizona has a winning record without each. They control their fate for home-field advantage and will not risk it by overlooking the Bears in preparation for the Rams.

The only time Arizona looked helpless this year was against a talented Panthers defense. At full strength, the Bears may be able to replicate that success, but given their best three defenders may be out, that is a longshot.

In a game where Arizona has everything to play for and Chicago is just stumbling along, trust the Cardinals to take care of business early.

Pick: Cardinals 1H -4 | Bet to: -4.5

Chargers at Bengals Odds

Joe Klein: These teams are very similar, with young quarterbacks and coaches, as well as excellent pass-catching options. The similarities don't stop there, though, as these two teams have performed at very similar levels this season.

While the raw numbers favor the Bengals, Cincinnati has played one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, while the Chargers have faced one of the tougher schedules. It's easy to give up on Los Angeles after watching that meltdown in Denver, but the NFL is a week-to-week league. We cannot let the most recent game dictate our worldview on a given team.

There are a lot of ways to attack this game from a betting perspective. We'll start with the side. Given how close these two teams are (I have them rated nearly equally, as does DVOA), and how little home-field advantage has mattered this season, there is value in taking the points with the Chargers.

As of Saturday, +3 is widely available. I'd even consider staking some of your bet on the moneyline, which is available as high as +145. This implies the Chargers only have a 41% chance of winning this game, which is steep to me given how little separation there is between the two.

Pick: Chargers +3 | Bet to: +3 (-120)

Pick: Moneyline +145 | Bet to: +125

Vikings at Lions Odds

Billy Ward: With these two teams combining to average 41.3 points per game while combining to allow 51.4, the 46.5 total makes sense at first glance. However, I've noted in the past that second meetings between teams generally produce low scoring totals. On top of that, we have both teams missing (arguably) their most explosive offensive weapons this week, as well as key offensive linemen.

Their last meeting produced only 36 points, and that game featured a healthy D'Andre Swift, and a more aggressive Lions offense. Since Dan Campbell took over calling plays,  they've played slower, more run-heavy football.  Even if the Lions do decide to air it out, it's unlikely they have much success given the strengths of the Vikings defense. DraftKings still has this total at 47, and I'm taking the under there (check real-time NFL odds here).

I'm also going to be on the Vikings spread this week. Betting on the Lions to cover has served me well as of late, but this is the week where that trend stops.

The loss of Swift is far more impactful to the Lions than Dalvin Cook is to the Vikings.  Besides his running ability, he's second on the team in receiving yards on the season, leaving them with little behind T.J. Hockenson offensively. I'd love to get this line below the seven points it's currently at, but the Vikings still cover here.

Pick: Under 47 | Bet to: 46.5

Pick: Vikings -7 | Bet to: -7

Colts at Texans Odds

Mike Vitanza: While his 104.5-yard rushing prop in this one is certainly uncomfortable given the size of the number, it’s undeniable how dominant Jonathan Taylor has been this season, particularly against subpar rush defenses. The good news for Taylor this week is that this 25th-ranked Texans defense certainly fits that mold.

The 100-yard threshold has also been something that we’ve seen from him quite often this season. In 12 games, Taylor has surpassed that mark six times, with three performances of 140+ yards. In fact, the first time these two teams met this season, Taylor pummeled them to the tune of 145 rushing yards on just 14 carries.

Given the relative strength of the Texans' pass defense, we should see Taylor easily surpass the 14 carries he saw in the first meeting between these two teams and cruise past 100 rushing yards with ease. Don’t let the high total scare you away — take the over on this Taylor rushing prop and play it up through 109.5 yards if necessary.

Pick: Jonathan Taylor Over 104.5 Rushing Yards | Bet to: 109.5

Giants at Dolphins Odds

Mike Randle: I project this to be a closer game than most think and will grab the points with the visitor Giants. I don't believe the downgrade to Mike Glennon from Daniel Jones is worth the substantial line movement, and I expect some regression to the mean with the Dolphins' performance.

The Giants fit into a lucrative betting trend this season. Road underdogs are covering at a 62% (64-40-1) rate this season. I’ll grab a live road underdog with an inflated line and low-scoring total.

I would bet this game down to 5.5, but I expect to see it rise even further.

Pick: Giants +6 | Bet to: +5.5

Eagles at Jets Odds

Mike Vitanza: In a game where both teams will likely look to run the ball extensively against opposing rush defenses that haven’t been particularly stout thus far, it’s fair to expect long, time-consuming drives from both offenses in this one.

While the Jets defense is particularly susceptible against the run, neither team has been overly efficient when it comes to red-zone touchdown scoring lately. In fact, the Eagles have been scoring touchdowns on just 44.4% of their red-zone possessions over the last three games, while the Jets have been doing so at just a 50% clip. Both of those rank among the worst in the league over that span.

Given the projected game script and the recent red zone touchdown efficiency we’ve see from both offenses, we have a strong recipe for the under in this Week 13 matchup. While DraftKings has the total at 44.5 at the time of writing, you can still grab it at under 45 on FanDuel (check real-time NFL odds here).

I’m comfortable playing this at either number, and I will be playing this one down to 44 if the total continues to drop prior to kickoff.

Pick: Under 45 | Bet to: Under 44