NFL Odds, Picks, Predictions
Chiefs-Broncos Odds
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Raheem Palmer: If Teddy Bridgewater were starting, I'd likely look to take the Broncos at an inflated number against a divisional opponent that they held to 22 points when these teams first met earlier this season. But unfortunately for the Broncos, they'll be starting Drew Lock, who is not only dealing with a shoulder injury but is a significant downgrade from Bridgewater.
In many ways, the Broncos might as well be playing with one arm tied behind their back considering the absence of Bridgewater, as well as their starting cornerbacks in Patrick Surtain II (calf) and Ronald Darby (shoulder).
This feels like an instance in which Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense takes this Broncos defense into the deep waters and drown them in a game where the Chiefs can name their score. The back door might be open for the Broncos should the Chiefs decide to bench their starters in the fourth quarter, but I'm betting on it getting away from the Broncos to the point where they can't catch up.
I'll lay the points with the Chiefs up to -12 (check real-time NFL odds here).
Cowboys-Eagles Odds
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Stuckey: This is a very tough game to handicap since we're essentially guessing who is going to play for each team and for how long. You also have the added factor of both teams dealing with COVID, throwing another wrench into the equation.
The Eagles had 12 players who either started or contributed on the COVID list this week, and as I detail further in my full preview for this matchup, my assumption is that many of them are unlikely to give it a go in a fairly meaningless game.
How about their other starters? Well, Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith have indicated they would like to play, but the tea leaves suggest head coach Nick Sirianni will sit everyone who is important. Again, there's no way to know for sure, but that's my best guess.
The opposite may be true for the Cowboys, although they're also dealing with COVID, which will keep key starters Micah Parsons, Tyron Smith and Anthony Brown out of the lineup. However, head coach Mike McCarthy came out and said he'll play his starters in an attempt to win this game.
I can see that for a few reasons:
- Dallas wants to gain some momentum after last week's loss.
- It wants to get its offense going after sputtering late in the season.
- McCarthy rested his starters in Green Bay in 2011, which backfired. That could create bias.
- The Cowboys rested starters in the final week of the 2017 regular season (Dak Prescott's rookie season), then lost their first playoff game.
Therefore, my best guess is the Cowboys play their starters in at least the first half. I could see them easily pulling guys in the second half, especially if they build a big lead.
It's hard to say who will play for the Eagles, but they do have a very capable backup quarterback in Gardner Minshew if Hurts doesn't start or doesn't play the full game. Minshew should be able to make some things happen against a Cowboys defense that will be without two starting cornerbacks and Parsons. Meanwhile, I'd imagine Prescott and Co. should move the ball with relative ease if the Eagles decide to sit their starters.
I would make this game closer to a pick'em if both teams were at full strength, but given all the circumstances, I give Dallas the slight edge based on which players I expect will play for both sides.
I bet the Cowboys to cover the first half and would up to -3. I also dabbled on the over, which I'd play up to 44 (shop for the best real-time line here). That said, given all of the uncertainty, I wouldn't recommend any big bets in this particular game.
