NFL Football Picks

Would you believe the Houston Texans only had FIVE yards at the half last Sunday? This team looks lethargic at best and a potential lock level fade at Hard Rock Stadium this weekend. Get Loot’s Hou/Mia Week 12 pick here!

Jacoby Brissett gets his last start before Deshaun Watson returns in Week 13. Oddsmakers have the Browns as +3 home underdogs against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Who covers? Get Loot’s TB/Cle prediction here!

Sportsbooks have the Saints valued heavily at -7.5. Last week the Eagles failed to establish the run against Dallas and it’s one of the reasons they came up short. In the Jacksonville win they mixed things up well, attempting 30 passes to 28 runs. It was the opposite against the Cowboys, 44 passing attempts to just 16 runs. Which Eagles offense shows up Sunday? Rick Wise has his prediction.

While it took some time to come to fruition with a slow start to the season, the Minnesota offense is starting to look good and it could get even better. Kirk Cousins looks like he’s going to pay off this season, as he is getting a lot of his key guys involved. But the Chicago defense is getting better every game and Bears backers only need a FG to beat the bookmaker. Levinson has your NFL selection.

Atlanta’s defense is still banged up and still not playing at a high level and the Dallas Cowboys should take advantage. It’s starting to become evident that Dak Prescott is not the 2nd Coming of Troy Aikman and he is prone to making mistakes. The Dallas offensive success rests on their offensive line and the running of Ezekiel Elliott. If Dallas can get the run game going, that is when Dak is at his best. Can the Dallas offense move the ball and stay within 3? Bob Clark breaks down the game and gives his NFL pick.

There is always a chance with the Steelers when they are favorites – especially on the road – that they will lay an egg and outright lose a game they should win. But in this case, they have revenge on their minds. The Jags came into Steel City twice last year and beat the Steelers, including the playoff game that ended the Steeler season. The Jags had no hesitation about trash talking after both of those games, which should still be fresh in the Steelers minds. Is this narrative enough to give your bookie action on the Steelers -6? Keith Allen gives his NFL pick.

Sportsbooks say the Rams are more than a FG better but do the numbers align with this thinking? The key stat that separates these teams and the only statistical blemish for the Rams is red zone efficiency. This is the chink in the Rams armor that may end up holding them back down the stretch. They are only scoring touchdowns on 56% of their trips to the red zone, good for only 16th in the league. The Chiefs are scoring touchdowns at a 71% clip, good enough for 6th in the league. In the Rams game against the Saints 2 weeks ago LA also struggled converting on third down, converting only 37% of third downs and also were 0 for 2 on 4th downs. The Rams fill up the stat sheet and remind us of the Greatest Show on Turf, but they are not converting when they need it most. Keith Allen takes a deeper look at the matchup and gives his prediction.

The Texans have some young and dynamic talent in their ranks, including one of the game’s best receivers DeAndre Hopkins. D-Hopkins has been supreme in 2018 as he already owns seven scores and 894 receiving yards just past the half-way mark of the season. He serves as quarterback Deshaun Watson’s primary target in a passing offense that accrues 248.9 yards per game. But the bread and butter of Houston’s game is their rushing attack which compiles 120.2 yards on the ground per game (11th in the NFL). The sportsbooks have set the line at Texans -3. Will this offense be enough to cover against the spread? Keith Franks has the NFL prediction.

It is clear that this Seahawk team is limited in certain phases but they are still near-elite in others, including leading the league in rushing at 152 yards per game. Pete Carroll will not be shy about deploying that running game against the 22nd ranked rush defense of Green Bay. Is that matchup enough to make Seattle the favorite here? Ted Walker gives his NFL prediction.

The Titans and the Colts have met each other 47 times dating back to 1970 when they were the Houston Oilers and the Baltimore Colts. The Colts have dominated this divisional series as of late, winning 12 of the last 15 matchups going back to 2011. What does that mean? Like the historical numbers at the roulette table… absolutely nothing! Rick Wise breaks down the actual game and offers his free pick.