Week 13 features only three games between two teams with winning records. All three matchups are on Sunday.
Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry face off when the streaking Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) take on the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) in a potential Super Bowl preview. Barkley leads the NFL with 1,392 yards rushing and Henry is next at 1,325.
The Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) visit the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) in a matchup between first-year coaches who’ve turned their teams around.
Two surprise teams meet when the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) play host to the Arizona Cardinals (6-5).
It’s a full schedule with no byes, beginning with three games on U.S. Thanksgiving and another on Black Friday.
Five road teams are favourites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Pro Picks aims for another winning week.
New York Giants (2-9) at Dallas (4-7)
Line: Cowboys minus 3½
The Giants are a total mess. General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are barely hanging onto their jobs. Drew Lock could become the third starting QB in three games. Standout rookie receiver Malik Nabers called his team “soft” after they played like a group that’s quit last week. The Cowboys aren’t much better, though they fought hard in an upset win at Washington. Cooper Rush had his best game filling in for Dak Prescott. A soft schedule has Dallas thinking the playoffs aren’t out of reach. The Cowboys can’t overlook New York. They’re 0-6 in their past six home games but have won seven straight matchups against the Giants.
BEST BET: COWBOYS: 26-17
Los Angeles Rams (5-6) at New Orleans (4-7)
Line: Rams minus 2½
The Saints are 2-0 under interim coach Darren Rizzi and are coming off a bye with a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. An offence that was unstoppable in the first two games this season is getting back on track thanks to an improved run game and back-to-back sharp outings from Derek Carr. Alvin Kamara should be excited to get the ball against the Rams, who just gave up 255 yards rushing to Saquon Barkley. Los Angeles needs to protect Matthew Stafford better and give him time to get the ball to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
UPSET SPECIAL: SAINTS: 24-23
Chicago (4-7) at Detroit (10-1)
Line: Lions minus 9½
The Lions have lost seven straight games on Thanksgiving, including three times to the Bears. It would be a major upset if that happens again. Detroit has won nine straight games since losing to Tampa Bay in Week 2. The Lions are not only winning but dominating opponents with six victories by a double-digit margin during their streak. Jared Goff leads a prolific offence while the defence hasn’t allowed a touchdown the past two games. The Bears are trying to snap a five-game losing streak. Caleb Williams hasn’t thrown a pick in 193 passes. Detroit is 15-3 against the spread in its past 18 division games.
LIONS: 31-19
Miami (5-6) at Green Bay (8-3)
Line: Packers minus 3½
Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending concussion the previous time the Dolphins faced Green Bay on Christmas Day in 2022. He has 11 TDs and only one interception in the five games since returning from his latest concussion and has led Miami to three straight wins. The Packers face a tough test in the middle of a stretch where they play three games in a 12-day span with a showdown against the Lions looming next Thursday. Jordan Love has bounced back from two rough games to play two solid ones. He’ll face a strong challenge against Miami’s top-10 defence.
PACKERS: 23-21
Las Vegas (2-9) at Kansas City (10-1)
Line: KC minus 13
Two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City keeps finding ways to win barely. KC has won 12 straight games decided by seven points or fewer, the longest streak in NFL history, and has won five games decided on the final play this season. Patrick Mahomes is the difference-maker in many of the close ones. Kansas City could use a rout. The struggling Raiders provide an opportunity for a lopsided victory. Las Vegas has lost seven in a row and lost quarterback Gardner Minshew last week. KC is due for an easy one, but it is 0-5 ATS in the past five games.
KC: 27-16
Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5)
Line: Chargers minus 2
The Chargers hit the road on a short week after losing the “Harbowl” at home to the Ravens. Their offence could be without running back J.K. Dobbins and the defence has allowed 57 points in the past two games after giving up just 13.6 per game the previous five. Meanwhile, the rested Falcons are coming off a bye and eager to snap a two-game losing streak to maintain their hold on first place in the NFC South.
FALCONS: 23-22
Pittsburgh (8-3) at Cincinnati (4-7)
Line: Bengals minus 3
The AFC North-leading Steelers are road underdogs after a road loss at Cleveland. Russell Wilson has been hitting his deep throws but needs better protection. A usually stingy defence that couldn’t make stops against Jameis Winston in the snow now has to contain Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The underachieving Bengals need to stack wins to have any shot at climbing back into the playoff race. Cincinnati is 1-3 ATS as a home favourite this season.
BENGALS: 24-23
Arizona (6-5) at Minnesota (9-2)
Line: Vikings minus 3½
Stout defence and solid play by QB Sam Darnold has helped Minnesota become the surprise team in the NFL this season. Only the Lions and KC have a better record. The Cardinals are in a four-way battle in the NFC West. It won’t be easy for Kyler Murray and Co. to score against the Vikings.
VIKINGS: 23-17
Indianapolis (5-7) at New England (3-9)
Line: Colts minus 2½
It’s no longer Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning in this rivalry. Anthony Richardson and Drake Maye go head-to-head in a matchup between young QBs taken in the top five of the draft over the past two seasons. The Colts can’t get their offence and defence to play well in the same game. That could turn around against the lowly Patriots.
COLTS: 20-16
Seattle (6-5) at New York Jets (3-8)
Line: Seahawks minus 2
Geno Smith faces the team that drafted him after turning his career around on his fourth stop and going to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons. The Seahawks are fighting for the playoffs while the Jets have fallen apart. Their coach and GM already have been fired. Aaron Rodgers’s future is uncertain. Yet, the team still has plenty of talent.
SEAHAWKS: 20-17
Tennessee (3-8) at Washington (7-5)
Line: Commanders minus 6
Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have hit a detour on their road to the playoffs, losing three straight games. Offensive co-ordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offence has stalled during Washington’s recent skid. The Titans are coming off a big upset in Houston and Will Levis has asserted himself since returning from an injury a month ago. Tennessee has the No. 2 defence in the league.
COMMANDERS: 24-17
Houston (7-5) at Jacksonville (2-9)
Line: Texans minus 4½
C.J. Stroud and the Texans are having some issues this season. Not even close to Jacksonville’s troubles, though. The Jaguars could have Trevor Lawrence back after he missed two games. That won’t be enough. Houston has won 11 of the past 13 games against Jacksonville.
TEXANS: 24-20
Tampa Bay (5-6) at Carolina (3-8)
Line: Buccaneers minus 6
Panthers coach Dave Canales has the team playing better and Bryce Young is showing some of the potential that made him a No. 1 overall pick. Canales’s familiarity with Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s offence should help Carolina’s defence. The Buccaneers can’t afford a letdown as they try to make a push to get back in the playoff race.
BUCCANEERS: 24-20
Philadelphia (9-2) at Baltimore (8-4)
Line: Ravens minus 3
Both teams are coming off impressive wins in the same stadium in Los Angeles one night apart. The Ravens had shorter rest after the Monday night win. Barkley has been a sensational addition for the Eagles. Henry has made a major impact in Baltimore. Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson go head-to-head for the first time. The Ravens have won two in a row in the series. Philadelphia has the better defence and that could be the difference.
EAGLES: 26-23
San Francisco (5-6) at Buffalo (9-2)
Line: Bills minus 7
The inconsistent 49ers need Brock Purdy, Trent Williams and Nick Bosa back from injuries. The defending NFC champions have lost two in a row, but they’re only one game back in their division. The rested Bills have won six in a row and are coming off a bye. Josh Allen in the MVP favourite and Buffalo can clinch another division title this weekend.
BILLS: 26-23
Cleveland (3-8) at Denver (7-5)
Line: Broncos minus 5½
Maybe Jameis Winston gets to play in the snow again. Winston has reinvigorated the Browns, though too late for it to matter this season. Rookie QB Bo Nix has helped turn the Broncos into a playoff contender with plenty of help from receiver Courtland Sutton and a strong defence.
BRONCOS: 23-19
Last week: Straight up: 9-4. Against spread: 8-5.
Overall: Straight up: 121-68. Against spread: 97-80-2.
Prime-time: Straight up: 28-12. Against spread: 21-18-1.
Best bet: Straight up: 8-4. Against spread: 7-5.
Upset special: Straight up: 7-5. Against spread: 7-5.