The Bet Box — Week 11

Mediocre never felt so good. Coming off a putrid 4-10 week, getting back to .500 and only losing the juice felt like an accomplishment. Ugh, such is life in a rut. But, hey, the boss tells me to pick every game, so I pick every game.

But here’s to hoping it’s like the Patriots and simply building momentum for the home stretch and the playoffs. Though sitting with a .450 winning percentage there’s a lot of catching up to do before there’s any celebrating.

Patriots (-7) at Atlanta – The Patriots are coming together on both sides of the ball, and on a short week against a team that got annihilated their last time out is no time to get off the wagon. Patriots, 27-14.

Detroit at Cleveland (-11.5) – The Pats roughed up Baker Mayfield, who came into the game at less than full strength physically and without his top weapons, and when they take on the Lions he won’t have Kareem Hunt again and Nick Chubb is still in question. Could this be the week for Detroit after not losing in Pittsburgh? Browns, 24-20.

San Francisco (-6.5) at Jacksonville – The Niners looked a lot better than their record would indicate on both sides of the ball Monday night against the Rams. This is a tough spot, however, with the short week followed by a cross-country trip for an early kick. 49ers, 27-21.

Indianapolis at Buffalo (-7.5) – The Patriots coming up fast in the rearview mirror seemed to be just what the Bills needed to refocus. But instead of playing the dregs of the AFC as they have in each of the last three weeks, they’ll have to do it against a Colts team that has won four of five and put itself in the playoff mix. Bills, 31-24.

Miami (-3.5) at N.Y. Jets – Joe Flacco is going to get the start for the Jets. Unless they bring back Joe Namath from 1969 it won’t matter. Dolphins, 26-13.

Washington at Carolina (-3.5) – Cam Newton is expected to start for the Panthers and the Washington defense, coming off its best showing of the season, will be without Chase Young. Panthers, 24-20.

Baltimore (-4.5) at Chicago – Expect a bounce-back performance here from the Ravens after laying an egg to the Dolphins. Ravens, 31-16.

New Orleans at Philadelphia (-1.5) – Does Alvin Kamara play? If, yes, the line swings a couple points toward the Saints. But until there are signs he is going to suit up, the edge goes to the Eagles. Eagles, 27-20.

Houston at Tennessee (-10) – Texans are coming off a bye but also haven’t covered since Week 5 against the Pats, which is also the last time they showed up for the first half. Titans, 34-17.

Green Bay (-2.5) at Minnesota – Aaron Rodgers managed to kick off the rust last week in his return, while the Vikings were solid in taking care of the Chargers with Dalvin Cook rushing for 94 yards and having the ball for 36:15. Packers, 31-24.

Cincinnati (-1) at Las Vegas – Despite not doing anything last week, the Bengals were among the biggest winners in Week 10 with the Ravens and Browns losing and the Steelers only getting a tie against Detroit. It feels like Vegas is going to fold in the second half of the season. Bengals, 33-24.

Arizona (-2.5) at Seattle – Is “pretty close” close enough for Kyler Murray to return by Sunday? Despite the long layoff for Russell Wilson, the Seahawks had to think they’d be able to score something in his return. Cardinals, 24-17.

Dallas at Kansas City (-2.5) – The Chiefs finally had their breakthrough performance people have been expecting in dismantling the Raiders. Now, can they keep up with the Cowboys? Cowboys, 37-31.

Pittsburgh at L.A. Chargers (-5.5) – The Steelers opened the week expecting Mason Rudolph to get the start while hopeful Ben Roethlisberger can be cleared in time. They need Big Ben to stay within a score against a Chargers squad that needs this one having dropped three of four and trips to Denver and Cincinnati upcoming. Chargers, 27-21.

N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay (-11) – I’m thinking Tom Brady’s press conference on Monday night will be a bit longer than the one following his no-touchdown, two-interception performance last week. Buccaneers, 34-21.

Looking ahead, Patriots are laying 3 next week when Tennessee pays a visit on Thanksgiving weekend.

LAST WEEK: 7-7-0 (.500)

SEASON: 67-82-1 (.450)

Lines used are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3Fpxn7E