James Patrick Sports
E* Bengals +6 (Pot of Gold)
The Bengals clinched the AFC North with their win over the Chiefs on Sunday. With the Bengals still having a chance at a higher playoff seed and with the Cleveland Browns beaten by the Steelers on Monday night and beaten up in the process, it’s the Bengals here. The Bengals were defeated (41-16) when these teams met in Cleveland earlier in the season. The Queen City Kitties are celebrating their first playoff berth, division title, and season of double-digit wins since 2015. Look for the Bengals to put HC Zac Taylor in the Coach of the Year discussions with another win in Cleveland.
C* 49ers +4.5
This is a huge game for both NFC West teams, as the 49ers are currently the No. 6 seed while the Rams are the No. 2 seed. The Niners need either a win or a loss by the Saints, and they are in the playoffs as a wild card. HC Kyle Shanahan’s troops have found their groove going (6-2) SU & ATS. Rams QB Matthew Stafford has seven turnovers in the past three games. The Rams are (1-7) SU & ATS at home in division games when coming off consecutive away wins, including (0-6) SU & ATS the last six. San Francisco has had the Rams number and get the upset here.
C* Seahawks +6.5
The Cardinals are in the playoffs and still have a chance to win the NFC West if the Rams lose to the 49ers. The Seahawks have been eliminated from playoff contention and rumors are swirling that QB Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll are headed for a breakup. The Cardinals are fat and sassy coming off a big win over the Cowboys and can catch the Rams for the division if they win this game and get some help. The Seahawks just put up (51) points last game and that productive combo of QB Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll haven’t had a breakup yet.
C* Falcons +5
The Saints can clinch an NFC wild-card berth if they beat the Falcons and the 49ers lose to the Rams, so the NFL moved this game to a later 4:25 p.m. ET start so the games take place at the same time. The Falcons had been hanging around in the wild-card race until Sunday’s loss at the Bills. The Falcons beat the Saints (27-25) as (6.5)-point road dogs in Week 9, so we expect another close game and actually like the Falcons to pull the upset again. New Orleans has been so poor offensively as of late and the Falcons actually showed some heart on Sunday in Buffalo. If the Falcons can put up (21) against another excellent defense in the Saints — a team with no offense — they should be able to stay inside the number if not win outright.
C* LV Raiders +3
This game was flexed to the Sunday night regular-season finale as it’s going to be winner-take-all for the last AFC playoff spot. For most of the season, the Chargers have been considered the better team but, somehow, they’re both (9-7) and this finale is pretty much a coin flip. Neither team should dominate and this looks like it will come down to the end. Raiders star tight end Darren Waller may return after missing last week’s game due to COVID-19 protocols. He hasn’t played since Thanksgiving because of a shoulder injury. The Chargers have had their share of key absences over the past few weeks. Surprise in Sin City – It happens there a lot!
