It finally happened. It took me 16 weeks, but I finally reached my triple crown of picking.
I hit it big with my ATS picks as part of my CBSSports.com expert picks, as well as my direct picks and also my best bets.
The records: 13-3 ATS, 12-4 direct and 5-1 with my best bets as part of the “NPL Pick Six” podcast. That brings my season bests to 149-90-1, 114-117-9 ATS and 52-37-5 with my best bets.
So after two terrible weeks, I responded with my best of the year. Let’s continue the hot streak.
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime Video)
Featured game | Tennessee Titans vs. Dallas Cowboys
This game means little to the Titans, while the Cowboys still have an outside shot at the NFC’s top seed. The Titans are a mess right now with Malik Willis at quarterback. The Cowboys had some defensive issues, but that won’t matter in this one. The Cowboys roll.
Take: Cowboys 33, Titans 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals
This game is one of the few that makes no sense as far as the playoffs go. Arizona is coming off a tough home loss to the Bucs, while the Falcons lost to the Ravens on the road. It’s a long road trip for a team playing for nothing, so give me Desmond Ridder to get his first NFL win as a starter.
Take: Falcons 25, Cardinals 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
The Lions are coming off a bad loss to the Panthers, while the Bears are playing the ropes. Detroit must win to have a chance of making the playoffs. It was horrible last week against the Panthers, but the homecoming against the Bears should put him back on track. The Lions win it with a solid offensive performance.
Take: Lions 31, Bears 23
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
This game basically means nothing to the Jaguars, so they could rest some guys who are knocked out. The Texans have played well down the stretch, and they traditionally play well against the Jaguars, beating them earlier this year. Even so, I think Jacksonville will find a way out of a tight game.
Take: Jaguars 24, Texans 21
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are playing back-to-back road games, and they’re playing for nothing. Kansas City still has a shot at being the top seed in the conference. The Broncos are also in a mess right now after firing coach Nathaniel Hackett. I don’t think they get the boost from the dismissed coach here. The Chiefs will blow them away as Russell Wilson continues to struggle.
Take: Chiefs 33, Broncos 10
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
The winner of this game will control their fate in the playoffs, making it a huge game for both. The Dolphins have lost four in a row, while the Patriots have lost two tough ones over the past two weeks. Both offenses have been in trouble lately, and Miami will almost certainly be without Tua Tagovailoa with a concussion. Teddy Bridgewater will start. It is important. The Patriots will win it.
Take: Patriots 24, Dolphins 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Giants need a win to qualify for the playoffs, and it’s their best chance against a bad Colts team playing in a short week. The Colts got nothing from Nick Foles at quarterback, which shouldn’t give them much hope here. The Giants will win and go into the playoffs behind a good defensive effort.
Take: Giants 28, Colts 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints
The Eagles are still trying to lock down the top seed, but they could still be without Jalen Hurts in this one. That would mean another game for Gardner Minshew. The Saints are playing back-to-back road games after beating the Browns. The defense played well in that one, but it’s a better offense. Look for the Eagles to get back on track after losing to Dallas and end the Saints’ small playoff chances.
Take: Eagles 28, Saints 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
It’s probably for the division title. If the Bucs win, they win the division. If the Panthers win and then win next week, they win. Carolina is currently playing better football than the Bucs, but it’s a tough spot against Tom Brady on the road. Even so, I think Carolina will use the running game that went for over 300 yards against the Lions to win this game. The Panthers win it in an upset.
Take: Panthers 23, Bucs 22
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Washington Commanders vs. Cleveland Browns
Commanders only have to win to qualify for the playoffs. The Browns are eliminated. Cleveland’s offense has done little with Deshaun Watson, while Washington’s defense presents a big problem. Expect Washington to run it a lot against poor Cleveland defense with Brian Robinson Jr. They win it and keep pushing all the way to the playoffs.
Take: Commanders 23, Browns 21
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Raiders play for next year after losing to the Steelers, while the 49ers can still push for the second seed. Derek Carr was horrible against Pittsburgh, and this 49ers defense is special. Look for the 49ers to keep winning with Brock Purdy and that outstanding defense.
Take: 49ers 27, Raiders 19
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Jets
It’s been a long and tough trip for the Jets, who aren’t playing well. Mike White will be back at quarterback in this one against a struggling Seattle defense. Geno Smith hasn’t played well in recent weeks, and the Jets are a tough defense. With White back, the Jets will find a way to win a close game.
Take: Jets 24, Seahawks 20
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
It’s a huge game for the Packers. If they win, they can be a playoff team. The Vikings still have a shot at being the top seed in the conference. But survival is more motivating than a seed. The Packers lost to the Vikings earlier this year, but I think Aaron Rodgers will have a field day against a poor Vikings defense. The packers earn it.
Take: Packers 31, Vikings 24
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured game | Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are coming off an impressive win over the Broncos, but it’s a big step up competitively. The Chargers have clinched a playoff berth, so their motivation is germinating at the moment. Even so, they need to show more on offense to prepare for the playoffs. I think they do here.
Take: Chargers 30, Rams 21
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fuboTV)
Featured game | Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are still alive, but barely, as the Ravens push for the division title. Baltimore still isn’t doing much on offense, but the defense is playing well. The Steelers beat the Raiders on a last-minute touchdown to keep their hopes alive. It will be a low-scoring defensive game, with the Ravens winning it late.
Take: Ravens 19, Steelers 17
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, fuboTV)
Featured game | Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills
It’s the game of the week with two of the best teams in the NFL going head-to-head. The Bills play back-to-back games on the road, but they get an extra day off, which helps. Both teams can score on offense, which means it could be a shootout. I will go with Josh Allen to get the best out of Joe Burrow.
Take: Bills 34, Bengals 31
