:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5468731/20121216_lbm_al9_249.0.jpg)
Monday Night Football has given way to Saturday Night Football and the games on Thursday night are done. That means that the regular season is nearly done. The best part of this week? 12 of the 16 games have playoff implications. That makes good watching and it makes it harder to bet in Vegas because you get teams fighting for their lives.
Looking for some picks advice? Here are ours, against the spread in Vegas:
Oakland Raiders at Carolina Panthers (-9.5): The Panther are playing well, but this is too big a line. Take the points here and go Raiders.
New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys (-2.5): New Orleans can't stop anyone and the Cowboys are fighting for their playoff lives. Take the Cowboys here, they will win by at least a touchdown.
Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers (-13): Green Bay is rolling. Tennesse is inconsistent and could only beat the Jets by four. Go with Green Bay winning big.
Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans (-9): The Texans will lock down the number one seed, but they will have to battle Adrian Peterson. In the end, Peterson will keep them close. Take the points and the Vikings.
New England Patriots (-14.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars: No Maurice Jones-Drew. Is there even any hope for the Jags? I think not. The Pats win big. Give up the points here.
Indianapolis Colts (-7) at Kansas City Chiefs: Duh! The number one rule here is never take the Chiefs. Colts by at least a TD.
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (-4): Buffalo comes off its humiliation against the Seahawks. But they will face an underrated defense and a red hot Reggie Bush. Take Miami and give the points.
Washington Redskins (-7) at Philadelphia Eagles: RG3 is back, which means Washington wins. Not that anyone thought the Eagles can win. However, Philly will put up some fight. They will keep it close. Take the points.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5): Just when you think the Steelers are done, they aren't. Andy Dalton has yet to beat them. This is the Steelers' time. Take Pittsburgh.
St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3): The Rams have to run the ball. Tampa stops that. Bucs by 14.
San Diego Chargers at New York Jets (-3): How bad has it been for the Chargers when they are underdogs to a team led by Greg McElroy. This game screams don't touch it, but here don't expect McElroy to do anything. Take the points and the visitors.
Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (-12): Well, despite having Peyton Manning, Cleveland is going to fight and battle. The Browns will cover, but they still lose by 10.
Chicago Bears (-6) at Arizona Cardinals: Arizona is coming off their first win in forever, but no way they can score much this game. Matt Forte finds the end zone. Take the Bears.
New York Giants (-3) at Baltimore Ravens: The home team wins this one. Go with the underdog Ravens.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-1): The crown jewel of the week. Colin Kaepernick will get to experience False Start Field. Seahawks come away victorious.