Xam’s Gem(s):
Panthers/Lions Over 43.5 Points -115
The Lions are coming off a 14 beatdown of their division rival Packers after scoring 34 points. Now, they’ve had 10 days to prepare for arguably the worst team in the league in the Panthers. The Lions have scored 31 or more points in 2 of their last 3 games, and have given up 20 or more points in 3 games this year. Bryce Young has gotten off to a slow start to his pro career, but he’s going to have to put some points up today. Even with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmr Gibbs likely being out, the Lions have proven adept at putting points on the board in their own building.
Giants/Dolphins Over 47.5 Points -114
The Dolphins have been prolific on offense this season. They’ve scored 24 or more points in 3 games this year, and 36 or more points twice! They’ve also struggled defensively at times, giving up 34 points or more twice already this year. The Giants have struggled immensely on defense this year, and the Dolphins have shown an ability to explode on offense at home. The key in this game will be whether or not the Giants can get going offensively. They have struggled offensively this year as well, and especially so with Saquon Barkley injured. However, the Giants are now 1-3 and desperately need a win to avoid dropping to 1-4. A win may be unlikely, but if there’s ever a game the Giants will be buttoned up offensively, it’s today.
Eagles/Rams Over 50.5 Points -110
Even without Cooper Kupp, the Rams have shown an ability to move the ball and put points on the board. Now, the Rams get the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year back. It comes at the perfect time, with the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles coming to town. The Eagles brought back nearly every offensive weapon from last year and added D’Andre Swift to the backfield, and the results have been fantastic. Offensively, they’ve scored no less than 25 points in each of the last 3 weeks. They’ve also struggled on defense at times. At home, they’ve given up 28 points or more twice. Just last week, they struggled to contain Commanders QB Sam Howell. Now, they face an elite offensive head coach and Super Bowl Champion who know how to put points up.
Bengals Money Line -174
Once again, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves in a must-win game. Last week, they no-showed in Tennessee, resulting in a 27-3 drubbing. Now, a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations coming into the year is at risk of dropping to 1-4 in a brutal division and conference. Fortunately for the Bengals, they have Joe Burrow. Burrow has been there and done that before. This Bengals team has faced plenty of adversity before and shown an ability to not be rattled in must-win situations. The Cardinals, meanwhile, figure to be one of the worst teams in the league this year. They may have surprised the world by beating the Cowboys, but they blew a 3 touchdown lead to the Giants in the 2nd half, and lost by 3 possessions last week. The Bengals should be able to do enough offensively to get the job done against an inferior team.
Chiefs/Vikings Over 52.5 Points -110
The Vikings are known for shootouts, and this is especially true when they’re at home. The offense struggled last week in Carolina, so we know Kirk Cousins and head coach Kevin O’Connell will have a gameplan to exploit a Chiefs secondary that struggled to contain Zach Wilson in New York. Meanwhile, the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes haven’t exactly been lighting it up offensively. They have only scored more than 23 points once this year, and that was against the atrocious Bears defense at home. Mahomes and Andy Reid shouldn’t have any issues conjuring up a gameplan to attack a Vikings secondary that can give up big plays.
Astros Money Line -136
The Astros are up 1-0 in their Divisional Round series with the Twins, and now look to put a stranglehold on the series. Like other starters for the Astros, Framber Valdez has plenty of postseason experience. He’s pitched well, to the tune of a 3.41 ERA. The Twins are countering with Pablo Lopez, who had an up and down year in his first year in Minnesota. Lopez pitched well in his 1st postseason start against the Blue Jays, but this is an entirely different beast. In his last 7 starts to end the year, he had a 4.24 ERA. The Astros have been here before and know what it takes to win in the playoffs. They also haven’t lost at home in the Divisional Round of the playoffs since 2015.
Cowboys/49ers Over 45 Points -110
The Cowboys and 49ers both boast elite offenses that can score at will. The Cowboys have scored 30 points in 3 of 4 games this year. Their defense has shown an ability to create turnovers and score off those turnovers as well. The 49ers, meanwhile, haven’t scored less than 30 points all year. They’ve shown an ability to score on the road and at home, and against good defenses as well. Brock Purdy has the offense humming, and they should be able to take advantage of the Cowboys missing Trevon Diggs. Both teams feature offensive coaches that have elite weapons across the board. With both teams being able to force turnovers and create short fields, it adds up to a potential shootout in the Bay.