With just three weeks of regular-season action remaining, let’s take a look at a prop bet for each NFL team.
Arizona Cardinals
Will the Cards (-105) will lead by more than 3.5 points at halftime?
Prediction: Yes
We saw Arizona take care of business against the Giants, who have a better scoring defense than the Eagles. Plus, the Cardinals are averaging almost 13 points per game in the first half while Philly is being held to just 8.8 points. Cards lead by a TD or more at halftime.
Atlanta Falcons
Will the Falcons (+114) score first?
Prediction: Yes
The Buccaneers have proven they get off to slow starts. The Bucs are 17th in first-quarter scoring offense while Atlanta is fourth in the NFL. If Julio Jones can return from his hamstring injury, then I think the Falcons end up putting points on the board first.
Buffalo Bills
Over/Under: 3.5 turnovers forced by the Bills’ Defense.
Prediction: Over
This is a nightmare matchup for the Broncos. Denver currently leads the NFL in giveaways with 29 on the season while the Bills are tied for third in takeaways. The Broncos lead the league in interceptions thrown. I expect them to turn the ball over a few times when they face Buffalo.
Baltimore Ravens
Over/Under: 249.5 rushing yards against the Jags this weekend.
Prediction: Over
The Ravens come into this weekend with the number one rushing attack in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Jags have the third-worst rushing defense in the league. Jacksonville just allowed the Titans to run for 249 yards. I expect Baltimore to do even better on the ground.
Carolina Panthers
Over/Under: 6.5 catches for Robby Anderson.
Prediction: Over
Robby Anderson is eighth in the NFL in receptions and averages over six catches per game. I expect the Packers to go up big in this game meaning Carolina will have to try and force the ball downfield with long passes. As a result, Anderson will finish with a big game despite the Panthers losing big in the end.
Cincinnati Bengals
Will Cincinnati (+112) be the first team to kick a field goal?
Prediction: Yes
The Bengals have the misfortune of going up against the Steelers after they lost their last two games. I can see this one getting out of hand in a hurry. However, I do think Cincy does get close enough to make the first field goal of the game. The Steelers won’t need to settle for Field Goals because they will keep finding the end zone.
Cleveland Browns
Over/Under 17.5 first-half points for the Browns.
Prediction: Over
Cleveland has really found their offensive groove. The Brownies are averaging 23 points per contest in the first half of their last three games, and two of those matchups were against teams with winning records! I think Cleveland’s offense continues to roll against the G-Men.
Chicago Bears
Will the Bears (+140) lead at halftime?
Prediction: Yes
The return of Akiem Hicks also makes this a brutal matchup for Minnesota’s offense. With former pro bowl Linebacker Eric Kendricks questionable for the game, I could see Chicago going into the fourth quarter of this game with a lead.
Dallas Cowboys
Will the Cowboys vs. 49ers go require overtime (+1400)?
Prediction: Yes
This is one of those weird games where both teams are kind of dead in the water at the moment. However, the Boys have something to play for while the 49ers don’t. It also looks like Andy Dalton has found his rhythm in this offense. I think a field goal as time expires sends this game to overtime.
Denver Broncos
Will the Broncos (-105) score more than 21.5?
Prediction: No
Denver has the third-worst scoring offense in the NFL ahead of only Cincinnati and both New York football teams. Even though Buffalo is towards the middle of the pack in scoring defense, I still don’t think the Broncos will score over 21 points. The Broncos will go down big early and abandon the run, meaning they will make plenty of mistakes in the passing game. Denver scores maybe 17 points.
Detroit Lions
Over/Under 26.5 pass attempts by the Lions against the Titans.
Prediction: Under
The Lions are one of the most pass-happy teams in the NFL. However, Matthew Stafford suffered a rib injury against the Packers, so his status for this weekend is up in the air. If Stafford doesn’t play, then there is no way the Lions throw the ball more than 26 times.
Green Bay Packers
Over/Under: 3.5 combined TDs scored (+148) in the first half?
Prediction: Yes
Even though this prop bet includes both teams, I think the Packers alone will score at least four touchdowns in the first half of their game against the Panthers. I mean, the Pack do average 31.5 points per game. I think Green Bay feasts against one of the NFL’s least impressive scoring defenses.
Houston Texans
Over/Under: 2.5 first-half touchdowns allowed by the defense.
Prediction: Under
The Texans’ defense is absolute garbage. However, I think they were embarrassed by a Chicago Bears team that was sick of hearing about Deshaun Watson. I think last week’s game was an outlier for Houston. The Texans return to form and hold Indy to just two first-half touchdowns this weekend.
Indianapolis Colts
Will the Colts (-225) lead after the first quarter?
Prediction: No
As I mentioned before, the Texans were absolutely embarrassed in their last game. I think Houston comes out and hist the ground running on Sunday and manages to score the first points of the game. Let’s not forget that the Colts only won 26-20 when these teams played in week 13.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Over/Under: 1.5 different players attempt a pass for the Jaguars.
Prediction: Over
I think this game is going to look a lot like the Jags’ matchup with the Titans. In that one, we saw Jacksonville go down big and call in Gardner Minshew to relieve Mike Glennon. I think we could see the same thing happen again this weekend. I would also not be surprised to see a trick play that leads to a wide receiver attempting a pass.
Kansas City Chiefs
Over/Under: 0.5 Interceptions thrown by Patrick Mahomes.
Prediction: Under
Even though 80% of his INTs have come on the road this season, I think Patrick Mahomes has a mistake-free game against the Saints. Also, the game is being played on turf where Mahomes has thrived (8 TDs to 0 INTs). The Kansas City phenom will have another excellent outing this weekend.
Las Vegas Raiders
Does Derek Carr throw for more than 264.5 passing yards (-113)?
Prediction: No
Carr is currently 12th in passing yards this season and averages about 257 passing yards per game. I like his numbers, but I do not like this matchup. The Chargers are seventh in passing yards per game allowed. Therefore, I see the raiders attacking LA on the ground instead of through the air.
Los Angeles Chargers
Will Justin Herbert (-181) throw over 1.5 touchdowns?
Prediction: Yes
The rookie QB has not been great so far in the month of December. He was limited to two passing TDs in his last two games. I think he gets back on track this week against a mediocre Las Vegas defense that allows opponents to score 30.1 points per game.
Los Angeles Rams
Over/Under: 4.5 turnovers forced by the Rams’ defense.
Prediction: Over
An immovable force meets an incredibly stoppable object when the Rams’ defense goes up against the Jets’ offense. LA is tied for third in turnovers forced while the Jets are one of the most turnover-prone teams in the NFL. I think the Rams’ front four causes Darnold to see Ghosts once again.
Miami Dolphins
Will the Dolphins (-128) lead after the first quarter?
Prediction: No
We all saw how Bill Belichick and the Patriots squashed Justin Herbert, so I expect the Pats to give Tua Tagovailoa fits this weekend also. I think New England will force Tua to make an early mistake that will give the Pats the ball in an excellent position to score. Eventually, the Pats will be leading by the end of the first quarter.
Minnesota Vikings
Over/Under: 2.5 Touchdowns scored by Minnesota Wide Receivers.
Prediction: Over
The Vikes have a pretty good passing attack. The Tight Ends and Running Backs are fine, but the Wide receivers are excellent. Wide Outs have accounted for 20 of Kirk Cousins’ 27 touchdowns. I’m taking Thielen and Justin Jefferson to go for at least three TDs in their matchup with Chicago.
New England Patriots
Will New England (+115) lead at halftime?
Prediction: Yes
As I said, I think the Pats know how to gameplan for rookie QBs. New England will force a few mistakes from Tua, and the Pats will be able to take advantage of good field position. I could see the Patriots going into the half with a three- or four-point lead.
New Orleans Saints
Over/Under: 29.5 pass attempts by Taysom Hill.
Prediction: Over
Sean Payton has made it clear that Taysom Hill is his number two guy. He is even beginning to get comfortable with him passing the ball more (75 pass attempts in the last two games). I think the Chiefs will be ahead in this game the whole time, so New Orleans will have to throw the ball a lot since they will be playing from behind.
New York Giants
Over/Under: 2.5 Offensive Touchdowns for the Giants.
Prediction: Under
Offense has not been the Giants’ strong suit. I guess that’s why they’re 31st in the NFL in scoring. New York’s anemic offense has only registered four touchdowns in the last three games. I don’t see their offense suddenly exploding against a 9-4 Cleveland Browns team. Take the under.
New York Jets
Are the Jets the first team to score (+195)?
Prediction: Yes
I’m not crazy. The Jets actually have a good first possession offense. They have scored on their opening drive in their last seven games. I guess it makes it all that much worse that they are 0-13 despite taking an early lead in most games. Gang Green scores first in this one.
Philadelphia Eagles
Over/Under: 90.5 rushing yards for Jalen Hurts.
Prediction: Under
Hurts gets the nod once again after leading the Eagles to a win over the Saints. He had 167 yards through the air and another 106 on the ground. I think he won’t be as effective as he was rushing the ball this week though. The Cardinals know how to defend running QBs since they practice against one every day.
San Francisco 49ers
Does Raheem Mostert rush for at least 48 yards (-112)?
Prediction: Yes
The 49ers have been decimated by injuries all season, so the running back position has been a revolving door for San Fran. However, Mostert is clearly the lead man when he is healthy. He leads the team in yards and rushing attempts. I am sure he will go for at least 75 yards against Dallas.
Seattle Seahawks
Will Russell Wilson throw for more than 2.5 Touchdowns (+130)?
Prediction: Yes
The Hawks had their get right game against the Jets, stomping New York on their way to a 40-3 win. It is clear that Seattle needs Russell Wilson to be amazing if they want to be competitive. It only seems necessary that Wilson throws at least three TDs since their defense can’t stop anybody (except the Jets).
Pittsburgh Steelers
Can the Bengals hold Big Ben to one passing touchdown (+140)?
Prediction: No
The Steelers have lost two consecutive games after starting the season 11-0. They head into their matchup with Cincy motivated to right the ship. I‘m sure they will, and it starts with Ben Roethlisberger throwing for AT LEAST three TDs. The last time they played the Bengals he threw four, so I think three makes sense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Over/Under: 289.5 passing yards for Tom Brady.
Prediction: Over
This is going to be one of those games where the Bucs are going to have to put up a tone of points. I think Atlanta’s receivers are good enough to give Tampa Bay nightmares. In conclusion, TB12 is going to have to sling the ball all over the field if the Buccaneers want to be competitive.
Tennessee Titans
Can Derrick Henry go for at least 110.5 rushing yards (-115)?
Prediction: Yes
Nobody has been able to stop the freight train that is Derrick Henry. The 2019 rushing champ is only eight yards away from surpassing his rushing total from last season. I expect Henry to have a field day against a weak Lions defense that is 29th in rushing yards allowed per game.
Washington Football Team
Over/Under: 1.5 sacks for Chase Young against the Seahawks.
PREDICTION: OVER
Chase Young has been wreaking havoc all over the football field this season. The former number two overall pick has recorded 5.5 sacks and 35 tackles so far this season. I expect Young to have two sacks against a Seahawks team that has allowed the fourth-most sacks in the NFL this season.
