Media by Associated Press – Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
This is a unique week in the NFL. After Monday night was halted suddenly due to the severe nature of Damar Hamlin’s injury, the entire makeup of the league was shaken. But with Hamlin’s situation moving into the rear-view mirror, there are plenty of good games to bet on this weekend.
Here’s a look at three to put together.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6.5)
Losing quarterback Ryan Tannehill to an injury squashed the Titans’ hopes of grabbing another high seed in the playoffs. Tennessee has lost six straight games and fallen a game behind the upstart Jaguars in the AFC South Division race.
With the game being played in the Saturday-night spotlight this week, this is an opportunity for Trevor Lawrence to have his coming-out party as a star quarterback.
The Jaguars’ offense has improved under first-year coach Doug Pederson. Jacksonville is 11th in the league in scoring, putting up 24 points per game. The Jaguars are 8-7-1 against the spread and 4-2 straight up at home. Jacksonville is 6-3-1 against the spread over the past ten games.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-7)
The Bills have the challenge of trying to ride an emotional rollercoaster. Buffalo was playing Cincinnati with thoughts of grabbing the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But after Hamlin’s near-tragedy on the field, Buffalo and Cincinnati’s game will be canceled.
The league is still sorting out how it will handle the seeding and possibly the location of the playoff games that are about to be played. Buffalo’s opponent, the long-time rival Patriots, have to win in order to get into the postseason.
What that means for New England, which is 7-8-1 against the spread, is the Patriots will need to find a way to keep Mac Jones and the offense on the move. The Patriots have been overwhelmed by Buffalo’s attack over the past two seasons.
The Bills, who are 7-7-1, will be motivated to try and grab a victory for Hamlin. While there is a chance Buffalo may be emotionally drained, the Bills not having to finish the game with the Bengals and getting a chance to return home will provide them with a boost.
Detroit Lions (+4.5) at Green Bay Packers
This is a spot the Lions would generally fold. Detroit facing one of its long-time tormentors on the road with playoff stakes on the line isn’t a situation that has typically favored the Lions. But this Detroit team is different.
The Lions are 11-5 against the spread and have played good football after a slow start to climb into the playoff picture. Green Bay has also heated up after a slow start and will try to snag the last postseason spot away from the Lions. The Packers, though, are prone to rough stretches of play on offense.
Parlay Pick
- +597 (Jaguars -6.5/Bills -7/Lions +4.5)
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