THE BEST GAMES TO BET
TEXANS at CHARGERS
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Chargers by 2, 40
HANK’S HONEYS: If you happen to go strictly by the matchups, it’s important to favor the Texans protection. Their edge rushers are their energy pitted in opposition to the Chargers’ weak spot at OT. Justin Hebert can be underneath siege. C.J. Stroud took a step backwards final week in opposition to the Raiders however he’ll be getting rookie RB Woody Marks again for the primary time since Week 14. The timing couldn’t be higher. The Chargers can be with out their finest run stopping LB with Denzel Perryman suspended for the final two video games. Houston, too, has harm considerations on the OT spots. Rookie phenom Aireontae Ersery is out and Trent Brown is coping with a leg harm.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Texans and the underneath
RAVENS at PACKERS
Saturday, 8 p.m., Packers by 2 ½, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: With each QBs questionable to play, there isn’t a telling the best way to deal with this one though we’re leaning in a sure course. Clearly, if they will make it to the sector, Jordan Love (concussion) ought to be extra succesful than Lamar Jackson, who can be severely restricted as a runner with a badly contused again. And if it comes right down to the backups, Malik Willis confirmed he can get the job achieved. Can Tyler Huntley? The Ravens appear to be undone by the identical points and that has to weigh on a workforce. Late season journeys to Lambeau Area aren’t a lot enjoyable, particularly if the Packers can wrap up the division.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Packers and the underneath.
GIANTS at RAIDERS
4:05 p.m., Raiders by 1, 42
HANK’S HONEYS: Guess the underneath. These two offenses stink. After that, flip a coin. The Giants have been the higher workforce over the course of the season. The Raiders have been higher currently. The spark offered by Jaxson Dart has dried up and the Giants D nonetheless can’t cease the run. That’s one space Las Vegas may be capable to exploit with Ashton Jeanty, who broke off large runs in opposition to the Texans’ elite D. The Raiders even have the very best participant on the sector in Maxx Crosby, so there’s that, and the Giants have but to win a recreation on the highway. With the No. 1 decide on the road, simply lose child?
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Raiders and the underneath.
PATRIOTS at JETS
1 p.m., Pats by 13 ½, 43
HANK’S HONEYS: The quantity nonetheless doesn’t appear excessive sufficient with the Pats persevering with to play for the No. 1 seed and the Jets in turtle mode. It’s going to take a slew of turnovers and particular groups performs for the Jets to remain on this however the Pats have been environment friendly in each areas and we all know the Jets D simply doesn’t pressure fumbles or INTs. Actually, nobody is enjoying worse soccer than the Jets, not the Giants, not the Raiders. Their rookie QB is staring into the headlights with out weapons and their protection is being riddled every week. Drake Maye is taking a look at one other 300-yard day. And we don’t see Mike Vrabel permitting for any form of letdown.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Patriots and the underneath.
BUCS at DOLPHINS
1 p.m., Bucs by 5 ½, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Bucs proceed to disappoint, but when there’s ever per week to get proper, it’s this one. The Dolphins have hoisted the white flag as they see what they’ve acquired in QB Quinn Ewers, leaving all of the motivation with Tampa Bay. True, the Bucs can nonetheless sneak into the playoffs even when they lose right here, however they desperately must construct momentum into their season-ending showdown with the Panthers. Getting extra out of Baker Mayfield is crucial. That didn’t occur final week. However Mike Evans can be again for a second straight recreation and the timing ought to return.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Bucs and the underneath.
CARDINALS at BENGALS
1 p.m., Bengals by 7, 52 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Cardinals have dropped seven straight, together with six losses ATS, whereas permitting 34.6 factors per recreation. They’ll go away Phoenix for windy, wet, chilly climate that can be very conducive to packing it in. You may’t say that about Joe Burrow. He’s been on a tear since getting back from harm and with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase each wholesome, he’ll unfold the sector in opposition to a bottom-tier cross protection that’s beat up. Jacoby Brissett had been hanging in there however his play has slipped over the previous couple of weeks. Cincy’s protection has additionally been improved now that it doesn’t must be on the sector the complete recreation.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Bengals and the over.
JAGUARS at COLTS
1 p.m., Jags by 6 ½, 47
HANK’S HONEYS: The Colts appear to have run out of steam. Philip Rivers was solely going to take action a lot. They’re hurting at two key spots, offensive sort out and cornerback and might’t appear to get a cease on protection. The Jaguars are filled with mojo proper now. Trevor Lawrence is lastly enjoying like a No. 1 decide and their energetic protection retains making performs. Indy has to depend on Jonathan Taylor however the Jaguars’ run protection shut him down on their first assembly and might do it once more. With their eye on the potential No. 1 seed, there may be little probability of a letdown dealing with a wounded divisional rival.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Jaguars and the over.
SAINTS at TITANS
1 p.m., Saints by 2 ½, 38
HANK’S HONEYS: The Saints are laying the groundwork for subsequent season behind rookie QB Tyler Shough, whose progress is way exceeding that of Cam Ward. They’ve been a step forward of decrease tier groups by enjoying arduous and bodily. Their D has been getting nice penetration, creating damaging performs. With Ward’s tendency to carry onto the ball too lengthy, turnovers are certain to occur. Tony Pollard has been efficient just lately however he’ll be up in opposition to an excellent New Orleans run protection.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Saints and the underneath.
EAGLES at BILLS
4:25 p.m., Payments by 2, 45
HANK’S HONEYS: Ordinarily, that is the kind of recreation Josh Allen would dominate however with neither workforce enjoying for something apart from playoff seeding, Allen can be much less motivated. The Payments have proven just a little extra currently however the Eagles are getting two items again on both aspect of the ball, OT Lane Johnson and DT Jalen Carter. Johnson’s worth can’t be overstated. The Eagles don’t function at peak effectivity with out him. With him, Saquon Barkley can be higher capable of exploit Buffalo’s run protection. Carter, likewise, adjustments every thing in opposition to the Payments’ operating menace, James Cook dinner. It’s powerful to wager in opposition to the Payments in a December residence recreation. We achieve this with the utmost warning.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Eagles and the underneath.
BEARS at 49ERS
8:20 p.m., Niners by 3, 51
HANK’S HONEYS: The Bears have the remaining benefit, having performed on Saturday with the 49ers on a brief week. However the 49ers’ offense is on a roll behind Brock Purdy, and the Bears protection has been too reliant on takeaways, one thing the Niners don’t usually endure. The 49ers, surprisingly, management their very own future for the No. 1 seed so there’s little probability Kyle Shanahan will enable his workforce to stay up for the Week 18 showdown with Seattle. All that stated, we love the over. The 49ers protection is simply common at finest. The Bears will rating, simply not sufficient to get the quilt.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: 49ers and the over.
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LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH
STEELERS at BROWNS
1 p.m., Steelers by 4, 34 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Steelers are enjoying to their tradition once more by operating the ball and enjoying a greater model of protection. The Browns will miss Quinshon Junkins as each a runner and receiver whereas the Steelers ought to put sufficient strain on Shedeur Sanders to pressure him into rookie errors. Nonetheless, this can be a difficult spot for the Steelers, DK Metcalf’s suspension however. They arrive off an enormous emotional win over the Lions and have the Ravens on deck. Rather a lot relies upon, after all, on the Saturday night time end result. A Ravens loss in Inexperienced Bay clinches the division. That might enable the Steelers to relaxation gamers.
CAN’T HELP YOURSELF?: Browns and the underneath.
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BEST OF THE REST
SEAHAWKS at PANTHERS
1 p.m., Seahawks by 7, 42 ½
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Panthers and the underneath.
RAMS at FALCONS
Monday, 8:15 p.m., Rams by 8, 49 ½
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Falcons and the over.
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WEEK’S BEST BET: Jaguars. They keep sizzling.
LAST WEEK: 10-6; OVER/UNDER: 7-9
OVERALL: 112-125-2; OVER/UNDER: 135-100-4
BEST BETS: 9-7
