There are three thanksgiving games scheduled for Friday 25th November (AEST). Starting with a 4:30am game between the Vikings and Lions and ending with a 12:30pm game between the Steelers and Colts. However, the most exciting game should be Redskins at Cowboys which we start our 2016 NFL Week 12 betting tips with.
NFL Week 12 Betting Tips
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (Friday 25th November 8:30am)
This Thanksgiving game has all the hallmarks to be a classic! The (9-1) Dallas Cowboys will host long-time rivals the (6-3-1) Washington Redskins at AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys are on a nine-game winning streak. It took me a while to get on board but they look like a real football team, that can and should make a deep run in the playoffs. However, this is a real danger game for them. If you consider the position of both teams, the Redskins should be the hungrier team here.
Yin and Yang
These two teams match-up well on paper. One team’s strength is the other team’s weakness and vice versa. The Dallas Cowboys should have no trouble moving the rock against a Redskins defense that is giving up over 112 rushing yards (ranked 22nd). On the other side, Kirk Cousins should be able to spread the Dallas secondary out and hurt them in the air. Cousin’s has done a good job of sharing the ball around to his receivers. He has 3091 passing yards and 17 touchdowns so far, this season.
I’m predicting a close Cowboys victory but it should be a high scoring and entertaining game.
Prediction: Washington 27 Dallas 30
Tip: Washington (+6.5) / Over 48.5 points - $2.60 at Sportsbet
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts (Friday 25th November 12:30pm)
The NFL seem to be having no “luck” with their Thursday Night games. Pun Intended. This game was a much more exciting match up when Andrew Luck was playing. In fact, the line has moved from -2.5 all the way up to -10.0 and although Luck hasn’t officially been ruled out, all signs suggest he won’t play.
Zak Keefer from the Indianapolis star said “there was no sign of him and passing through the concussion protocol on a short week is a near impossible task”. So, it’s safe for us to assume that Scott Tolzien will be filling in for the colts at quarterback. This is not good for the Colts. Tolzien threw just one pass last season (on the positive side it was a 4-yard completion).
The Colts will probably try to run the football more than usual but getting yards on the ground against the Steelers front seven is no easy task. The Steelers are allowing just 95.7 yards on the ground (ranked 9th). The Steelers secondary has been an issue but without Andrew Luck under centre it shouldn’t be a problem.
The Steelers have been underperforming! However, a good win last week against the Browns and another big win here tonight could kick start their confidence.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 38 Indianapolis 10
Tip: Pittsburgh Steelers at the line (-10.0) - $2.11 at Sportsbet
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (Monday 28th November 12:30pm)
If you like ‘old school’ hard hitting, low scoring football then this game should be right up your alley. After having a week off the Denver Broncos will host division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs. The AFC West is one of the tightest divisions with only one game separating Oakland, Denver and Kansas. We might even look back on this game and discover it was the deciding factor for home field advantage in the playoffs.
Kansas City suffered a tough loss last week at the hands of Tampa Bay. They may very well have been in a ‘look ahead’ spot. In anticipation of this game. That’s what head coach Andy Reid will be hoping anyway. In the home loss to Tampa Bay, Reid commented that “this is my responsibility that my team plays better than this, I didn’t have them ready when they needed to be”.
With the return of linebacker Justin Houston and the fact they were embarrassed at home, I believe the Chiefs will bounce back. They may not win the game but they can keep it close.
Prediction: Kansas City 19 Denver 20
Tip: Kansas City Chiefs at the line (+3.0) - $2.02 at Sportsbet
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (Tuesday 29th November 12:30pm)
The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Green Bay Packers for Monday Night Football. Green Bay will be looking to bounce back after getting smashed by the Redskins last Sunday Night. While the Eagles will be trying to keep their perfect home record intact.
This is almost an elimination game for the Eagles if they have any plans of playing in the post season. At 5-5 they currently sit one game behind Minnesota and Washington in the Wild Card race. A loss tonight would make it very difficult to recover. As for the Packers, it feels like their run of seven consecutive playoffs is coming to an end. Their loss to Tennessee was very bad and I thought they might bounce back against the Redskins last week but they did not. They just aren’t good enough.
Consistency has been a problem for the Eagles. However, we might be expecting too much from rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. Regardless their record at Lincoln Financial Field speaks for itself. I like the Eagles to take care of business.
Prediction: Green Bay 21 Philadelphia 28
Tip: Philadelphia at the line (-4.0) - $1.92 at Sportsbet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
