Big weekend of NFL action with some blockbuster Thanksgiving games scheduled for this Friday along with the usual Monday and Tuesday slates. We take a look at some of the key matchups of the weekend and give our betting tips for Week 12 of the NFL below.
NFL Week 12 Betting Tips
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (Friday 4.30am AEDT)
The Detroit Lions are on a three game winning streak, and although they have only beaten Green Bay, Chicago and Cleveland in that time, we see real value in them at $2.38 at home here. Minnesota boast arguably one of the best defences in the league, especially against the rush, allowing only 77 yards along the ground per game.
Detroit, however, love to air the ball out, with Matt Stafford and the Lions averaging 257 yards through the air per game which is goof for sixth in the league. They put up 27 points per game which is also in the upper echelon of teams and have scored 95 points in their last three games.
The Vikings are 8-2 on the season and have all but locked up a playoffs berth. Their last game against the Lions came back in Week 4 of this season where they only managed to put up 7 points in a loss. At home on Thanksgiving we expect Detroit, who are fighting for a playoff spot to put up a good performance here.
TIP: Detroit to win - $2.38 at Ladbrokes
Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys (Friday 8.30am AEDT)
The Dallas Cowboys have lost their last two games as star RB Ezekiel Elliot began to serve his six game suspension. Without him they look stagnant on offence and have scored just 16 combined points in the last two games. The Chargers put up a monster 54 points against Buffalo in Week 11 to snap a two game losing streak and can still push for a playoffs spot with a few more wins on the trot.
Not only has the Dallas offence looked ordinary in the last two games, their defence has too, albeit against two of the better teams in the NFC in Atlanta and Philadelphia. If there’s one thing that the Chargers have always been good at it’s putting up points. While they have only averaged 22 per game this season, last week saw their running game find some real form.
This game opens as a pick em which we think is about right. If Dallas win it won’t be by much considering they have only been able to put up 16 points in the last two weeks. We think LA should have too much firepower for them here.
TIP: LA Chargers to win - $1.87 at Sportsbet
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (Monday 8.25am AEDT)
The Denver Broncos have absolutely capitulated over the last few mothsn. Six losses on the trot since their bye and their defence looks like an absolute shell of its former self, giving up 29, 51, 41 and 20 in their last four games respectively. They come up against a Oakland team who while taking a beating at the hands of the Patriots on the weekend, will still be hungry for win in pursuit of a playoff spot.
It’s tough to take too much out of the Raiders loss to New England on the weekend, as the Patriots have been decimating everyone in their path lately. Oakland were impressive in Miami back in Week 9 however, and Derek Carr looks to be back to full health finally.
Denver now give up the 5th most points per game in the league, a stark contrast to the league best defence they have been in the last few seasons. With Brock Osweiler back at the helm of the offence, we think they will struggle to put up enough points to stick with the Raiders here.
TIP: Oakland -5 - $1.92 at Sportsbet
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams (Monday 8.25am AEDT)
Arguably the game of the round sees the Saints had to LA to take on the Rams on Monday morning. Both teams have a division best record respectively and will be looking to continue their good form here. The Saints have won their last 8 games after losing the first two of the season while the Rams were beaten by the Vikings on the weekend to snap a four game win streak.
Both teams boast dominant offences and are in the top five teams in the league in both points per game and yards per game. It’s a weird thing to say about a Jared Goff led team, however, the 2nd year QB has been great this season as well as the all star running back Todd Gurley II.
Drew Brees has continued to go about his business in his 17th year in the league, leading most major QB stats and leading arguably the most dynamic offence in the league. Really tough game to call here, the Saints have beaten up on some ordinary teams through their win streak but come up against a quality side away from home here in the Rams. We like Brees and the Saints to make a statement here, however, and come away with the road win.
TIP: New Orleans - $2.22 at CrownBet
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