Picks against the spread for Saturday…
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The Post’s Dave Blezow offers his predictions for Texans-Chiefs, Commanders-Lions.
Welcome to the best weekend of soccer the NFL has to offer annually, for my money.
Four video games over two days. All of the powerhouses are right here — the Chiefs and Lions and Eagles and Ravens and Bills. They are joined by the upstart Commanders and rookie QB Jayden Daniels, and the still-rising Texans and second-year QB C.J. Stroud.
Then there are the Rams, led by the Super Bowl-winning coach-quarterback combo of Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford, recent off their rout of the Vikings in a recreation relocated to Arizona due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
Let’s take it from the high:
Patrick Mahomes seems to return to the AFC Championship as soon as again. USA TODAY Sports by way of Reuters Con
SATURDAY
Houston Texans (+8.5) over KANSAS CITY CHIEFS; Over 41.5: Interesting matchup each on the area and the betting screen.
When the groups met at Arrowhead 4 days earlier than Christmas, the 14-1 Chiefs had been favored by simply 3.5 factors at home over the 9-5 Texans. The cause for the small line was that Patrick Mahomes had suffered what seemed to be a severe ankle harm the earlier week vs. Cleveland.
After being questionable all week, Mahomes got here on after a Stroud interception and led an 11-play, 66-yard, six-minute-plus drive that culminated in his 15-yard landing run. The Chiefs went on to win, 27-19, and canopy the spread, however that margin wouldn’t be enough right here.
For Chiefs backers, it’s straightforward to make the case that they’ll beat the Texans by more this time with Mahomes healthy, and Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo having simply seen what Houston has to offer.
Texans bettors can level to WR Tank Dell struggling a severe harm in the third quarter at 17-16 and the crew nonetheless hanging robust all through. The latter is the place I’m touchdown, with the thought that the Texans will benefit from their latest go to to Arrowhead.
Though Unders had been 5-1 in the wild-card weekend, this quantity appears low. The groups mixed for 46 factors on Dec. 21, and that was with Mahomes ailing and 6 drives of not less than 10 performs sapping the clock.
Chiefs, 27-20.
C.J. Stroud and the Texans might show to be a more durable out. USA TODAY Sports by way of Reuters Con
DETROIT LIONS (-9.5) over Washington Commanders; Under 55.5: The most spectacular teaching feat I’ve seen this season was carried out by Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
In Week 18, with first place in the NFC North and a first-round bye on the line, Glenn’s protection turned Sam Darnold into a pumpkin and left the Vikings flying machine in items on the ground. Not solely that, Glenn confirmed the Rams how to do the identical factor, as they KO’d the Vikings from the playoffs.
It’s superb we’re speaking about the Lions protection in any respect contemplating the juggernaut the crew possesses on the different facet of the ball. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and Co. ought to do large injury in the event that they get the ball back rapidly and in good area place.
Both the line and complete are in such precarious spots, which makes it robust to be a handicapper and bettor. Can the Lions draw back enough to inoculate their backers from a Jayden Daniels backdoor cowl? Will the Commanders offense contribute enough to push it over a large quantity? But for this reason it’s so enjoyable.
Lions, 38-17.
Betting on the NFL?
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Lions (Locks 8-9 in 2024-25).
LAST WEEK: 5-7 (2-4 sides, 3-4 Over/Unders).
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks relationship back 31 years. He gained the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most just lately in 2023.
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