New Orleans Saints (+3.5) at Carolina Panthers (+3.5) – Sun, Nov. 20, 1:00 PM ET
The Saints weren’t playing poker this past Sunday, but boy did they experience a bad beat or what? Losing by getting your extra point attempt blocked and returned for two points is like a punch in the gut and a kick in the shin at the same time.
Looking at the bright side, though, they did a good job matching up against the Broncos, a team that was supposed to shut down their offense. Drew Brees passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns, and the defense followed on his productivity, recording two interceptions, six sacks, six pass deflections, and 11 QB hits.
Against the Panthers, who can’t seem to establish any kind of rhythm all season long, the Saints should be in a good position to get a much-needed W.
The Panthers are one of the 10 worst teams in giving up passing yards and passing touchdowns this season.
Writer’s Prediction: The Saints (+3.5) win, 24-20.
Tennessee Titans (+3) at Indianapolis Colts (-3) – Sun, Nov. 20, 1:00 PM ET
The Titans have a lot of energy right now. They are coming off a win where they “out-Green Bayed” Green Bay, blowing out the Packers, 47-25.
It was one of those days were everything was clicking, as Marcus Mariota went 19-for-26 for 295 yards and four touchdowns. DeMarco Murray, meanwhile, had one score and ran for 123 yards on just 17 attempts (7.2 yards per carry). And on defense, they frustrated Aaron Rodgers often, as the D had two interceptions, five sacks, and six QB hits.
This coming Sunday against their AFC South rival, who’s not, even at the very least, a threat defensively (allowing 402.7 total yards per game), the Titans should be able to come out on top. Andrew Luck, currently the most sacked QB in the league, is likely to be taken down multiple times by the Titans’ pass rushers, who record the fourth-most sacks in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5) at Detroit Lions (-6.5) – Sun, Nov. 20, 1:00 PM ET
The Jaguars will likely take another loss this Sunday. However, just by following the trends of how both teams win and lose, it looks like the spread won’t be covered. In the Lions’ five wins this season, none were more than six points, while for the Jags, four of their seven losses were by five points or less.
As for the in-game action, we’re expecting a decent duel by Blake Bortles (269 yards per game) and Matthew Stafford (263.7 yards per game). Both QBs are equipped with a nice arm and a pair of deep-threat receivers – Bortles has Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, while Stafford has Golden Tate and Marvin Jones.
Writer’s Prediction: The Lions (-6.5) win, but won’t be able to cover the spread.
