Teams in the NFL may be more optimistic about scoring points this weekend. The week of Christmas produced severely cold temperatures that made it difficult for teams to move the ball. With so much on the line as the season winds down, teams will be doing whatever it takes to score points or prevent their opponents from doing so.
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons
Cardinals vs. Falcons Picks
Best Bet: Under 41 Points
The Cardinals are a rudderless ship on offense. Without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, Arizona doesn’t have much punch on offense. The Cardinals have scored 16 or fewer points over the past three games. Arizona has seen the total go under in its last four games.
Atlanta has seen the total go under in nine of 15 games. With the Falcons facing quarterback issues and neither team having playoff aspirations, this game could be an ugly one.
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Picks
Best Bet: Under 39.5 Points
The first meeting between these two teams didn’t produce much offense. Both teams will be looking to keep things under wraps on defense as this game will likely decide the NFC South division winner. In the first game, the two teams were only able to muster 24 points during an 18-point win by Carolina.
This game will be similarly low scoring as each team will struggle to reach 20 points.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Bears vs. Lions Picks
Best Bet: Over 52 Points
The Bears defense has had a hard time stopping opponents. Even in the freezing cold, Buffalo was still able to put up 35 points. Detroit is in a desperate spot where it needs to lean on its offense to power a way into the playoffs.
The Lions score 26.1 points per game, which ranks fifth in the league.
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Dolphins vs. Patriots Picks
Best Bet: Under 42.5 Points
The Patriots have seen the total go under in three of the past four games. New England has struggled to crack 20 points in a game. Defensively, the Patriots have still been solid this season.
New England ranks fifth in the league by allowing 19.4 points per game. Miami has struggled with turnovers.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Jaguars vs. Texans Picks
Best Bet: Over 43.5 Points
The Jacksonville Jaguars have found their rhythm on offense. The Jaguars have seen the over hit in four of their last five games. Jacksonville was able to get a key victory against a strong New York Jets defense last week.
Now the Jaguars have a path to winning the AFC South title and will play the Texans, who are one of the worst teams in the league. Houston did beat the Jaguars earlier in the season, but Trevor Lawrence seems to have figured things out.