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Thanksgiving week brought the syndicate a lot to be thankful for, from the Dallas Cowboys' inability to stop the run to Kirk Cousins once again melting in crunch time, we recorded a 9-5 week that would have been a lot better if not for a sickness known as backing the Los Angeles Chargers.
That affliction won't be plaguing us this week as the Bolts bring their shaky defense to Cincinnati where Joe Mixon is likely to feast on a unit that struggles to tackle anything with two legs and some push.
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Then, there are the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan's team now has won three straight and four of five to jump back into the NFC playoff picture. The resurgent Niners travel to Seattle in Week 13 to face a 3-8 Seahawks team that has struggled to do anything right over the past month and only has pride as a motivator over the final month.
RELATED: 49ers can send Wilson, Carroll and Seahawks into NFL abyss
We can keep the positive mojo going after a solid Week 12. Let's get to this week's winners.
RECORD: 97-82 ATS (103-76-1 SU)
San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints
Line: Cowboy -4.5
The Saints have been a train wreck over the past month, Enter Taysom Hill? I’m not sure the Swiss Army Knife turned starting quarterback can get Sean Payton’s train back on track. The Cowboys will be without Mike McCarthy, which might actually be added value, and are expected to get Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb back. Jerry’s boys by a touchdown.
Pick: Cowboys 27, Saints 20
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
Line: Dolphins -5
Miami has won four straight behind a resurgent defense and solid play from Tua Tagovailoa. The Giants found a way to win ugly last Sunday vs. the Eagles but might be without quarterback Daniel Jones. This could get out ugly for the Giants if Mike Glennon is under center.
Pick: Dolphins 23, Giants 13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Line: Bucs -10.5
The Falcons get a pat on the back for keeping their playoff hopes alive against the Jaguars, but the Bucs present challenges Atlanta will have trouble solving. Tampa’s pass rush terrorizes a bad offensive line and Tom Brady throws four touchdowns in a rout.
Pick: Bucs 34, Falcons 17
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Line: Vikings -7
How much do the Lions have left after another heartbreaking loss? I think they have enough to put a scare into the Vikings who enjoy playing one-possession games. Minnesota likely will be without Dalvin Cook and the Lions are desperate to get a win on the ledger. Vikings in a nail-biter.
Pick: Vikings 24, Lions 20
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets
Line: Eagles -6.5
After jumping back into the NFC playoff picture, the Eagles’ offense threw up on itself in a winnable game vs. the Giants. Now, in the same stadium, they face a Jets team that found a pulse in a win over the Texans last week. Jalen Hurts will play a lot better against a bad Jets defense. The Eagles can’t lose this game, but it’s going to be close.
Pick: Eagles 23, Jets 17
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears
Line: Cardinals -8
Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins should finally be back for the team with the NFL’s best record. Will Justin Fields return for the Bears? Matt Nagy looked like he was expecting a Gatorade bath for beating the Lions on Thanksgiving, which is an indicator of how things are going at Halas Hall. The Cardinals will win but I like the Bears to make them sweat.
Pick: Cardinals 28, Bears 23
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Line: Colts -9.5
The Colts have Jonathan Taylor and this time they won’t go 26 plays without handing him the ball. Expect this game to be over quickly.
Pick: Colts 27, Texans 13
Los Angeles Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals
Line: Bengals -3
My love for Justin Herbert finally will be overshadowed by the reality that the Chargers can’t stop anyone. If you can’t stop the run in December, it’s going to be hard to win. Joe Mixon is going to have a big day and the Bengals take another step toward returning to the playoffs.
Pick: Bengals 24, Chargers 20
Washington Football Team at Las Vegas Raiders
Line: Raiders -2
Derek Carr got his mojo back on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys. The Football Team is on a nice run, but I don’t think Taylor Heinicke will be able to keep up with Carr and the Raiders’ offense. The Silver and Black stay in the playoff picture.
Pick: Raiders 30, WFT 24
Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Rams
Line: Rams -12.5
The Rams haven’t won a game since they decided to go “all-in.” Matthew Stafford is looking more like Jared Goff every week and LA’s superteam is leaking oil. That’s OK because the Jags are the perfect team to get right against. Stafford gets his mojo back and the Rams pour it on to wash the bad taste from the last three games out of their mouth.
Pick: Rams 34, Jags 16
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: Ravens -4.5
Pittsburgh looks cooked, but the Steelers always get up for this game. Always. The Ravens’ offense has massive issues and I think this is the game it bites them. It might be the last time the Steelers win this season, and I might regret this, but give me Big Ben’s corpse and the points.
Pick: Steelers 23, Ravens 20 (UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK)
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Line: Chiefs -9
I give up trying to get a read on the Broncos. There is no rhyme or reason to when they show up or don’t. The Chiefs aren’t fully back yet, so I’ll take the points, but I don’t feel good about it.
Pick: Chiefs 27, Broncos 20
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Line: Bills -3
I remain unimpressed with the Bills this season and a win over Trevor Siemian and the sinking Saints won’t change my mind. The Patriots are doing everything at a high level and are out to make a statement in the AFC East. I’ll take the points, but I won’t need them.
Pick: Patriots 24, Bills 16
49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Line: 49ers -3.5
Things are bleak in the Pacific Northwest. It’s clear Russell Wilson came back before he was ready to try and help the Seahawks get back in the playoff picture. That hasn’t worked. The defense is bad, the offensive line is a mess and Pete Carroll has no answers. But the 49ers are without Deebo Samuel and Fred Warner, which could spell trouble on both sides of the ball for Kyle Shanahan’s team. I think this could be an ugly game, but I can’t take the Seahawks after the last two weeks. I just can’t. Niners pull it out and send the Seahawks to face their uncomfortable NFL reality.
Pick: 49ers 26, Seahawks 20