The NFL this week is kind of strange.  There are a handful of games that will be really good to bet on, but a lot of games that are too close to bet on.  Here is how I see the games going against the spread:

PRINTING MONEY:

Carolina Panthers (+7.5) over the New Orleans Saints:  The Saints are going to be pulling players out of this game as the 49ers will be smacking down the Rams.  That means that Cam Newton is going to steal this game from the Saints.  I like the Panthers to win this game 31-23.

San Francisco 49ers (-10.5) over the St. Louis Rams:  The San Francisco 49ers can lock up the #2 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs with a win over the Rams.  I like them to get the job done today beating the Rams 27-3.

GOOD BETS:

Kansas City Chiefs (+3) over the Denver Broncos:  This is going to be Kyle Orton’s big shot at revenge as he can make the Broncos pay the ultimate price for cutting him earlier this year.  The Broncos need this game to get to the playoffs, but they won’t get it, as I see the Chiefs winning this game 23-17.

New York Giants (-3) over the Dallas Cowboys:  The Giants and Cowboys are playing a do or die game tonight.  The winner is the NFC East Champ and the loser is going home.  Tony Romo’s bruised hand and Felix Jones’ hamstring is going to hamper the Cowboys’ effort in trying to keep up with the Giants tonight.  I like the Giants to win this game 34-23.

Detroit Lions (-4) over the Green Bay Packers:  The Packers have nothing to play for except pride in this game.  That means it’s likely going to be Matt Flynn and the backups against Matt Stafford and the starters.  The Lions can wrap up the #5 seed with a win today and they will get it 31-20 over the Packers.

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) over the Jacksonville Jaguars:  The Colts have won two games in a row and the Jaguars are struggling right now.  The Colts’ players are going to cost them the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by beating the Jags 20-17 this week.

DECENT PLAYS:

Cleveland Browns (+6.5) over the Pittsburgh Steelers:   The Browns are going to be inspired to pay the Steelers back for some of their cheap shots a couple of weeks ago.  The Steelers are going to be resting some players this weekend.  That plays into the Browns’ hands, but they are still going to lose 20-17.

Buffalo Bills (+10) over the New England Patriots:  The Bills beat the Patriots the first time around and they are going to keep things close again.  I like the Patriots to win this game 34-27, as the Bills are a serious threat for a backdoor cover in this game even if they fall behind early.

Philadelphia Eagles (-8) over the Washington Redskins:  The Eagles are playing great football lately.  In Pat Benatar’s words……It’s a little too little and it’s a little too late.  The Eagles will win this game 27-17.

TO CLOSE TO CALL:

Baltimore Ravens (-2) over the Cincinnati Bengals:  Both of these teams need this game and it’s likely to be a slobberknocker. I like the Ravens to win this game 20-17 in Cincy.

Houston Texans (+1.5) over the Tennessee Titans:  The Titans need this game for a  shot at the playoffs, while the Texans are locked into the #3 seed for the AFC Playoffs.  I like the Titans to win this game 21-20.

Chicago Bears (+1.5) over the Minnesota Vikings:  The Vikings will be at home and the Bears have pretty much given up lately.  I like the Vikings to win this game 17-16, but for the Bears to cover….barely.

Atlanta Falcons (-10.5) over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  The Falcons will likely be playing backups in this game (if the Lions beat the Packers earlier in the day), but they are still going to thump the hapless Tampa Bay Bucs.  I like the Falcons to win this game 27-16.

PUSH CITY:

Miami Dolphins (-3) over the New York Jets:  The Dolphins are going to ruin any chance of the overrated Jets making the playoffs today.  I like the Fins 23-20.

Oakland Raiders (-3) over the San Diego Chargers:  The Raiders have a shot at the playoffs with a win today, so I look for Carson Palmer to get them there.  I like the Raiders to win this game 33-30.

Arizona Cardinals (-3) over the Seattle Seahawks:  This is going to be a knock down, drag out street fight.  I like the Cardinals to win this game 23-20.

50-year old Dan Marino saw his once NFL record 5,084 passing yards record broke last night by Drew Brees of the Saints.  The record stood for 27 years, but records are made to be broken.  I hear a lot of people saying that Dan Marino is the best QB to never win a Super Bowl.  That’s a bunch of crap as he was a lot better than a lot of QBs that won the Super Bowl (Doug Williams, Jeff Hostetler and Trent Dilfer come to mind).  In his historic season of 1984, Marino played in 16 games (all starts) for the Dolphins and he completed 362 of 564 passes (64.2%) for 5,084 yards with 48 TD passes (#3 all-time) and 17 interceptions (108.9 QB Rating).  His Dolphins were 14-2 during the regular season in 1984 and they lost the Super Bowl 38-16 to Joe Montana’s 49ers.  Marino played 17 seasons (all with the Dolphins) and he played in 242 games (240 starts) in which he completed 4,967 of 8,358 passes (59.4%) for 61,361 (#2 all-time) with 420 TD passes (#2 all-time) and 252 interceptions (86.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 301 times for 87 yards (0.3 ypc) with 9 TD runs.  Marino was elected into Pro Football’s Hall of Fame in 2005.  Marino played in 9 Pro Bowls in his career and he compiled a 147-93 (61.3%) as the Dolphins’ starting QB.  His records might be starting to fall, but Dan Marino was one of the 5-10 best QBs in NFL history.

This could be the weekend of the underdog in the NFL this weekend….as far as covering the pointspread goes.  Here is how I see this weekend’s games against the spread:

STEALING MONEY:

Carolina Panthers (-7.5) over the Tampa Bay Buccaneeers - The Buccaneers have packed it in already this year.  That is not good news for them today as the Panthers are playing their best football of the season right now.  I like the Panthers to win this game 34-10!

Green Bay Packers (-11) over the Chicago Bears - The Packers are going to take this game very seriously, because the Bears are their most heated rival.  The Bears will be starting QB Josh McCown and RB Kahlil Bell tomorrow night, enough said.  I like the Packers to win this game 38-16.

NEXT BEST:

Philadelphia Eagles (+1) over the Dallas Cowboys - The “Dream Team” has finally shown up as the Eagles are playing well right now.  This is about the time that Tony Romo implodes as he never seems to play well when the games get big.  I like the Eagles 27-23 in this game and I would bet the money line.

Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) over the Oakland Raiders - The Chiefs look like a new team with Romeo Crennel as the head coach and Kyle Orton as the starting QB.  The Chiefs popped the Raiders 28-0 in Oakland earlier this year.  This game is going to be closer though, with the Chiefs winning 27-20.

Washington Redskins (-6.5) over the Minnesota Vikings - The Redskins have been playing well lately, while the Vikings look lost.  The Redskins are going to win this game 27-16 today.

Atlanta Falcons (+7) over the New Orleans Saints - This is going to be one of the best games of the week in the NFL.  I like the Saints to win this game 33-30, but I like the Falcons to cover the pointspread.

NOT BAD:

Seattle Seahawks (+1.5) over the San Francisco 49ers - The Seahawks amazingly still have a chance to make the playoffs.  The 49ers could be in for a letdown after last Monday Night’s punishment of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I like the Seahawks to pull an upset and win this game 16-14.

Tennessee Titans (-7) over the Jacksonville Jaguars - It’s do or die time for the Titans as far as the playoffs go.  They won’t overlook the Jaguars this weekend after what happened to them in Indy last week.  I like the Titans to win 23-13.

San Diego Chargers (+2) over the Detroit Lions - No one is playing better than the San Diego Chargers right now.  I see them winning a shootout 31-30 over the Lions in the best game of the day.

CLOSE CALLS:

Pittsburgh Steelers (-10.5) over the St. Louis Rams - Sure, the Steelers are starting Charlie Batch at QB.  It won’t matter as the Steelers are going to run all over the Rams’ D and they are going to shut down the Rams’ O today.  I like the Steelers to win this game 20-7.

New York Giants (+3) over the New York Jets - This is going to be a very entertaining slugfest as these two teams don’t like each other.  I like the Jets to win this game 21-20, but for the Giants to cover.

Cleveland Browns (+11.5) over the Baltimore Ravens - The Browns aren’t going to win this game, but they are going to put up a good fight.  I like the Ravens to win this game 24-14.

Arizona Cardinals (+4.5) over the Cincinnati Bengals - The Cardinals have been playing outstanding football lately as they are making a late season playoff push.  The Bengals are pretty tough at home in the Jungle.  I look for the Bengals to win this game 20-17, but for the Cardinals to cover.

Miami Dolphins (+8.5) over the New England Patriots - The Dolphins are going to keep this game close due to the Patriots’ awful defense.  I like the Patriots to win this game 34-26.

PUSH CITY:

Denver Broncos (-3) over the Buffalo Bills - I look for Tim Tebow to pull some tricks out of his hat today.  I like the Broncos to win this game 20-17…..making it a push.

There are no games that look like locks to me.  Tread carefully this weekend as the linesmakers have done a good job with the pointspreads.  Here is how I see the games on Sunday and Monday this weekend against the spread:

SOLID PLAYS:

Seattle Seahawks (+3.5) over the Chicago Bears - The Bears have been horrible with Caleb Hanie at QB and I see no reason to think that will change tomorrow.  The Seahawks will stay hot and beat the Bears 17-13 in Chicago tomorrow afternoon.  Bet the money line if one is offered in this game.

Detroit Lions (-1) over the Oakland Raiders - The Lions and Raiders don’t play much defense.  I will go with the QB less likely to make mistakes and that is for sure Matt Stafford of the Lions.  I like the Lions to win this game 31-23.

New England Patriots (-7.5) over the Denver Broncos - The Patriots aren’t going to give Tim Tebow a chance to comeback tomorrow afternoon.  I like the Patriots to win this game 34-20.

New Orleans Saints (-7) over the Minnesota Vikings - The Saints have played really well indoors this year and that’s bad news for the Vikings tomorrow.  I like the Saints to win this game 33-20 over the Vikings.

Cincinnati Bengals (-7) over the St. Louis Rams - The Rams are going to start Kellen Clemens at QB tomorrow, and I don’t see that going well.  Look for Cedric Benson to have a huge game for the Bengals tomorrow as they are going to win 23-10.

CLOSE GAMES:

Tennessee Titans (-6.5) over the Indianapolis Colts - The Titans need this game if they are going to have any chance of making the playoffs.  I like the Titans to win this game 24-13.

Miami Dolphins (+1) over the Buffalo Bills - The Dolphins are going to sweep the hapless Bills, beating them 23-20 tomorrow.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+1) over the San Francisco 49ers - The Steelers are going to be a little too much for the Niners in a slobberknocker.  I like the Steelers to win this game 16-13.

Washington Redskins (6.5) over the New York Giants - The Redskins thumped the Giants 28-14 in the first meeting between these two teams.  I like the Redskins to keep it close, but lose 30-27 to the Giants.

Carolina Panthers (+6) over the Houston Texans - The Texans aren’t good enough offensively to run away from the Panthers tomorrow.  I like the Texans to win 20-17, but I like the Panthers to cover.

Kansas City Chiefs (+14) over the Green Bay Packers - The Chiefs are going to be playing at home under new head coach Romeo Crennel.  They will also have Kyle Orton under center instead of Tyler Palko.  For those reasons, I like the Chiefs to stay close enough to cover the spread.  I like the Packers to win this game 31-20.

Cleveland Browns (+6.5) over the Arizona Cardinals - This is going to be the backup QB Bowl with Seneca Wallace starting for the Browns and John Skelton for the Cardinals.  I think the Cardinals are the better team, but I like the Browns to keep things close tomorrow.  I like the Cardinals to win 24-20, but for the Browns to cover.

New York Jets (+3) over the Philadelphia Eagles - This is going to be a good football game as it could literally go either way.  I like taking the points in those situations.  I like the Jets to win this game 21-20.

Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) over the San Diego Chargers - I know!  The Chargers have been playing well lately.  But, they aren’t playing the Jaguars or Bills this week.  The Ravens will win this game 24-20.

This doesn’t look like a good betting week in the NFL.  I know that isn’t going to deter you from making some wagers, so here is a look at how the games should go against the spread this weekend:

CLOSE TO LOCKS:

Baltimore Ravens (-16.5) over the Indianapolis Colts - The Patriots let off on the Colts in the 4th quarter last week.  That’s not how the Ravens operate, plus the fans are going to want them to kill the Colts.  The fans will get their wish as the Ravens are going to win this game 38-6.

Houston Texans (+3) over the Cincinnati Bengals - The Houston Texans just keep winning games.  The Bengals have faltered lately, and they won’t be able to move the ball much today.  I like the Texans to pull an “upset” and beat the Bengals 17-10.

SOLID BETS:

New York Giants (+4.5) over the Dallas Cowboys:  The Giants have had a rough schedule lately, losing to the Niners, Packers and Saints….but they played well in two of those games and they travel well.  The Cowboys have only beaten one team (the Niners) that have a winning record this year.  I like the Giants 30-27 over the Cowboys this weekend.

Detroit Lions (-10) over the Minnesota Vikings:  The Lions are going to look to whoop someone’s butt and the Vikings are going to be that team.  I like the Lions to win this game 34-17.

New England Patriots (-8) over the Washington Redskins - I don’t see the Patriots taking the pedal off the metal this weekend.  They did it last week against the Colts and let them back into the game.  I like the Patriots to win this game 31-17.

Seattle Seahawks (-10) over the St. Louis Rams - The Rams are in shambles as they are likely to start Tom Brandstater at QB in this game.  The Seahawks play much better at home and that’s why they are going to win this game 23-7.

Green Bay Packers (-12) over the Oakland Raiders - The Packers are going to be very focused at home this weekend against the Raiders.  I look for this to be a blowout with the Packers winning 37-20.

NOT BAD:

Atlanta Falcons (-3) over the Carolina Panthers - The Falcons are going to score a lot of points today.  I think their D will stop Carolina a couple times in this game.  I like the Falcons to win this game 30-23.

San Diego Chargers (-7) over the Buffalo Bills - The Chargers woke up last weekend and they usually play pretty well in December.  I like the Chargers to beat the Bills 34-24.

Chicago Bears (+3.5) over the Denver Broncos - The Denver Broncos are winning games left and right, but they aren’t winning them impressively.  This will be another one of those games as the Broncos will beat the Bears 17-16.

STAY AWAY FROM THESE GAMES:

Philadelphia Eagles (+3) over the Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins have been playing outstanding football lately, while the Eagles have been awful.  Michael Vick is going to start at QB this weekend, which should give the Eagles’ offense a jolt.  I like the Fins to win 23-21, but the Eagles to cover.

Arizona Cardinals (+4) over the San Francisco 49ers - The Cardinals have been playing well lately and Kevin Kolb is back at QB.  The 49ers will win this game 23-20, but the Cardinals will cover.

Kansas City Chiefs (+10.5) over the New York Jets -The Chiefs can’t score with Tyler Palko at QB, but their defense has been playing better lately.  The Jets need this game and they will get it winning 16-6.

Tennessee Titans (+3.5) over the New Orleans Saints - The Saints have not played well on the road and they have not played outside in 8 weeks.  The Titans are going to keep this game close.  I like the Saints to win this game 27-24, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the score reversed with the Titans winning.

PUSH CITY:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) over the Jacksonville Jaguars - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a little better team than the Jaguars do right now.  I like the Buccaneers to win this game 20-17.