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.

This weekend’s NFL slate has no games that look like a push to me.  There is only four games that I think will fall within a field goal of the pointspread, so it looks like a good betting weekend in the NFL.  Here is how I see the games going down against the spread today and tomorrow in the NFL:

ALMOST A LOCK:

New England Patriots (-20.5) over the Indianapolis Colts - The New England Patriots rarely show mercy on any team and I don’t think they will today either.  They might score every time they have the ball today.  The only thing that scares me at all in this game is the possibility of a backdoor cover by the Colts.  That being said, I like the Patriots to win this game 49-13.

MORE REALLY SOLID PLAYS:

Baltimore Ravens (-7) over the Cleveland Browns - The Browns are going to have a hard time scoring against the Ravens’ defense.  Ray Rice is going to have a good game against a Browns’ D that is going to be overwhelmed on the ground.  I like the Ravens to win this game 27-10.

Tennessee Titans (+2.5) over the Buffalo Bills - The Titans are going to come out with all guns blazing this weekend as they are chasing the Texans in the AFC South.  The Bills have proved that their fast start this year was a mirage.  I like the Titans 27-20 in this game, so consider taking the money line.

Cincinnati Bengals (+6.5) over the Pittsburgh Steelers -The Bengals played tough against the Steelers in the first meeting of these teams, just three weeks ago.  Ben Roethlisberger has a broken thumb which hampered his passing against the Chiefs last weekend.  I look for the Bengals to spring a nice upset and beat the Steelers 23-20 at Heinz Field.

GOOD BETS:

San Francisco 49ers (-14) over the St. Louis Rams - The 49ers are likely going to be a very angry team after losing to the Ravens on Thanksgiving and that’s bad news for the Rams.  The Rams are awful.  I like the Niners to win this game 24-3.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) over the San Diego Chargers - I have a feeling that the Jaguars are going to be sky high playing their first game for a new coach on Monday Night Football.  The Chargers have been really flat as of late.  I like the Jaguars to upset the Chargers 17-13.

Houston Texans (+3) over the Atlanta Falcons - Rookie T.J. Yates will be making his first NFL start today for the Texans.  But the Texans are going to win this game with defense and the running game.  I like the Texans to “upset” the Falcons 20-17 in this game.

Carolina Panthers (+2) over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - This is going to be a shootout, as neither of these teams play much defense.  I give the edge to the Panthers in this game because they have a much better offense than the Bucs have.  I like the Panthers to win this game 31-27.

Denver Broncos (+1.5) over the Minnesota Vikings -The Broncos are 5-1 with Tim Tebow under center, but they still aren’t getting any respect.  How can they possibly be a underdog to a 2-9 Vikings’ team?  I like the Broncos to win this game 17-13.

DECENT PLAYS:

New Orleans Saints (-9) over the Detroit Lions - The Saints don’t just beat teams at the SuperDome……they dismantle them!   The Lions got beat up on Thanksgiving against a team very similar in style to the Saints (Packers).  I like the Saints to win this game 37-24.

New York Giants (+6.5) over the Green Bay Packers - The Giants need this game, so they are going to be playing all out for four quarters.  It won’t be enough to beat the Packers, but they will cover the pointspread.  I like the Packers 33-30 in this game.

CLOSE CALLS:

Oakland Raiders (+3) over the Miami Dolphins - This game is going to be very tight until the clock reads 0:00.  I like the Dolphins to prevail 21-20 over the Raiders.

Arizona Cardinals (+4.5) over the Dallas Cowboys - The Arizona Cardinals have been playing better as of late and the Cowboys sometimes play down to their competition.  I like the Cowboys to beat the Cardinals 27-24, but the Cardinals are going to cover.

Kansas City Chiefs (+7) over the Chicago Bears - I have a hard time believing that Kyle Orton isn’t starting against his old team today.  I do think he will get into the game and bring the Chiefs almost all the way back.  I like the Bears to win this game 23-17, but I like the Chiefs to get the backdoor cover.

New York Jets (-3) over the Washington Redskins - The Redskins have been playing better lately, but, the Jets really need this game.  I look for a low scoring, hard hitting game in which the Jets prevail 17-13.

The NFL games are either mis-matches this weekend or very tight games as far as the pointspread is concerned.  I call them like I see them and here’s what I think about this weekend’s games in the NFL:

LIKE STEALING CANDY FROM A BABY:

Carolina Panthers (-3.5) over the Indianapolis Colts - Cam Newton is going to be outstanding tomorrow as the Panthers might just score every time they get the ball.  The Colts are so inept offensively that they won’t be able to keep up despite dealing with the Panthers’ D.  I like the Panthers to win this game 41-20 tomorrow.

REALLY SOLID BETS:

Pittsburgh Steelers (-10.5) over Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs have been awful and they will be no match for the hungry Steelers.  Tyler Palko is a pathetic QB.  The Steelers are going to win this game 30-6.

Houston Texans (-6.5) over the Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars are bringing a butter knife to a gun fight tomorrow.  At least the game will be over quickly with both teams running so much.  I like the Texans to win this game 24-7.

Arizona Cardinals (+3) over the St. Louis Rams - Poor Sam Bradford looks like a pinata in the pocket for the Rams.  I like the Cardinals to win this game 20-13.

MORE MONEYMAKERS:

Minnesota Vikings (+9.5) over the Atlanta Falcons - The Vikings are going to keep this game close enough to cover the spread, but they will fall short of winning it.  I like the Falcons to win this game 23-21.

San Diego Chargers (-6) over the Denver Broncos - Philip Rivers is finally going to have a good game tomorrow, book it!  I like the Chargers to win tomorrow 30-17.

Tennessee Titans (-3.5) over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Something appears to be wrong with Josh Freeman, either physically or mentally.  For that reason, I like the Titans to win this game 27-17.

NOT BAD:

Cincinnati Bengals (-7) over the Cleveland Browns - The Browns can’t score more than 17 points in a game, making it very hard to win in the NFL.  I like the Bengals to win this game 23-13 and to cover the point spread.

ALMOST TOO CLOSE TO CALL:

New York Jets (-9.5) over the Buffalo Bills - The Bills sit a light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s coming from an oncoming train.  I like the Jets to win this game 24-13.

Chicago Bears (+4) over the Oakland Raiders - The Bears are starting Caleb Hanie at QB and that’s not a good thing.  But, RB Matt Forte will will the Bears to stay close tomorrow.  I like the Raiders to win this game 20-17.

New York Giants (+7) over the New Orleans Saints - This is my upset alert on Monday Night Football.  The Giants have played very well on the road but they won’t be quite good enough to win this game.  I like the Saints to win 30-24.

Washington Redskins (+3.5) over the Seattle Seahawks - The Redskins will have the good Rex Grossman this weekend, but it won’t be enough to win in a very tough environment.  I like the Seahawks to win this game 20-17.

New England Patriots (-3.5) over the Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles woke up last weekend, but beating the Patriots is a whole different animal.  I like the Patriots to win this game 27-23.