NFL Week 16 -- The Legend of the Christmas Raven

Thursday night
New Orleans at L.A. Rams (-4.5/44.5), PRIME

Saturday
Cincinnati (-2.5/37.5) at Pittsburgh, 430, NBC
Buffalo (-11/42.5) at L.A. Chargers, 8, The Cock

Sunday early
Washington at N.Y. Jets (-3/38.5), CBS
Indianapolis (-2.5/44.5) at Atlanta, FOX
Seattle (-2.5/42.5) at Tennessee, CBS
Detroit (-3/46.5) at Minnesota, FOX
Green Bay (-5/36.5) at Carolina, FOX
Cleveland at Houston (-2.5/42.5), CBS

Sunday late
Jacksonville (-1/43.5) at Tampa Bay, CBS
Arizona at Chicago (-4.5/44.5), FOX
Dallas at Miami (-1.5/51.5), FOX

Sunday night
New England at Denver (-6/34.5), 815, NFL

Christmas Day
Las Vegas at Kansas City (-10/41.5), 1, CBS
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia (-10.5/43.5), 430, FOX
Baltimore at San Francisco (-5.5/45.5), 815, ABC/ESPN+

* Pretty big game for the Bengals, who are sitting in a nice spot thanks owning the H2H over both Buffalo and Indy. They can't afford to lose to the Fightin' Rudolphs here.
* The Rams would be the one team I wouldn't want to see in the playoffs if I were Philly or Detroit. They should beat the Saints but who knows which Carr will show up.
* Seriously, folks, watch It's a Wonderful Life on Sunday night. Do not ruin Christmas by watching Bailey Zappe in the snow.
* Dallas is theoretically the 2 seed right now but they have the far tougher schedule than Philly to finish, playing Miami and Detroit before ending against the corpse of the Commanders. Philly gets the Giants twice, along with Arizona. Even in the Eagles' battered state, I think they rally to win out.
* The Monday night game is the clear highlight of the weekend. San Fran has made a living on wasting pretty good teams this year, so I'm curious to see how the Ravens hold up.

 

I think the Ravens can score on the 49ers, but only enough to lose by like 38-27 or some such. The over/under looks like free money given that the Ninrs are scoring about 40 plus a game since Trent Williams got back.

 

As Rickie Lee Jones once sang, there ain’t no such thing as easy money.

 

Between Dallas and Miami, the Christmas slate and even Cincy-Pitt - the NFL should do some decent ratings - I imagine even some NBA players would rather watch than play on Christmas Day.

 

I haven't done a sportsbook bet in ages. But I am seriously tempted to hit the local casino and lay some down on the Niners giving the points, and the over on the same game.

 

I like the Chargers as an 11.5 home dog particularly after the firing of a coach who everyone knew was gone at the end of the year. And they get Buffalo on a short week after playing last Thursday. Seems like a great value play if anything.

 

I'm surprised the Bengals are only getting 2.5 points even with Chase out and the game in Pittsburgh. I know the Steelers won the first meeting, but the wheels have fallen off since then.

 

I think that Buffalo game opened at -13.5 and has bet down heavily. This time of year, I think the motivation factor can be decisive. Buffalo knows it probably has to win out and has already earned a couple of FAFO nicks on its resume this season. What motivation does Keenan Allen have to come back and play in this one?

 

Thank God for Monday football specials. I was afraid I’d be subjected to an all-day NBA marathon.

 

At least the NBA did away with its special Christmas uniforms. Which means I might have a 50% chance of recognizing who's playing.

 

Is that Leon Hess?