by Nick Stasiak – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Detroit Lions (-4.5) @ Cincinnati Bengals
This matchup features a Lions team that is still fighting for their playoff lives against a Bengals team that looks like they have packed it in for the season. The Lions need to win out to have a chance to make the playoffs so this game is extremely important for them. As for the Bengals, they have looked awful the past two weeks. In their past two games against the Bears and Vikings, they have lost by a combined score of 67-14. The Bengals look like a team that just wants the season to be over. That is good news for the Lions. Matthew Stafford could be in for a big game and don’t expect Andy Dalton and Bengals 32nd ranked overall offense to suddenly wake up.
The Pick: Lions -4.5
Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears (-6.5)
For the second straight season the Browns enter Christmas Eve 0-14 looking for their first win of the season. Last season, they won on Christmas Eve. Now can they pull off another Christmas miracle? What might give them a chance is that they will make rookie Mitchell Trubisky try to beat them. Believe it or not, Cleveland has one of the best rush defenses in the league, ranking 7th in rushing yards allowed per game. Last week they limited Alex Collins, who came into the game on a roll, to just 19 yards on 12 carries. The problem for the Browns will be getting anything going on offense. They rank 26th in the league in total offense, but that is actually better than the Bears who rank 30th. Can DeShone Kizer make the plays needed for the Browns to win? He hasn’t been able to yet so it’s hard to trust him. But call me crazy, for the second week in a row I’ll be going with the Browns. The defense will get the job done for them. Even if they don’t win, they’ll keep it close.
The Pick: Browns +6.5
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens (-13.5)
Saturday football is back for the second straight week. This Saturday starts with a not so great matchup between the Colts and Ravens. I’m sure when the NFL put this one on the schedule they had hoped Andrew Luck would be healthy and the Colts would be in playoff contention but that is not the case. But there is one team in playoff contention and that is the Ravens. It’s simple for the Ravens, win out and they are in. It starts with what should be an easy game for them. The Colts rank 31st in total offense and 29th in total defense. This could be a big game for Joe Flacco and expect Alex Collins to regain his form. Before last week, he had five touchdowns in the previous four games. It’s a lot of points to lay, but the Ravens should dominate this game.
The Pick: Ravens -13.5
Tough week Nick, time to give up on Cleveland. Kizer can’t win a game.