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THE WEEKLY BLITZ
Our FREE NFL picks versus the spread are purely for entertainment purposes only.  But, let's face it, being right (winning) is more fun than being wrong (losing).
     
Every week, five of our "handicappers" at The Weekly Blitz will pick their three best NFL games against the spread (ATS).

Final 2011 results: Combined record of 84-56-13 (60.0 percent) ATS.
Final 2012 results: Combined record of 130-121-4 (51.8 percent) ATS.

2013 Cumulative Results: 88-108-11 (44.9 percent) ATS.
 
See also:
2013 NFL WEEK 15 LINES FROM SPORTSBOOK.COM
 
SUMMARY OF PICKS BY CONTRIBUTORS
Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Future weeks here.
  Picks are for entertainment purposes only.
Lines used for each handicapper are the lines at the time of their pick.
  Links to their picks are under the name (as well as below in the grid).
Spreads are as of Sunday, December 15th at 9:05 a.m. ET
  Kevin
Dan
Sean
Steve
John
    Date/Time (ET)
Favorite
Spread
Underdog
    Kevin's picks
Dan's picks
Sean's picks
Steve's picks
John's picks
    Thu., Dec. 12 at 8:30 PM
Chargers 27, Broncos 20
             
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
FALCONS
6.0
Redskins
          ATL -6
WAS +6
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
49ers
6.0
BUCS
    TB +6
    TB +6
 
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
Seahawks
7.5
GIANTS
             
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
Bears
1.0
BROWNS
          CLE +1
 
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
COLTS
5.5
Texans
             
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
Bills
2.5
JAGUARS
    JAX +2.5
JAX +2.5
     
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
Patriots
0.0
DOLPHINS
      NE -1
    MIA +1
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:05 PM
Eagles
7.0
VIKINGS
      PHI -6.5
     
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 4:05 PM
PANTHERS
10.5
Jets
        CAR -10.5
   
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 4:05 PM
Chiefs
6.0
RAIDERS
            OAK +6
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 4:05 PM
Cardinals
3.0
TITANS
        ARI -3
   
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 4:25 PM
Saints
6.5
RAMS
             
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 4:25 PM
COWBOYS
6.5
Packers
        GB +6.5
   
    Sun., Dec. 15 at 8:30 PM
Bengals
2.5
STEELERS
    PIT +2.5
       
    Mon., Dec. 16 at 8:30 PM
LIONS
6.0
Ravens
             
                 
Sports betting at Sportsbook.com
 
CONTRIBUTOR
  GAME 1
  GAME 2
  GAME 3
Kevin
2011 Record: 33-14-4 (70.2%)
2012 Record: 22-28-1 (44.0%)
2013 Record: 21-19-2 (52.5%)
  Bills (-2.5) at Jaguars
  49ers (-6) at Buccaneers
  Bengals (-2.5) at Steelers
  Jaguars +2.5
  Buccaneers +6
  Steelers +2.5
 
The Jaguars are expected to be without Maurice Jones-Drew and Cecil Shorts on Sunday, but (it feels weird saying this) the Jags are one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

Winners of three straight and four of their past five, the Jaguars are home 'dogs against a Bills team that got thumped by three touchdowns on the road last week by the Bucs.

Even with some of the Jags' injuries, this line makes no sense to me as both teams are 4-9 and EJ Manuel is coming off a four-interception performance.
 
At one point in the season, the Jags and Bucs were the last two remaining winless teams and a combined 0-16. Like the Jags, however, they are winners of four of their past five games.

In general, the 49ers are a much better team than the Bucs, but San Francisco is coming off a tough win against the Seahawks. Over the past four seasons, the teams that have played the Seahawks the previous week have compiled a cumulative record of 18-37-4 ATS.

While I don't expect the Bucs to pull off the upset at home, I like their ability to keep this game closer than the spread indicates.
 
Over the past four games, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has played mistake-free (or at least interception-free) football. During that stretch, he has thrown 11 touchdown passes and no picks.

On the road this season, the Bengals 3-4 straight up on the road. Three of those seven games have gone into overtime and two of their three wins on the road were by a field goal. In the Bengals' past 15 games, the road team has covered only twice.

While the Bengals are one of the league's best all-around teams and I wish they were giving an extra half-point, I like the Steelers to get the win at home in primetime.
     
   

Dan
2011 Record: 24-21-6 (53.3%)
2012 Record: 28-23 (54.9%)
2013 Record: 12-28-2 (30.0%)
  Jaguars at Bills (-2.5)
  Eagles (-6.5) at Vikings
  Patriots (-1) at Dolphins
  Jaguars +2.5
  Eagles -6.5
  Patriots -1
 
The Jaguars have been on fire of late, which is a strange thing to say, but they have won three games in a row. The Bills have struggled as they have dropped two in a row, but head coach Doug Marrone has them playing hard.

Jacksonville has stepped it up on defense as of late, as they have only allowed an average of 59.2 rushing yards per game in their last four. Even though Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to miss this week's game, the Jaguars rushing attack led by Jordan Todman should be able to gash a Buffalo unit that allows 124 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry.

I always love the small dogs at home, and I will take the two here, as Jacksonville has been playing well down the stretch.
 
The Eagles are flying high under rookie head coach Chip Kelly, and they will look to add their sixth straight win against a banged up Vikings squad. The Vikings may be without all-world running back Adrian Peterson, and even if he does play, he will be slowed up by a sprained foot.

In addition, the Eagles have history on their side as well, as they have gone 5-1 against the number in their last six vs. Minnesota. Also the Eagles love to throw the ball, and Nick Foles and crew have one of the best matchups possible, going against a defense that allows 282 yards per game, and 29 passing touchdowns through the air.

I think this game would be much closer if Peterson were healthy and/or (definitely) playing, but since there is sincere doubt, I will gladly lay less than a touchdown.
 
Say what you want about New England, but they have been just finding ways to keep winning, and now they will be tested as Rob Gronkowski is gone for the year.

The Patriots yearly trip to Miami used to be a house of horrors, but as of late New England has shown dominance by going 5-2 in their last seven against the spread. The Patriots will now turn to their ground game, and they will use a three-headed monster of Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, and LeGarrette Blount that will face a Miami rush defense that allows 118 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. Also the Patriots rushed for 152 yards earlier this year against Miami.

And of course Tom Brady has been rounding into form, as he is averaging 357 yards per game in his last four to go with eight touchdowns. I will lay a single point here, as the Patriots have the chance to have home field advantage.
             
Sean
2011 Record: 27-21-3 (56.3%)
2012 Record: 31-20 (60.8%)
2013 Record: 18-23-1 (43.9%)
  Jets at Panthers (-10.5)
  Cardinals (-3) at Titans
  Packers at Cowboys (-6.5)
  Panthers -10.5
  Cardinals -3
  Packers +6.5
 
The Saints had little problems moving the ball up and down the field against the Panthers defense last Sunday Night. I don't think that will happen when the Jets come to down Sunday.

There obviously is an enormous difference between Drew Brees and Geno Smith. I think Geno is going to struggle all day, and could have one of his worst starts as a pro Sunday, and that may be tough to match considering how bad he has played this year.

The Jets have struggled against the pass all year, and I think Cam Newton is the perfect QB to light up this defense. I think Cam hits all three of his WRs (Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn) on TD scores of over 40 yards, and the Panthers roll at home and clinch a playoff berth. Panthers, 36-9.
 
The Titans have games versus Houston and Jacksonville remaining on their schedule after this home battle versus Arizona, so this one is super important if they want any shot at securing a playoff berth. On the other hand, Arizona is equally in need of a win as they are staring up at both Carolina and San Francisco in the wild card race in the NFC.

As a Titans fan, this season has definitely been tough. Jake Locker was looking great at the beginning of the year until he got hurt. He came back from injury, and he never looked the same. Last week there were reports that both Locker and Chris Johnson will be gone this offseason, and that head coach Mike Munchak is coaching for his job.

I think this team needs a change, and I think the players want a change as well. Munchak might be fighting for his job, but I don't think the team will be behind him. Cardinals win an important game on the road, 27-17.
 
The Cowboys defense couldn't stop anything Monday night, but lucky for them Aaron Rodgers is out for this one, otherwise I think they would most likely be home dogs. I still think Matt Flynn can lead this Packers offense up and down the field. I have Flynn rated higher today than Tom Brady, Colin Kaepernick, Andy Dalton, and Russell Wilson this week.

[See Sean's Week 15 rankings here.]

This game will be the one we look at where it costs Cowboys coach Jason Garrett his job. I think the Packers stroll into Dallas and upset the Cowboys, thus pretty much eliminating them from the playoffs. Green Bay, 31-26.
             
   

Steve
2011 Record: N/A
2012 Record: 29-22 (56.9%)
2013 Record: 15-21-3 (41.7%)
  Redskins at Falcons (-6)
  49ers (-6) at Buccaneers
  Bears (-1) at Browns
  Falcons -6
  Buccaneers +6
  Browns +1
 
Benched in favor of Kirk Cousins, RG3 wasn't playing as well as last year, but he's not the only problem. The Falcons at least appear to be playing hard the last few weeks, not sure I'd say the same about Washington, a team in total disarray.
 
Early in the season, I thought the Bucs were a 10-win team based on their talent. The talent level has not changed much, but now they have some order in the clubhouse. Winners of four or their last five and their two losses since Week 9 have come at the hands of Carolina and Seattle. The Bucs are quietly one of the best teams of the second half of the season.
 
While I'm not a head coach, I don't understand the rationale behind inserting Jay Cutler back in the lineup. They should have stuck with the hot hand in Josh McCown and Browns secondary is one of the few good enough to slow down the Bears receivers.
             
John
2011 Record: N/A
2012 Record: 20-28-3 (41.7%)
2013 Record: 22-17-3 (56.4%)
  Redskins at Falcons (-6)
  Patriots (-1) at Dolphins
  Chiefs (-6) at Raiders
  Redskins +6
  Dolphins +1
  Raiders +6
 
On paper, I actually think that the more defendable pick here is to take the Falcons at home. Sometimes, however, the better pick isn't the one that you can justify with numbers from the past. I'm going to go with my gut on this one, and say that Kirk Cousins and the Redskins are going to be tired of all the RGIII, Mike Shanahan, and Daniel Snyder talk, and they're just going to go out there and play.

Cousins has been pretty good in the limited time he's had to play, and these last three games are his first real opportunity to prove to the league that he is a starting quarterback. I think the Redskins have a good chance to win outright, but definitely should have enough to keep it close, against a Falcons team that has not been very good all year.
 
The Patriots had really begun to show that they were a legitimate contender in the AFC to reach the Super Bowl. Even though the defensive side of the ball has still struggled (especially against the run since Vince Wilfork got hurt), the offense was really coming together.

More than anything else, the presence of a guy like Rob Gronkowski just makes everyone else better. He can draw coverages away from lesser receivers, as the defenses are forced to pay more attention to him, and, at the same time, still be the go-to and big-play guy that the Patriots offense has lacked this year. Unfortunately for the Patriots, with Gronk out again, the offense will likely stumble the way they have in many of the games without him.

The Patriots scored 32 PPG with Gronk and only 20.8 without him. Brady's passer rating is under 80 without him, and just under 96 with him. They're a different team with him on the sideline, and the Dolphins are playing for the No. 6 seed in the AFC. They just got a big road win in Pittsburgh last week, and are going home to play a division rival at the right time. I'll take Miami to win this one.
 
I think that this spread came out at four at the start of the week, and it has moved all the way up to six. The public just saw the Raiders get smoked by the Jets and the Chiefs pummel a dysfunctional Redskins team.

They've moved the line a couple of points, and I just can't resist taking a home underdog in a division game like this. The Chiefs will more than likely win the game, but six points is a pretty sizable number for the home team to be getting.

I think the line movement is an overreaction to last week, where both games just got out of hand. I'll take the points here.