BOB BALFE
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #111-112
Bears -6 over Browns
Browns/Bears Over 37
This is going to look like a throwback game with snow and Soldier Field, but the two teams playing today just don’t have that old school talent from back in the day. Cleveland might go winless this year. You hope they get a win because it’s bad for a fan base to go 0-17, but they just don’t have the defense right now to stay in games. This team is good at stopping the run because most teams pick this secondary apart. There are many injuries that Cleveland is dealing with and I just don’t see them keeping the Bears out of the end zone. Chicago has many shifty players who defenses have to react to in the snow. It’s always advantage offense in this type of weather so don’t let it scare you. Only really heavy wind starts to effect the game. This is a perfect spot to play side and total because I can’t see Chicago now scoring at least 28 points in this one. Take Chicago and the Over.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #115-116
Falcons +5.5 over Saints
The game just a few weeks ago was a total slop fest for Atlanta yet they still won. Matt Ryan had fluke turnovers and turnover high school QB’s don’t make and they still won. The Falcons did take advantage of Kamara being out for most of the game so it hurt the Saints running game, but still I believe Atlanta has more talented players on both sides of the ball. The Offensive Coordinator was the problem earlier in the year, but this team is starting to get confident and I never count out Matt Ryan. This is a generous spread even if Atlanta does not win the game outright. New Orleans have a lot of injuries and youth in the secondary that Atlanta can take advantage of. Take the Falcons.
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation #117-118
Broncos +3 over Redskins
If you can pick an MVP of players who did so much with so little it hands down would have to be Kirk Cousins. This guy had a great year without his offensive line being healthy all year and player after player going down on offense, but now deep into the year it’s just too much to overcome. This team has no healthy running backs going against a great defense and Brock Osweiler is starting to look sharp as the Broncos QB. Today it looks as if Osweiler will be the only starter and have the keys to the offense all by himself. Emmanuel Sanders will not play, but I expect the Broncos to load up with the running game and to find the tight ends a lot in this one. The Broncos run game should have a big day while the Skins run game will keep them in longer 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] downs which lead to more turnovers. Take the Broncos.