LDN - Sports

Week 13 betting capsules: Bills, Patriots tussle for AFC East

[December 04, 2021] The AFC East lead will be at stake when the New England Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills on Monday night in what is a fairly easy pick for Game of the Week. The teams will meet again in Week 16, so there's plenty still left to be decided. This is a matchup of the two best defenses in the league and the teams with the top two point differentials.

Sunday's Games

Arizona at Chicago (+7.5 points, O/U 43 points)

The Bears (4-7) have had a couple of extra days to prepare after a 16-14 win at Detroit on Thanksgiving, but the Cardinals (9-2) are even fresher coming off a bye. Arizona QB Kyler Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins returned to practice this week after both missed multiple games. Andy Dalton will take the snaps for Chicago with rookie Justin Fields ailing.

Indianapolis at Houston (+10, 44.5)

The Colts (6-6) had a three-game winning streak snapped last Sunday with a 38-31 loss to visiting Tampa Bay, the defending Super Bowl champion, on a last-minute touchdown. These teams met Oct. 17, with the host Colts winning 31-3. But the Texans (2-9) have been much more competitive since QB Tyrod Taylor returned from injury.

L.A. Chargers at Cincinnati (-3, 49.5)

This will be the first meeting between second-year QBs Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow. The Chargers (6-5) have lost four of their past six games, including 28-13 last week at Denver. The Bengals (7-4) are coming off an impressive 41-10 win over Pittsburgh, but earlier this season beat Baltimore 41-17 one week and lost to the lowly New York Jets the next.

Minnesota at Detroit (+7, 46.5)

The Vikings (5-6) dropped to the outskirts of the NFC wild-card race with a 34-26 loss at San Francisco last week. Leading rusher Dalvin Cook (shoulder) has been ruled out for this one, as has his Detroit counterpart D'Andre Swift. The Lions (0-10-1) nearly got off the schneid on Thanksgiving before losing to visiting Chicago 16-14 on a last-second field goal.

N.Y. Giants at Miami (-6, 39)

The Giants (4-7) are coming off a gritty 13-7 victory against visiting Philadelphia. But they'll be without QB Daniel Jones (neck), who will be replaced by journeyman Mike Glennon. WRs Sterling Shepherd and Kadarius Toney are both listed as doubtful. The Dolphins (5-7) have won four in a row, including a 33-10 victory against visiting Carolina last week. Miami's defense has allowed just 46 points during the streak.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets (+6.5, 45)

The Eagles (5-7) seemed on the upswing, winning three of four, before a 13-7 loss to the host New York Giants last week. They'll hope for better in their second straight game at MetLife Stadium, though QB Jalen Hurts (ankle) is questionable. The Jets (3-8) snapped a three-game skid with a 21-14 win at Houston in the return of rookie QB Zach Wilson.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta (+10.5, 50.5)

The Buccaneers (8-3) have been up and down of late, but they still have a three-game edge on the second-place Falcons (5-6) in the NFC South. Tampa Bay won 38-31 last week at Indianapolis as Leonard Fournette rushed for 100 yards and three TDs and also caught a scoring strike from Tom Brady. Atlanta won 21-14 at Jacksonville to snap a two-game skid in which it was outscored 68-3.

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Jacksonville at L.A. Rams (-13, 48)

The Jaguars (2-9) have yet to win on the road, unless you count their "home" win over Miami in Week 6 in London. They lost 21-14 to Atlanta last week. Rookie QB Trevor Lawrence's 228 passing yards against Atlanta were his most in November. The Rams (7-4) have lost three in a row to fall two games behind Arizona in the NFC West. They played tough last week in a 36-28 loss at Green Bay.

Washington at Las Vegas (-1.5, 49.5)

Washington (5-6) has won three in a row and snuck into playoff position in the NFC with a 17-15 win over Seattle on Monday night, stopping a late two-point conversion. RB J.D. McKissic, who scored both touchdowns against the Seahawks, suffered a concussion and is out. The Raiders (6-5) are in a three-way tie for second in the AFC West, a game behind Kansas City. Las Vegas snapped a three-game skid with a 36-33 overtime win at Dallas on Thanksgiving as Daniel Carlson overcame a bout of food poisoning to kick five field goals, including a career-long 56-yarder.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh (+4.5, 44)

The Ravens (8-3) have won two in a row despite scoring just 16 points in each. They got QB Lamar Jackson back last week for a 16-10 victory against visiting Cleveland and he led them in both passing and rushing -- though he threw four interceptions. The Steelers (5-5-1) are on a three-game winless streak, having surrendered 41 points in each of their past two games, including last Sunday's 41-10 loss at Cincinnati.

San Francisco at Seattle (+3.5, 45.5)

The 49ers (6-5) have won three in a row, scoring 30 or more points in each, to climb back into the NFC's wild-card chase. They beat visiting Minnesota 34-26 last week as rookie Elijah Mitchell rushed for 133 yards. WR Deebo Samuel added two TDs on the ground, but is out this week with a groin strain. The Seahawks (3-8) have lost three in a row, including 17-15 at Washington on MNF. Seattle has won 14 of the past 16 overall meetings with San Francisco, including a 28-21 road win in Week 4, but Russell Wilson hasn't been the same since returning from finger surgery.

Denver at Kansas City (-9.5, 47)

The Broncos (6-5) have won three of their past four, including a 28-13 victory against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers last week. Pat Surtain II returned an interception 70 yards for a score midway through the fourth quarter to clinch the victory. The Chiefs (7-4) seem to have gotten back on track, winning four straight before last week's bye.

Monday's Game

New England at Buffalo (-3, 41.5)

The Patriots (8-4) have won six in a row to take a half-game lead over the Bills (7-4) in the AFC East. That includes a 36-13 victory against visiting Tennessee last week as rookie Mac Jones threw for a career-high 310 yards and two scores. New England has outscored its opponents 211-63 during the streak. Since opening 4-1, the Bills have been up and down. They won 31-6 at New Orleans on Thanksgiving but have struggled against stronger teams, including a 41-15 loss at home to Indianapolis the previous week.

--Field Level Media

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