Lucky Week 13. It's going to be the week where some teams have their playoff dreams realized, while others have them crushed, some once and for all.
Line movement has been crucial all week as it has been all season long, and there are a lot of signs that there could be teams in some hot water.
Note: All current NFL odds listed as of Thursday morning. Check up-to-the-minute odds at BookMaker.eu.
49ers vs. Bears, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: Chicago -7
Current NFL Odds: Chicago -7.5
Even though extra points are being missed at the highest rate in NFL history, that doesn't mean the value of the crucial '7' is substantially less. The move from -7 to -7.5 is a massive one, and it comes on a team which hasn't been favored all season long. In spite of that fact though, the Bears are 5-6 and are right on the verge of the playoff race in the NFC. If they can find a way to win this game on Sunday against arguably the worst team in the NFL, they could find themselves tied for a Wild Card spot if some other chips fall into play. The only thing to worry about is that Chicago could find itself not playing the favorite role well in a game which is expected to be won and won handily.
Bengals vs. Browns, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: Cincinnati -12
Current NFL Odds: Cincinnati -9
This has just been a weird week all around for the Browns. They lost Josh McCown to a season-ending collarbone injury, and that theoretically left the door open for Johnny Manziel to get his job back as the Browns' starter. Except Mike Pettine has proven just how much he hates Johnny Football and his shtick as a party boy, taking this opportunity to give Austin Davis the start instead. The oddsmakers reacted. In fact, they probably overreacted. Cleveland opened at -12 and very quickly was bet down, showing that there is some faith in Davis. One thing is for certain: Manziel's time in Cleveland is just about done. It's just a matter of whether Pettine's is as well.
Panthers vs. Saints, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: Carolina -6
Current NFL Odds: Carolina -7
Maybe this shouldn't be all that surprising. The Saints were just beaten last week in Houston, a loss which probably ended any hope it had of getting in the playoffs. Drew Brees' streak of 45 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass is over, and he really looks like a beaten man standing in the pocket throwing the ball to goodness knows who on a weekly basis. The Panthers meanwhile, are the lone survivors this year without a loss at 11-0. The odds you could've gotten on that at the start of the year were probably pretty darn sweet. Anyway, with one team surging and one team slumping, it's only natural to see Cam Newton and the bunch gaining traction, especially knowing that this is a long week having played on Thanksgiving in Week 12. Be wary of the Superdome, though. Many a good team have come there to die in the past, even when the Saints haven't been marching to the beat of their best drummer.
Jets vs. Giants, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Opening NFL Odds: Pick 'Em
Current NFL Odds: Jets -2.5
It's the epic "Battle of New Jersey" between the Jets and the Giants in a game which should be interesting, if nothing else. Both of these teams are incredibly comparable, save for the fact that the Jets can run the ball and the Giants can't. In fact, that's largely the sole reason why bettors have pushed the Jets to the forefront in this game after the spread was opened at a pick 'em. Don't be overly alarmed, though. The difference between a spread at PK and one at -2.5 or +2.5 isn't really all that much in the grand scheme of things.
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