My selection is on Philadelphia minus the points over Oakland at 8:30 pm et on Monday.

I have no trouble laying the points with the Eagles in this matchup. The Raiders have all but packed it in for the season after back-to-back losses to the Chiefs and Cowboys. That dropped them to 1-4-2 ATS over their last seven contests. The Eagles are just 1-2 ATS over their last two games but that only serves to keep this line in check on Monday night. I expect to see QB Nick Foles have another big game against a vulnerable Raiders defense, leading Philadelphia to a lopsided victory. Take Philadelphia (10*).

NFL Underdog Game of the Year. My selection is on Cincinnati plus the points over Detroit at 1 pm et on Sunday.

I really like the way this ones sets up for the underdog Bengals at home. The future is cloudy for the Bengals as a franchise as long-time head coach Marvin Lewis has one foot out the door. But for this week, the spot sets up well as the Lions come in off of back-to-back wins against the lowly Bucs and Bears. Cincinnati should get a boost offensively with the expected return of RB Joe Mixon. After appearing lifeless in the last couple of weeks, I'm confident we'll see the Bengals offense get rolling against a vulnerable Lions defense on Sunday afternoon. The Lions have their sights set on a playoff berth in the NFC but I believe we'll see their hopes spoiled in resounding fashion. The last time we saw the Bengals play with some pride was the first half against Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football three weeks ago. Expect more of that type of play on Sunday. Take Cincinnati (10*).

NFL Blowout Game of the Week. My selection is on New England minus the points over Buffalo at 1 pm et on Sunday.

The Bills are on a nice little run having posted three wins in their last four games both SU and ATS. However, I believe that run grinds to a halt here in Foxboro. The Patriots escaped with a 27-24 win in Pittsburgh last week to take back control of the AFC. Now I expect to see them play loose back at home, and ultimately deliver a lopsided win over the Bills. Keep in mind, Buffalo has just one road win in the last two months and that came at the expense of the Chiefs, who were coming unraveled at the time. It won't be so fortunate in this spot as the Pats seem to have been galvanized by that shocking Monday night loss in Miami two weeks ago. We're being asked to lay double-digits here for a reason. Take New England (10*).

My selection is on Indianapolis plus the points over Baltimore at 4:30 pm et on Saturday.

I'm not sure this is going to be the cakewalk that most are expecting for the Ravens on Saturday afternoon. The Colts were lifeless in last week's home loss to the Broncos, but now they've had a couple of extra days to prepare for the Ravens, and they'll be catching Baltimore on the heels of three straight ATS wins, and in a clear letdown spot. Baltimore has quietly put together a fine season at 8-6 SU and 8-5-1 ATS, but I'm not sure the Ravens are quite as good as their record indicates. I believe they're vulnerable without Jimmy Smith against a Colts offense that can move the football through the air. The fact is, we're likely not going to need much from the Colts offense in order to cover this lofty spread. Take Indianapolis (10*).

My selection is on San Francisco minus the points over Tennessee at 4:25 pm et on Sunday.

The 49ers are playing with some real confidence and enthusiasm right now, and have been since Jimmy Garoppolo took over under center. I believe they're currently listed as the small favorite for a reason in this matchup, despite the disparity in overall records. The Titans are still in the mix for the AFC South title, with a showdown with the Jaguars ahead in Week 17. Note, however, Tennessee is on the road for the second straight week and finds itself just 3-4 away from home this season. It would be easy for the Titans to overlook the Niners in this spot, and I believe they'll do just that. Take San Francisco (10*).

My selection is on Buffalo minus the points over Miami at 1 pm et on Sunday.

The Dolphins are coming off a stunning Monday night upset of the Patriots but I look for them to fall right back to Earth in Buffalo this Sunday. The Bills picked up a huge victory under a blanket of snow last Sunday and they'll aim to keep it rolling, and move two games above .500 on the season in this spot. Note that Buffalo has gone an impressive 5-2 SU at home this season while the Fins have won just twice in six tries on the road. The home team is 5-2 SU and ATS in the last seven meetings in this series. Take Buffalo (10*).

My selection is on Los Angeles minus the points over Kansas City at 8:25 pm et on Saturday.

The Chiefs handed the Chargers a 24-10 loss in Los Angeles earlier this season but now it’s time for L.A. to return the favor. Kansas City stopped the bleeding with a 26-15 win over the hapless Raiders last Sunday but that victory may have provided more questions than answers. The Chiefs still struggled to finish drives with touchdowns in that game, settling for four field goals. Yes, RB Kareem Hunt showed signs of returning to form, but that was only because he was up against a reeling Raiders run defense. On the flip side, the Raiders did nothing to take advantage of a depleted Chiefs defense. Here, I don’t expect Kansas City to get off as easy. The Chargers are absolutely rolling right now, brimming with confidence on the heels of four straight wins. They’ve become the popular pick to ultimately win the AFC West and I don’t believe that’s a flawed view at all. The Chargers have everything working on both sides of the football and I don’t believe they’ll have much trouble brushing aside the division rival Chiefs, even in a hostile environment at Arrowhead Stadium. Take Los Angeles (10*).

My selection is on Detroit minus the points over Chicago at 4:30 pm et on Saturday.

I have no trouble laying the points with the Lions in this NFC North showdown on Saturday afternoon in Motown. Chicago rolled to an impressive 33-7 win in Cincinnati last Sunday but I think that win said more about the Bengals than it did of the Bears. Keep in mind, in its previous two games, the Bears were held to a grand total of 18 poitns in losses to the Eagles and 49ers. The victory on Sunday snapped Chicago’s five-game losing streak. I don’t believe we’ll see the Lions let Bears RB Jordan Howard run wild as he did against the Bengals. On the other side of the football, Detroit should bounce back after being held to 24 points or less in three straight games. In short, I see this as an excellent get-right matchup for a Lions squad that desperately needs a win to hang around in the NFC playoff picture. With another winnable game (not a gimme) on deck in Cincinnati last week, before a trip to Green Bay to face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Week 17, this is quite simply the most important game of Detroit’s season. I don’t believe it will squander the opportunity. Take Detroit (10*).

My selection is on Denver minus the points over Indianapolis at 8:25 pm et on Thursday.

Conditions were absolutely terrible for the Colts in Buffalo last Sunday as they ultimately fell in overtime in the middle of a lake effect snowstorm. With that being said, it was baffling to watch Indianapolis not even attempt to throw the football for the better part of the first three quarters of that game. What did they have to lose? At least Buffalo was willing to take some shots through the air, with some success. The Broncos are coming off a much-needed (for their confidence anyway) win over the Jets last Sunday. QB Trevor Siemian looked poised in the pocket, something the Broncos had been sorely lacking during their extended slide. Simply put, the Broncos have more talent at their disposal, particularly on the defensive side of the football, in this Thursday night matchup. From ownership on down, I feel it’s the Broncos that also have a little more hunger to win, if only for pride’s sake at this stage of a lost season. The Colts season was lost a long time ago. I see Chuck Pagano as a lame duck head coach at this point. Maybe the Colts rally to put on a positive show for the home faithful in this primetime affair, but I believe there’s a better chance that they show up without a lot of life after Sunday’s draining loss in snowy Orchard Park. Take Denver (10*).