Goldie’s Best Bets Week 16: Cardinals, Dolphins, more
Goldie:
All Time Record: 257-130-1
Vs. Spread: 195-192-1
21-22 Season: 131-75-1
Vs. Spread: 106-103-1
Week 15 Record: 10-5
Vs. Spread: 9-6
Upset Record: 16-12
Crazy Uncle Jeff
All Time: 33-11
21-22 Season: 17-10
Week 15: 0-1
Goldie’s Guarantee
Denver Broncos (7-7) @ Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)
Vegas Picks: PK
Goldie’s Take: Raiders Win 26-23
A pair of 7-7 AFC West teams face off in what is basically a playoff game for both teams. A win keeps them right in the thick of the playoff race, whereas a loss has them looking towards the draft. The Raiders are coming off a gutsy win in Cleveland last Monday, while the Broncos are coming off a tough home loss to the Bengals. Denver lost Teddy Bridgewater in that game, so Drew Lock will be making his first start of the season. A serviceable backup, but Lock should have a tough time going on the road in a divisional matchup. Raiders win at home to keep their season alive, I GUARANTEE IT! “Just Win Baby”
Goldie’s UPSET of the Week
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) @ New York Jets (3-11)
Vegas Picks: NYJ -1.5
Goldie’s Take: Jaguars Win 20-17
Both of these teams have had terrible seasons so far. They’ve both already been eliminated from playoff contention so the only thing they’re fighting for now is the first pick in this offseason’s draft. However, the one interesting storyline in this one is that it’s last year’s number 1 pick versus the number 2 pick at QB. Both rookies have had a tough go of it so far, but I guess that’s what happens when you get drafted to the Jets or Jacksonville. This game will mark the first time in 26 games that Vegas has the Jets as favorites, but take Trevor Lawrence and the Jags to win their first road game since 2019, yes you read that right. UPSET!
Crazy Uncle Jeff’s Lock of the Week: GB -7.5
Cleveland Browns (7-7) @ Green Bay Packers (11-3)
Vegas Picks: GB -7.5
Goldie’s Take: Packers Win 30-20
The Browns head to Green Bay to face the reigning MVP in the first of our two Christmas Day matchups. Cleveland will be getting QB Baker Mayfield back, but that shouldn’t be enough for Cleveland to get the win. Browns are still working through their COVID struggles, and the Packers haven’t lost in Lambeau all season. Packers give the gift of winning to their fans this Christmas. Merry LOCKsmas from the Crazy Uncle!
Crazy Uncle Jeff’s Lock of the Week: ARI -1
Indianapolis Colts (8-6) @ Arizona Cardinals (10-4)
Vegas Picks: ARI -1
Goldie’s Take: Cardinals Win 27-24
Colts enter this one as one of the league’s hottest teams after beating the surging Patriots. Meanwhile, Arizona has gone cold since their red hot 7-0 start. Two losses in a row, including a stunner in Detroit. However, the Cards have way too much talent to keep losing like this. The Colts have more momentum, but my gut tells me to take Arizona. Giving Colts a solid upset shot, but picking Cardbirds to get the win on Christmas night. Uncle Jeff approves.
Rest of Week 16:
Detroit Lions (2-11-1) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-8)
Vegas Picks: ATL -6.5
Goldie’s Take: Falcons Win 27-20
The Lions stunned the Cardinals last week, destroying them 30-12, but let’s not be fooled here. The Lions are still the Lions, and they are just less talented than the Falcons. Plus picking Falcons to finally get a win in the ATL, where they have struggled this season. Falcons over Lions as Atlanta keeps their sliver of playoff hopes alive.
Los Angeles Rams (10-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
Vegas Picks: LAR -3.5
Goldie’s Take: Rams Win 28-24
Vikings are holding onto the final NFC Wild Card spot for dear life right now. A crowd of teams are lurking right behind them, so a loss would basically end the Vikes. However, Rams have their own playoff implications on the line here too as they’re tied with Arizona for the division lead. Rams are a better football team here, plus they have sneaky MVP candidate Cooper Kupp ready to go. Rams go into Minny and leave with a huge W.
New York Giants (4-10) @ Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)
Vegas Picks: PHI -10
Goldie’s Take: Eagles Win 24-16
Eagles enter this one as 10 point favorites after a 10 point win against Washington on Tuesday. Philly continues to do enough to keep themselves in spitting distance of the final NFC Wild Card spot. That trend should continue as they get a home matchup with the worst team in the NFC East. However in a divisional game, I’m expecting things to at least stay close, so picking Giants to slide in right under the fat 10 point spread.
Buffalo Bills (8-6) @ New England Patriots (9-5)
Vegas Picks: NE -2
Goldie’s Take: Patriots Win 23-20
Teetered back and forth for a while on this one before ultimately settling on New England for a couple of reasons:
- Foxboro in late December is a big advantage for the Patriots.
- Pats defense should be able to contain Josh Allen and the pass-heavy Bills.
- Bill Belichick has a chip on his shoulder and he’s out to prove he still has gas in the tank
Not betting against Bill until he gives me a reason to. Pats win AFC East title with a win at home this Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens (8-6) @ Cincinatti Bengals (8-6)
Vegas Picks: CIN -3
Goldie’s Take: Bengals Win 24-20
The entirety of this game is predicated on the health of Lamar Jackson’s ankle. He’s listed as questionable right now but hasn’t practiced since getting carted off the field in their loss to the Browns two weeks ago. Tyler Huntley would make his second consecutive start if Jackson is unable to play. Huntley played well last week but going into a divisional game on the road is a different story. Bengals should take firm control of the AFC North with a win this Sunday.
Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) @ Houston Texans (3-11)
Vegas Picks: LAC -10.5
Goldie’s Take: Chargers Win 31-17
Chargers should come out with a vengeance in this one after that devastating OT loss to the Chiefs last week. Plus they’ll have the rest/prep edge as they played Thursday night. Chargers are in control of their destiny as they currently hold one of the three AFC wild card spots. I don’t see Davis Mills keeping pace with Justin Herbert, Bolts cruise to a victory in Houston.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4) @ Carolina Panthers (5-9)
Vegas Picks: TB -10
Goldie’s Take: Buccaneers Win 28-17
Bucs were stunned last week, getting shutout in a home game against New Orleans. I see an elite team like Tampa bouncing back fast from a loss like that. Especially with a game against a division rival on the horizon. Plus Carolina is floundering right now. They’ll be starting Cam Newton but Sam Darnold is expected to see some action as well. The Panthers are a mess, Brady and the Bucs should coast past Carolina.
Chicago Bears (4-10) @ Seattle Seahawks (5-9)
Vegas Picks: SEA -6.5
Goldie’s Take: Seahawks Win 28-20
Both of these teams had really disappointing seasons after entering the year with high hopes. This will mark the first losing season for Seattle since 2011. However, all disappointment aside, Seattle should win this game. Russell Wilson is healthy, and the ‘Hawks have historically been great at home. Chicago is struggling right now, Seattle should take care of business to add at least one good note on a season to forget.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1) @ Kansas City Chiefs (10-4)
Vegas Picks: KC -8.5
Goldie’s Take: Chiefs Win 30-23
Seven straight wins (including the thriller against LAC on TNF) leads me to believe that the Chiefs are indeed back. However, Mahomes will be without two of his favorite weapons with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce testing positive for COVID-19. Also, this could be the final run for Big Ben Roethlisberger, so I could see him showing out in this one. Picking Pitt to keep it within the 8.5 point spread, but picking KC to get the win at Arrowhead.
Washington Football Team (6-8) @ Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Vegas Picks: DAL -10
Goldie’s Take: Cowboys Win 24-21
Dallas wins the NFC East title with a win against Washington on SNF. The Cowboys are the better team here, and should show out in primetime. Washington is still working though their COVID issues so who knows who will be available for this matchup. Plus the Cowboys have the rest/prep edge as Washington played Tuesday. However, in a divisional matchup you should always expect both teams to play hard. No Names should keep it close but Cowboys should get the win in the end. How ‘bout them Cowboys!
Miami Dolphins (7-7) @ New Orleans Saints (7-7)
Vegas Picks: MIA -1.5
Goldie’s Take: Dolphins Win 17-14
Battle of two great defenses in this one. The Saints shutout Tom Brady and the Bucs last week en route to a 9-0 win. N’awlins is also the only team to keep MVP Aaron Rodgers to single digits this season in their 35-3 murdershow they put on the Pack in week 1. So, the New Orleans defense is capable of a big performance. However, Miami has a very strong defense as well, and the Saints QB situation is questionable to say the least. With Trevor Siemien and Taysom Hill going on the COVID reserve list earlier this week, the Saints are likely to have to turn to Rookie QB Ian Book on MNF. Book has never played an NFL snap, let alone start a meaningful game in primetime. Fins defense should eat him alive to propel Miami to a low scoring seventh straight win.
Very good stuff