It finally happened. It took 16 weeks, but I finally got to the triple crown of picking.
I’ve had great success with my ATS picks as part of CBSSports.com Expert Picks, plus my straight forward picks and my best bets too.
Records: 13-3 ATS, 12-4 straight, 5-1 with my best bets as part of the “Pick Six NFL” podcast. That makes my season records 149-90-1 straight, 114-117-9 ATS and 52-37-5 with my best bets.
So after two horrible weeks, I responded with my best of the year. Let’s keep the hotline rolling.
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime Video)
Featured game | Tennessee Titans vs. Dallas Cowboys
This game means nothing for the Titans, while the Cowboys still have an outside shot at the top seed in the NFC. The Giants are a mess right now with Malik Willis at quarterback. The Cowboys had some issues defensively, but that wouldn’t matter in this one. Cowboy roll.
pluck or pluck: Cowboys 33, Titans 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals
This game is one of the few games that makes no sense as it relates to the playoffs. Arizona is coming off a tough loss at home to the Boss, while the Falcons lost to crows On the road. That’s a long journey for a team to play for free, so give me Desmond Reader to get his first NFL victory on the starting line.
pluck or pluck: Falcons 25, Cardinals 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
Black comes out of a huge loss to leopards, while the Bears play the chord. Detroit needs to win to have a chance to make the postseason. It was terrible last week against the Panthers, but coming home against the Bears should get it back on track. The Lions win the title behind a solid offensive display.
pluck or pluck: 31, Bears 23
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount +)
Featured game | Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars
This game means nothing of substance to the Jaguars, so they can rest some of the guys who are under attack. The Texans have played well, and they traditionally play well against the Jaguars, as they beat them earlier this year. However, I think Jacksonville will find a way out of a close game.
pluck or pluck: Jaguars 24, Texas 21
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount +)
Featured game | Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos
The Broncos play back-to-back road games, and they play for nothing. Kansas City still has a chance at the top seed in the conference. The Broncos are also in a bit of a mess right now after firing head coach Nathaniel Hackett. I don’t think they get the fired coach push here. Chiefs will blow them away while Russell Wilson continues to struggle.
pluck or pluck: Chiefs 33, Broncos 10
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount +)
Featured game | New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
The winner of this game will control her fate, making it an enormous game for both of them. The Dolphins have lost four in a row, while the Patriots have had tough two losses in the past two weeks. Both offenses have had issues lately, and Miami will almost certainly be without Tua Tagovailoa due to concussions. Teddy Bridgewater will start. that matters. The Patriots will win it.
pluck or pluck: Patriots 24, Dolphins 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount +)
Featured game | New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Giants need one win to make the playoffs, and this is their best chance against a lousy Colts team playing in a short week. The Colts got nothing from Nick Foles at quarterback, which shouldn’t give them much hope here. The Giants would win it and go to the playoffs behind a good defensive effort.
pluck or pluck: Giants 28, Colts 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints
The Eagles are still trying to lock up their top seed, but they might still be without Jalen Hurts in that seed. This means another game for Gardner Minshew. The Saints play back-to-back road games after defeating the Brown. Defense played well in that game, but this is a better offense. Look for the Eagles to get back on track after losing to Dallas and ending the Saints’ minor playoff chances.
pluck or pluck: Eagles 28, Saints 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
This is most likely for the section title. If the Bucs win, they win the division. If the Panthers win and then win next week, they win it. Carolina is playing better football now than the Bucks, but this is a tough spot for Tom Brady down the road. However, I think Carolina is going to use the 300+ yard running game against the Lions to win this game. The Panthers win it in an upset.
pluck or pluck: Panthers 23, Buck 22
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Washington Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns
Leaders only need to win to make the playoffs. Brown is eliminated. Cleveland’s offense has done little with Deshaun Watson, while Washington’s defense is a big problem. Find Washington to run a lot in Cleveland’s poor defense with Brian Robinson Jr. They won it and kept pushing until the post-season.
pluck or pluck: Leaders 23, Brown 21
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Las Vegas Raiders vs San Francisco 49ers
The Raiders play next season after losing to the Steelers, while the 49ers can still press for the second seed. Derek Carr was horrible against Pittsburgh, and this 49ers defense is special. Look for the 49ers to continue winning with Brock Purdy and this outstanding defense.
pluck or pluck: 49ers 27, Raiders 19
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)
Featured game | Seattle Seahawks vs New York Jets
This is a long, arduous journey for Airplanes that don’t play well. Mike White will return to quarterback in this one against a struggling Seattle defense. Geno Smith hasn’t been playing well in recent weeks, and Gates is a tough defense. With White back, the Jets will find a way to win another close.
pluck or pluck: Jets 24, Seahawks 20
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount +)
Featured game | Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings
This is a huge game for packers. If they win, they can be a playoff team. The Vikings still have a chance at the top seed in the conference. But survival is more motivating than a seed. The Packers lost to the Vikings earlier this year, but I think Aaron Rodgers will have a field day against a poor Vikings defense. Packers win it.
pluck or pluck: Packers 31, Vikings 24
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount +)
Featured game | Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams get a nice win over the Broncos, but this is a huge step up in terms of competition. The Chargers have clinched a playoff spot, so their incentive is seeding right now. However, they need to show more on offense to prepare for the postseason. I think they do that here.
pluck or pluck: Chargers 30, Rams 21
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fuboTV)
Featured game | Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are still alive, but just barely, while the Ravens push for the division title. Baltimore still doesn’t put in much effort on offense, but the defense is playing well. The Steelers beat Raiders In landing at the last minute to keep their hopes alive. This would be a low-scoring defensive game with the Ravens winning it late on.
pluck or pluck: Ravens 19, Steelers 17
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, fuboTV)
Featured game | Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills
This is the game of the week with two of the best teams in the NFL set to face off. The Bills play back-to-back road games, but get an extra rest day, which helps. Both teams can score when attacking, which means that this could be a penalty shootout. I’m going with Josh Allen to get the best out of it against Joe Borough.
pluck or pluck: Bills 34, Bengals 31