Pro Picks is a weekly column the place AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming video games. For all earlier Pro Picks, head right here.
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Dak Prescott is rolling and so are the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys (8-3) enter Thursday night time’s recreation in opposition to Seattle (6-5) with three straight wins by a mixed margin of 127-47. They’ve received seven video games this season by a minimum of 20 factors. Prescott has thrown for 300-plus yards and three or extra touchdowns 4 instances prior to now 5 video games.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are skidding. They’ve misplaced three of 4, together with lopsided video games in opposition to Baltimore and San Francisco. Geno Smith and the offense are struggling over that span, scoring simply three TDs as a unit.
In every week that options seven street favorites, this one is the second-largest unfold. The Cowboys are 9-level favorites, in accordance with FanDuel Sportsbook.
Home groups are simply 23-35 in opposition to the unfold on Thursday nights since 2020.
Pro Picks expects Seattle to keep away from a double-digit loss.
COWBOYS, 26-18
Line: Chiefs minus 6
Patrick Mahomes performs his first recreation at Lambeau Field and the Chiefs (8-3) might take over the No. 1 seed within the AFC with a win. Jordan Love and the Packers (5-6) have received three of 4 to climb into the wild-card race.
BEST BET: CHIEFS, 27-16
Line: 49ers minus 2 1/2
Somehow the Eagles (10-1) are house underdogs coming off spectacular comeback wins in opposition to Buffalo and Kansas City. The 49ers (8-3) purpose to avenge a blowout loss within the NFC title recreation.
UPSET SPECIAL: EAGLES, 26-24
Line: Chargers minus 6
If Bill Belichick is teaching subsequent yr, his best choice could be the Chargers (4-7). So, he must be additional motivated to guide the Patriots (2-9) to a victory and assist enhance Los Angeles’ draft positioning.
CHARGERS, 24-13
Line: Steelers minus 5 1/2
The Steelers (7-4) offense lastly received going final week after offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired. The Cardinals (2-10) have averaged simply 11.1 factors on the street this season.
STEELERS, 23-16
Line: Texans minus 3 1/2
A 5-recreation profitable streak has the Broncos (6-5) within the AFC playoff image. The Texans (6-5) are proper there due to quarterback C.J. Stroud’s spectacular rookie season. He’ll be with out beginning left guard Tytus Howard, who suffered a season-ending harm.
BRONCOS, 19-17
Line: Lions minus 4 1/2
The Lions (8-3) purpose to rebound from a Thanksgiving loss to the Packers. The Saints (5-6) have misplaced two in a row, however are within the chase for the division title within the weak NFC South. Behind QB Jared Goff, the Lions are 14-8 in opposition to the unfold after dropping the earlier recreation.
LIONS, 27-20
Line: Colts minus 1 1/2
Colts QB Gardner Minshew has received three straight video games for the primary time in his profession, however Indianapolis (6-5) received’t have RB Jonathan Taylor. The Titans (4-7) are 7-3 as a house underdog since 2021 underneath coach Mike Vrabel.
TITANS, 20-17
Line: Falcons minus 3
Getting Aaron Rodgers again at follow ought to encourage the Jets (4-7) to win so he would have motive to return in just a few weeks. The Falcons (5-6) lead the NFC South after snapping a 3-recreation dropping streak. Atlanta has solely coated the unfold six instances in its previous 22 video games.
JETS, 13-12
Line: Dolphins minus 9 1/2
Tua Tagovailoa and the excessive-flying Dolphins (8-3) will nonetheless have zero wins in opposition to profitable groups after this recreation. Tagovailoa is underneath .500 in opposition to the unfold on the street in his profession. The Commanders (4-8) are coming off a beatdown in Dallas and seeking to keep away from one other embarrassment.
DOLPHINS, 30-22
Line: Buccaneers minus 5 1/2
Maybe a brand new coach will encourage the Panthers (1-10). They’re dealing with a crew that could possibly be out there for a brand new coach, too. The Buccaneers (4-7) have misplaced six of their previous seven. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is 13-24-1 in opposition to the unfold as a favourite.
BUCCANEERS, 23-20
Line: Rams minus 3 1/2
The rebuilding Rams (5-6) are a wild-card contender with a brand new playmaker in RB Kyren Williams. Joe Flacco could possibly be beginning for the Browns (7-4) with Dorian Thompson-Robinson in concussion protocol. Cleveland’s stingy protection gave up 169 yards on the bottom in a loss at Denver final week.
RAMS, 17-16
Line: Jaguars minus 8 1/2
The Jaguars (8-3) make their first look on “Monday Night Football” since 2011. Coach Doug Pederson is a main-time king. He’s 21-8 in night time video games, one of the best document for any head coach over the previous 20 years. The Bengals (5-6) proceed life with out Joe Burrow.
JAGUARS, 26-16
Last week: Straight up: 11-5. Against unfold: 8-7-1
Overall: Straight up: 114-66. Against unfold: 97-76-7.
Best Bet: Straight up: 9-3. Against unfold: 6-5-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 7-5. Against unfold: 9-3.
Thursday: Straight up: 10-4. Against unfold: 10-3-1.
Monday: Straight up: 8-6. Against unfold: 10-3-1.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
