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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Easton Stick would be the newest backup to make his first begin in a season crammed with accidents to high-profile quarterbacks.
Justin Herbert joined a rising checklist of signal-callers who’ve suffered season-ending accidents, paving the way in which for Stick to make his first profession begin Thursday evening when the Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) go to the Las Vegas Raiders (5-8).
Stick got here off the bench after Herbert went down in a loss to Denver final week and accomplished 13 of 24 passes for 179 yards.
The Raiders have misplaced three in a row after interim coach Antonio Pierce received his first two video games. Aidan O’Connell and the offense couldn’t do something in a 3-0 loss to Minnesota and Pierce wouldn’t say Wednesday if veteran Jimmy Garoppolo would begin towards Los Angeles.
The Raiders are 3-point favorites, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks seems to be to proceed its profitable methods on Thursday nights and can take the highway staff.
UPSET SPECIAL: CHARGERS, 20-17
Line: Falcons minus 3
The Desmond Ridder-Drake London connection is heating up for the Falcons (6-7). Atlanta can’t look previous the woeful Panthers (1-12) with first place very a lot in play.
BEST BET: FALCONS, 24-13
Line: Bengals minus 3 1/2
The Vikings (7-6) are turning to their fourth beginning quarterback, going from Joshua Dobbs to Nick Mullens. Jake Browning has saved the season for the Bengals (7-6) after Joe Burrow went down. Cincinnati has scored 34 factors in consecutive wins.
BENGALS, 27-20
Line: Colts minus 2 1/2
Mitch Trubisky will make his second straight begin filling in for injured QB Kenny Pickett and the Steelers (7-6) intention to rebound from consecutive losses to groups that entered with two wins. They is likely to be with out star edge rusher T.J. Watt. The Colts (7-6) had their four-game profitable streak snapped final week, however they’re proper in the course of the AFC wild-card race.
COLTS, 24-17
Line: Lions minus 4
The Broncos (7-6) have received six of seven to climb inside one sport of AFC West-leading Kansas City. Russell Wilson might have a giant day towards a protection that’s allowed a median of 29.8 factors over the previous 5 weeks. The Lions (9-4) have a cushty lead within the NFC North, however their shaky protection is a serious concern.
LIONS, 27-26
Line: Packers minus 3 1/2
Baker Mayfield’s last-minute landing cross towards Atlanta put the Buccaneers (6-7) on prime of the weak NFC South. Now, they’ve bought to discover a method to win one other highway sport towards a staff combating for a wild-card spot. The Packers (6-7) are on a brief week after they had been on the incorrect finish of Tommy DeVito main the Giants to a comeback win Monday evening.
PACKERS, 20-17
Line: Browns minus 3 1/2
With Joe Flacco offering a gentle hand at quarterback in addition to the staff’s stingy protection, the Browns (8-5) have an opportunity to place some warmth on the AFC North-leading Ravens. They can’t afford a slip-up towards the improved Bears (5-8). Justin Fields has led Chicago to consecutive wins.
BROWNS, 23-19
Line: Dolphins minus 8 1/2
After a serious collapse within the ultimate minutes Monday evening towards Tennessee, the Dolphins (9-4) can’t let up towards one other inferior opponent. Zach Wilson is coming off his greatest sport for the Jets (5-8) and so they nonetheless are clinging to slight playoff hopes.
DOLPHINS, 23-17
Line: Saints minus 6
DeVito has become a people hero after main the Giants (5-8) to a few straight wins to place them one sport behind a bunch of groups within the NFC wild-card race. Derek Carr and the Saints (6-7) catch New York on a brief week. New Orleans has lined the unfold simply twice prior to now eight video games.
SAINTS, 23-16
Line: Titans minus 2 1/2
Fresh off an unbelievable comeback win in Miami on Monday evening, Will Levis and the Titans (5-8) look to spoil Houston’s playoff hopes. The Texans (7-6) have misplaced two of three and QB C.J. Stroud is in concussion protocol. If he doesn’t play, Tennessee has the higher hand.
TITANS, 22-17
Line: Chiefs minus 9 1/2
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (8-5) are pissed off following two straight losses. Bill Belichick’s Patriots (3-10) had an additional few days to arrange after a Thursday evening win.
CHIEFS, 27-13
Line: 49ers minus 13 1/2
The 49ers (10-3) have taken over because the NFC’s No. 1 seed, however can’t afford to sit up for a prime-time matchup towards the Ravens on Christmas. San Francisco has been favored by not less than 13 factors twice prior to now 4 video games and didn’t cowl the unfold both time. The Cardinals (3-10) are 1-2-2 towards the unfold as a double-digit underdog prior to now 10 video games.
49ERS, 30-17
Line: Rams minus 6 1/2
The stunning Rams (6-7) have moved into the NFC wild-card race by profitable three in a row earlier than an extra time loss at Baltimore. The Commanders (4-9) have misplaced 4 in a row and coach Ron Rivera’s seat is getting hotter.
RAMS, 26-20
Line: Bills minus 1 1/2
Josh Allen saved Buffalo’s season with a formidable efficiency in a win at Kansas City. Now the Bills (7-6) actually have a shot on the AFC East, however Dak Prescott and the Cowboys (10-3) have been scorching sizzling throughout a five-game profitable streak.
BILLS, 31-28
Line: Ravens minus 3
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (10-3) can strengthen their grip on the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a highway win. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (8-5) are reeling after two straight losses.
RAVENS, 27-23
Line: Eagles minus 3 1/2
The Eagles (10-3) are on the ropes after two straight lopsided losses. They’ve misplaced seven in a row to the Seahawks (6-7) and haven’t received in Seattle since 2008. Geno Smith is banged up for the Seahawks, who’ve misplaced 4 in a row.
EAGLES, 30-23
Last week: Straight up: 8-7. Against unfold: 8-6-1
Overall: Straight up: 128-80. Against unfold: 109-91-8.
Best Bet: Straight up: 9-5. Against unfold: 6-7-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 8-6. Against unfold: 10-4.
Thursday: Straight up: 11-5. Against unfold: 12-3-1.
Monday: Straight up: 8-9. Against unfold: 12-4-1.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
