NFL Week 13 betting preview: Best bets, predictions & RequestABet options for Vikings @ Patriots and Chargers @ Steelers
We're back with our best bets as Tom Brady returns to live TV against the Vikings and there's a heavyweight AFC match-up in Pittsburgh.
Recommended bets
2pts Houston (-5.5 on the handicap) at Evens
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Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans (1800 GMT)
Read this very carefully – the Cleveland Browns are still in play-off contention, in December, after back-to-back victories! All three of those statements are foreign territory for this hapless franchise over the years, but the green shoots of recovery are just starting to blossom under rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Interim head coach Gregg Williams is coaching his way into a permanent job but Cleveland make it three straight wins would be the biggest surprise yet, given the Texans are on a team-record eight-game winning run – and the first team in NFL history to win eight straight after losing the first three.
One of these runs has to end in Houston, but in all probability it’ll be the plucky Browns who come unstuck as their improved offensive line, which has not allowed a sack in their two wins, faces Houston’s JJ Watt inspired defence – who’ve tallied 11 sacks in their last two.
All of the Browns’ metrics have gone up since sacking Hue Jackson, including a perfect 10 touchdowns from 10 red zone trips. Houston have really impressed in their winning run, and are now emerging from under the radar, and they’ve got playmakers all over the field on both sides of the ball.
They can also win different types of games, getting victories from defensive arm wrestles with the Cowboys and Broncos along with strong offensive showings against the Colts, Dolphins and Titans.
This team could yet be knocking on the door of the AFC’s top spot.
Verdict: Houston (-5.5 on the handicap) at Evens
Touchdowns: DeAndre Hopkins and Demaryius Thomas both to score at 3/1
RequestABet: Texans -3, Hou over 27.5pts, Over 46.5 match pts, DeAndre Hopkins TD at 9/2
Minnesota Vikings @ New England Patriots (2125 GMT)
Tom Brady is back on our live TV screens as his Patriots continue to chase the AFC’s top spot and look to dent Minnesota’s own play-off chances as they play the first of an epic coast-to-coast trip that takes them to Seattle next week.
It’s a tough task but the Vikings defence that got them to the NFC title game last year is starting to show up – limiting Aaron Rodgers to a season-worst performance as they al-but knocked Green Bay out of contention last week.
They’ll look for more of that QB harassment against the 41-year-old ‘GOAT’ who’s by no means at his best, yet has his team waltzing to another AFC East title and chasing down the Chiefs (who have their off-field issues) for the top seed – and you can’t overstate how important home advantage is in the play-offs.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand and that’s picking apart Minnesota’s defence with the short passing game Brady’s mastered over the years, while containing their new QB Kirk Cousins and his impeccable receiving duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs
The teams have allowed just 11 rushing TDs between them so the aerial route looks the way to go, and Thielen in particular has been incredible this season – leading the league with 93 catches and recording an incredible nine 100-yard games.
Perhaps the biggest factor for this game though – the Patriots are at home.
Verdict: Patriots (-2 on handicap) at 8/13
Touchdowns: James White & Stefon Diggs both to score TDs at 4/1
Los Angeles Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (0110 GMT)
We bring the curtain down on Sunday’s action in style with a heavyweight clash to rival Fury v Wilder as the Chargers travel to Pittsburgh with 13-touchdown star running back Melvin Gordon.
Pittsburgh, of course, now how to cope without their own star rusher but LA may have trouble with the man who’s fuelled their 8-3 season, along with QB Philip Rivers who will have to pick up some of the slack and perhaps air it out even more.
Austin Ekeler is an able deputy for Gordon though and Pittsburgh’s front has been susceptible against the run recently, so that combination could lead to some success.
Ben Roethlisberger has been plagued by interceptions this season, he’s second in the league with 12, and turnovers are negating Pittsburgh’s obvious talent on offence, so cleaning that up against a tough Chargers defence will be key.
LA have the better record going into this game, but only one of their eight wins has been against a side that currently has a winning record – that’s always a red flag but Sunday’s game will be the acid test of their play-off credentials.
It real is a coin toss for me, and Gordon’s absence is a worry, but the way Rivers has been playing and with the Chargers defence showing up, at the prices I like a road win straight up.
Verdict: LA Chargers to win at 29/20
Touchdowns: Mike Williams to score a touchdown at 100/30
RequestABet: Over 49pts, Austin Ekeler 100+ scrimmage yards & TD, Antonio Brown TD at 8/1