This week’s picks, based on our preseason Power 10 projections
1. New Orleans Saints +3
In head-to-head matchups against the NFC East, Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans has fared well and is favored at home again in this matchup of franchises that each (correctly) expected to contend for the Super Bowl last season.
New Orleans has won all four previous head-to-head matchups and should get off to a fast start once again in their home opener against the Eagles.
2. Los Angeles Rams +8
The Rams are riding into Week 12 with two straight wins over playoff teams in Chicago and San Francisco, and have won all three of their games as 2+-point favorites by an average of 16 points per game.
Los Angeles has won five of the last six games in which it has had a double-digit favorite over its opponent.
3. Detroit Lions +5
The Lions gave away a couple big home-field games and this represents a big chance to bounce back. Detroit is giving away more points than it’s scoring, but there’s still a decent chance this roadie against the Packers turns into a blowout.
4. Carolina Panthers +7
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera had declared that his team was a playoff team entering the season, so why would he change his tune after a 5-7 record? Well, the Panthers are in a division (nearly) a whole lot more fun than the NFC South and has been good for us in the past (four wins against the spread).
5. Washington Redskins +2.5
Washington is almost a certainty to be a playoff team this season and the Redskins showed good signs of improvement in their last two games, covering the 2-point spread in wins over the Eagles and Panthers.