Betting picks for every team total in Week 13
Here's a look at the team totals for all 32 teams playing in Week 13, along with our picks and confidence level:
New Orleans Saints at Dallas CowboysSaints' team total: 30.5 points
Cowboys pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence is confident he and the defense can stop the Saints' offense. We don't see a complete shutdown on Thursday night, but enough to go under the 30-point mark.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Cowboys' team total: 21.5 points
The Saints' defense is beginning to look legitimate, allowing 23 points or fewer in seven of the previous eight games. Although New Orleans' weakness is its pass defense, there's just not enough there for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys to consistently score.
Pick: Under (-125)
Confidence Level: a a
Bears' team total: OFF
Oddsmakers have yet to release team totals for the Bears due to the quarterback situation. Backup Chase Daniel played well last week in a Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions, filling in for starter Mitchell Trubisky.
Pick: None
Confidence Level: None
Giants' team total: OFF
The Giants' total is also off, but even without a price on this one, it'll be tough to stay away from the under. The Bears' defense is No. 2 in the league in scoring, not to mention the Giants are 2-13-1 against the spread following a game in which they covered (New York lost 25-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles as 4.5-point underdogs in Week 12).
Pick: None
Confidence Level: None
Rams' team total: 33.5 points
Owning the No. 3 scoring offense in the NFL, the Rams could be an automatic over every single weekend with little to no analysis. But coming off a bye week, taking a long flight for an early start, and dealing with minor injuries to some key players on offense, it wouldn't be surprising to see Los Angeles come out flat in this one.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Lions' team total: 22.5 points
The Lions' offense is in complete disarray, scoring 20 points or fewer in four of the last five. The departure of Golden Tate hurt, as does the injury to Marvin Jones Jr.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Ravens' team total: 23.5 points
The Falcons are 0-9 against the spread in their previous nine games against AFC opponents. Unfamiliarity might hurt them in this one with Lamar Jackson, whose first road game comes against a defense that has had trouble stopping opposing quarterbacks from lighting up the stat sheet.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Falcons' team total: 23.5 points
The Falcons are in the midst of a downturn, scoring 23 points or fewer in five of the previous seven games. However, Baltimore's defense has allowed 21 points or more in four of the previous five after doing so just once in the first six. Expect Atlanta to bounce back.
Pick: Over (-138)
Confidence Level: a a a
Colts' team total: 26.5 points
Currently on a seven-game losing streak, the Jaguars should probably throw in the towel. The defense has been a no-show, allowing 20 points or more since Week 5. However, the Jaguars' defense has played well at home, allowing just 16.2 points per game.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a a
Jaguars' team total: 20.5 points
The Jaguars will have some offensive changeover in Week 13, with a new offensive coordinator (Scott Milanovich), fresh starting quarterback (Cody Kessler), and no starting running back (Leonard Fournette). It's hard to predict the game plan for Jacksonville on Sunday, but we'll roll on the under behind Kessler, who's averaging just 6.7 yards per attempt over his career.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Panthers' team total: 29.5 points
The Panthers' offensive scheme under coordinator Norv Turner has been underrated this year. Skill players Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, and Curtis Samuel are all young risers, and quarterback Cam Newton is playing at a high level. It'll be an opportunity to adjust for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after allowing 42 points to Carolina in the previous meeting, but there are too many mismatches on the Panthers' side.
Pick: Over (-125)
Confidence Level: a a a a a
Buccaneers' team total: 24.5 points
Spoiler alert: We'll be taking the over in this game.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a a
Cardinals' team total: 14.5 points
The Cardinals' offense is operating under a rookie quarterback, behind a revolving door of an offensive line, and are short on playmakers. It's a long trip for an early start in cold conditions, but we're fans of the over in this game.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Packers' team total: 29.5 points
Coming off two road games and now matching up against a Cardinals defense that was torn up by the Los Angeles Chargers, we'll look for a big game from Aaron Rodgers.
Pick: Over (-138)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Broncos' team total: 24.5 points
This is a great matchup for the Broncos' offense, which will get the league's worst scoring defense on Sunday.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a a
Bengals' team total: 19.5 points
Andy Dalton or not, the Bengals' offense should be able to score this weekend. Under head coach Vance Joseph, the Broncos have played seven early starts in the eastern time zone, allowing more than 31 points per game on average. Denver's defense was sliced up for more than 1,000 yards combined in the previous two games, and the Bengals welcome back wide receiver A.J. Green from injury.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a a a
Browns' team total: 20.5 points
We don't love the matchup for Baker Mayfield and the Browns' offense on Sunday, but if we're playing prices, there's a small lean to the over.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a
Texans' team total: 27.5 points
We like the under between the Browns-Texans (48), which feels a tad inflated due to last weekend's offensive performances from both sides.
Pick: Under (-125)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Bills' team total: 16.5 points
Between a quarterback carousel and random explosive plays, the Bills' offense has been a crapshoot all season long.
Pick: Under (-125)
Confidence Level: a
Dolphins' team total: 22.5 points
Buffalo's defense remains one of the most underrated units in football, allowing fewer than 5.0 yards per play. Don't be surprised if the Dolphins come out rusty after a walk-off loss at Indianapolis last weekend.
Pick: Under (-110)
Confidence Level: a a a
Jets' team total: 15.5 points
The Jets might be getting a boost offensively in Week 13 as rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is hopeful to play after missing the previous two games with a foot injury. For an offense that has posted 17 points or fewer in four straight, Sunday's game against a Titans defense allowing 17.8 points per game at home doesn't feel like the breakthrough.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Titans' team total: 25.5 points
Tennessee's offense has been a volatile unit this season, scoring 12 points or fewer in four games and 26 or more in three. We'll take a stab at the under.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Chiefs' team total: 35.5 points
This is a dream matchup for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who travel to play a Raiders defense that ranks worst in the league at getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Mahomes should have a clean pocket all afternoon.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Raiders' team total: 19.5 points
The Raiders should have ample time with the football on offense, an angle we've played plenty when taking their team totals.
Pick: Over (-150)
Confidence Level: a a a
49ers' team total: 17.5 points
After Nick Mullens began his starting quarterback career against the Raiders, Giants, and Buccaneers, a road game against the Seahawks' defense will be the toughest by a wide margin.
Pick: Under (-138)
Confidence Level: a a
Seahawks' team total: 28.5 points
The 49ers' defense had a difficult five-game stretch following Week 3, allowing 28 or more points in each contest. They've since stopped the bleeding, allowing 18.6 points per contest over the previous four. The Niners have four touchdowns to work with in Week 13 when they host a Seahawks team coming off a big win in Carolina.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Vikings' team total: 21.5 points
Foxboro isn't the easiest place to play for visiting teams, but the Vikings' offense boasts enough firepower to exploit the Patriots' defense.
Pick: Over (-110)
Confidence Level: a a a a
Patriots' team total: 27.5 points
Despite the Vikings' defense rounding into form as the season progresses, this one has the makings of a shootout.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Chargers' team total: 23.5 points
Melvin Gordon's injury might not hamper the Chargers' offense all that much heading forward. They're rife with playmakers and have a capable backup in Austin Ekeler. Evidently, we're not set on fully fading the Chargers' offense down the stretch without Gordon, but we like the Steelers' defense on Sunday night.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a
Steelers' team total: 27.5 points
Back at home following a deflating loss to the Broncos, we expect the Steelers to light it up in prime time.
Pick: Over (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Redskins' team total: 18.5 points
The Giants completely whiffed offensively last weekend, choosing not to take advantage of mismatches on the outside against an Eagles secondary decimated by injuries. Philly might get away with a depleted defensive backfield for the second straight week against Colt McCoy and a lackluster Redskins offense.
Pick: Under (-120)
Confidence Level: a a a
Eagles' team total: 26.5 points
After escaping the Giants last weekend to keep their season alive, the Eagles might finally have the momentum they need. Still, they've been offensively challenged over the previous five games, averaging just 18.6 points per game.
Pick: Under (-125)
Confidence Level: a
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.
Copyright (C) 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.