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NHL Conference Finals Predictions: Eastern and Western early Expert Analysis – 2024 Season

NHL Conference Finals Predictions | The Stanley Cup Playoffs have a unique feature that other major North American pro sports leagues, including the NBA and Major League Baseball, have not adopted.

In the NBA, for example, division titles are basically insignificant – just a banner to hang from the arena rafters.

In the NHL, though, divisions are more important. Each conference gets eight teams in the playoffs – the first, second, and third-place teams from each division, as well as the two teams with the next best records.

The division winners face the wild-card teams in the first round, while the second- and third-place team in each division face off.

Then if the division winner advances, that team will face the winner of the second- and third-place teams from their own division.

So unless a wild-card team from the other division knocks off a division champ in the first round, teams don’t see anyone from the other division until the conference final.

Let’s take a look at the current rankings in each division as well as some projections about which teams will advance to the East and West finals.

If you like to include NHL futures in your sports betting, this article is a must-read.

 

NHL Conference Finals Predictions | NHL Week 7

 

NHL Conference Finals Predictions: Possible Finals

Atlantic Division

The Florida Panthers have won two Atlantic Division crowns in the last three years. They brought Sam Reinhart and his 50-goal potential back to a roster that was already loaded. The Maple Leafs have a young goalie in Joseph Wol, but so far he has more than held his own in net. The Bruins added Elias Lindholm, who is emerging as a legit #1 center. Tampa Bay is negotiating life without Steven Stamkos but added Jake Guentzel to help add that production back. The Ottawa Senators added Linus Ullmark in goal, but it’s hard to see them cracking the top four in this division, at least for now.

 

Metropolitan Division

The New Jersey Devils have an elite goalie in Jakob Markstrom and a solid coach in Sheldon Keefe. Markstrom should solve the problems that kept the Devils out of the playoffs a year ago, and the talented youth on this roster should flourish once again. Carolina’s ability to play well after all of the free-agent losses in the off-season – Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Guentzel – is a testament to the motivational abilities of coach Rod Brind’Amour. The New York Rangers still have one of the best goalies in the game in Igor Shesterkin, and their scoring talent basically all returned from a year ago.

After those three teams, it will be Washington, Pittsburgh and the Islanders clamoring for a wild-card position. Pittsburgh and Washington are getting even older and haven’t added much in the way of the next elite generation. The Islanders basically stood pat with a team that couldn’t get into the postseason a year ago. Philadelphia has a new, exciting rookie in Matvei Michkov, but overall the infusion of talent won’t be enough for them to crack the top three.

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Central Division

Winnipeg’s red-hot start continues as they are 16-3-0 with a +34 goal differential. As has been the case the last few seasons, they have all kinds of speed and talent up front, and their defending is well above average. Their goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, has the ability to stand on his head and steal games. He also has the ability to give up five goals. The Jets will go as far as he takes them. Minnesota has a lot of questions in net, but those questions have largely been answered so far. If things change once the pressure ramps up in the postseason, then the Wild will regress again.

Dallas and Colorado should rise to the top in this division again this year. Both teams have plenty of elite talent, and the Stars signed Jake Oettinger to the hefty contract that his netminding earned him. Nashville added a ton of top talent – Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei and Jonathan Marchessault – but we’re still waiting for all of that talent to mesh together. Can Utah (formerly Arizona) get to the playoffs? They did add Mikhail Sergachev to get a legit #1 defenseman. They’re right on the edge of the postseason line now.

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Pacific Division

Seriously. How have the Edmonton Oilers failed to win this division with both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid on their roster? They might have the two best scorers in hockey on one team. They did make it to the Cup Finals last year before falling short. Vancouver is the defending division champion thanks to Quinn Hughes’ terrific play on the blue line. Thatcher Demko in net is still an adventure, at least for now. Vegas and Los Angeles both regressed in the off-season; the Kings had to say good-bye to Pierre-Luc Dubois, but they added Darcy Kuemper, who is kind of a solution in net.

Vegas doesn’t have depth in their forward group. Seattle is still a group of lunch-pail players without a star, even with Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson coming to town. Calgary is hoping that their home-grown talent can solve their goaltender issues after trading Markstrom away. Anaheim is fun to watch with such youngsters as Cutter Gauthier, Mason MacTavish and Leo Carlsson. San Jose also has a cool youth movement in Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Neither of those teams has the depth or defense to rise in this division, though.

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NHL Conference Finals Predictions | West Final Matchups

Dallas-Vegas

These two teams have put together some epic postseason showdowns in the past. Dallas got past Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final in front of an empty Canadian arena during that weird COVID-19 playoff season. Vegas has returned the favor to Dallas in the past as well. The Golden Knights have been solid ever since entering the NHL even though they have never really had a big star. Dallas has depth, talent and speed, and they’ve learned how to win.

 
Winnipeg-Edmonton

An all-Canadian West final would be the talk of the country. This would mean that Connor Hellebuyck has finally put together a solid postseason and the players in front of him haven’t gotten nervous from the pressure. It would also mean that McDavid and Draisaitl put together two consistent postseasons in a row.

 
Minnesota-Calgary

Sometimes young, fast teams with iffy goaltending catch fire and score in bunches. If these teams make it to the West final, then that means there were a lot of 6-4 games along the way for both teams. If this series actually happens and goes seven games, you might see 70 goals combined – a video game come to life.

 
Colorado-Los Angeles

The Avalanche are always a tough out in the playoffs. When the Kings have made deep playoff runs, it’s usually come about due to leveraging lucky bounces and above-expected goaltender play. If Darcy Kuemper can catch fire, then the clunky journeyman reputation will finally be left behind.

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NHL Conference Finals Predictions | East Final Matchups

Toronto-N.Y. Rangers

Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs have been underperforming in the postseason for years. With the toxic stench of the Mike Babcock era finally cleared from the locker room, there’s really on reason why this fast, dangerous group of scorers can’t make a deep run. Igor Shesterkin is good enough to get three rounds deep in the playoffs all by himself, so it’s time for the Rangers’ offense to get that good as well.

 
Tampa Bay-Carolina

This pair of teams both lost a lot of their front-line talent in the off-season, and they’re both having to make it work by building new chemistry on the fly. Carolina, so far, is way ahead of expectations, while the Lightning are slogging along like we thought – but they still have the veteran experience to figure things out and make a run.

 
Boston-Washington

David Pastrnak and Alexei Ovechkin in an East final? That would be must-see television as Ovechkin would definitely have to turn back the clock to make this happen. The Bruins should be able to score goals with anyone, and the Caps definitely have the veteran experience. But as the season wears on, can the Capitals keep those engines running? Will Boston figure out how to play defense on a regular basis?

 
Florida-New Jersey

The Devils will definitely have to swallow that indignity from last year’s late collapse and push through to the playoffs to advance in a high-octane Metropolitan Division. The Panthers have the talent up front and on the blue line, and their goaltending situation remains well above average.

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2024 NHL Conference Finals Matchups
 

The Boston Bruins took 2-0 and 3-1 series leads against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, but then the Leafs roared back despite not having Auston Matthews, tying the series at three games apiece and pushing Game 7 into overtime. However, it took the Bruins just 1:54 of overtime to get a goal from David Pastrnak, who took the feed from Hampus Lindholm to end the series. Lindholm also tied the game in regulation, and Jeremy Swayman had 30 saves as the Bruins narrowly avoided losing their second consecutive first-round series after taking a 3-1 series lead. Let’s look at the updated Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket and go over our sports betting thoughts about each second-round series.

NHL Stanley Cup Odds: Eastern and Western Conference Finals Predictions

 

Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche

The Stars needed seven games to oust the Vegas Golden Knights while the Avalanche sent the Winnipeg Jets home after five games. The Stars are slightly favored going into this series. They come in having averaaged just 2.0 goals per game over their last 10 games, going 6-4. They have permitted only 18 goals during those same contests. However, the Avalanche have scored 4.5 goals per contest in their last ten, posting a 6-3-1 mark in those contests, while permitting 3.5. The Stars need to up their offense if they’re going to keep up with the Avalanche in this series. Jake Oettinger has been terrific for the Stars so far in net. As well as the Stars played this season, they’re legitimate favorites.

NHL Pick: Stars in six
 

Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers

The Canucks won all four of their regular-season meetings with the Oilers, which included an 8-1 shellacking on Opening Night as well as a 6-2 beating. The other games (4-3 and 3-1) also featured the Canucks pouring on the offense. Three of those losses did come in the early part of the season, when the Oilers were really struggling on both ends of the ice. The Oilers are actually the favorites to win this series due to injuries to Thatcher Demko. The Oilers have both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid humming on offense. In these playoffs, the Oilers lead the NHL on both the penalty kill (100%) and the power play. Even so, I’m actually going with the value here as the Canucks rolled in the first round, even without Demko in net.

NHL Pick: Canucks in seven
 

Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins

The Bruins are in the second round of the playoffs for the first time in three years, and they head to Florida without home-ice advantage. However, they have won four of their last six road postseason games, including Games 3 and 4 down at Florida a year ago. They’ve actually struggled more at home, posting a 3-5 home playoff record in their last eight games at TD Garden. The Panthers have a Vezina Trophy finalist in goal, in Sergei Bobrovsky, and they have elite talent on their scoring lines and the blue line. Their run to the Stanley Cup Final last year was a surprise. This time around, it wouldn’t be a surprise. The Bruins need to settle down and play with confidence if they want to get past the Panthers this time.

NHL Pick: Panthers in seven
 

N.Y. Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes (Rangers lead, 1-0)

This is the second time the Blueshirts and the Hurricanes have met in the second round in the last three years. The Hurricanes only needed five games to send the N.Y. Islanders home in the first round, and the Rangers swept Washington out. The Rangers beat Carolina two out of three times during the regular season. Igor Shesterkin posted a minuscule 1.75 GAA in the first round, as well as a .931 save percentage, but the Caps didn’t test him as much as the Hurricanes will. Frederik Andersen went 9-1-0 in net for the Hurricanes after returning from blood clotting issues, but in the first round, he permitted a 2.25 GAA and had a .912 save percentage in the first round.

NHL Pick: Rangers in six
 

Updated NHL Odds Reveal Tight Race for the Stanley Cup

  • Edmonton Oilers +420
  • Florida Panthers +460
  • Dallas Stars +520
  • N.Y. Rangers +550
  • Carolina Hurricanes +580
  • Colorado Avalanche +630
  • Boston Bruins +1075
  • Vancouver Canucks +1650
 
 
   
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NHL Conference Finals Predictions

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49ers at Packers Odds: NFL Game Lines, Expert Picks & Score Prediction in Week 12 – 2024 Season

49ers at Packers Odds | Lambeau Field has been a difficult place to play for many of the NFL’s teams. However, the San Francisco 49ers have been able to pick up some key wins there.

When Jimmy Garoppolo was the 49ers’ quarterback, he was able to guide the team to some huge playoff wins in Green Bay.

In 2020, the 49ers rolled to a dominant 37-20 win in the NFC Championship, running the ball for 285 yards on 42 carries. The running game was so in control that Garoppolo didn’t even attempt a pass for the entire third quarter, and only had seven pass attempts for the entire game.

Two years later, Jimmy G brought the 49ers back to Lambeau for a 13-10 win in the divisional playoff.

The offenses were much less dominant on a snowy night, but the 49ers blocked a punt and scored the game’s only touchdown.

Now that Garoppolo and Packers long-time quarterback Aaron Rodgers have moved on, it’s up to Brock Purdy and Jordan Love to continue the rivalry.

The Packers have a 7-3 record, two games ahead of the 5-5 mark that the 49ers bring in. However, San Francisco recently got tailback Christian McCaffrey back from an extended absence due to a calf injury.

Can they use his offensive firepower to get a road win? Don’t miss our sports betting prediction on this potential NFC playoff preview.

 

49ers at Packers Odds: NFL Game Lines in Week 12 | NFL 2024/25 Season

Opening Lines Subject to Change: Green Bay -2 (O/U 47.5)
When: Sunday, November 24, 2024, 4:25 pm ET
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
TV: FOX
Radio: KNBR 680 AM San Francisco / WRNW 97.3 FM Milwaukee
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

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San Francisco 49ers +106

One reason to like the 49ers here is tight end George Kittle. He sat out of the team’s Week 11 loss to Seattle after a hamstring injury showed up after the team’s win over Tampa Bay, but with this key matchup on tap, he has said he will play – so the likelihood is that his hamstring is ready for action. Against Green Bay, he has historically done well. In 2019, he had six catches for 129 yards and a score in a 37-8 laughter.

George Kittle

Even in Kittle’s absence, the San Francisco wide receiver group was productive against Seattle. The 49ers didn’t win, but Jauan Jennings ran wild in the Seattle secondary. He had a huge catch on a late third-and-11 to extend a drive, and he ended up with 10 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. With Brandon Aiyuk done for the season, Jennings has become the team’s leading receiver with 21 total catches in his last two games. With just a 1-3 record in NFC West play, the 49ers don’t have much flexibility left when it comes to the playoffs.

They need to win the division to get a guaranteed slot, and they’ll need to get both wins coming up – at Green Bay and at Buffalo – to start building momentum. The team was missing Nick Bosa (hip / oblique) and Kittle, but they had a lead in the fourth quarter. With one more stop on defense or another first down on offense, they get the win. Can they find that clutch gear?

The Offensive

San Francisco is second in offensive yards per game – fourth in passing and seventh in rushing. They score 25.0 points per game. The problems have come on defense as the team has had a hard time getting stops when it needs them. The stats are good on defense – they are sixth in total defense and only allow 22.2 points per game. The fact that Jordan Love can get a little careless with the football should help the 49ers, who have 11 interceptions on the season and permit fewer than 200 passing yards per game. But which defense will show up for the 49ers?

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Green Bay Packers -129

Even at 7-3, the Packers know that there is a lot of tough football left on their schedule. They are in third place in their own division behind Detroit (9-1) and Minnesota (8-2). Both of those teams have already beaten Green Bay once. The Packers see each of their NFC North rivals one more time, and right now the Packers’ best shot at a postseason berth will come via the wild card. That means that each game against an NFC opponent is vital because head-to-head and conference records are also crucial tiebreakers for playoff standing.

Aaron Jones

On offense, tailback Aaron Jones left for Minnesota in the off-season, so the Packers went out and handed Josh Jacobs a deal for $48 million over four years. Jacobs was an All-Pro with the Raiders in 2022 with 1,653 rushing yards and a dozen touchdowns, as well as 400 receiving yards. So far, Jacobs is third in the league in rushing (838 yards on 176 carries) and has four touchdowns on the ground. As a receiver, he has caught 23 balls (out of 29 targets) for 186 yards and another score. His numbers seem to be improving as the year wears on.

Against Chicago, he ran for 76 yards and a score. The next week, he gained 95 yards against a tough Detroit rushing defense, and in Week 8 he picked up 127 yards and scored twice against Jacksonville. On defense, coordinator Jeff Hafley’s philosophy depends on creating turnovers. They don’t have much of a pass rush, and their secondary has a lot of injuries, so getting takeaways becomes even more important.

The Defense

However, they didn’t get any turnovers against Detroit or Chicago. They did block a field goal to get a lucky win over Chicago, but they still didn’t generate a turnover against a team with a struggling offense. Can Xavier McKinney get his seventh interception of the season? Brock Purdy has been solid with ball security, so we will see. If you like the Packers here, then you think their defense is due for a takeaway.

Green Bay is fourth in total offense and fourth in rushing offense, behind the hard work of Jacobs. Jordan Love has a cannon of an arm, and he needs to work on ball security, but he’s improved in that area over time. They are fourth in the NFL with 19 takeaways – but as we mentioned before, they’ve been stuck there for two weeks. Getting some turnovers will be one of the keys for the Packers to win.

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49ers at Packers Odds, Final Score and Prediction in Week 12

Green Bay went just 1 of 5 on third downs in that win in Chicago on Sunday. They only held the ball for 23:39 – and they’ve only scored 34 points combined over their last two games. The 49ers only gained 277 yards in their loss to Seattle. They did pick up 21 first downs, but they also got nine penalties. The 49ers have scored fewer than 24 points in three of their last four games, so they are also a unit in need of some breakout plays.

The 49ers are getting healthy, particularly with the return of McCaffrey to the offense. He did show some rust against Seattle, but I expect to see him getting better each week as he approaches game conditioning. I think this could turn into a bit of a track meet as Jordan Love finds Christian Watson for some big plays and Brock Purdy gets the ball to Kittle and Jennings when he’s not finding McCaffrey, but I see the 49ers imposing their will in a 30-24 win.

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Titans at Texans Odds: NFL Game Lines, Expert Picks & Score Prediction in Week 12 – 2024 Season

Titans at Texans Odds: When the Tennessee Titans head south to take on the Houston Texans, diehard Houston fans remember the legacy of the Houston Oilers, one of the original AFL teams that won that league’s first two titles in 1960 and 1961 but would never win another.

They joined the NFL in the 1970 merger, but they kept running into the then-Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC playoffs.

Houston made the AFC Championship in 1978 and 1979 but lost both times.

Furthermore, they won two division titles, in 1991 and 1993 – but then they moved to Tennessee in 1996, playing a season in Memphis and then moving to Nashville as the Tennessee Oilers before changing their name to the Titans.

The teams see each other now twice a year as AFC South rivals, but right now the Titans are in the midst of a rebuild while the Texans, who entered the league as an expansion franchise in 2002, are the defending division champs and look ready to win it again in 2024.

Tennessee heads south as eight-point sports betting underdogs. How will the game turn out? Read on to get our perspective.

 

Titans at Texans Odds: NFL Game Lines in Week 12 | NFL 2024/25 Season

Opening Lines Subject to Change: Tennessee +7.5 (O/U 40.5)
When: Sunday, November 24, 2024, 1:00 pm ET
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: CBS
Radio: WGFX 104.5 FM Nashville / KILT 100.3 FM Houston
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

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Tennessee Titans +310

The Titans actually kept their game against the Minnesota Vikings reasonably close, losing 23-13. However, it could have been even closer if the Titans hadn’t had so many miscues. Two different Minnesota scoring drives were extended by penalties on Tennessee – including one on an incomplete pass on fourth down that would have given the Titans back. On the day, Tennessee had 13 penalties for 91 yards. Cleaner play would go a long way.

We also saw improvement out of Will Levis, who showed flashes of that big arm from a year ago. He found Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from his own end zone for a 98-yard touchdown pass. He also hit Calvin Ridley for a 51-yard completion on a post play – but an illegal formation nullified that play. He threw for a season-best 295 yards and could be warming up to prove that he’s the franchise quarterback. The Vikings sacked Levis five times, and he kept getting up and trying to make big plays despite the avalanche of pressure.

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Houston Texans -420

The Texans’ 34-10 win in Dallas on Monday night was their largest margin of victory in 2024. Joe Mixon gouged the Dallas defense time and time again, scoring three touchdowns. Mixon had his sixth 100-yard rushing day of the season. The defense sacked Cooper Rush five times and snagged an interception, and they also posted a strip-sack that led to a defensive touchdown. The game could have been a one-score affair late in the third quarter, but we all know how well Dallas coach Mike McCarthy handles risk-reward decisions.

C.J. Stroud could break the 300-yard passing barrier against Tennessee – he has not broken that barrier in six weeks after doing it six times in his rookie campaign. Nico Collins is back, and the Titans don’t have a great pass rush, so I see Stroud sitting in the pocket and picking the Tennessee secondary apart.

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Titans at Texans Odds, Final Score and Prediction in NFL Week 12

Did the Texans turn a corner on Monday night after playing some inconsistent football? It’s possible. We will see if their pass rush can get after Will Levis like it did against Cooper Rush last week, and we’ll also see if Joe Mixon can have another big week. I thought that Houston would up their game significantly after last season’s AFC South title, but that improvement has come in spurts. As the game goes by, I see Houston pulling away, but not as dominantly as they did against Dallas.

I predict a final score of Houston 27, Tennessee 16.

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USL Championship Final Odds 2024: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs Rhode Island FC

USL Championships Final Odds | When the 2024 USL Championship season was just a month or two old, you would have made a lot of money if you had done some sports betting that had either the Colorado Springs Switchbacks or Rhode Island FC in the playoff finals.

The Switchbacks had just promoted new head coach James Chambers, and his early days were not promising, as the team scored just one goal in its first five games – all losses. They did not win a match at home until May.

Rhode Island was making its debut in the USL Championship and only won one game in its first 14 fixtures. Both of them were sent home from the U.S. Open Cup by teams in lower divisions.

However, since May, Colorado Springs figured things out and has gone 13-2-2 at home, permitting only 12 goals and posting eight clean sheets.

They have a five-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s final, and they have other winning streaks of four and five games in the regular season.

In their last 480 minutes of play, they have permitted exactly one goal. Rhode Island’s hot streak started on June 22; since then, they lead the USL Championship in goals scored through the regular season and playoffs, and no other team has lost fewer games.

They ride a four-game winning streak into the final. Read on to get our prediction for Saturday’s title game.

 

USL Championships Final Odds & Preview: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs Rhode Island FC

USL Odds: Colorado Springs +150 / Rhode Island +150 / O/U 2.5
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024, 12:00 pm ET
Where: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, CO
TV: CBS Sports
Radio: No National Broadcast
Live Stream: TUDN

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Why should you bet on Rhode Island FC?

Rhode Island FC uses a 5-3-2 formation that has a dominant middle and a frustrating defensive line. Their ability to change the tempo gets the offensive moving forward in a hurry. They might have the USL Championship’s best goalie in Koke Vegas, and he is willing to take risks. This allows the team to build from the back and then work quickly up the field. Their average pass this season moved the ball 7.4 yards; in the playoffs, that number has jumped to 10.0.

Zach Herivaux likes to drift wide in the midfield, and Noah Fuson, the Golden Playmaker of the USL this season, likes to drop low up front. They like to keep their right wing back deeper, allowing the left wing back to take on more of an offensive role. That imbalance helps the team stay in structure. Once they have a late lead, they often drop into a 5-4-1 that is hard to break through. They have permitted just seven goals in their last nine matches, but their shell isn’t passive. Their center backs still close hard and tackle, even near the line of their 18-yard box.

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Why should you put your money on the Switchbacks?

Colorado Springs is excellent when it comes to controlling space, rotating and keeping their structure. They roll in a 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing an aggressive approach from the defense and an ability to get the ball going toward the opponents’ goal. Only 16 of the team’s 47 goals in the regular season came from forwards; the majority of their scoring came from their midfielders. Zach Zandi, a defensive midfielder when the team doesn’t have the ball, is allowed to make late runs through the middle to boost the attack, turning the formation into a 4-1-4-1. He has 60% of his team’s playoff goals.

His partner in the midfield pivot, Jamaican international Speedy Williams, usually sits a bit deeper to get passes from the defense and then move the ball quickly to an open teammate. He had almost 67 touches per match this year, and when he moves the ball quickly, the offense is dangerous. The back line sits high and drew 81 offside calls, the most in the USL Championship. They frequently man-mark along the back, using that to generate turnovers and breaks the other way. Even when they have a lead, instead of retreating into a defensive shell, they keep that high back line, keeping opponents from mounting more successful attacks.

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USL Championships Final Odds, Score and Prediction for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs Rhode Island FC

These two teams met in May, and Colorado Springs won, 3-1. At the time, Rhode Island’s defense lacked organization, not to be unexpected in an expansion team. They have figured things out and will look much crisper this time around. Can the visitors get touches between the lines and then push through that high Colorado Springs defensive back four?

If so, then Rhode Island has plenty of chances. Striker JJ Williams has eight goals over the last four matches, and he can make runs or take more of a physical approach thanks to his 6’4” height. Both teams come in hot, but I like Colorado Springs to frustrate the Rhode Island attack with that high line.

I predict a final score of Colorado Springs 2, Rhode Island 1.

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Thursday Night Football: Steelers at Browns Odds, Analysis and Prediction for Week 12

NFL Game Odds: Steelers at Browns TNF | Before the start of the 2024 NFL season, a lot of sports betting analysts thought that the AFC North would be one of the tightest divisions in the NFL.

The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have been contenders, but the other two teams – Cincinnati and Cleveland – have been inconsistent, and the Browns have turned into a dumpster fire after a 35-14 loss to New Orleans last week.

The Browns struggled with everything from blown pass coverages to missed field goals to dreadful special teams coverage.

While Cleveland did run up 443 yards of offense, that didn’t turn into much in the way of scoring.

Now the Browns have dropped eight of nine, with that only win coming in Jameis Winston’s season debut at quarterback over Baltimore.

Winston threw for 395 yards on Sunday, but nothing that he did could make a dent in the New Orleans advantage.

At 2-8, the Browns now prepare to welcome the 8-2 Pittsburgh Steelers on a short week.

Can the Browns pull off another one of their shocking upsets of the Steelers, or will Pittsburgh take care of business?

Don’t commit to any wagers until you’ve read our predictions.

 

NFL Game Odds: Steelers at Browns TNF in Week 12 | NFL 2024/25 Season

NFL Game Odds Subject to Change: Cleveland +3.5 (O/U 36.5)
When: TNF, November 21, 2024, 8:20 pm ET
Where: FirstEnergy Field, Cleveland
TV: Prime Video
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Prime Video

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Pittsburgh Steelers TNF Line -193

If you like the Steelers, then you see them developing despite the fact that their offense struggled. The defense got three turnovers, and the Ravens missed two field goals. On those five ensuing possessions, the Steelers only scored a total of nine points. Russell Wilson went 1 of 8 for -1 yards, a pick and four sacks when he was under pressure.

Russell Wilson

In the red zone, he went just 2 of 9 for seven yards and another interception. He had similar problems last week against Washington before figuring things out in the fourth quarter. The Baltimore defense has worse stats than the Washington unit, but it didn’t matter because Wilson couldn’t recreate his earlier success. Pittsburgh also didn’t get much out of wide receivers – other than George Pickens.

He had eight catches on a dozen targets for 89 yards, but the whole rest of the wide receiver room had just two catches on four targets for three yards. The Steelers’ faithful should be thankful for Chris Boswell, who has a franchise record four games with at least four field goals made this season.

Making the move from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson has elevated the Steelers’ offense – but it hasn’t made the unit elite. He has six touchdown passes and two picks in four games as the starter. George Pickens (48 catches, 728 yards, 2 TD) has caught the lion’s share of Wilson’s passes. Calvin Austin III (17 catches, 262 yards, 2 TD) has kicked in, along with tight end Pat Freiermuth (31 catches, 295 yards, 3 TD).

Najee Harris

Tailback Harris has emerged as a tough ball carrier, with 708 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. The team is just average on offense (14th with 23.3 points per game and 19th with 324.0 yards per game). However, their defense is elite, ranking second in scoring permitted (16.2 points per game) and eighth in total yards permitted (305.3 per game).

The Steelers rank ninth in third-down conversions allowed (34.9%) and eighth in red zone touchdown allowed (48.2%). Pittsburgh’s strong defense could pressure Jameis Winston into mistakes and give their offense good field position.

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Cleveland Browns TNF Line +155

The Browns do have some positive news coming at the wide receiver position. Jerry Jeudy had 142 receiving yards, his first triple-digit game since 2022. Elijah Moore had a terrific catch for a score. Cedric Tillman even added 47 receiving yards. All of them are under 26 and have taken on more of a role since the Browns traded Amari Cooper to Buffalo.

Taysom Hill

The primary problems came on defense and special teams. In the week’s press conferences, the Browns talked about how much they would need to watch Swiss Army-knife player Hill, who can pass, punt, and catch – but not well enough to start in either role.

He caught eight passes against Cleveland, a career best, threw a pass completion and had three rushing touchdowns. On special teams, Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals, including a 27-yarder, to wind up the first half. He has started 134 games, but he’s only had more than one field goal miss in two of those, including Sunday.

Jameis Winston

Winston threw for 395 yards and two scores in the loss to New Orleans. Since taking the starting job over from Deshaun Watson, Winston has a 61.4% pass completion rate, a 7:3 TD:INT rate, and 1,047 passing yards. Jerry Jeudy now has 39 catches for 560 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Elijah Moore has 39 catches for 315 yards and a score, and tight end David Njoku has 39 catches for 336 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Offense

Cleveland struggles offensively, ranking 31st in scoring and 27th in total offense. They lead the league in sacks allowed, rank third worst in third-down conversion rates, and are 23rd in red zone touchdown percentage. Defensively, they are 24th in points allowed and 19th in total yards per game. The defense gave up 214 rushing yards to New Orleans without a standout running back.

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NFL Game Odds: Steelers at Browns TNF Final Score and Prediction in Week 12

Cleveland Injuries

For the Browns, the injury list is very long. Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (knee) will not play Thursday. The questionable list includes offensive tackle Jack Conklin (knee), cornerback Denzel Ward (chest), guards Wyatt Teller (knee), Joel Bitonio (foot), Zak Zinter (knee) and Michael Dunn (illness), as well as centers Ethan Pocic (back) and Luke Wypler (ankle).

Pittsburgh Injuries

The Steelers are a lot healthier as a team. The only questionable on their injury report are center Zach Frazier (ankle) and linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle).

If you like Cleveland, then you see some of the worrisome features of this AFC North rivalry bedeviling the Steelers. For whatever reason, the Steelers have dominated the Ravens in recent years, but the Browns have also been able to sneak up on Pittsburgh.

The Steelers do look locked in, but they are traveling on a short week, which always seems to throw a wrench in the plans of road favorites.

If you like Pittsburgh, then you see the sheer weight of injuries and the long season taking its toll on the Browns.

Dealing with drama surrounding Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb’s slow recovery, and Amari Cooper’s trade to Buffalo was demoralizing for the Browns, who began 2024 as AFC contenders.

I see the Browns fighting hard in the first half before things fall apart after dark. I predict a final score of Pittsburgh 23, Cleveland 13.

^

   
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NFL Week 12 Top Games, Lines & Expert Picks, including Divisional Matchups – 2024 Season

NFL Week 12 | The bizarre 2024 campaign of the New York Jets continued this past week as they fell to the Indianapolis Colts, 28-27.

New York Jets

Remember when Robert Saleh had that Jets defense shutting down opponents every week? Well, Saleh was shown the gate, and that defensive intensity seems to have followed him.

In the last two minutes of the loss, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was able to mount a six-play, 70-yard drive to get the score.

Then the Jets got the ball back into the hands of Mr. Hail Mary, Aaron Rodgers, but he couldn’t make good decisions.

That wasted the first game in which Jets tailback Breece Hall had scored a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same contest. He had 121 yards from scrimmage, but the Jets couldn’t win.

New York did set another franchise mark, this time for using four kickers in the last four games, as Anders Carlson came off the couch to make both of his field goal attempts, including a 58-yarder that was his career best.

The Jets didn’t think they’d be using Carlson until Kansas City plucked Spencer Shrader off the practice squad on Thursday to replace Harrison Butker.

What is next for Joe Namath’s storied team? We will see. Meanwhile, don’t miss our top sports betting picks for Week 12 in the NFL.

 

NFL Week 12: Top Games with Odds & Expert Analysis

 

TNF Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) at Cleveland Browns

When: Thursday, November 21, 8:20 pm ET, Amazon Prime Video
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 36.5

The Cleveland Browns’ O-line has imploded as Jameis Winston took eight sacks in losses to Baltimore and the Chargers. Cleveland is just 1-4 straight up at home, although that one win did come against Baltimore in their first meeting. The Steelers have only allowed more than 17 points in two games, and Russell Wilson has the offense moving enough to get wins. Against Baltimore, the Steelers only got six field goals, but that was enough to get the win thanks to a swarming defense. We have a full-length article just on this matchup, but we feel really confident about this pick.

NFL Pick: Steelers to win and cover.

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Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) at Chicago Bears

When: Sunday, November 24, 1:00 pm ET, FOX
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 39.5

The Minnesota Vikings have 35 sacks so far this season, ranking third in the league. Sam Darnold has a 99.9 passer rating away from U.S. Bank Stadium, so the Chicago pass rush might be able to force him into more poor decisions. The Bears have a new OC in Thomas Brown, and the Chicago attack looked better against Green Bay, even if that last-second field goal got blocked. Is Caleb Williams good enough to lead Chicago to an upset win here? I don’t see it.

NFL Pick: Vikings to win and cover.

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Detroit Lions (-7.5) at Indianapolis Colts

When: Sunday, November 24, 1:00 pm ET, FOX
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 50.5

The Lions just might hang a 2024 AFC SOUTH CHAMPS banner at Ford Field after this game, as they have beaten the other three teams in this division by a combined score of 130-49. Their 52-6 win over Jacksonville last week was the largest margin of victory for any Detroit Lions team in any game.

The Colts did see a resurgence from quarterback Anthony Richardson, who bounced back from his two-week benching by putting up 304 yards and three touchdowns in that win over the Jets. However, the Lions’ defense is still a juggernaut, while the Jets don’t really have a legit scheme right now. It’s true that Indy is 5-2 as an underdog, but they won’t be able to run the ball on Detroit, and the Lions aren’t taking prisoners this year.

NFL Pick: Lions to win and cover.

^
 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) at N.Y. Giants

When: Sunday, November 24, 1:00 pm ET, CBS
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 42

The Giants are sending Daniel Jones to the bench in favor of Tommy DeVito as they come out of their bye week. That should show you that the G-men are pointedly looking to 2025, which usually means finding ways to get a higher draft pick. The Buccaneers come to Gotham on a four-game losing streak, but they’ve been feisty and competitive – and their losses have come against much better teams. Baker Mayfield should keep the Buccaneers’ offense on track, and while the Giants have a physical defense, they will wear down.

NFL Pick: Buccaneers to win and cover.

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Dallas Cowboys (+10) at Washington Commanders

When: Sunday, November 24, 1:00 pm ET, FOX
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 45

Dallas only trailed Houston at home, 20-10, in the second half on Monday night. Brandon Aubrey nailed a 64-yard field goal, but a penalty on Houston gave Dallas a fresh set of downs. They drove deep into the red zone, only to see things stall. On 4th and 2, Dallas coach Mike McCarthy had a chance to make it a one-possession game with a field goal, but he decided to roll those dice.

The Cowboys turned the ball over on downs; the Texans scored the next 14 points to win a 34-10 laugher, making it six straight games in which Dallas has trailed by at least 20 points in a home game. Cooper Rush isn’t that bad at quarterback for Dallas, but he’s clearly rusty, and his offensive line took three more major hits as Tyler Smith, Zack Martin and Tyler Guyton (who hurt his shoulder while running the ball, of all things) all went down to injury. The Commanders have a mobile quarterback who can shred Dallas through the air and run by them on the ground.

NFL Pick: Commanders to win and cover.

^
 

Denver Broncos (-5.5) at Las Vegas Raiders

When: Sunday, November 24, 4:05 pm ET, CBS
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 41

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has 522 passing yards, six touchdown passes, a 79.3% pass completion rate – and, perhaps most impressive of all, zero interceptions in his last two starts. In their last four games as underdogs of fewer than seven points, the Raiders have covered just once. Denver won the home meeting this year, 34-18 – and Nix has gotten much better since then.

NFL Pick: Broncos to win and cover.

^
 

San Francisco 49ers (+2.5) at Green Bay Packers

When: Sunday, November 24, 4:25 pm ET, FOX
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 47.5

The 49ers are just 2-4 straight up in one-score games this season. The Packers average 2 ½ sacks per game. They might try to amp up the pressure on Brock Purdy, but Purdy has a healthy Christian McCaffrey back, and the 49ers have their backs against the wall in the tight NFC West race. This could be an example of the 49ers continuing to have the Packers’ number at Lambeau Field, or Jordan Love could play a consistent 60-minute game, and the Packers could roll.

NFL Pick: 49ers to cover.

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Arizona Cardinals (-1) at Seattle Seahawks

When: Sunday, November 24, 4:25 pm ET, FOX
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 47.5

In the NFC West, every team is either right at .500 or within a game either way. The Cardinals come out of their bye week after demolishing Chicago and the N.Y. Jets. Seattle has climbed back to .500, even though they only have a 2-4 record in front of their home fans. Geno Smith could work that terrific late-game magic, or Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr could run the Seahawks right out of their own stadium. I like the Cardinals to get another crazy NFC West road win.

NFL Pick: Cardinals to win and cover.

^
 

MNF Baltimore Ravens (-3) at L.A. Chargers

When: Monday, November 25, 8:15 pm ET, ABC/ESPN
NFL totals Week 12: O/U 48

If you were looking for a blueprint for how to slow down the Baltimore offense, the swarming, physical Pittsburgh defense just showed the league how to do it. The Chargers beat a desperate Cincinnati team last week by pushing to a 27-6 lead and then doing just enough to avoid a shocking comeback loss. If the Chargers can play a complete four-quarter game, they can beat the Ravens in prime time.

NFL Pick: Chargers to cover.

^
   
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UEFA Nations League Matchday 6 Odds, Lines, Picks & Expert Analysis for the Top Games

The last day of UEFA Nations League Matchday 6 is Tuesday, November 19. On the first day of Matchday 6, Sunday, France stopped Italy to take the crown in Group A2.

With a couple of headers from Adrien Rabiot, they got the two-goal margin of victory they needed to salt away the group.

The Italians did make things interesting when Andrea Cambiaso turned an early 2-0 deficit into a 2-1 game, which would have left the Italians atop the group, but Rabiot completed his brace with 25 minutes left in the match.

England also routed the Republic of Ireland, 5-0, to clinch promotion back to League A.

All five of those goals came after the intermission, as five different English players scored – four of whom posted their first international goal.

Ireland started with some stout defense, but when Liam Scales received his second yellow card and Harry Kane converted the ensuing penalty, the floodgates opened.

Let’s talk about some sports betting options for Tuesday’s action.

 

UEFA Nations League Matchday 6 Games Picks & Betting Lines | Tuesday, November 19 (all matches at 2:45 pm ET)

  ^
 

Hungary +550 vs Germany -234

It Is Die Mannschaft’s latest chance to show its progress under manager Julian Nagelsmann.

As the host nation at EURO 2024, they rolled to the quarterfinals and almost took down Spain, the eventual champions, before bowing out.

In Nations League play, they have four wins in five group stage matches with 17 goals. That’s four more than any other team had posted through their first five matches.

They’ve already shown up the win in Group A3 after a 7-0 tattooing of Bosnia & Herzegovina in Matchday 5.

Will they keep the hammer down against Hungary, or will they let up? Nagelsmann insists that the Germans want to win every game, and Hungary have no chance of catching Netherlands for second in A3.

Germany to win.

^
 

Bosnia & Herzegovina +780 vs Netherlands -330

Both can’t help either group. The Dutch are locked into second place in Group A3 after shellacking Hungary, 4-0, in Matchday 5.

The hosts of Tuesday’s game took that 7-0 beating from Die Mannschaft last time out, the worst loss in the history of the Bosnian/Herzegovinan national team.

Netherlands finished just fourth as the host nation in last year’s Nations League; their best finish ever came in 2018-19, when they took second.

That actually ended a three-game winless skid for Oranje in Nations League play, and Netherlands are still looking to win away from home for the first time in the 2024-25 competition.

The Golden Lilies are relegated to League B for the next Nations League, as their cycle of promotion and immediate relegation continues.

Their defense permitted 16 goals in five matches, and they have 10 losses and one draw in their last 11 matches across all competitions, which is extremely poor form.

However, they did play Oranje to a scoreless draw at home during the 2020-21 Nations League at a match where just 1,600 people chose to show up.

Netherlands to win.

^
   
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CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Update, Analysis & Standings After Matchday 12

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying | Now with the World Cup Finals expanding to 48 teams, as many as seven of the South American men’s national teams that make up the CONMEBOL teams will advance to the 2026 tournament, set for the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Six CONMEBOL teams qualify automatically, and a seventh team advances to a six-team inter-confederation playoff tournament and can qualify based on their results there.

The CONMEBOL process began in 2023 and involves a grueling 18-match round-robin schedule as each team plays all the other, both home and away. Now six matches remain, and as shocking it would be, Brazil could miss out if things don’t improve for them.

Colombia and Uruguay have shown signs of dangerous ability to score, Bolivia have made things interesting – and it’s Argentina dominating.

After 12 matchdays, let’s look at the standings and some sports betting insights about the teams and upcoming match dates.

 

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Update | Current Standings after Matchday 12

   

*Ecuador had three points deducted for providing false passport information about a player in the previous World Cup qualification cycle

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Bolivia

They had a terrific chance to gain ground on Paraguay in Matchday 12 as Bolivia trailed by four points going into their match. Despite the fact that Bolivia had home advantage, they could not keep Paraguay out of their goal and settled for a 2-2 draw. The hosts went up, 1-0, just 15 minutes in as Ervin Vaca tallied. That lead held all the way to the 71st minute, when Miguel Almiron brought the visitors level.

Then things got out of hand as Miguel Terceros scored from the spot at the 80th minute. Bolivia and Paraguay each saw a player shown a red card in the next three minutes. Even so, Bolivia looked like they would take a key home victory until Julio Enciso brought the equalizer in extra time. Bolivia squandered 65% possession by giving up the lead twice. Holding onto that inter-confederation playoff spot is not certain with Venezuela lurking just a point behind.

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Venezuela

In fact, this team could have jumped past Bolivia in the standings, but they went down to Chile with a chance to bring a lesson to one of the table’s bottom-feeders. However, they came home on the wrong end of a 4-2 decision. Venezuela actually took the early lead as Jefferson Savarino scored in the 13th minute. Eduardo Vargas brought the hosts level seven minutes later as a scoring flurry erupted. Ruben Ramirez scored for Venezuela two minutes later, but then Chile benefited from an own-goal to make it 2-2 in the 29th minute.

Lucas Cepeda put Chile ahead in the 38th minute and then completed his brace two minutes past the intermission. Chile ended up with 62% possession; the teams were even on shots, 8-8, but Chile had the edge in shots on target, 5-3. Chile still are in contention for one of the CONMEBOL qualification spots, but can they push this offensive momentum into 2025?

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Ecuador

The team picked up a huge 1-0 win at Colombia to move level with them in the qualification table after Matchday 12. Enner Valdez scored the match’s only goal in the seventh goal, and even when Piero Hincapie was sent off for Ecuador in the 34th minute, the visitors were able to make that 1-0 lead stand. Colombia bombarded Ecuador with 25 shots, but most were from distance. They did put seven on frame, compared to just one for Ecuador, but Ecuador made their shot count. Colombia possessed for 67% of the game and forced five corners, but that pressure could not break through. Can Ecuador keep climbing?

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Brazil

The “Cariocas” struggled to a 1-1 home draw with Uruguay. The first half was scoreless, but then Federico Valverde put the visitors ahead in the 55th minute. Seven minutes later, Gerson brought Brazil level, and that was all the offense the match would provide. Brazil possessed for 62% of the match, completed 90% of their passes, and outshot Uruguay 18-8 (3-2 on target), but those statistics did not translate into dominance on the scoreboard. The win could have brought Brazil into the top two on the table, but that will have to wait for next year.

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Argentina

They hosted Peru in a battle between the top and bottom of the table, but Argentina were only able to get a 1-0 result. After a scoreless first half, Lautaro Martinez tallied in the 55th minute. The other statistics showed the real Argentine dominance as they possessed for 74% of the match and outshot the visitors, 10-2 (3-0 on target). They made almost three times as many passes as the visitors and completed 91% of them. Expect Argentina to keep dominating going into 2025.

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CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying: Remaining Schedule

  • Matchday 13–March 20, 2025
  • Paraguay vs Chile
  • Brazil vs Colombia
  • Peru vs Bolivia
  • Uruguay vs Argentina
  • Ecuador vs Venezuela
  • Matchday 14–March 25, 2025
  • Chile vs Ecuador
  • Venezuela vs Peru
  • Bolivia vs Uruguay
  • Colombia vs Paraguay
  • Argentina vs Brazil
  • Matchday 15–June 4, 2025
  • Colombia vs Peru
  • Paraguay vs Uruguay
  • Ecuador vs Brazil
  • Venezuela vs Bolivia
  • Chile vs Argentina
  • Matchday 16–June 9, 2025
  • Brazil vs Paraguay
  • Uruguay vs Venezuela
  • Peru vs Ecuador
  • Argentina vs Colombia
  • Bolivia vs Chile
  • Matchday 17–September 9, 2025
  • Paraguay vs Ecuador
  • Argentina vs Venezuela
  • Uruguay vs Peru
  • Colombia vs Bolivia
  • Brazil vs Chile
  • Matchday 18–September 14, 2025
  • Ecuador vs Argentina
  • Chile vs Uruguay
  • Bolivia vs Brazil
  • Venezuela vs Colombia
  • Peru vs Paraguay
^
 
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CONCACAF Nations League Quarterfinals Odds, Lines, Picks & Preview for Top Games

The fourth installment of the CONCACAF Nations League is underway and the United States looks to make it four championships in a row as League A is at the second leg of the quarterfinals.

CONCACAF is still a region dominated by the United States and Mexico, although things have been bumpier in recent years.

The Copa América saw both of the regional titans fall out at the group stage as Canada has looked to assert itself as a regional power as the three countries prepare to co-host the 2026 World Cup.

All three teams brought in new managers, and this tournament will let us see how much progress this new leadership will bring as far as World Cup preparation is concerned.

 

2024 Soccer Betting Analysis: CONCACAF Nations League Quarterfinals Odds & Preview | Tuesday, November 19, 2024

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Mexico -380 vs Honduras +1025

Both gives us, Honduras’ legitimate shot at a semifinal in the CONCACAF Nations League for the first time since 2019-20.

We had this same scenario a year ago, though, as Honduras won 2-0 at home in the first quarterfinal leg, only to fall 2-0 on the road and then succumb on penalties.

Friday saw El Tri take their first loss by Javier Aguirre in his third go-round as manager – and the first time his side had permitted a goal since he came back. El Tri have never been beaten at home in Nations League play.

They had to come from behind to stop Bermuda, 2-1, in their only other Nations League match in Toluca.

They haven’t seen a two-game winless streak against Central American teams since 2017, when they drew 1-1 with Costa Rica and then lost, 3-2, to Honduras.

Furthermore, they also have made at least the semifinals of every CONCACAF tournament since 2005, when Colombia sent them home in the quarters of the 2005 Gold Cup.

Even so, El Tri have looked shaky in recent years, and you can only play suspect defense for so long before the upset comes.

Take the draw and Honduras to advance.

^
 

Belize +169 vs French Guiana +139

This game is an intriguing match under the radar.

Belize won the home fixture on Thursday and have won four of the seven all-time meetings between these two national teams.

French Guiana won the other two meetings, with the seventh ending in a draw. Nations League has not been kind to French Guiana as they have one win, five losses, and a draw in seven matches.

Belize, have won six matches and lost one in its seven contests. So how is Belize just a +110 moneyline here?

Well, this is life in the quieter parts of CONCACAF – teams go under the radar, and matches don’t always have the right balance on the line.

Also, Belize is not as consistent as some of the higher teams in CONCACAF. Even so, taking them to go on the road and win makes sense here.

Belize to win.

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SNF Bengals at Chargers NFL Week 11 Odds, Expert Picks & Prediction – 2024 Season

NFL Game Odds: SNF Bengals at Chargers | One NFL coordinator whose seat is heating up is Lou Anarumo, the DC for the Cincinnati Bengals.

His unit has given up 262 points and is a major reason for the Bengals’ 1-4 start and current 4-6 record.

Cincinnati scored 38 points in their first meeting with Baltimore and 34 in their second – and they lost both. They scored 33 points at home against Washington – but gave up 38.

The Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders scored 24 points each against the struggling team, despite unsuccessful attempts to strengthen the defense by bringing in Xavien Howard for a visit.  

NFL Game Odds: SNF Bengals at Chargers in Week 11 | NFL 2024/25 Season

When: Sunday, November 17, 2024, 8:20 pm ET
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV: NBC
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Peacock
Opening SNF Game Odds Subject to Change: Cincinnati +1.5 / O/U 47.5

 

The Bengals, lacking depth at cornerback since the draft, have not addressed the issue, leading to disappointment, especially with Cam Taylor-Britt failing to make the expected impact in his third season, despite a standout play in Week 2.

Struggling in recent games, he allowed seven catches on eight starts for 116 yards, three touchdowns, and a perfect passer rating. Fifth-round pick Josh Newton is receiving more playing time.

The Bengals held Baltimore to seven points on first seven possessions, but Ravens scored four touchdowns on last four drives to win 35-34. Bengals must regroup.

How will the Cincinnati defense look against a methodical, run-first Chargers team? We will see.

Read on to get our sports betting prediction for this week’s edition of Sunday Night Football. ^

 

Cincinnati Bengals SNF Line -102

The Bengals entered last Thursday’s game in Baltimore as significant underdogs, and getting that win would have helped their playoff positioning significantly. Now with a date against the Chargers and two tilts with the Steelers still on the slate, they have more chances to help burnish their own postseason resume, but losing to the Ravens makes this game even more important.

Remember that the Bengals were up 14 midway through the third period in Baltimore, but an avalanche of mistakes on both sides of the ball let the Ravens up off the mat. Consider Chase Brown’s fumble in the third. Go back and watch the highlight reel of Tylan Wallace’s 84-yard touchdown catch-and-run, as the Bengals’ defense missed tackle after tackle. Joe Burrow failed to convert on fourth down, but Cam Taylor-Britt also had an interception clank off his hands. This is a team that keeps getting in its own way, and the brilliance of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are being wasted.

Home vs Road Games

The Bengals are just 1-4 at home, but they have won three of four away from Paycom Stadium, with their lone setback coming by one point last Thursday in Baltimore. In their last seven Sunday road contests, they have won the first half, and they have the first touchdown in fove straight road games. Burrow has been elite in terms of ball security, with just four picks against 24 touchdown passes.

Ja’Marr Chase has combined with tight end Mike Gesicki for 1,314 receiving yards and a dozen touchdowns, and Chase Brown has been the top tailback – but he only has 521 yards on the season. That shows a couple of things – the issues that the Bengals have had on the O-line in terms of opening holes, but also the problems that losing Joe Mixon caused the team.

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Los Angeles Chargers SNF Line -120

If you didn’t expect Justin Herbert to make an impact with his running, you were far from alone. Against Tennessee, though, he had seven carries for 32 yards and a score. He now has 1,028 rushing yards, the most in Chargers franchise history for a quarterback. (Yes, we know that you didn’t expect Phillip Rivers to post a lot of rushing yards, but it’s still interesting that the notably mobile Dan Fouts didn’t have more yards than that from his time running the Air Coryell offense). He had an eight-yard rumble in the fourth quarter, delivering a pump fake worthy of Patrick Mahomes and sending cornerback Roger McCreary tumbling to the grass, that drew crazy applause from his bench.

The Defense

The Chargers also impressed against Tennessee with their depth on defense. The unit produced seven sacks, and Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, the team’s All-Pro edge rushers, played 22 snaps combined. They didn’t have either of their starting cornerbacks, but they only allowed 17 points anyway. Rookies Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, both drafted in the fifth round, did enough to shut down the Titans’ offense, showing that it is possible to get stout defensive play out of your rookies. However, can they play similarly against a much better quarterback who might also have Tee Higgins joining Chase in the offense?

The Chargers lead the NFL in scoring defense and are sixth in total defense. They’re a bit limited on rushing defense, as they allow 4.5 yards per carry, but the Bengals’ running game isn’t particularly worrisome. The Chargers are fifth in yards permitted per pass attempt (6.5). They are fourth in sacks (31) and 11th in takeaways (13). They haven’t given up more than 20 points in any game. One way they can hold Cincinnati below 20 is not just to get after Joe Burrow, but also to control the clock on offense. They are just 27th in rushing yards per carry, but the Bengals were vulnerable to the Ravens’ attack of Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. The Chargers also excel in ball security – with just four giveaways on the season, the lowest total in the NFL.

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NFL Game Odds: Bengals at Chargers SNF Final Score and Prediction IN Week 11

Cincinnati Injuries

For the Bengals, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (neck) will not travel with the team out west but should fly in separately and play. He appears as questionable on the injury report but is only traveling separately due to personal reasons. Tee Higgins (hamstring) is also expected to play after missing three games. B.J. Hill (knee) appears as questionable but is also expected to play. Orlando Brown Jr missed practice on Friday and is still listed as questionable but remains day-to-day.

Los Angeles Injuries

For the Chargers, tight end Hayden Hurst (personal reasons) practiced Thursday without limitations. Tailback J.K. Dobbins did not practice Thursday, but the team has held him out of three straight Thursday practices to give him rest. Khalil Mack (groin) did not practice against Thursday as he continues to rehab the injury he suffered against Cleveland. He only played four snaps against Tennessee before heading to the bench. He looks like a game-time decision again this week.

This game will come down to two questions – can the Cincinnati run defense force the Chargers into second- and third-and-long situations? Can Joe Burrow get enough time in the pocket to find his receivers? The answers will determine whether the Bengals get to 5-6 and pick up a head-to-head win against another team looking for a wild-card slot in the AFC playoff picture. The Bengals have done well against teams not named the Baltimore Ravens since their ridiculous start, but the Chargers are coming on strong.

I predict a final score of Cincinnati 27, Los Angeles 23.

   
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