Sunday January 2^nd, 2011 is a huge day for the NFL betting world, as it marks the end of the regular season. Week 17 also marks the biggest game of the football betting season, as the NFC West division crown will be decided. In a year where Wild Card teams will have 10 or more wins, the NFC West is the one division where teams with a losing record, will qualify.

On Sunday, the NFC West will be decided the right way, as the game featuring the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks will literally be for the NFC West division crown. The games scenario works in a twofold manner. In one scenario, if the St. Louis Rams win the game outright or tie, they will finish the season with an eight and eight record, which will be good enough to win the division.

On the contrary however, the six and nine Seattle Seahawks who were legitimately destroyed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week only have to win the game against St. Louis to win the division. Although the win would give the Seahawks and Rams identical records of seven wins and nine losses, the Seahawks own the tiebreaker game, which in effect would give them the division crown.

Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, the winner of the game will appear as the sacrificial lamb to the second place NFC South squad, the New Orleans Saints or Atlanta Falcons. Whoever loses out on the NFC South, will still finish the season with a 12 and five record, and even though they will be the Wild Card team, will still be an over whelming favorite on the betting line.

However, with that said, we feel that the St. Louis Rams should win the NFC West Division, as they are a relatively healthy team in comparison to the Seahawks. What’s more, the Rams have given both the Saints and Falcons a run for their money, and perhaps stand the best chance at winning the Wild Card game.

The Raiders need to win their remaining games on the NFL schedule to make the playoffs. They also need the Chiefs and Chargers to stumble mightily. First order of business: defeat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, who are also on a mission to the postseason. Oakland certainly has their work cut out for them but Head Coach Tom Cable has his team playing with great confidence and the belief that anything can happen. Cable delivered an inspiring half-time speech to his team in last week’s game against Denver which led to the Raiders taking over the second half and going on to win the game. The Coach will need to be at the height of his oratorical skills this week, as Peyton Manning and the top ranked passing offense comes to the Bay.

What is so interesting about this matchup is that where Oakland is strong, Indy is weak and vice versa. The Raiders have the second ranked rushing attack at 157.5 yards per game, the Colts have the 28^th ranked rush defense, allowing 135.8 yards per game. Manning and his offense average a league best 298 yards through the air, while Oakland is fifth best at defending the pass, allowing only 197.3 yards per. In the past, Indy’s soft run defense has proved to be the team’s downfall, as the opposition has used their ground game to not only gain offensively, but keep Manning off the field. Oakland has a nasty offensive line led by tackle Langston Walker and guard Robert Gallery, who open up holes for their brilliant combination of young running backs. The main tailback is Darren McFadden, a former 4^th overall pick out of Arkansas, who is just now in his third year hitting his stride as one of the NFL’s best runners. Spelling McFadden is Michael Bush, who was taken in the fourth round of that same draft and now uses his 6’1, 245 lb frame to punish would-be tacklers. With Bush providing the thunder and McFadden supplying the lightning, Oakland has the ability to change the pace of the game with every substitution. McFadden or “Run DMC” as he has come to be known, is a spectacular open field runner, who uses his speed to burst through the initial hole, then utilizes his 6’3 frame to take long strides toward the end zone. Players in the secondary hoping to down McFadden know to be wary of his notorious stiff-arm, which has floored many a defensive back before. Once McFadden has blown past a defense for scores, Bush supplies the physical style that is so effective at gaining short yardage and battering an already tired defense. Both runners will be crucial in Oakland’s effort to limit Manning, who seems to move the ball every time he has possession.

Manning was blamed for the Colts’ struggles during a series of games in which the superstar quarterback threw multiple interceptions, several of which went for scores, but now number 18 has responded with a pair of strong performances against divisional rivals to put Indy back in playoff contention. Manning and his offense will face a tough test in the Oakland pass defense, which is effective at applying pressure on the passer from the line of scrimmage and covering receivers in the back end. Raiders’ defensive tackle Richard Seymour is an old Colts foe from his days as a Patriot and has maintained his innate ability to swim through offensive linemen to down the quarterback. Supplanting Seymour is rookie end Lamarr Houston, who has benefitted from the attention paid to his pro bowl line mate to record 4 sacks on the season. Regardless of how quickly the line gets to Peyton Manning, the Raider defensive backs will need to contend with the spectacular Reggie Wayne. That responsibility will fall on Nnamdi Asomugha, the NFL’s best cover corner. Asomugha has the size, at 6’2, to battle with Wayne in the air and the speed to keep up with the deep threat. Wayne is a remarkably sound route runner, but Asomugha has sound coverage skills and should not bite on the double moves with which Wayne usually shakes lesser opponents.

The Raiders are third in the AFC West in theNFL standings , yet they have not lost a game to a divisional rival this year. Oakland not only believes they are the best team in that division, but one of the best teams in the league. At 7-7, it is hard to make that argument, but a win against Peyton Manning will always hold weight. If Cable and his rowdy Raiders are able to get dirty Manning’s jersey and keep their playoff hopes alive, they might earn something nearly as good as a postseason berth; respect of their peers.

Sports betting players will have a busy holiday as the NFL rolls into Week 16 on Thursday, and here is a look at the best games you’ll find in your sportsbook.

49ers Rams Betting – Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Rams are favored by 2.5 points in this NFC West contest, and the 49ers can pull even with St. Louis in the tight but pathetic West, where a sub-.500 team will likely end up hosting a playoff game. The Rams have looked inexperienced over the last couple of weeks.

Bet Online NFL: 49ers +2.5

Colts Raiders Betting – Sunday, 4:05 PM ET

The Colts are favored by a field goal in Oakland, and both will be trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Raiders are improved, but we can’t take Jason Campbell over Peyton Manning, although Oakland’s defense will keep it close.

Bet Online NFL: Colts -3

Giants Packers Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

There is no line yet as the Packers await word on Aaron Rodgers, who missed last week’s game because of a concussion, but we’re going to take the Packers anyway because we think last week’s collapse is still weighing on the Giants’ minds.

Bet Online NFL: Packers

Saints Falcons Betting – Monday, 8:30 PM ET

The Falcons are favored by 2.5 points at home, where they are 6-0 this season, and Matt Ryan is 19-1 as a starter in his career. But the Saints have been on a roll, and even though they lost at Baltimore, we still think they’re the best team in the NFC South.

Bet Online NFL : Saints +2.5

Offshore NFL betting players have to factor in playoff pressure as they prepare to make their Week 15 picks, and here are four matchups that will affect the postseason picks.

Jaguars Colts Betting – Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Jaguars are 4.5-point underdogs in this game for the top spot in the AFC South, and even though they’re 1-4 SU in their last five in Indianapolis, they’re also 4-1 ATS and even though that may not help their playoff chances, they may be worth a bet.

NFL Picks: Jacksonville +4.5

Eagles Giants Betting – Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

This is also for first place, this time in the NFC East where the Giants are 3-point favorites. They’re only 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five at home against the Eagles, but Philadelphia has some tough injuries that may hurt their playoff push.

NFL Picks: New York Giants -3

Jets Steelers Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

The Steelers are favored by six points at home, where they are 5-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in their five home games against the Jets. However, watch the injury report as Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu may have to sit this one out.

NFL Picks: New York Jets +6

Broncos Raiders Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

The Raiders are 6.5-point favorites at home in this AFC West tilt, and they’re looking to improve a 1-4 SU mark in their last five in Oakland against the Broncos, along with a 2-3 ATS record. The Broncos don’t have much to play for, while the Raiders are still in the postseason hunt; we’d take them in our sports book.

NFL Picks: Oakland -6.5

The Jacksonville Jaguars have flipped the script on the Indianapolis Colts this year and are currently rewriting the 2010 edition of the AFC South.With Peyton Manning’s machine sputtering, the Jags have taken hold of first place in the division in the NFL standings using their trademarked toughness, perseverance and physicality. For years the Jaguars have presented the most difficult challenge in the South for Indy as their defense and run game structured the team perfectly to beat Manning.The Colts have been bombarded with injuries and Jacksonville has pounced on the opportunity, winning 4 of their last 5 games on the NFL schedule. This Sunday the two teams will meet for control of the division; a battle between old school pigskin and vertical strategy, a parity-era rivalry.

It has been a difficult season for Manning and his Colts. There was the bumpy week 1 start in Houston, where Texans running back Arian Foster exploded onto the scene with 231 rushing yards, then the heartbreaking 59 yard field goal by Jaguars’ kicker Josh Scobee at the close of the teams’ first meeting and, most recently, a string of three games in which Manning threw 11 interceptions, several of which were returned for scores and two of which sealed defeats late in the game for the Colts. The blame has fallen largely on Manning and rightfully so – you cannot attribute all of a team’s successes to one man, and then make excuses for him when the outfit falters. Still, it’s not as if the clock struck midnight and Peyton transformed into his younger brother; injuries to receiver Austin Collie, running back Joseph Addai and tight end Dallas Clark have robbed Manning of three of his crucial offensive weapons, subsequently upsetting the precision and rhythm of the Colts’ clockwork offense. With backups and recent signees trotting in and out of the huddle, Manning has been restricted from engaging in his usual pre-snap gesticulations – adjustments that so often allowed him to control the pace of the game in years past. The loss of Addai has been especially harmful to the team as it has unbalanced the offense, forcing the team to pass on almost every down, eliminating the element of surprise.

This sort of predictability could doom Indianapolis against the Jaguars on Sunday. Though Jacksonville has not been a statistically strong defense for the entirety of the season, their play of late has reestablished their status as a hardened unit. Linebackers Daryl Smith, Kirk Morrison and Justin Durant are playing with an intensity to match that of their Head Coach Jack Del Rio, a former backer himself. The trio has each amassed over 50 tackles and their ability to both cover and stop the run has been the foundation of the team’s zone defense. Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton has emerged as a capable replacement for former Jaguars Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, the core of the team during their success in the mid 2000s. With the linebackers dropping into coverage, fearless of the Colts’ weak running game, and the interior of the defensive line bearing down on the pocket like snow on the Metrodome, Manning will be embattled all day long. All-pro cornerback Rashean Mathis should only make matters worse for the pivot, as he has the size, speed and athleticism to keep up with Manning’s top target Reggie Wayne. Wayne has been the lone constant for Peyton this season, putting up huge numbers even as opponents make him a coverage priority. The receiver has shown that after years of being number two to surefire hall of famer Marvin Harrison, Manning’s record-breaking recipient, he can hold his own as one of the league’s best at the position.

For years the formula for beating the Colts has been to forcefully defend with intelligence and to run the ball effectively, keeping Manning off the field. The latter part of the equation was and still is made easy by the fact that the Colts defense is a smallish unit that is built for defending a lead, not stopping the run. In the past the Jags have gashed the Colts for huge totals of rushing yards, shoving the ball in the belly of either Fred Taylor or Maurice Jones-Drew and letting the backs charge through the blocks set by their massive, powerful offensive line. Though Taylor is departed, Jones-Drew remains and has been performing as one of the league’s best ball carriers. “MoJo” is second in the league with 1,278 yards rushing and is coming off a game in which he sprinted in the game winning, 30 yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. The line, always a priority for Del Rio, has been fantastic, clearing holes for the league’s second best running attack. Guards Vincent Manuwai and Uche Nwaneri are standouts, while young left tackle Eugene Monroe has lived up his to high draft pick by protecting quarterback David Garrard’s blindside and getting push downfield on running plays. The running game has been the focus for the Jaguars, but their ability to pull out wins lies with the play of Garrard; a thoughtful, gutsy leader who can pass and run for crucial first downs late in games. Garrard will not be relied upon to do the same things in the passing game as Manning will be on Sunday, but his guidance is equally important to his squad. The skirmishes between these teams have always been close, so expect one of the two field generals to deliver crunch-time heroics.

The Raiders come into their meeting with Jacksonville empowered by a silencing of the San Diego crowd last Sunday. The Chargers were being hyped profusely after they had defeated Peyton Manning and the  Indianapolis Colts convincingly, but the Silver and Black made sure to shatter any notions of San Diego emerging as a Super Bowl contender. The Jaguars will likewise be rolling with a positive energy; they have wrestled the AFC South division lead from those same Colts and have won 4 of their last 5. Both of these teams are enjoying unexpectedly successful seasons and are doing so in a similar manner.

Jacksonville and Oakland rank 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the NFL for rushing yards per game. The run-heavy approach of both teams is predicated on their superb tailbacks. The Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew is the second leading rusher in the NFL while the Raiders’ young pairing of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush has amassed 1,323 yards. The teams’ grinding, clock-control style may not be flashy enough to draw widespread attention but it is the kind of football that becomes favoured as the NFL schedule closes out. Jones-Drew is a stout workhorse who can miraculously emerge from a pile with his legs churning. Once deemed “too small” by NFL scouts, Jones-Drew has become one of the league’s premier backs and continues to operate at peak capacity despite his large number of carries. McFadden’s entry into the NFL was just the opposite; a highly touted Heisman finalist coming out of Arkansas, McFadden seemed like a regrettable top-5 pick through two seasons. This year, the 6’3 back has been able to turn it around, averaging 5 yards per carry and nearly 90 yards per game. McFadden is a big-frame runner with exceptional speed and receiving ability, so the Raiders like to employ him in space and give him opportunities to run on the outside. Balancing McFadden’s slashing pace for Oakland is Michael Bush, a bruising third year runner out of Louisville. Bush is more of a between the tackles back who can gain yards after the first hit and plow through the line in short yardage situations. The duo is the focus of Oakland’s offense and their production has been the leading factors in the team’s victories.

To supplant a possession offense based on the ground game, a team must have a tough defense. The Raiders and Jaguars have adhered to this formula, trotting out units that play with aggression and awareness. Oakland’s defense begins with the pressure they apply from the defensive line. Richard Seymour, acquired last season in a trade with New England, has provided leadership and a player who can command a double team, freeing rookie Lamarr Houston and veteran tackle Tommy Kelly to pursue the passer for sacks. Rounding out the front seven is an improved group of linebackers, led by 2010 first round pick Rolando McClain. McClain has shown the same instincts and athletic ability that made him a terror during Alabama’s run to the national title a year ago and is the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The jaws of the Raiders’ defense will be tested by Jacksonville’s forceful offensive line and Jones-Drew but their own size and speed will make it difficult for the Jags to run the ball successfully. If Oakland is able to force Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard to beat them with his arm, they will be in an advantageous position. Though Garrard has been efficient and gutsy in delivering scores and wins, the Raiders are opportunistic in the secondary and should be able to take advantage of errors Garrard is forced into by the potent pass-rush. Nnamdi Asomugah, one of the league’s top lockdown cornerbacks, has just returned from an injury and will be on form, shutting down an entire side of the field as he is known to. Oakland safeties Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff are natural playmakers from the back end.

The Jaguars and Raiders are teams that need to get the lead early in order to be victorious. Both teams have snarling, hard-hitting defenses and dynamic running games but neither are offensive powerhouses. Garrard and his Oakland counterpart Jason Campbell are gamers who can make big plays to pull out wins, but they lack receiving weapons around them. Making the passing game even more difficult for the quarterbacks is the fact that both will be facing All-pro defensive backs in Asomugah and the Jags’ Rashean Mathis. Expect a low-scoring, bone-crushing affair with control of the clock as the main point of contention. The head coaches, Tom Cable and Jack Del Rio, are proud leaders who will push their teams to the extent of their abilities so this game should come down to the wire. Jacksonville and Oakland were projected to be near the bottom of the league pile, but in this final month the scrappy squads are competing for divisional leads in the  NFL standings . It may not feel like winter in Florida and California, but the Raiders and Jaguars can sense the style of the season.

NFL football betting players can get a better snapshot of the playoff picture after this weekend…or maybe not. Three of the top four games involve division rivals, and one thing we know for sure, is that it’s going to be an exciting Week 14.

Dolphins Jets Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

The Jets are favored by six points at home over their AFC East rivals from Miami, who will have to be at the top of their game to face a New York team that was humiliated in New England on Monday night. You can bet your last dollar that the Jets are going to come out on fire. (Pick: Jets -6)

Chiefs Chargers Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

The Chargers are favored by a touchdown at home against the Chiefs, who can put an iron grip on the AFC West title with a win on the road. The Chargers had their outlandish December winning streak snapped by Oakland, and they won’t want to lose at home to another division rival. (Pick: Chiefs +7)

Patriots Bears Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

The Patriots put on the team performance of the season when they stomped the Jets at home on Monday night, now they have to go to Soldier Field as 3-point favorites against a Chicago team that don’t quite get the respect they deserve. (Pick: Bears -3)

Eagles Cowboys Betting – Sunday, 8:20 PM ET

The Eagles are favored by a field goal on the road in Dallas in this NFC East showdown, and Philadelphia has to be careful as these aren’t the same Cowboys who were doormats early in the season. Under Jason Garrett, the Cowboys have been worth a solid look from sports betting players. (Pick: Cowboys +3)

For the Seattle Seahawks, every game for the rest of the season will be a dogfight for playoff positioning. For the San Francisco 49ers, the rest of their NFL schedule will simply be about regaining the respect of their fan base. After the Seahawks’ win over the woeful Carolina Panthers in Week 13, Seattle will be looking to establish itself as the team to beat in a weak NFC West division. The once-glorious 49ers franchise continued its downward spiral after dropping a 16-34 decision to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and will be looking for some sort of redemption against their division rivals to the north.

San Francisco was predicted to win their division at the start of the season, and even after dropping their opener to the Seahawks in Seattle and losing a close game at home to the New Orleans Saints, pundits still had the 49ers finishing the season on top. Those expectations have long since been buried, as Head Coach Mike Singletary’s job has been heating up for what seems like months. The 49ers have struggled mightily with their passing offence, largely because of the subpar play of former top pick Alex Smith. While the 2010-11 season was supposed to be Smith’s coming-out party, the sixth-year vet struggled to cater to expectations, recording just over 1,500 yards and nine scores before being benched in Week Eight and not playing since. Backup pivot Troy Smith has taken over the reins since, and San Francisco has gone 3-2 with the Ohio State product at the helm. It’s unlikely, though, that either Smith is the answer to all of the 49ers problems, and the team will certainly be making moves in the offseason after a disastrous 0-5 start this year.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, have also had their share of troubles this season, but have somehow found a way to get to 6-6 with four games left to play. Veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is dealing with a hurt wrist at the moment, which may have affected his play against Carolina, in which he threw two picks and no touchdowns to finish with a 53.3 quarterback rating. Expect Hasselbeck to look much better against San Francisco next weekend, but don’t be surprised if Seattle opts to rush the ball more often as well. Inconsistent running back Marshawn Lynch has been the most productive source of offence for a Seahawks team that is 30^th in the league in rushing yards. Lynch finally had a good game against an awful Panthers defence, finishing with three touchdowns on 21 carries.

The Seahawks have been the epitome of inconsistency, with wins against San Diego and Chicago but blowout losses to Oakland and Denver. Even if they aren’t at their best, though, the Seahawks should still be able to walk out of San Francisco with a win, thanks to a combination of superior execution and the propensity of the 49ers to roll over and die. Seattle needs to move up in the NFL standings in order to solidify a playoff berth, and a date with the 49ers should provide a golden opportunity.

Rex Ryan, in typical fashion, has dubbed his New York Jets’ December 6^th clash with the New England Patriots as “the marquee game of the year”. With both teams sharing ownership of the best record atop the NFL standings heading in, it’s hard to argue with the bulging blitz-caller. The Jets are still flying on fuel that is made up of Ryan’s arrival as Head Coach a year ago, their subsequent playoff run, moving into a new stadium and being featured on the HBO training camp expose “Hard Knocks”. Living up to the hype with a 9-2 record and several gutty, last second wins has only tilted the wings further upward – the Jets have the confidence, and the talent to beat anyone and everyone. The Patriots aren’t just anyone however; they are the Jets’ top divisional rival, the standard for NFL excellence over the past ten years and one of the few teams with a Head Coach who can match Ryan in ego and influence. With Randy Moss, the brilliant yet indignant wide receiver, having been traded out of his competition with Jets’ defensive back Darrelle Revis by the Patriots a month ago, the matchup between Ryan and Pats’ guru Bill Belichick now takes top billing in the discussion of these two teams. Belichick and Ryan differ in style but they are equally effective in imparting their personality on a football team and, of course, winning games.

Ryan can thank Brad Smith for his latest victory, a near disastrous Thanksgiving fixture against the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith, a former college quarterback turned wildcard, broke off a 53-yard run out of shotgun and returned a kickoff 89 yards with one bare foot. The explosive “joker” is just one of the many individual talents that make up Ryan’s fun-loving football team and the latest to make game-winning plays to pull out a close game.Receiver Santonio Holmes had been the team’s hero for three consecutive weeks before that, returning from a suspension to set up the winning field goal in overtime against Detroit with a 52-yard reception and catch game winning scores in the final seconds against both Cleveland and Houston. Ryan’s background and pride is defense but he is never hesitant to acknowledge that the strength of his team is its ability to win in a variety of ways, though not always convincingly. This streak of balanced wins pulled out of the clutches of defeat certainly calls to mind Belichick’s strategic conquests over the past decade. New England’s three-Super Bowl dynasty has been defined by their coach’s indomitable knack for cleverly guiding his team in the nerviest of situations. The Patriots do have an All-Pro quarterback in Tom Brady leading them on the field, but he would be the first to suggest that he’s more a champion of Belichick’s well-rounded team philosophy than the sole reason for success. The Jets hope that they have a similar type of leader at pivot in second-year starter Mark Sanchez, though the Californian playboy may never match Brady’s modesty. After game-managing (minimizing turnovers and handing the ball off) the Jets and their top-ranked defense to the AFC Championship game a year ago, Sanchez has upped his quarterback rating by 18 points and operated coolly in every close game. Sanchez’s confidence matches Ryan’s bravado in the same way that Brady’s steady hand corresponds to Belichick’s quiet, tactical reserve.

To halt Brady, who is operating at the peak of his powers after calmly slicing up the Detroit Lions’ secondary on Thanksgiving Day, the Ryan’s defense will need to be the unit that steps up to take over for the Jets. Ryan is an aggressive play caller who will try to take Brady out of his comfort zone by constantly blitzing. The 11^th year pro won’t be surprised by Ryan’s exotic pass-rushing packages but it has been proven that if you chose to sit back in zones against Brady, he will find every member of his diminutive receiver core and shred your defense. With Ryan being bully with his front seven, Jets’ cornerbacks Revis and Antonio Cromartie will be left on islands to handle speedsters such as Deion Branch, Wes Welker and Brandon Tate, but the two are capable athletes who have performed excellently against every receiver core they have faced on the NFL schedule.

Monday night is primed to be a clash of two great minds and wills – “do your job” meets the loud fat guy and both will try whatever it takes to win. If it can be narrowed, that is what defines these two coaches, a hunger for victory so insatiable that it frees them to think in ways that other coaches don’t. Belichick has made a career on setting new strategic trends and working as some kind of reclusive genius. Ryan has found success by abandoning the conventional coach-player relationship, making decisions on impulse and trash-talking fearlessly. The two men are contrasting yet married in their desire to deviate from the norm to find the better mode. Football, considered a conservative game by many, always rewards the inventive with success. Players decide the game, coaches decide how.

NFL betting lines will be the big play of the week as there are a number of games that will have an effect on division races.

Broncos Chiefs Betting – Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Chiefs are favored by 9.5 points at home, and they’ll be eager for payback after the Broncos routed them 49-29 in Denver a few weeks ago. Kansas City is atop the AFC West, and their rival would like knock them down a peg. We can’t see it happening.

NFL Picks: Chiefs -9.5

Raiders Chargers Betting – Sunday, 4:05 PM ET

The Chargers are 13-point favorites for a couple of reasons: they’re at home, where they’ve been so good all season, and the Raiders haven’t won in San Diego since 2002, a span of seven games. The Chargers are rolling right now, too, which is scary for the rest of the AFC West.

NFL Picks: Chargers -13

Steelers Ravens Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

The Steelers are 3-point underdogs in Baltimore, and this game is for the lead in the AFC North. The Ravens can’t beat Ben Roethlisberger, who has won his last five against the Ravens, and we’re going to make it six in a row.

NFL Picks: Steelers +3

Jets Patriots Betting – Monday, 8:30 PM ET

The Jets come into this AFC East showdown as 3.5-point underdogs, but they haven’t failed to cover in three divisional games yet, and the Patriots’offense is due for a letdown. This is one of the toughest online sports betting picks of the week to make.

NFL Picks: Jets +3.5