With just five weeks to go (not counting tonight’s game), you would expect the playoff picture to be a bit more clear on both sides. Yet, with four teams at 6-5 and one at 5-6 in the AFC, there is still so much to be decided in these final weeks. Nothing too shocking happened in Week 12, aside from the New York Jets crushing the Oakland Raiders 34-3. Don’t look now, but Sam Darnold’s playoff dreams are still alive at 4-7. With a very important MNF game coming up tonight, you can check out that breakdown here. But right now, let’s look ahead to Week 13.

The betting odds may change as each game approaches its kickoff time. When that time is near, we’ll break down each matchup in more detail. In the meantime, here are a couple of the games that I have my eyes on.

One of the best holidays of the year is upon us. Yes, the abundance of food is amazing, the company of loved ones is special and the time off from work is rejuvenating. But the real treat is that we get a full day of football three days prior to ANOTHER full day of football. One of the more intriguing opening lines takes place on Thursday, smack dab in the middle of the slate. The 8-3 Bills visit the 6-5 Cowboys in a game that features the home team as seven-point favorites. It’s surprising to see a team that’s two wins behind their opponent as heavily favored as this, but it’s even more surprising when you look a little deeper. The Cowboys haven’t won against any opponent that currently has a winning record this season. While their offense has been explosive at times, this is shaping up to be a low-scoring game. Both defenses rank in the top six for total yards and points per game. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Cowboys will pull off a much-needed victory at home, but this spread is far too big for this season’s Bills squad. I’ll take Buffalo to cover.

We have to show some love to Sunday, too. The Raiders and the Chiefs meet for their second game of the season, with each team in need of a win just as much as the other. If Oakland wins, it will join Kansas City at 7-5 and hold the tiebreaker, taking the AFC West lead. I’m aware that the Raiders just got blown out by the Jets. I’m aware that the Chiefs just had their bye week. And I’m aware that the Raiders haven’t won in Kansas City since 2012. But a 9.5-point spread in a matchup between the division’s top teams is just too big to ignore. If the Raiders can utilize their strong run game to expose the Chiefs’ weak defense, it should slow the pace down and keep them within striking distance. I’m going with Oakland to cover here.

All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

Thursday (Thanksgiving Day Games)

Bears at Lions (+1)
Bills (+7) at Cowboys
Saints at Falcons (+6.5)

Sunday, 1pm ET

49ers (+4) at Ravens
Browns at Steelers (+1)
Eagles at Dolphins (+9)
Packers at Giants (+7)
Jets at Bengals (+3.5)
Titans (+3) at Colts
Washington (+10) at Panthers
Buccaneers (+1) at Jaguars

Sunday, 4pm ET

Rams at Cardinals (+3.5)
Raiders (+9.5) at Chiefs
Chargers at Broncos (+1.5)

Sunday Night

Patriots at Texans (+3.5)

Monday Night

Vikings (+2.5) at Seahawks

Odds and lines subject to change. See website for actual odds.
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