Breaking Vegas With Garrett Thornton – Week 11

Finally had a winning week! I needed that. And even better, I am very confident about my picks this week. Am I finally going to have my 5-0 week?? It’s bound to happen, right?

Three of the games I pick this week have a 1-point spread. Picking pick-em games is never easy but it makes it a little bit tougher if you pick all three road teams. Call me crazy, but come Sunday you will see all three of those road teams winning.

This is the time of year that a lot teams are being significantly hindered by injuries. The teams that are the healthiest are often the teams that win games down the stretch. It will be interesting to see how teams react and adapt to their ever changing rosters.

Sit back and enjoy another week of football. Another chance for me to Break Vegas!

Oakland Raiders -1 @ Detroit Lions

It was just a few weeks ago that we all wondered if the Lions would win a game this entire season. They have been able to get a couple of wins, including beating the Packers in Green Bay. As impressive as that win was, it was more of an incrimination of the Packers than it was a testament to the Lions. The Lions are bad. They are still struggling to choose a running back, their defense is beat up, and Matthew Stafford continues to be very mediocre. The Raiders are coming off of a loss and need a win to keep in contention for the playoffs. This is a young and hungry team that will go on the road and get it done in Detroit. Raiders 31 – Lions 28

Green Bay Packers +1 @ Minnesota Vikings

What’s wrong with the Packers? Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the league but for some reason the offense is really struggling. The lack of running game is a bit reason for the lack of production. Eddie Lacy was billed by many as the next great running back in the league, and is now the backup to James Starks who has underperformed. With two losses coming in consecutive weeks, a team like the Packers are going to be ready to go. The Vikings are a good team this year and are the Packers’ main competition in the NFC North. This game will go a long ways in determining who wins the division. For that reason I think that the Packers get it together and beat their division-foe. Packers 35 – Vikings 24

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots -7.5

Two weeks in a row the Patriots have been dealt devastating blows in the form of injuries. Dion Lewis is out for the season and then last week Julian Edelman broke his foot. Those two were major offensive weapons for the Patriots. Not many other teams would be able to continue to dominate after losing two players of that caliber. When it comes to the Bills-Patriots rivalry it is much bigger than what happens on the field. Bill Belichick has dominated Rex Ryan-coached teams. That isn’t about to change this week. Tom Brady will be too much for the Bills defense. Patriots 42 – Bills 31

San Francisco 49ers +13 @ Seattle Seahawks

A spread like this is a trap. Seattle is going to be the 49ers, not many people would argue with that. But with how underwhelming the Seattle offense has been, I just don’t think they can cover an almost 2 touchdown spread. The last time these two teams met the final score was 20-3. I expect the fame to be similar to that game except I think the 49ers get on the board with more than a field goal. Seattle is a decent team, with a good defense and mediocre offense. The 49ers are a bad team with a bad offense and mediocre defense. If you aren’t a fan of one of these teams, don’t watch this game. It could be a snoozer. Seahawks 17 – 49ers 7

Upset Special of the Week:

Dallas Cowboys +1 @ Miami Dolphins

Last week I picked the Cowboys as my upset special. They were a 2-point underdog to Tampa Bay. A couple late penalties and mistakes by the Cowboys cost them the game. This week the ‘Boys get their leader back when Tony Romo returns from a broken collarbone. If anyone questioned how important Romo was to the Cowboys, just look at the past 7 losses the Cowboys have endured without him. The Dolphins have been a good story ever since interim coach Dan Campbell took over. But they are still an average team. The matchup to watch in this game is the Miami overpriced defensive line vs. the Dallas young and talented offensive line. Cowboys 28 – Dolphins 17

  Wins Losses Push Percentage
Week One 2 3 0 40%
Week Two 4 1 0 80%
Week Three 1 4 0 20%
Week Four 4 1 0 80%
Week Five 3 1 1 70%
Week Six 2 3 0 40%
Week Seven 2 3 0 40%
Week Eight 1 4 0 20%
Week Nine 1 4 0 20%
Week Ten 3 2 0 60%
OVERALL 23 26 1 47%

*All betting lines provided by Bovada.LV on the Thursday preceding particular NFL week.

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