Of the 12 video games remaining in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season, oddsmakers solely see a number of as evenly matched. Actually, eight video games left this weekend characteristic a favourite laying at the least 5.5 factors at most sportsbooks.

Any NFL fan or bettor can let you know that does not imply each favourite goes to roll, although.

Under are a pair underdogs we wish to cowl, in addition to the the explanation why we’re bullish on them.

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All kickoff instances beneath are ET.

Titans vs. Texans — 1 p.m. (CBS)

With losses in 5 of their final six video games, the 2-8 Titans aren’t precisely peaking as they enter Week 12. This group has performed higher in latest weeks, although, even when its 27-17 loss to the Chargers in Week 10 and 23-13 loss to the Vikings final Sunday do not mirror as a lot.

All of it begins with second-year QB Will Levis, who’s coming off two of the most effective video games of his season, if not his profession. Levis accomplished lower than 55 % of his passes in final week’s loss to Minnesota, however he nonetheless had a strong day (17-for-31 for 295 yards, 1 TD and 1 interception) towards a Vikes protection that creates a ton of stress on quarterbacks.

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Levis quietly additionally performed nicely towards the Chargers the earlier week, when he accomplished 18-of-23 passes for 175 yards, 2 TDs and no picks. Whereas Levis is lastly taking part in nicely sufficient to maintain the Titans in video games, the true cause we like Tennessee to maintain this recreation inside one rating is how the Tennessee D matches up with Houston.

The Texans are 7-4, however exterior of final week’s blowout of a Dallas group that’s in shambles, C.J. Stroud and Co. have struggled to maneuver the ball in latest weeks attributable to their incapacity to maintain Stroud upright.

He has been sacked at the least 4 instances in three of the final 5 video games. On the season, he is gone down 35 instances, the second-most within the NFL behind Bears rookie Caleb Williams.

Final week’s win over Dallas confirmed how nicely the Texans can transfer the ball once they’re in a position to set up the operating recreation, however towards a Titans D that solely permits 4.1 yards per carry, it is unlikely that Joe Mixon will be capable to run wild.

If the Texans need to beat the Titans in third-and-long, underrated move rushers Arden Key and Harold Landry, in addition to stud DT Jeffery Simmons, can have an actual probability to make this a hard-fought, low-scoring battle.

The Texans have performed in simply three video games all 12 months that had been determined by a couple of rating, and we anticipate this one to be tight sufficient for the Titans to cowl.

Greatest guess: Titans +7.5 (-110 at DraftKings) 1 unit

Chiefs vs. Panthers — 1 p.m. (CBS)

Talking of groups which have discovered themselves in shut video games a lot as a rule, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 9 wins this 12 months embrace simply two by greater than seven factors.

With the Chiefs coming off a troublesome highway loss to Buffalo, it is sensible that they are closely favored to bounce again in an enormous means towards the 3-7 Carolina Panthers.

We like the house group to maintain this matchup at the least considerably respectable, although.

Since re-inserting Bryce Younger into the lineup, Carolina has seemed competent for 3 straight weeks, and it is coming off a bye following an additional time win over the Giants in Week 10.

The Panthers would want a minor miracle to provide Kansas Metropolis its second consecutive loss, however they’ve been taking part in higher on D the final couple weeks after getting a lift from Jadeveon Clowney, Josey Jewell and D.J. Wonnum up entrance. All three missed time earlier this 12 months, and Wonnum had a sack and two TFLs in his season debut towards New York two weeks in the past.

The Panthers can even welcome again veteran WR Adam Thielen — who was Younger’s high goal in 2023 — for this recreation. As well as, second-round rookie RB Jonathon Brooks will lastly make his NFL debut after a prolonged restoration from a torn ACL that lower brief his last season at Texas final fall.

Most bettors are in all probability taking the Chiefs to cowl towards a Panthers group that misplaced quite a few uncompetitive video games early this season.

Carolina, nevertheless, has not too long ago proven sufficient indicators of life — albeit towards the lowly Saints and Giants — that we belief it to maintain this recreation shut towards the reigning champs, who’ve gained just one recreation this 12 months by greater than 10 factors.

Greatest guess: Panthers +11 (-110 at bet365) 1 unit

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