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Favorites swept the Thanksgiving tripleheader straight up, but went 2-1 against the spread.
The Bears managed to cover the closing +9.5 vs. the Lions, who won 23-20. I’m looking forward to hearing Michael Lombardi’s thoughts on the Bears’ epic clock mismanagement (The Lombardi Line, 8-10 a.m. ET).
In the other games, the Cowboys (-4.5) defeated the Giants 27-20 and the Packers (-3.5) beat the Dolphins 30-17.
In today’s Black Friday game (3 p.m. ET, Amazon), the Chiefs are hefty 13-point favorites vs. the Raiders. Steve Makinen makes the case for the ugly underdog:
The Chiefs have for long been known as a team that doesn’t get it done on big numbers. In fact, Kansas City’s QB Patrick Mahomes is 32-2 SU but 12-21-1 ATS (36.4%) in his last 34 games as a favorite of more than 7 points. He is also just 15-10 SU but just 5-19-1 ATS, following up a game in which his team scored 30+ points since 2020.
>>Steve also has three betting systems that favor the Raiders.
Dave Tuley offers his Take on this game.
Don’t forget that the Raiders played their hated rivals close enough to cover as 9-point underdogs in a 27-20 loss just five weeks ago. And I don’t mind Aidan O’Connell stepping in for the injured Gardner Minshew (as long as it’s not Desmond Ridder).
Zach Cohen has a Total and a prop bet for your consideration
Other resources
>Check later this morning for Josh Appelbaum‘s NFL Sharp Report.
>Matchup page: ATS records and advanced stats.
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits.
>NFL picks page (for VSiN Pro subscribers).
Everything we do on Week 13 is posted here, including our experts’ Best Bets columns.
Contest Corner: 29 of the 54 Circa Survivor are on the Chiefs today with 17 advancing on the Lions, 5 on the Cowboys and 3 on the Packers.
More Black Friday football
We’re heading into college football’s final regular-season weekend with 14 games today.
Makinen has Best Bets on four of today’s games.
May I also suggest reviewing Makinen’s season finale betting systems.
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits.
Everything we have posted on Week 14 is here.
Tune in for Friday Football selections
Matt Youmans will announce the Week 13 picks on the Circa Friday Football Invitational show tonight from 9-11 ET.
We are down to 17 handicappers competing for $25,000 put up by Circa owner Derek Stevens in a weekly NFL and college football pick’em contest.
Las Vegas pro bettor Chuck Edel has a three-point lead over last year’s Average Joe (Weston Stradtman) and this year’s Average Joe (Pete Wilder). Pro bettors Cris Zeniuk and John Accorsi were at the bottom of the standings after Week 12 and were the cuts in the Survivor-style portion of the contest. Two more will be cut after this weekend. >>Standings.
Contestants Chris Fallica, Scott Pritchard and Doug Kezirian will join Matt on tonight’s show.
The contest selections are posted on VSiN.com and VSiN Pro subscribers get an email with the 119 picks right after the show.
Today in college basketball
Greg Peterson has posted his Best Bets for today’s menu.
Here are other resources for you . . .
>Adam Burke’s top plays will be up later today.
>Makinen’s daily power ratings (posted mid-morning).
>Greg’s Coast to Coast Hoops podcast on which he handicaps every game every day.
Quick Hits
NBA: Zach Cohen will post his Best Bets later today on our NBA page.
NHL: Look for Jonathan Davis‘ picks by mid-morning on our NHL page.
VSiN Poker Tournament: VSiN has partnered with Poker Now and together we’re hosting an online poker tournament this Sunday, Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. ET. At stake is a Golden Passport for a free seat in the largest poker freeroll ever – The World Poker Tour’s $5 million dollar Freeroll in Las Vegas later in December. Visit VSiN.com/Poker and register today for your chance to win. (Just click on the Request Participation button.)
