Week 13 began with an exciting Thanksgiving slate that featured the Lions, Cowboys, and Packers earning short-week wins. The action won’t stop this weekend as the Sunday slate is filled with exciting matchups. Here’s my 3-team mega parlay for Week 13, which pays out at almost 10/1 odds.
Steelers ML (+136)
Eagles ML (+138)
Bills -6.5 (-120)
NFL parlay odds: +929
Pittsburgh Steelers ML over Cincinnati Bengals (+136)
The Steelers fell just short to the Browns last week in one of the craziest editions of Thursday Night Football we’ve had this season. Not only was the game back-and-forth, but snow was coming down hard in the second half and made catching a lot more difficult (just ask David Njoku). In the end, the Browns retook the lead with less than a minute left which sealed the game for Jameis Winston and the Browns. That loss snapped a 5-game winning streak for the Steelers, but I’m not ready to jump off the bandwagon just yet. The Pittsburgh defense has been elite in the last month or so, as they have allowed more than 20 points just twice in their last 7 games. Plus, the offense had been looking like a well-oiled machine with Russell Wilson, so I’m not going to let 1 snow-game loss ruin my perception of Pittsburgh.
Joe Burrow is having an incredible season. After last season was cut short for him, he’s come back stronger than ever and is the frontrunner for Comeback Player of the Year. He’s led Cincinnati to scoring 27, 34, and 41 points in just the last 3 weeks. Here’s the issue: the Bengals are 1-2 in those three weeks and just 4-7 on the season. The Bengals defense has been terrible and they have allowed the 5th-most points per game this season. So even if Burrow throws for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, the defense might blow it. There’s a clear mismatch on defense so I’ll side with the better team and take the Steelers for the upset.
Philadelphia Eagles ML over Baltimore Ravens (+138)
Some are saying that this is the game of the week. To those people, I’d say you’re probably right. The Eagles (9-2) travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens (8-4) in what should be the best game on the Sunday slate. The Ravens have been listed as 3-point favorites which isn’t too surprising since this game is in Baltimore. However, home-field advantage hasn’t mattered too much to the Eagles. Philly is 4-1 on the road, averaging 27.8 points per game (compared to 25.8 at home) and surrendering just 15.2 points per game (compared to 21.6 at home). In their last 4 games away from home, the Eagles are 4-0 and have scored 37, 34, 37, and 28 points. It’s safe to say their offense doesn’t stop away from Philly.
I think the Ravens are going to run into some problems against the Eagles’ defense. The heart of the Baltimore offense is Derrick Henry who has bashed almost every defense he’s faced this season. But the Philly defense has allowed the 7th fewest rushing yards per game and just 94 rushing yards per game in their last 3 matchups. That should force Lamar Jackson into passing situations which is where the Eagles thrive. Philadelphia has allowed the 3rd-fewest passing yards per game and own one of the best secondaries in football. I’m backing the Eagles to make it 8 wins in a row on Sunday afternoon at plus odds.
Buffalo Bills -6.5 over San Francisco 49ers (-120)
The big question surrounding this game is the status of Brock Purdy. San Francisco’s quarterback missed last week due to a shoulder injury and that led to the Niners scoring just 10 points against the Packers and losing by 28 points. The offense looked completely different without its QB1. Purdy remains questionable for Sunday night; he has been limited in practice all week and could remain out for this primetime game. If that happens, the 49ers will be at an immediate disadvantage against a rested Bills team. Plus, the game is in Buffalo — and the projected forecast is exactly what the Bills wants: 27 degrees with chances of snow all day.
The Bills went into their bye week on the best note possible ending Kansas City’s perfect season. Buffalo defeated the Chiefs 30-21 as a Josh Allen touchdown late in the 4th quarter sealed the win for the Bills. They had last week to rest and prepare for this primetime matchup which also gave Keon Coleman, Amari Cooper and Dalton Kincaid time to rehab their injuries. Even if Purdy is able to suit up, he is not going to be at 100%. I’m backing the Bills to stay hot in the cold Buffalo weather on Sunday Night Football.
