NFL Week 11 is in the rearview mirror, NFL Week 12 odds are on the board, and several betting factors are already in play. That includes the typical injury information, most notably the devastating injury to Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow.
This week’s NFL Cheat Sheet serves as one-stop shopping for that information and more. Covers checks in on NFL Week 12 injuries, weather, consensus picks, Pros vs Joes and more. Check back throughout the week for NFL injury updates, popular picks, and notable contrasts between sharp bets and public money.
Week 12 Injuries
Cincinnati Bengals: It's even worse than anticipated for Burrow, who not only tore his left ACL, but also his MCL and had other knee damage, as well, from a hit in Sunday's 20-9 loss at Washington. Obviously, his rookie campaign is done, and he could well miss next season, too. John Murray, executive director of The SuperBook at Westgate, said it's a touchdown drop-off to second-year backup Ryan Finley. "Yep, I'd say that's about right, 6.5 to 7 points, because the backup is so bad. Finley isn’t an NFL QB, and the Bengals' offensive line is terrible."
As such, the Bengals opened +4.5 against the visiting Giants and reached +6 Wednesday. The total opened at 43 and dipped to 41.5 Monday morning, then rebounded to 44 Thursday. On Friday, running back Giovani Bernard (concussion) was listed as questionable, though the spread and total didn't move.
Denver Broncos: It appears things are about to get crazy in the Mile High City. Backup QB Jeff Driskel was placed on the reserve/COVID list Thursday, and on Saturday afternoon, the rest of Denver's quarterback room – starter Drew Lock, backup Bretty Rypien and practice squad QB Blake Bortles – joined Driskel on that list and are not eligible to play Sunday. Multiple reports noted the Broncos have no intention of forfeiting Sunday's home game against New Orleans. Instead, speculation is that running back Royce Freeman could start at QB, or practice squad wideout Kendall Hinton – who played quarterback at Wake Forest – could start Sunday. Circa Sports took the line down, then reposted at Saints -13 and quickly got bet to -15.5, with a total of 37.
Cleveland Browns: Standout defensive end Myles Garrett sat out Week 11 against Philadelphia following a positive COVID test, and Garrett will not play this week at Jacksonville, either. Cleveland also got another dose of bad news Tuesday morning, as top cornerback Denzel Ward will miss multiple weeks with a calf strain. The Browns opened -7 at The SuperBook and on Monday dipped to -6.5, where the line was stable through Wednesday.
Baltimore Ravens: Thanksgiving night brought news that quarterback Lamar Jackson tested positive for COVID, joining running backs Mark Ingram II and J.K. Dobbins, among others. Several more players are on the reserve/COVID list for either testing positive or as part of contact tracing, including star tight end Mark Andrews, who was ruled out Sunday. The NFL initially postponed this game from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, and on Friday made the decision to postpone it until Tuesday. Then on Monday, the game was moved to Wednesday afternoon. The SuperBook opened Ravens +3.5 and pulled the game Nov. 23 on the Ingram/Dobbins news, then went back up Nov. 24 at Ravens +4 and stretched to +5.5 that afternoon.
The line actually dropped back to +4 Wednesday morning before the postponement, at which point the game came off the board again. The line went back up Thursday morning at Ravens +4.5, but was taken down once more on the Jackson news. On Saturday morning, the game went up again, but at Ravens +7.5, and the line moved to +8 a few hours later and ultimately stretched to +10.5 Monday morning. Then came news of more COVID issues among Baltimore players, so The SuperBook took down the game again, and reposted it Tuesday morning at Steelers -10. This game has been delayed so many times that it appears Ravens RBs Ingram and Dobbins will now be able to play.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Baltimore isn't the only team that will be shorthanded Wednesday night, as Steelers star RB James Conner will also miss the game due to COVID-19 protocols. But with their opponents' plethora of key injuries/COVID issues, Pittsburgh is back on the board Tuesday at -10 at The SuperBook.
Chicago Bears: Friday brought news that quarterback Nick Foles (hip) is doubtful, so Mitch Trubisky returns as the starter for the first time since getting benched after Week 3. That clarity led The SuperBook to finally put this game on the board, at Packers -9.5 and with a total of 44.5, and neither number moved by Friday night.
Minnesota Vikings: Wideout Adam Thielen was placed on the reserve/COVID list Monday, a day after he had eight catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a home loss to Dallas. On Friday, it was reported that Thielen is likely out when Minnesota hosts Carolina on Sunday. That game opened Tuesday at Vikings -4 and got to -3 Friday afternoon at The SuperBook.
Carolina Panthers: QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee) sat out Sunday's win over Detroit, with P.J. Walker instead leading the victory. But Bridgewater was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and is expected to play Sunday at Minnesota. The SuperBook moved the Panthers from +4 to +3.5 Wednesday afternoon and to +3 Friday afternoon.
New England Patriots: Running back Rex Burkhead suffered a serious knee injury, perhaps a torn ACL, in Sunday's loss at Houston. The SuperBook opened the Pats +2.5 at home against Arizona in Week 12, and the line spent about 12 hours at +3 before returning +2.5 Monday morning. However, the total is up to 49.5 from an opener of 48.
Los Angeles Chargers: Friday brought news that running back Austin Ekeler (hamstring), out since Week 4, is looking more possible for Sunday's game at Buffalo. The Chargers opened +5.5, moved to +6 and back to +5.5 Monday at The SuperBook, and on Friday dropped 1.5 points to +4.
Buffalo Bills: Wideout John Brown (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Chargers. The Bills on Friday dipped from -5.5 to -4, with the move having as much to do with the Chargers potentially getting healthier as the Bills down a key player.
Indianapolis Colts: Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor on Saturday was placed on the reserve/COVID list, so he's out for Sunday's big home game against Tennessee. The SuperBook kept this number at Colts -3, where it's been since late Friday morning, though the total on Saturday moved from 52 to 51.5.
Philadelphia Eagles: Star right tackle Lane Johnson, who's had injury issues all season while playing in seven games, announced Friday he won't return this year. Johnson said he needs ankle surgery that will require a few months recovery time. On Friday morning, The SuperBook was at Eagles +5 vs. the Seahawks in the Monday night game, and the line moved to +5.5. The line then went to +6 Saturday.
Atlanta Falcons: Friday's injury report had running back Todd Gurley (knee) out for Sunday's game against Las Vegas, and wideout Julio Jones (hamstring) is questionable. However, the Falcons remained +3, where they've been since Monday at The SuperBook.
Miami Dolphins: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa tweaked his thumb in practice this week and on Saturday was announced as doubtful for Sunday's game at the Jets. Dolphins wideout Jakeem Grant (hamstring) is questionable, and running back Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) is out. The SuperBook on Friday moved Miami from -7 to -6.5, following an initial report that Tagovailoa was questionable, and the line remained -6.5 Saturday. The total was also stable at 44.5.
New York Jets: Sam Darnold (shoulder) was not on Friday's injury report, so he's set to return as starter Sunday against Miami, and wideout Breshad Perriman (shoulder) is also expected to play. The Jets on Friday moved from +7 to +6.5 at The SuperBook.
Week 12 Weather
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers: This game faced some possible weather issues in the Thursday night timeslot, and now moving it to Tuesday night seems to make that even more likely. The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of snow showers during the day and 50 percent at night, with 10-20 mph winds. The postponement was announced due to the Ravens' COVID issues. .
New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals: Earlier in the week, the chances for rain today in Cincinnati were higher, but the forecast has adjusted, and it appears the foul weather won't arrive until tonight. The SuperBook opened the total at 43 and dipped to 41.5, then ticked up to 42.5 Monday and reached 44.5 Sunday morning.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars: This forecast also adjusted over the past couple of days, down to just a 20 percent chance of rain in Jacksonville. The total was up to 48.5 by Monday morning and hit 50 late Wednesday, off an opener of 46.5 at The SuperBook. It then ticked back to 48.5 by Saturday.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers: It'll be cold and perhaps a little breezy Sunday night at Lambeau Field. The forecast points to temperatures in the 30s and perhaps into the high 20s during the game, with winds of 15-25 mph and higher gusts possible. The SuperBook didn't post this game until Friday afternoon, going with a total of 44.5, which then dropped to 43.5 before settling at 44.
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles: There's a 100 percent chance of rain during the day Monday, likely thunderstorms, along with winds of 15-25 mph. But that drops down to 20 percent Monday night, with winds of 10-15 mph.
Week 12 Consensus
Week 12 Pros vs Joes
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are a favorite of sharp players practically every week, with this week at The SuperBook no different, while the masses are taking the other side. "We're getting public money on the Titans. People saw them look good last week, so they're betting on them this week," SuperBook manager/oddsmaker Eric Osterman said, alluding to Tennessee's Week 11 overtime victory at Baltimore.
Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots: "A bit of a Pros vs. Joes on the total," PointsBet USA's Patrick Eichner said Saturday night. "The public is on the Over at 73 percent of bets, but heavier money is on the Under, 60 percent of handle."
Where Can I Bet on the NFL?
Many online books and casinos offer bets on football odds and props. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live.
