Blazin' 5: Colin Cowherd Gives His Five Best NFL Bets For Week 18
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Last Week's Blazin' 5 record: 3-2
2021 Blazin' 5 record: 36-45-1 (Colin made bonus picks in Week 4 & 5)
Cowboys (11-5) at Eagles (9-7) (SPREAD: DAL -4.5)
“I initially liked the Eagles but they’ve got 16 players on the COVID list, so I’m going to take the Cowboys -4.5. First of all, the Cowboys defense leads the NFL in interceptions, takeaways, and third down conversion rate. So, Jalen Hurts, he’s still struggling let’s be honest – he ranks 28th in passer rating, it’s going to be hard on third down for him. Dallas is athletic and rangy and beat Hurts the first time they played him. Dak against the NFC East in his career has 50 touchdowns and 15 picks, he eats that division alive [24-6 win/loss record]. The Eagles have 16 players on COVID, they’re 0-6 when facing a team with a winning record, I like Dallas, 27-20, I’ll swallow the points.”
Colin's prediction: Cowboys 27, Eagles 20.
Colin's pick: Dallas -4.5
Saints (8-8) at Falcons (7-8) (SPREAD: NO -3.5)
“This is a rivalry game, I bet the Falcons earlier this year against the Saints and I’m going to bet them again, and you know I don’t like betting the Falcons, this is my second time. I’ll take the Falcons +3.5. The Falcons are 7-2 by games decided by 8 or fewer points, so in close games they’re a good team. Their defense has 12 straight games with at least one takeaway, leads the NFL. Matt Ryan ate them up the last time he played the Saints, and the Saints offense over the last three games is a mess, scoring just 10 points a game. When you’re down to the your third and fourth quarterback, it turns into a merry-go-round, and the Saints offense on third down the last three games is the worst in the league. I get a competent quarterback with Matt Ryan, I get him at home, I get over a field goal, I think Atlanta upsets the Saints 24-23.”
Colin's prediction: Falcons 24, Saints 23.
Colin's pick: Atlanta +3.5
49ers (9-7) at Rams (12-4) (SPREAD: LAR -4.5)
“Initially I would like San Francisco and the points here but Garoppolo is not practicing, he’s got an injury, so I’m going to take the Rams -4.5. The Rams are on a 5-game winning streak and are playing great football, especially in second halves. They lead the NFL in yards per play, and Matt Stafford’s numbers this year have been fantastic. The key though is Garoppolo has a thumb sprain, he’s not regularly practicing, and it is not good. I thought it would get better, it has not. You’re asking Trey Lance to face this Rams team on the road? This is only his second road start. His first road start he completed under 58% of his throws. This is a big ask for a rookie quarterback, I don’t like it. I think it’s a good, competitive game, but I’ll take the Rams to win and cover, 28-23.”
Colin's prediction: Rams 28, 49ers 23.
Colin's pick: Los Angeles -4.5
Patriots (10-6) at Dolphins (8-8) (SPREAD: NE -6)
“A lot of the wiseguys like New England, but I’m taking Miami +6. First of all, they’re 5-0 in their last five home games. Weird things can happen in the last home game of the year for Miami. The last 8 times the Dolphins have played New England in Miami they are 6-2. We talk a lot about Tua but we don’t talk about the Dolphins defense. It’s fantastic. Opposing quarterbacks have a 55 passer rating against the Dolphins since Week 12, that’s the best in the NFL. This Dolphins defense has great corners and a pass rush, and the Patriots are 3-6 against teams this year that are .500 or better. Mac Jones doesn’t really have the ability to get out of trouble, and with Miami’s defense, they get you in trouble. I’m taking the points, Dolphins cover. I think the Patriots probably figure out a way to win it, 24-23. I know the wiseguys are taking New England, I’ll take them to win, but that’s just too many points for a rivalry game with an amazing defense vs. a rookie quarterback.”
Colin's prediction: Patriots 24, Dolphins 23.
Colin's pick: Miami +6
Chargers (9-7) at Raiders (9-7) (SPREAD: LAC -3)
“This game I’ve gone back and forth with but I know I’m getting a true effort. With a lot of these games I just don’t know who’s playing, but these teams both need to win. The Raiders defense in four of their last five games has played well and held people under 20 points. Derek Carr is playing his butt off this year, Darren Waller is back from COVID and the knee injury, and I don’t trust the Chargers defense. The Chargers have the worst third down defense in the NFL. The last month the Raiders are running the ball, they’re going to pick up first downs throwing to Waller and running with Jacobs, and they’re going to keep Justin Herbert off the field. I think it’s going to be a great football game, I’m going to take the Raiders and the points to win, 30-27. I think Justin Herbert is going to watch a lot of this game from the sideline as Derek Carr and this running game pick up first downs on a bad run defense.”
Colin's prediction: Raiders 30, Chargers 27.
Colin's pick: Las Vegas +3
All spreads are provided by Fox Bet.