...ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberWelcome to the latest edition of the Newsweek Sports Betting newsletter, which you can start receiving in your inbox by subscribing here. Right now, here's what your free subscription entails:
- Weekly look at college basketball (every Monday evening)
- Weekly look at the NBA (every Tuesday evening)
- College football weekend preview (every Thursday evening)
- NFL weekend preview (every Friday morning)
- College Football ATS picks (every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. ET)
- NFL ATS picks (every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. ET)
This edition is available below, to subscribers only.
Subscribe to Newsweek Sports Betting 📩No need for any preamble this morning, as I have a lot to say about ...
The Lions and the Seahawks covering as heavy favorites, plus the Browns to keep things interesting (and/or pull the upset??) against the struggling Raiders.
There's also a sneaky-tempting player prop bet opportunity emerging out of the rubble of a Las Vegas offense that is averaging just 4.7 yards per play.
Giants at Lions (-13.5) -- 1 p.m. (FOX)
At first glance, it's risky to take Detroit (6-4) laying this many points …
But consider how the Lions responded to their first three losses of the season.
- Week 2 (after Week 1 loss to GB): DET 52, CHI 21
- Week 7 (after Week 6 loss to KC): DET 24, TB 9
- Week 10 (after Week 9 loss to MIN): DET 44, WAS 22
I'm not saying Detroit is a lock to blow out the Giants (2-9) just because it lost last weekend. But if nothing else, that's an awfully encouraging pattern.
More importantly, the Lions' potent offense faces one of the worst rushing defenses in the league (New York is 32nd in yards per carry allowed, at 5.9) today.
In a game Detroit can't afford to lose (the Lions would not be in the playoff field if the season ended after Week 11), I expect this offense to move the ball effectively at home. I also like Detroit's defense to force Giants QB Jameis Winston into a few mistakes today.
Pick: Lions -13.5 (best odds: -120 at FanDuel)
Seahawks (-12) at Titans -- 1 p.m. (FOX)
Seattle (7-3) is coming off a nightmare offensive performance in last week's loss to the Rams, but the defense was once again outstanding, holding Matthew Stafford and Co. to just 249 yards of total offense in L.A.
We probably shouldn't dismiss Sam Darnold's four-interception day as a total one-off, but I do expect him to take much better care of the football against the Titans (1-9). The Tennessee D has only tallied five interceptions all year. This defense also has forced just one turnover over its last four games.
The Seahawks D and special teams have already broken open a few matchups against young quarterbacks this year (they led Spencer Rattler and the Saints 38-6 at halftime in Week 3, and they were up 31-7 on Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in Week 9).
With that in mind, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few early miscues by the Cam Ward-led Titans -- who are averaging just 4.2 yards per play -- stake Seattle to another big halftime lead.
So, let's go with another heavy favorite to bounce back emphatically after an ugly loss in Week 11.
Pick: Seahawks -12 (best odds: -110 at bet365)
Browns (+3.5) at Raiders -- 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
In a battle of two of the worst offensive teams in the league, I like Cleveland's (2-8) talented defense to make this another long game for Geno Smith and the Raiders (2-8).
Myles Garrett alone makes the Browns a tough defensive team. This week, the Cleveland pass rush faces an injured Vegas O-line that has allowed 10 (!) total sacks and 21 QB pressures over the last two weeks.
Struggling to slow down the Broncos' excellent defense was one thing, but the Raiders were also unable to protect Smith against the Cowboys last Monday night.
The case for Cleveland keeping the Raiders offense in check is obvious, but the question is whether the Browns can score enough to keep this game tight for 60 minutes.
Honestly, I'm not sold on Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland offense -- either today or going forward -- but I do trust this unit to do just enough to ensure that the Browns will be able to cover in an ugly, low-scoring affair.
Pick: Browns +3.5 (best odds: -112 at FanDuel)
Best NFL Week 12 Player Prop Bet
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty o3.5 Receptions (+126 at FanDuel)
There aren't many beneficiaries of the current state of the Raiders' O-line. One of the few exceptions might be anyone who owns rookie RB Ashton Jeanty in a PPR fantasy league.
Jeanty has been one of Smith's top targets in recent weeks, as this team's pass protection continues to leave a lot to be desired. The former Boise State star has had at least 5 receptions in three of his last six games.
Last week, eight of Smith's 42 pass attempts (19 percent) went Jeanty's way, and in Week 10, Smith's 26 pass attempts included 5 Jeanty targets. Jeanty's share in Week 9 vs. Jacksonville (5 targets on 39 pass attempts) was not as substantial, but he turned those opportunities into five catches for a season-high 47 yards and a TD.
He also has a good matchup today. Cleveland's opponents are increasingly leaning on short passes to their running backs to mitigate the Browns' pass rush. Last Sunday, Lamar Jackson targeted his running backs six times in the Ravens' win over the Browns. Keaton Mitchell, Derrick Henry and Rasheen Ali produced 5 catches for 57 yards on those six targets.
In Week 10, the Jets' biggest passing play of the game against Cleveland came on a screen pass to Breece Hall, whose 42-yard catch-and-run TD marked easily New York's biggest gain of the day.
With all that in mind, Jeanty to record at least four receptions is awfully hard to resist at +126.
Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through any links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
BettingCaesars Sportsbook Promo Code NEWSWK20X: Claim 20 100% Boosts For NFL Week 123 min read
BettingBetr Promo Code NEWSWEEK: Claim $210 Bonus For NFL Week 123 min read
BettingBetMGM Bonus Code NW150: Claim $1,500 Bonus For NFL Week 12 Sunday Games3 min read
BettingBet365 Bonus Code WEEK365: Claim $150 Bonus For Any NFL Week 12 Game3 min read
BettingDraftKings Promo Code: Claim $200 Bonus For Any NFL Week 12 Game Sunday3 min read
BettingBetr Promo Code NEWSWEEK: Claim $210 Bonus For NFL Week 12 Sunday Picks3 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsJasmine Crockett Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene for Resignation5 min read
NewsMarjorie Taylor Greene’s Next Move? What Polls Tell Us4 min read
WorkHired, Managed, and Fired by AI: Stories From Those Who Have Been There6 min read
NewsNalin Haley is the Poster Boy for MAGA’s Shift Further Right6 min read
NewsDonald Trump’s Approval Rating is Eroding Among Parents3 min read
PoliticsRepublicans Are Facing a Generational Rift5 min readTrending
Higher EducationFull List of Degrees Not Classed As ‘Professional’ by Trump Admin8 min read
Winter StormWinter Storm Warning As 18 Inches of Snow To Hit5 min read
Product recallAmazon Recall: Threat-To-Life Warning Issued For Items Pulled Nationwide4 min read
SNAP benefitsSNAP Benefits To Change From December: What to Know4 min read
Social SecuritySocial Security Issues Update on 2025 Changes4 min readOpinion
OpinionConventional Wisdom: Price of Culture Edition3 min read
OpinionLatinos Catch the Fish. Why Aren’t They at the Decision-Making Table? | Opinion5 min read
OpinionWhy Is the US Punishing Legal Immigrants? | Opinion5 min read
OpinionWhat Is an American?6 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: MAGA Infighting Edition2 min read
