NFL FOOTBALL PICKS ATS - FREE WEEKLY EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Both of these teams will be looking to take control of this game on the defensive side of the ball in what should remain a close battle until the final gun. While Denver has the edge playing at Mile High, Carolina still has the better playmakers on offense especially at the quarterback position.

In the end, I do believe that Cam Newton will be the difference. He comes into this game with something to prove despite being named league MVP. I think he goes on to help his team make a few more plays than Denver that prove to be the difference both SU and ATS as a three-point road favorite.

The Broncos may be the sentimental pick with Manning at the helm, but the best team usually wins this game and I have the Panthers holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 7 while covering the 4.5 points at the betting window.

The Broncos just don't give up a lot of points with only New England and Pittsburgh scoring over 20 points against them in their last nine games. The Panthers have allowed over 20 points three times in their last 10 games but all three of the opponents had superior passing attacks compared to Denver's unit. Both teams have proven that they need to stick with a game shortening running attack to have any shot at winning.

The Panthers are 9-0 SU at home this year and 8-1 ATS. They also lead the NFL in scoring and score even more at home. They can score in bunches (as evidenced by last week) and their defense scores points and sets up the offense with short fields. Arizona is 7-1 SU on the road this year and will certainly be a tough out. Both of these defenses are good but the Panthers are a little better. Arizona has a better offense but Palmer was shaky at times last week. He can expect a lot of pressure in this encounter and doesn't move real well in the pocket. The number is pretty low and I'll take a Carolina team that is unbeatable at home this year and has a defense that can control the game even if the offense has a few hiccups.

This should be a great matchup between two of the highest scoring teams in the NFL this season. While I am not sure which team will eventually come out on top this time around, I see both of these offenses lighting things up enough to take the total OVER the 47-point betting line.

The Patriots quickly returned to form against Kansas City after stumbling down the stretch of the regular season, but I like Denver getting points at home in this matchup. Manning gives the Broncos the stability they need on offense and their defense should be able to keep Brady in check at Mile High.

It is pretty obvious that Pittsburgh is banged-up verse a Denver team that has had two weeks to prepare for this rematch. However, the biggest factor in my book is still Manning under center with a shot at redemption for a less than stellar performance in the regular season. This is the stuff that legend is made of making the Broncos minus the points my "best bet" pick.

This figures to be a classic battle. Seattle is the 2-time defending NFC champ while Carolina is the 3-time winner of the NFC South division. Both teams have great defenses and great QBs but I have to side with the Panthers this week. Their offense is better than Seattle's and they can ground and pound or throw it deep. Newton has played at a high level all year and while his passing numbers are a shade below Wilson's, he's been great at home and his power running can wear on a defense. The Panthers have had a week off to get healthy while the Seahawks offense did nothing in the frigid temperature of Minnesota. I think Carolina's ability to create TOs will play a crucial role in the outcome and the betting number is less than a FG.

I took the bait last week and went against the Packers, but this is going to be a much tougher road trip for a team that still has some issues on both sides of the ball that were very evident in their recent loss to Arizona. The Cardinals remain one of the most complete teams in the NFL this season and that will be reflected in another SU win against Green Bay that covers the touchdown spread.

Kansas City has won 7 times away from home this year so a road trip to Foxboro isn't likely to shake them. Half the battle in playing the Patriots is to not be afraid of them, something most teams are. The Chiefs are riding high during their winning streak and got contributions from the offense, defense and special teams against the Texans. For the year, they have allowed 25 TD passes but have picked off 26. I expect the Patriots to have trouble running the ball and that means a lot of throws from Brady. The Chiefs have a good pass rush and a good secondary and I don't see them being passed on up and down the field all game. In what figures to be a close game, I'll take the red-hot Chiefs knowing the Patriots are getting several injured starters back. New England finished the year on a 2-4 run and I think their offense will have trouble with this defense. If Kelce can match Gronk, that will be another factor in keeping it close for KC.

The Chiefs have the pass rush to cause Brady fits, especially if RT Vollmer is unable to go, but the return of WR Julien Edelman in the slot and having RB James White out of the back field will be the difference maker. The Patriots are 7-1 at home this season winning all 7 by a greater number than this line.

Green Bay's recent form has raised some serious doubts about its ability to go deep in this year's playoffs. This sets the stage for the surprising Redskins to keep their current run going with the SU win on Sunday that covers the one-point spread.

On paper this game doesn't appear to be close. Seattle finished 10-6 but is clearly playing their best ball of the season. The return of Lynch will help the offense as will the return off SS Kam Chancellor. Bridgewater threw only 9 picks on the year but he only tossed 14 TD passes. The Seattle defense surrendered 14 TD passes but also had 14 interceptions (10 in the last 6 games). Wilson is playing at a level few expected as he has quickly risen from a 'running' QB who handed the ball off to Beast Mode to a QB who threw for 4,024 yards and 34 TDs (to only 8 interceptions). The advantage the Seahawks have at QB is huge and they have the best defense as well. The Vikings need to pressure Wilson consistently throughout the game, get 100+ plus yards out of Peterson and for Bridgewater to play at a near-perfect level. I don't expect all three of those things to happen and like Seattle to be an easy winner on the road, where they have won their last 5 decisions.

There is little doubt that these two teams are very familiar with one another, which could give the slight edge to the home team. I still see Cincinnati ending its streak of playoff losses with the SU win, but I am not willing to bet on it. Instead, I am going with the OVER 47 on the total line as my "best bet" pick in this one.

The Chiefs' defense is playing at a high level right now and hasn't allowed any opponent to reach 23 points since Week 4. The return of Houston is bound to help the pass rush and Hoyer may need to throw the ball quicker than he would like. I think Kansas City can do enough offensively to get into the end zone and if they can take Hopkins away on defense, they'll force the Texans to try to make big plays with players who haven't done much on the season. It has been a good year for Houston but I'll take the Chiefs in this one as their offense and defense are both playing well at this stage.

The Chiefs got a 34-20 victory in their earlier match up, but the score doesn't accurately reflect the game. The Raiders held a 6-point lead going into the fourth quarter before the Chiefs got two offensive scores to take the lead and a late pick 6 for a TD. Oakland out yarded Kansas City 361-232 in this tight affair that could have easily gone the other way. The Chiefs have a shot to improve their playoff position and while I think that they will get the win the point spread is a different story. Kansas City has scored an adequate 23.75 points per game in their last four, but they have managed just 274 yards per game and have been fortunate to reach those scoring numbers. That gives the visitor some value here getting 7 from a team who has not moved the ball well for weeks.

Time and time this season, Jacksonville has proved it is never out of the game no matter how slow its starts out of the gate. While I would have to lean towards Houston in this matchup given what is on the line, my "best bet" pick in on BetOnline's 46-point total line with a play on the OVER.

The Bills would love to play the role of spoiler against their bitter rivals, but I do not see them getting the chance. New York is playing its best ball at the right time of the year, so I am laying the 2.5 points on the road with a "best bet" pick of the Jets covering.

You have to give credit to Minnesota for turning the NFC North into a legitimate race this season following Green Bay's fast start, but the rubber meets the road at Lambeau Field this Sunday night with the Packers coming out on top both SU and ATS.

New York cannot improve its playoff position with a victory on Sunday, but it would still love nothing better than to eliminate its division rival from the postseason, so look for a full four-quarter effort to win this game. The Redskins already won the first meeting this season on the road, so they should have the slight edge this time around on their home field.

Both teams have demonstrated to ability to move the ball quickly down the field when their quarterback gets hot. I think that Manning and Cousins are each set up to have a good day throwing the ball in a game that should go OVER the current 49-point line.