There were three NFL games on Thanksgiving so there are a lot fewer matchups to choose from on Sunday. Here are three picks we feel will either cover the spread or win outright.
The New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings are all on the road this Sunday, but they're a good bet to guarantee you a win in your weekly pool (or if you're in Vegas you can toss some money on them).
Giants -1 at Redskins
For some odd reason the Giants only opened at -3 and now the spread is at -1. The Redskins just got ruined by the Carolina Panthers by a score of 44-16 last week. Their 47-14 win over the New Orleans Saints had many thinking the team has a chance at making the playoffs, but they're running into the Giants at the worst time.
New York is coming off a bye week and they've won the last five games against Washington, including a 32-21 win earlier this year on Thursday Night Football. The Redskins' last win against the Giants at FedExField came back in December of 2012.
Eli Manning needs just 300 pass yards to notch his 11th consecutive season with at least 3,000 pass yards, which will put him among the few in NFL history to accomplish such a feat. Look for him to achieve that today in a win over the Redskins.
Giants 27, Redskins 23
Buccaneers +3 at Colts
Jameis Winston and the Bucs have won three of their last four, including a 45-17 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles last week. Three points isn't a big spread, but the Colts are still without Andrew Luck and the defense has allowed at least 20 points in six straight weeks.
If the Bucs can get running back Doug Martin going early against the Colts' 20th-ranked run defense, it's quite possible they can win this game outright. If not, it's going to be a close game regardless as Indianapolis has played some of the NFL's top teams (Broncos and Patriots) at home this year.
However, I think Tampa Bay will get the win today and continue to threaten the sliding Falcons in the NFC South.
Buccaneers 27, Colts 20
Vikings +2 at Falcons
Speaking of the Falcons, they've lost three straight and four of their last five. Their lone win over that stretch was an ugly 10-7 victory at the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons are playing some bad football and it's not going to help this week with the Vikings coming to town.
Minnesota's fourth-ranked rushing attack meets the NFL's top rush defense. Coincidentally, Atlanta's sixth-ranked passing attack meets the league's fifth-best passing defense.
The Vikings won five in a row before running into the Packers at a bad time last week. Their only other losses came in Denver (Week 4) and at San Francisco (Week 1). Expect Minnesota to take advantage of Devonta Freeman's absence and edge the Falcons today.
Vikings 19, Falcons 17
