NFL odds, Week 12: Opening lines

Let’s take a look at some of the early lines from the Week 12 slate in the National Football League and make some calls…

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-2.5)

This game should be very, very good. The Lions are a quality team and the Vikings finally have their mojo back. Take the better quarterback on the short week at home.

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)

This is a huge line. We’ve officially reached the point where the Cowboys are overrated. Dallas is 9-1 and excellent, but Washington is 6-1-1 in its last eight. Take the underdog to cover.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Indianapolis Colts

If Andrew Luck plays, the Colts have a real shot to both win and cover. If Scott Tolzien is anywhere near the field, this is going to be a massacre of epic proportions.

San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins (-7.5)

Miami is playing really good football. San Francisco is playing really bad football. The Dolphins should both win and cover with relative ease.

Tennessee Titans (-3.5) at Chicago Bears

This is the kind of game that makes people want to throw their working television in the garbage. Tennessee is going to plaster a Chicago team that is both bad and ravaged by injuries.

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons (-4)

Atlanta should and cover easily. The Falcons are a better team, off a bye, at home.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-4.5)

Baltimore is getting a break not having to see A.J. Green. The Bengals don’t have enough to compensate without him.

New York Giants (-7) at Cleveland Browns

Until the Browns win a game, you have to continually bet on the other team. New York should be able to cover.

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (-7)

The Saints are a very explosive team and the Rams aren’t going to score more than 10 points, even against New Orleans’ putrid defense. Look for the Saints to cover.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (-7)

Large line for a bad offense, but the Jaguars are absolutely pathetic.

San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans (EVEN)

Brock Osweiler vs. Philip Rivers. Chargers, all the way.

Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are good enough to cover at home in this spot. Still, they won’t. The Seahawks are absolutely rolling.

Carolina Panthers at Oakland Raiders (-4)

Oakland is living on the edge each week, and the Panthers are desperate to win. Look for the Panthers to cover, and maybe win outright.

New England Patriots (-9) at New York Jets

Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting, but the Jets still have little hope. New York is all kinds of bad, while the Patriots are the best team in the AFC by a mile. Still, this is a big line. Take the Jets to cover.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (-3.5)

This is the best game of the week, despite the quarterback matchup being Trevor Siemian vs. Alex Smith. Denver is at home and virtually unbeatable there in primetime, but the half-point matter. Take Kansas City to cover.

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5)

This is going to be intriguing and terrible all at once. Philadelphia is 2-5 in its last seven games, while Green Bay is 4-6 overall and looking to get Mike McCarthy fired.