NFL Week 12: 5 underdogs to bet on

NFL Week 12 is coming up, and there are a few potential banana skins in the fixture list.

5. New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-6)

Philadelphia should win the game, but there is no way it should be laying a touchdown against anybody right now. The Eagles have been awful in recent weeks, and at 4-6, are simply trying to stay alive in the playoff race. As for New York, the Giants have actually won two straight games, beating the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This should go into the win column for Philadelphia, but it is likely a close game.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Denver Broncos

This was an easy one. The Broncos are only 4-6 but are just one game out of the wild card picture in the AFC. Denver has its shortcomings, but it has been very tough at home all season, losing narrowly to the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, while beating the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers are the better team and might be able to narrowly squeeze by, but they struggle annually away from Heinz Field. This has all the makings of an upset.

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3. Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)

The Vikings and Packers are basically the same team at this point. Minnesota was supposed to be one of the NFC powers, but instead is clinging to life in the NFC playoff picture at 5-4-1 after a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears. Conversely, the Packers are coming off a 10-day rest following a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. Whoever loses is likely done for the season, while the winner maintains hope of playing in January.

2. Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)

The Cowboys are just being assumed as the winner of both this game and the division. That’s a mistake, especially in the short term. Washington is going to be coming out with plenty to prove on national television after watching starting quarterback Alex Smith go down for the season with a broken leg. Dallas might find a way to win the game behind a ball-control offense and solid defense, but 7.5 points is too large a spread.

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1. Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-13)

The Saints are going to beat their southern rivals in NFL Week 12, but the spread is enormous. Yes, the Falcons are 4-6 and all kinds of banged up on the defensive side of the ball, but two touchdowns? Atlanta can score as well, and when the two teams hooked up in Week 3 the contest went into overtime. Look for the Falcons to hang around and even provide a backdoor cover if necessary.