Free NFL Picks For Today 12/28/2024
LA Chargers vs. New England Patriots NFL Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Chargers at Patriots Injuries
LA running back JK Dobbins and tight end Will Dissly are questionable. A guard is out. On defense a linebacker is out with safety questionable. New England center is out with a guard questionable. On defense two linebackers and both safeties are questionable. No significant injury advantage based on the Chao ratings.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Chargers at Patriots 1PM ET—LA improved to 9-6 following their 34-27 home win to Denver. The Chargers gained 380 yards with 117 rushing for 4.2 yards a carry. On defense they allowed 355 yards to the Broncos with 245 passing on 40 attempts. Justin Herbert completed 23 of 31 for 284 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. New England fell to 3-12 with their 24-21 road defeat at Buffalo. The Patriots put up 380 yards with 126 rushing for 4.2 yards a carry. Defensively they allowed 324 yards to the Bills with 172 rushing for 6.1 yards a carry. Drake Maye hit 22 of 36 for 261 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.
The Pick with the Explanation
There is a 70% chance of rain with light wind and 40 degrees. The Chargers defense on the road holds teams to 14 points per game with 4.3 yards per run and 5.4 yards per pass attempt. They are 6-1 to the under on the road. Recent games saw the Patriots were held to 17 points at Arizona and 15 at Miami. Weather could be a factor in scoring. Play LA and New England under 42.5.
Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals NFL Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Broncos at Bengals Injuries
Denver starters on offense and defense are healthy. Cincinnati receiver Higgins and their right tackle is questionable. On defense an end and tackle are out with a safety questionable. Denver has a significant injury advantage based on the Chao ratings. The lowest rating is the Bengals defense at 76.8. The Broncos offense has the highest health rating at 93.7. The word on Higgins is optimism based on his improvement this week.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Broncos at Bengals 4:30PM ET—Denver fell to 9-6 following their 34-27 road defeat to LA Chargers. The Broncos gained 355 yards with 110 rushing for 5.2 yards a carry. On defense they allowed 280 yards to the Chargers with 4.2 yards a carry. Bo Nix completed 29 of 40 for 263 yards with two touchdowns. Cincinnati improved to 7-8 with their 24-6 home win to Cleveland. The Bengals posted 326 yards with 116 rushing for 5.3 yards a carry. Defensively they allowed 273 yards to the Browns with 148 rushing for 6.2 yards per run. Joe Burrow went 23 of 30 for 252 yards with three touchdowns.
The Pick with the Explanation
The weather will be 62 degrees with light wind and a 16% chance of rain. The Bengals offense has been sharp down the stretch as they have averaged 29 points with 74% completions for 7.5 yards per pass attempt. Their defense has struggled at home where they have allowed 29 points with 69% completions for 7.7 yards per pass attempt. The Broncos offense comes in averaging 33 points per game over their past three with the defense allowing 26 with 7.1 yards per pass attempt. The Bengals health on defense is another concern here. Play Denver and Cincinnati over 50.
Arizona Cardinals vs. LA Rams NFL Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Cardinals at Rams Injuries
Arizona running back Connor and their left guard are questionable. On defense a linebacker is questionable. LA right tackle is questionable. Their defensive starters are healthy. LA has a significant injury advantage based on Dr Chao rating and it is on both sides of the football. The Cardinals players on the IR are the issue.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Cardinals at Rams 8:15PM ET—Arizona drops to 7-6 following their 36-30 road defeat to Carolina. The Cardinals gained 383 yards with 206 rushing for 7.1 yards a carry. On defense they allowed 392 yards to the Panthers with 243 rushing for 6.8 yards a carry. Kyler Murray completed 20 of 32 for 202 yards with a touchdown and interception. LA improved to 9-6 after their 19-9 road win at NY Jets. The Rams posted 242 yards with 132 rushing for 4.3 yards a carry. Defensively they allowed 321 yards to the Jets with 75 rushing for 3.8 yards a carry. Matthew Stafford hit 14 of 19 for 110 yards with a touchdown and interception.
The Pick with the Explanation
Arizona defense in their past three games is allowing 28 points with 5.9 yards per run and 76% completions for 7.3 yards per pass attempt. LA enters in great defensive form as in this period allowing 19 points per game with 58% completions. The Cardinals have been eliminated from the playoffs. LA can clinch with a win but need tiebreaking help. A win or loss could come down to next weeks game against Seattle to settle the division. Play LA -6.5.