Toilet, say hello to my picks.
That's where they were last week, swirling around in a disgusting display of picking games as they flushed my nice start to the season down the drain.
I went 6-9 against the spread, dropping my season mark to 85-77-3. I went 8-7 straight up to get to 97-67-1 and my Best Bets as part of the Pick-Six Podcast went 2-4, dropping my record to 35-34.
It's weird, but I knew the bad week was coming. I didn't like the card at all, which is why I went with a lot of dogs, and my picks were more like the stuff dogs leave on the ground as they take their walks.
Stinky crap.
So let's turn it around. This week, I actually like the card. And it's Thanksgiving week, which means I want you to be thankful that my picks came back out of the muck. I have a good feeling.
Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET (Fox)
Latest Odds: Detroit Lions +3
This will likely be Andy Dalton vs. Tim Boyle in the battle of quarterbacks. Oh, boy. These two teams are going nowhere, but the Lions are still playing hard. That matters. The situation with Bears coach Matt Nagy doesn't help either. Dan Campbell gets his first victory.
Pick: Lions 19, Bears 16
Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Latest Odds: Dallas Cowboys -7.5
The Raiders have lost three straight, while the Cowboys have lost two of three. Injuries are impacting the Cowboys offense, and it will again here. But the Raiders couldn't stop the run last week against the Bengals, which is why I think Ezekiel Elliott will run wild. Cowboys take it.
Pick: Cowboys 33, Raiders 20
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Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Latest Odds: New Orleans Saints +6.5
This is a huge game for both teams. The Saints have lost two straight, while the Bills got blown out by the Colts at home last week. The Bills have problems with physical teams, and the Saints are certainly one of those. But I think Josh Allen will play well in prime time, which he has done in his career. The Bills take it.
Pick: Bills 27, Saints 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Latest Odds: Indianapolis Colts +3
The Bucs looked much better on defense against the Giants, but this will be a challenge against Jonathan Taylor and the running game of the Colts. But I think with Vita Vea expected back, this game will come down to Carson Wentz for the Colts. The Bucs will respond. Tom Brady gets the best of it.
Pick: Bucs 28, Colts 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Latest Odds: Houston Texans -2.5
This is the dog game of the week. The Texans won last week coming out of their bye and impressed in doing so. The Jets have problems in a lot of areas. I think the Texans can win another one here with Tyrod Taylor playing well for a second consecutive week.
Pick: Texans 24, Jets 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Latest Odds: New York Giants +3.5
The Eagles are riding high, while the Giants are playing on a short week after a terrible showing against the Bucs Monday night. So why do I like the Giants? I just think they will respond after a poor performance to play better on both sides of the ball. They will limit the Eagles run game, which has keyed them playing better. The Giants pull off the upset.
Pick: Giants 23, Eagles 20
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Latest Odds: Miami Dolphins +1.5
The Dolphins have righted things the past three weeks against some bad teams to keep their playoff hopes alive. Carolina had a bad loss to Washington last week. The Carolina defense let down in that game, but I think they will get back to playing their style here and limit Tua Tagovailoa. The Panthers win it.
Pick: Panthers 23, Dolphins 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Latest Odds: New England Patriots -6.5
The Titans looked awful in losing at home to the Texans last week and now must play a big AFC road game against the Patriots. New England has been playing great defense, which will again be the case here. This should be an ugly, low-scoring game, with the Patriots pulling it out with a late field goal but the Titans hanging around.
Pick: Patriots 20, Titans 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Latest Odds: Cincinnati Bengals -4.5
This is an enormous division game for these two. The Steelers have some defensive injuries, which will be in play here. The Bengals impressed coming off their bye last week and I think the momentum will carry over. The Bengals will win it as Joe Burrow has a big game
Pick: Bengals 28, Steelers 21
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Latest Odds: Jacksonville Jaguars PK
The Falcons have lost two straight games, but they remain alive in the playoff chase. Jacksonville looked terrible last week in losing to the 49ers, but the Falcons aren't nearly as physical as the 49ers. The Jaguars will stay in this game behind their defense. It's not a pretty game, but the Jaguars pull off the upset.
Pick: Jaguars 9, Falcons 6
Sunday, 4:05 ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Latest Odds: Denver Broncos +2.5
Both these teams have playoff hopes still alive. The Chargers are coming off an explosive offensive showing against the Steelers. This will be more of a challenge on the road, but I like the way Justin Herbert is playing again. I think he plays well here as he gets the best of the Broncos.
Pick: Chargers 30, Broncos 23
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
Latest Odds: Green Bay Packers PK
This the game of the week, featuring two of the best teams in the league. The Rams are coming off a bye and they get the Packers at a good time as they deal with a bunch of impactful injuries. But I think being back home after losing at Minnesota will be a big for the Packers. Aaron Rodgers wins it.
Pick: Packers 31, Rams 24
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
Latest Odds: San Francisco 49ers -3
In terms of the playoff picture, this is a big game. The 49ers have righted things with two straight victories, but their defense will be challenged by the Minnesota passing game. San Francisco's run game and quick passing game will be tough to deal with for the Minnesota defense. I will go with the Vikings to keep this one close, with the 49ers pulling it out late.
Pick: 49ers 27, Vikings 26
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Latest Odds: Baltimore Ravens -3.5
The Ravens will have Lamar Jackson back after he missed last week because of illness. The Browns beat the Lions last week, but didn't look good doing so. Baker Mayfield is
