We had our worst week of the season so far last week, going 0-4 on our best bets.
Let's get back on track with 2 bets for the first round of the College Football Playoff and 3 bets for NFL Week 16.
Be sure to compare the lines and odds before placing your bets to find the best deal currently available.
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NFL Week 16 & College Football Playoff Round 1 Best Bets
NCAAF Pick of the Week: Penn State -8.5 vs. SMU – 12 pm ET on TNT
With Penn State getting to play this game at home, they will have an instant advantage, not only with the crowd but also with the weather. SMU is not used to playing games with temperatures in the 20s, and it will show on Saturday afternoon.
SMU has not played nearly as challenging a schedule as Penn State, who are still better statistically on both sides of the ball against tougher competition.
Their offense really seems to have found itself, putting up 37 points in a conference title loss to Oregon.
SMU came out slow against Clemson when the spotlight was bright. It will be even brighter on Saturday, and I expect them to struggle more. The only difference will be that Penn State won’t let them back in the game.
Look for Penn State to win and cover.
>> Use our College Football Odds Comparison Tool to find the best lines & odds
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Clemson +13 vs. Texas – 4 pm ET on TNT
Clemson has been in this spot time and time again, and despite people doubting them and some struggles this year, Dabo Swinney will have his team ready for this moment.
Texas only played one team that finished ranked in the top 25 this year—Georgia twice—and they lost both games to them.
Look for Clemson to play some strong defense and try to control the ball on offense against a very good Texas defense.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik should make some plays both on the ground and through the air. Clemson ranks 12th in the country in yards per game and will be able to do enough to keep this game within the very large spread, given the fact Texas hasn’t beaten any of their toughest opponents by more than 10 points this year.
>> Use our College Football Odds Comparison Tool to find the best lines & odds
Carolina Panthers +5 vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1 pm ET on FOX
Prior to their loss to the Cowboys, the Panthers had been on quite a run ATS. Look for them to get back on track against a Cardinals team that is traveling across the country and hasn’t won a game on the road all year by more than a point.
Bryce Young struggled more against the Cowboys than he has in recent weeks, but he should not have the issues dealing with a Cardinals defense that has only 7 interceptions on the year.
The Cardinals will look to rely on the run game with James Conner, which will keep the clock moving and limit scoring opportunities on both sides.
Look for this game to come down to the wire and take the Panthers plus the points at home.
>> Use our NFL Odds Comparison Tool to find the best lines & odds
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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars UNDER 40.5 – 4:25 pm ET on CBS
One bright for the Raiders in a down season has been the play of their defense in recent weeks. Three weeks ago, they held the Chiefs to just 19 points, and last week, they gave up just 15 points to the Falcons.
This is a game neither team really wants to win as they battle for a better draft position, so don’t expect a lot of trickery on offense.
The Jaguars rank 26th in offense, while the Raiders are 28th, so both teams should have success stopping the other.
The Raiders have scored more than 20 points just twice this season and have only averaged 15.4 points per game in their last 5 games.
The Jaguars offense has been even worse during their last 5, averaging just 13.6 points per game.
In a game that neither team wants to win, play this UNDER 40.5.
>> Use our NFL Odds Comparison Tool to find the best lines & odds
NFL Pick of the Week: Miami Dolphins +1 vs. San Francisco 49ers – 4:25 pm ET on CBS
The 49ers’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread as the injuries continue to mount. They will be using their 5th and 6th string running backs against a Dolphins defense that ranks 8th against the rush.
Also, this is not an ideal spot for the 49ers. They have to make a cross-country trip for a non-conference game just days before Christmas.
That will put a lot of pressure on struggling 49ers QB Brock Purdy. Purdy has thrown just 3 touchdowns (and 2 interceptions) in his last 4 games while averaging just 180 yards per game.
The Dolphins have been playing better football of late, winning 4 of their last 6 as QB Tua Tagovailoa finds his rhythm again after missing time earlier in the year with another concussion.
Look for Tua and his dangerous receivers to take advantage of a banged-up 49ers defense and get enough points for the win and cover Sunday.
>> Use our NFL Odds Comparison Tool to find the best lines & odds
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