San Francisco (10-3) can clinch a top four seeding with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, winning the NFC West in the process. They can also secure the division with a Los Angeles Rams loss against Washington.
Both the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys (10-3) and division rival Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) have 'win and in' scenarios, but the division crown is far from being determined. The Detroit Lions can also secure their postseason berth if results go their way.
In the AFC, Baltimore can clinch playoff football with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in addition to defeats for both Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Here are some betting angles for two key match-ups this weekend
Dallas (10-3) @ Buffalo (7-6)
The high-powered Dallas Cowboys travel to the windy North to take on the underperforming Buffalo Bills – with both teams coming off exceptional victories last weekend. Buffalo beat Kansas City in a close game, with Dallas demolishing Philadelphia.
Buffalo are –2-point favourites in this one, which is a surprising line given that the Cowboys have won their past five games by 20, six, 35, 23 and 32 points respectively. Reversing the handicap in favour of Dallas to –9.5 points will pay out at 37/10.
The Cowboys have scored 33, 41, 45, 33 and 49 points in their last five games, and lead the NFL in offensive scoring. They go against a Buffalo defense that is sixth in scoring, allowing 25 points twice all season. Over 23.5 Dallas points would be a great parlay addition at 4/5, with Over 30.5 priced at 5/2.
Buffalo has been consistently round the 24-point mark over the past two months on offense – however, Dallas has allowed that mark just once in five games. Under 23.5 Buffalo points at 13/10 is worth considering.
The Dallas defense is a good option for player props consideration. Pass rusher Micah Parsons has 12.5 sacks on the season, and at least one sack in six of his last seven games. Cornerback DaRon Bland, meanwhile, leads the league in interceptions with eight. A Parsons' sack is 1/2, with Bland 17/4 for a pick.
Offensively, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has 271+ passing yards in seven of his last eight games, with multiple touchdowns in seven consecutive matches. Over 272.5 passing yards coupled with two touchdown passes is 6/4. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has touchdowns in five successive matches – he is 5/6 to score anytime.
Quarterback Josh Allen is a mercurial talent. He has at least one touchdown pass in every game this season, but has also thrown an interception in nine straight starts. Allen has a rushing touchdowns in six
of his last seven games – a true dual-threat player. Allen to record a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown and interception is a 15/4 parlay.
Kansas City (8-5) @ New England (3-10)
The defending Super Bowl champions have not been themselves in recent weeks going 1-3 with defeats to the Eagles, Bills and Green Bay Packers. Patrick Mahomes has interceptions in nine of 13 games in 2023 and has topped 250 passing yards just twice in six games. Mahomes to throw for under 258.5 passing yards, under 1.5 passing touchdowns and at least one interception is 23/4
The New England Patriots, meanwhile, are putrid on offense mustering a mere 13 points per game and go against a relatively strong defense this weekend. Under 9.5 New England points (9/4) is certainly in the realm of possibility.
They are the two main betting angles in this one, with KC a –8.0-point favourite away from home – a reasonable line given their offensive struggles coupled with a strong New England defense that ranks eighth in total yardage.
KC tight end Travis Kelce is the lone bright spot on the offensive side of the ball, other than Mahomes. Kelce has yardage totals of 83, 81 and 91 over the past three weeks – although it is likely that Bill Belichick will scheme to negate one of the best players in the game. A 75+ yard receiving day at 6/4 could be of interest – as could a seven-reception performance 21/20.
For New England, Hunter Henry scored a pair of touchdowns last week. He has yet to record a game over 56 receiving yards, with just three 50+ yard performances in 2023. 25+ receiving yards at 20/27 is a solid parlay add – he's hit that mark seven times this season.
