The festive season is a key point in the NFL campaign as the regular season nears its end. On Boxing Day there are 12 games for gridiron fans to get their teeth into. Here are the highlights of a busy day of action.
Bills Can Exact Pats Revenge
The most intriguing game of Boxing Day’s slate is arguably this top of the AFC East clash. The New England Patriots are a game ahead of the early leaders, the Buffalo Bills, having caught them with a midseason surge.
That run included a cagey 14-10 win for the Patriots earlier this month, with weather conditions playing a big factor in Buffalo.
Rookie quarterback Mac Jones has been a revelation for the Patriots after they struggled to find someone to fill Tom Brady’s shoes last year.
However, the Bills bounced back from back-to-back losses with a 31-14 win over the Carolina Panthers last week and they can continue that winning run here.
Buffalo has won nine of its last 10 divisional games, with their narrow loss to the Pats this month the exception and look overpriced on the money line at 23/20.
Bengals Can Add to Baltimore Woes
Another two teams locked in a divisional battle are the Bengals and the Ravens. Baltimore looked like they had the clear advantage in the AFC North but have lost three on the spin to lose their grip on the division.
They are now tied with the Bengals with both teams sporting an 8-6 record. Quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury in their week 14 loss to the Cleveland Browns and is still a doubt to make this matchup.
With question marks over the fitness of such a key player, the Ravens may be worth taking on again.
The Bengals won the two teams’ meeting earlier in the season 41-17 and are fancied to pick up another win here at 20/43.
Steelers No Match for Red-Hot Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have recovered from a poor start by their high standards to win seven games on the spin, leading the AFC West by two games going into the business end of the season.
Their opponents here, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are locked in a tight battle in the AFC North and still hold hopes of making the playoffs.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has struggled with his fitness this season, is likely to play and will be key for the offensive endeavours of the Steelers.
However, the Chiefs have hit top gear and with Patrick Mahomes in full flight, Kansas can cover the -8.5 on the spread at 25/27.
Only the Colts and the Bills have scored more points than the Chiefs’ 385 so far this campaign. The Steelers have also lost their last three on the road.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
