Eli’s NFL Week 12 Best Bets, Same-Game Parlay Picks: Will Titans Upset Texans?

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Written By Eli Hershkovich | Last Updated
NFL Bets

As the odds for NFL Week 12 near kickoff, let’s handicap point spreads and totals while searching for the best NFL promos across the betting industry. The Steelers at Browns and Titans at Texans pique my interest — juxtaposed with my model and projections. I’ll add other NFL bets once they’re in my sportsbook account.

Below are the best odds in your state. You can also explore the best sportsbook promos from the best sports betting sites.

potential NFL TNF bets: browns to lose by three points or less or win

Good or bad, I’m always transparent with my picks, which you will find in our free sports betting Discord. This football season has been my toughest, going 22-25-3 (-2.18 units). I’ve had a profitable run during the last two years at TheLines.com, finishing 101-65-2 (+33.06 units).

Whether you tail my NFL bets or find this article helpful when analyzing the market, hopefully, you recognize the importance of bankroll management amid bumpy stretches and avoid the urge to chase your losses.

Without further ado, let’s begin.

How Will Steelers Respond?

Pittsburgh is coming off an emotional win over arch-rival Baltimore to claim first place in the AFC North. Russell Wilson and Co. delivered a 32% offensive success rate, the third-lowest across the NFL. They are also on a short prep week, with the NFL weather report forecasting heavy rain and wind gusts near 20 mph.

Generally, I’d quantify this matchup as a buy-low, sell-high opportunity, especially against another division foe. For bettors unfamiliar with situational spots, they attempt to uncover conditions in which teams have surpassed or underperformed their normal level of play relative to the NFL odds board.

Although Cleveland exceeded the market’s expectations in a similar home spot against the Ravens in Week 8, it was the first matchup with Jameis Winston starting after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Winston faces a more prolific pass rush this time, no longer catching above the key number of a touchdown.

Moreover, I’m unconvinced that the Browns’ banged-up defense will contain the Steelers’ zone rushing attack. Jim Schwartz’s unit struggled against the Saints’ similarly constructed ground game in Week 11, and poor conditions should lead to plenty of work for Najee Harris. Both are reasons why I’m eyeing Harris’ odds for an anytime touchdown on Thursday Night Football.

Unless the market reverses course after Nick Chubb and the Browns were bet down from the opening spread of +4.5, I’ll pass on these TNF odds for my NFL bets. If you’re looking for a same-game parlay bet, check out my NFL SGP picks column.

TNF Injury Report

Player Pos Position Injury Status Snaps/g Snaps Per Game Comment
Cleveland Browns
Alex Wright DE Triceps Out 30 Wright has suffered a torn tricep and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the rest of the 2024-25 season.
Brandon Bouyer-Randle OLB Undisclosed Out 0 Bouyer-Randle is dealing with an undisclosed injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the 2024-25 season.
Cedric Tillman WR Concussion Questionable 40.5 Tillman was limited in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Charley Hughlett LS Ribs Out 8.6 Hughlett is dealing with a rib injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
David Bell WR Hip Out 9 Bell is dealing with a hip injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
David Njoku TE Hamstring Questionable 54.8 Njoku did not practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Dawand Jones OT Ankle Out 53.8 Jones has suffered a fractured ankle and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season
Deshaun Watson QB Achilles Out 59.3 Watson suffered a ruptured Achilles and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Geoff Swaim TE Concussion Out 29.8 Swaim is dealing with a concussion and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Greg Newsome II CB Hamstring Out 46 Newsome II suffered a hamstring injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Hakeem Adeniji OT Knee Out 0 Adeniji is dealing with a knee injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the 2024-25 season.
Jamari Thrash WR Shoulder Questionable 10.6 Thrash was limited in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
James Hudson III OT Shoulder Out 58.8 Hudson III is dealing with a shoulder injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Jedrick Wills Jr. OT Knee Out 52 Wills Jr. is battling a knee injury and has been placed on injured reserve. He will miss at least four games.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB Neck Out 65.1 Owusu-Koramoah is dealing with a neck injury and has been placed on the injured reserve. He will miss at least four games.
Jerry Jeudy WR Knee Probable 62.2 Jeudy was a full participant in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Joel Bitonio G Back Questionable 73.1 Bitonio did not practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Jordan Hicks LB Calf Probable 51 Hicks was a full participant in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Luke Wypler C Ankle Out 0 Wypler suffered a fractured ankle and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Martin Emerson Jr. CB Shin Questionable 52.4 Emerson Jr. was limited in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Maurice Hurst II DT Ankle Out 25.4 Hurst II is battling an ankle injury and has been placed on injured reserve. He will miss at least four games.
Mike Ford Jr. CB Concussion Questionable 20.6 Ford Jr. was limited in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Mike Hall Jr. DT Knee Questionable 31.8 The Browns have opened the 21-day practice window for Hall as they await his return from the injured reserve list.
Mohamoud Diabate LB Glute Probable 56.7 Diabate was a full participant in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Myles Garrett DE Personal Questionable 52.2 Garrett did not practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Myles Harden CB Shin Questionable 0 The Browns have opened the 21-day practice window for Harden as they await his return from the injured reserve list.
Nick Harris C Ankle Out 18.6 Harris has suffered an ankle injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Nyheim Hines RB Knee Out 0 Hines was not activated during the 21-day practice window and will stay on the non-football injury list. He will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Sam Kamara DE Concussion Questionable 26.4 Kamara was limited in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Tony Brown II CB Foot Out 22.7 Brown II has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Wyatt Teller G Glute Questionable 72.2 Teller was limited in practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Chiefs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
C.J. Henderson CB Neck Out 0 Henderson is dealing with a neck injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Cameron Johnston P Knee Out 8 Johmston is dealing with a knee injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Cole Holcomb LB Undisclosed Out 0 Holcomb is dealing with an undisclosed injury and has been placed on the physically unable to perform list. He will miss at least four games.
David Perales LB Knee Out 0 Perales suffered a knee injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the 2024-25 season.
DeMarvin Leal DE Neck Out 15.4 Leal is dealing with a neck injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
DeShon Elliott S Hamstring Questionable 57.2 Elliott did not practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Eagles.
George Pickens WR Hamstring Questionable 54.3 Pickens did not practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Eagles.
James Daniels G Achilles Out 52 Daniels suffered a torn Achilles and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Larry Ogunjobi DT Groin Questionable 35.9 Ogunjobi did not practice on Wednesday heading into Week 15 versus the Eagles.
Logan Lee DT Calf Out 0 Lee is dealing with a calf injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Montravius Adams DT Knee Questionable 16.6 The Steelers have opened the 21-day practice window for Adams as they await his return from the injured reserve list.
Nate Herbig G Shoulder Out 0 Herbig is dealing with a torn rotator cuff and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the 2024-25 season.
Roman Wilson WR Hamstring Out 5 Wilson is dealing with a hamstring injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss at least four games.
Ryan Watts CB Stinger Out 0 Watts is dealing with an undisclosed injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He will miss the the 2024-25 season.
Troy Fautanu OT Knee Out 55 Fautanu is dealing with a knee injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. He is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
Zyon Gilbert CB Knee Out 0 Gilbert, a practice squad player, is dealing with a knee injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list.

Watch: BetMGM Trader on Steelers at browns odds

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NFL bets: titans to lose by eight points or less or win

Digging Up A Corpse

If wagering on the Browns sounds immoral, just wait. Tennessee is 2-8 straight up and 1-9 against the spread (10%), the NFL’s worst cover rate. However, I perceive this as the bottom of its market value, making it a buy point.

Like the Seahawks at the 49ers matchup last week, home-field advantage is less significant regarding the spread in divisional games. Couple that with the market over-adjusting for the Titans’ poor play, and my model has this line closer to -7.

The final score was deceiving in Tennessee’s Week 11 defeat to Minnesota. Despite failing to cover (+6), the Titans outgained the Vikings in yards per play. To boot, the oft-maligned Will Levis notched the third-highest EPA per dropback against the blitz.

Houston has accumulated the seventh-highest pressure rate, so his refinement is a major plus. The same can’t be said for his counterpart, C.J. Stroud, who ranks below the league average. While Nico Collins’ reinsertion should boost Stroud’s efficiency, the speed at which the Texans will ramp up his workload is unknown. Collins tallied a 47% snap rate versus Dallas on Monday night, corralling 4-of-7 targets for 54 yards.

The Titans boast a top-10 pass-rush win rate and stuff rate. If Jeffery Simmons and the remainder of their defensive front win the battle against a bottom-five offensive line, Tennessee should hang within a touchdown on a short week for Houston.

Good luck with your NFL Week 12 bets!

Photo by Associated Press/Gene J. Puskar

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