Betting Public Fading Bengals, Texans Ahead of Divisional Games
Latest NFL Week 12 Betting Lines: Cincy, Houston Now Slight 'Dogs
This weekend’s NFL schedule is a bit lighter than most because of Thanksgiving. Still, there’s a few games to keep an eye on, including divisional rivalries between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Jacksonville and Houston.
How are bettors treating those NFL matchups? Let’s break down the latest NFL Week 12 betting lines.
Steelers vs Bengals 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: Bengals -2.5
Current Total: Bengals +1.5
The Bengals, 4-5-1 ATS, are now slight underdogs after opening Sunday as 2.5-point favorites. Jake Browning will make his first NFL start in place of Joe Burrow, who’s out for the season with a torn ligament in his wrist. He could be in line for a long day against the NFL’s seventh-ranked scoring defense (19.5 PPG allowed).
But will the Steelers do enough offensively to win? They’re hoping for a spark after firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada this week.
According to NFL betting odds, this is the second lowest projected total on the board at 35.5.
Jaguars vs Texans 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: Texans -1
Current Total: Texans +1
The Texans, winners of three straight, are among the league’s hottest NFL teams. C.J. Stroud has keyed their turnaround, passing for the third-most yards (2,962) in the NFL. A win here would catapult the Texans (6-4) into first place in the AFC South via the head-to-head tiebreaker.
While the Texans have beaten Jacksonville once already, 37-17 in Week 3, bettors are clearly proceeding with caution. The Jaguars have been better ATS with a record of 7-3, compared to 5-5 for Houston.
Patriots vs Giants 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: Giants +5
Current Total: Giants +3.5
These have been two of the worst teams against the spread this season, with the Giants going 3-7-1 and the Patriots 2-8. They also rank 31st and 32nd in scoring. Accordingly, this matchup features the lowest total (33.5) on the NFL game schedule.
Neither team is going anywhere, but the Giants at least showed signs of life last week in their 31-19 victory over Washington. As such, this line has begun to creep closer in the Giants’ favor on the latest NFL Week 12 betting lines.
Buccaneers vs Colts 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: Colts -1.5
Current Total: Colts -2.5
Back to .500 at 5-5, the Colts have had a week to rest after beating New England in Germany, 10-6. Oddsmakers expect them to come out fast against the Buccaneers, who have dropped five of their last six.
Both teams have been solid ATS, with the Buccaneers going 7-3 and the Colts 6-4.
Bears vs Vikings 
Day/Time:
Opening Total: 45.5 Points
Current Total: 43.3 Points
Minnesota cooled off in Week 11 thanks to a resurgent Denver defense. The 21-20 loss snapped a five-game winning streak. Joshua Dobbs, acquired at last month’s trade deadline to replace Kirk Cousins, threw for 221 yards but mustered just one touchdown drive in the second half.
The Vikings have gone Under the total in eight of their 11 games, the third-highest rate (72.7%) in the NFL. While the Bears are on the opposite end of the spectrum, having gone Over the total 63.6% of the time, these teams combined for just 32 points in Week 6. Hence the latest NFL Week 12 betting lines.
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