Live NFL - Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers 1.30am Channel 4

The Bengals benefited from Peyton Manning's wet spaghetti arm last game, but big Ben is going to be less forgiving. Le'Veon Bell  should run all over the Cincinnati defense too.

However, this isn't a toothless tiger, and the Steelers will need to succeed where others have failed recently and put the brakes on Jeremy Hill. I can't see Andy Dalton winning it with his arm - particularly with A J Green still injured and off a short week.

The hosts should have too much balance on offense.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -3.5 @ 2

Pick: 1st TD Le'Veon Bell @ 6.5
Pick: Anytime TD Jermaine Gresham @ 3.2

Live NFL - Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons 9.25pm Sky Sports

Win or go home in the NFC South, nice.

If Jonathan Stewart and Cam Newton dominate as they should on the ground, the Panthers are a live chance. Matt Ryan will be slinging it all night though, so I expect points.

Pick: Carolina Panthers +3 @ 1.91
Pick: Over 47.5 @ 1.91

Pick: 1st TD Cam Newton @ 13
Pick: Anytime TD Jonathan Stewart @ 2.1

Live NFL - San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs 6pm Sky Sports

Rivers got us home last time with a miracle in OT and, if he can keep his head on his shoulders behind his horrible offensive line, he can lead the bolts to a win here too. 

San Diego should be able to get the run going (Branden Oliver to have a big game?) and if that relieves sufficient pressure, Rivers can get it done.

Don't go mad, because the visitors are badly banged up, but they need the win.

Pick: San Diego Chargers @ 2.38

Pick: 1st TD Travis Kelce @ 13
Pick: Anytime TD Branden Oliver @ 2.8; Antonio Gates @ 2.1

Live NFL - Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals 1.25am Eurosport

Fade the dog. Denver have started pounding the rock and it works. Peyton is just the cherry on the parfait.

Andy Dalton is a bust.

Merry Christmas!

Pick: Denver Broncos -3 @ 1.83 (you don't need to buy the hook, but I hate moving off key numbers)

Pick: 1st TD C J Anderson @ 10
Pick: Anytime TD Julius Thomas @ 2.2

Live NFL - Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys 9.25pm Sky Sports

Dallas have been horrible ATS at home this season, but with Murray suiting up and T Y Hilton looking iffy, I'll take the Cowboys to clinch the NFC East.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys -3 @ 1.8

Pick: 1st TD Jason Witten @ 13
Pick: Anytime TD Joseph Randle @ 2.75

Live NFL - Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers 6pm Sky Sports

A stunning start to the holiday football bets!

People pounded the 3+ on the Chiefs earlier in the week and I understand why in this 'win or go home' meeting, but Ben and his offense are putting up points and provided Jamaal Charles doesn't run all over them, I like the home team now giving up less than a field goal with the LeVeon Bell/Antonio Brown one-two punch.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5 @ 1.95

Pick: 1st TD LeVeon Bell @ 8
Pick: Anytime TD Travis Kelce @ 2

Live NFL - San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers 1.25am Sky Sports

I ripped Sanchez earlier in the season as the same Pick-happy clown as he was in New York ... well, he got his revenge!

The 49ers are out of contention, Harbaugh seems to be headed for the exit, the offensive line has gone AWOL and Kaepernick is stinking it up.

The Chargers don't exactly fill me with joy - Rivers is banged up and he needs to get some protection tonight if they're going to mount any sort of offense.

Keep stakes small and take the Bolts straight up and the Under.

Pick: San Diego Chargers @ 2
Pick: Under 40.5 @ 1.92

Pick: 1st TD Antonio Gates @ 11
Pick: Anytime TD Ryan Mathews @ 2.4

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins 9.30pm Sky Sports

Washington are a complete shambles - I'm not entirely sure Gruden isn't bucking to get fired.

Give the points. Easy.

Pick: Philadelphia Eagles -7 @ 2.0

Pick: 1st TD Jeremy Maclin @10
Pick: Anytime TD Darren Sproles @ 2.5

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars 1.25am Sky Sports

About as edifying as a prostate exam, this game isn't much of a betting proposition either.

When the clown car pulls up, take the points.

Pick: Tennessee Titans +3.5 @ 1.95

Pick: 1st TD Delanie Walker @ 11
Pick: Anytime TD Toby Gerhart @ 2.25

Live NFL - Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers 9.25pm Sky Sports

The Buffalo defense gave Peyton Manning a rough time, but I look for a bounce back here despite John Pagano's very creative approach. The Broncos just have too many options deep and without pressuring Manning, that's asking for trouble. Add in C J Anderson and it's a nice, balanced offense.

Rivers will be under pressure all day and will find it difficult to move the chains, especially with Matthews injured.

Pick: Denver Broncos -4 @ 1.95

Pick: 1st TD C J Anderson @ 8.5
Pick: Anytime TD Emmanuel Sanders @ 2

NFL - Week 15 Mug Acca and Teaser

Giants 
Patriots
Ravens
Packers
Chiefs
Lions
Seahawks

4.91

6pt Teaser at 5Dimes (Ties Win)

Chiefs -6.5
Ravens -9
Patriots -4.5
Giants -1.5
Lions -3

4.85

Live NFL - Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns 6pm Sky Sports

Heeeere's Johnny!

The Browns aren't blessed downfield, but with Manziel so mobile, there'll at least be another dimension to their run game.

Haden can handcuff Green and without him, the Bengals are pretty anaemic on offense.

I don't see points, but the Browns should be a field goal better.

Pick: Cleveland Browns -2.5 @ 1.95
Pick: Under 44 @ 1.95

Pick: 1st TD Isaiah Crowell @ 9.5
Pick: Anytime TD Josh Gordon @ 2

*Post-game comment

'Johnny football' my arse! Apologies for that one; I lost a bundle so I share your pain.

NFL - Week 14 Mug Acca

Saints
Colts
Lions
Texans
Broncos
49ers
Packers

5.57

Live NFL - Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles 9.25pm Sky Sports

Could be a cracking game, and much hinges upon the Lazarus-like revival of Mark Sanchez. This will be a real test and frankly, I expect him to struggle; the Seahawks can bring it and are capable of forcing Sanchez to throw by bottling up McCoy.

The Seahawks may need to win this on the ground with Lynch and Wilson, but they should just have enough.

Just.

Pick: Seattle Seahawks @ 1.95

Pick: 1st TD Marshawn Lynch @ 7
Pick: Anytime TD Jordan Matthews @ 2.38

Live NFL - Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns 6pm Sky Sports

Luck could be scrambling a lot today with the Colts' problems along the line, but the Brown' willingness to put Hoyer under center is suicidal.

Pick: Indianapolis Colts -3 @ 2.0

Pick: 1st TD Dwayne Allen @ 13
Pick: Anytime TD Josh Gordon @ 2.1

Live NFL - Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears 1.30am Sky Sports

Dallas stank it up last week (a couple of bad beats I had) and they haven't actually covered since Week 7. 

Romo looked ponderous and may be more badly injured than he's letting on. The Cowboys can't stop the run and they look weak at the corners. However, while I expect Matt Forte to have a big game, Cutler (despite all the weapons downfield) seems to be in a funk. Combine that with some odd decisions by Trestman and you've got an offense that could go either way against a ropey defense with little pass rush.

In truth, I'd stay away, but if you must, take Dallas on the basis that Chicago are winning the race to the bottom.

Pick: Dallas Cowboy -4 @ 1.95

Pick: 1st TD Matt Forte @ 8.5
Pick: Anytime TD Jason Witten @ 2.5

Live NFL - Miami Dolphins at New York Jets 1.30am Eurosport

I'm still bewildered by the Denver spread last night, but it went some way towards making up for the Pats choking and Pittsburgh messing about for 50 minutes.

The Jets can only be opposed this year. They're horrible.

Pick: Miami Dolphins -6.5 @ 1.95

Pick: 1st TD Jarvis Landry @ 10
Pick: Anytime TD Charles Clay @ 2.75

Live NFL - Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs 1.30am Channel 4

OK, Denver are weaker on the road and seem to be out of sync at the moment, but I'm getting a point?

Pick: Denver Broncos @ 2

Pick: 1st TD C J Anderson @ 9
Pick: Anytime TD Travis Kelce @ 2.75