This article is part of our NFL Staff Picks series.
Jeff Erickson went 11-3 last week to continue his hot streak and vault into second place overall at 76-69-5, a game ahead of Dalton Del Don. Erickson has gone 37-17-2 since Week 7 — 67.9 percent.
Scott Pianowski, after going 8-6 last week, still leads the race at 90-55-5 (61.7 percent).
Unanimous picks went 2-1 last week, while majority picks were 9-5.
This week, there are four unanimous picks. The group agreed on the Titans, Bears, Steelers and Chargers — all underdogs.
Pianowski and Nick Whalen both picked the Giants as the best bet, while Erickson and Kevin Payne split on the Cowboys-Vikings game. Del Don took the Saints as his best bet — the only writer picking the Saints to win.
Odds from BetMGM. Use the BetMGM Bonus Code for a risk-free bet up to $1,000.
*49ers-Cardinals at Mexico City.
| MATCHUP | ERICKSON | PIANOWSKI | WHALEN | PAYNE | DEL DON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans +3 at Packers | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans |
| Bears +3 at Falcons | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears |
| Panthers +11 at Ravens | Panthers | Panthers | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
| Browns +8 at Bills | Bills | Browns | Browns | Browns | Bills |
| Commanders -3 at Texans | Texans | Texans | Commanders | Texans | Texans |
| Eagles -6.5 at Colts | Colts | Eagles | Eagles | Colts | Colts |
| Jets +3 at Patriots | Jets | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Jets |
| Rams +4 at Saints | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Saints |
| Lions +3 at Giants | Giants | Giants | Giants | Giants | Lions |
| Raiders +2.5 at Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Raiders | Broncos |
| Cowboys -1 at Vikings | Vikings | Cowboys | Vikings | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Bengals -4.5 |
Jeff Erickson went 11-3 last week to continue his hot streak and vault into second place overall at 76-69-5, a game ahead of Dalton Del Don. Erickson has gone 37-17-2 since Week 7 — 67.9 percent.
Scott Pianowski, after going 8-6 last week, still leads the race at 90-55-5 (61.7 percent).
Unanimous picks went 2-1 last week, while majority picks were 9-5.
This week, there are four unanimous picks. The group agreed on the Titans, Bears, Steelers and Chargers — all underdogs.
Pianowski and Nick Whalen both picked the Giants as the best bet, while Erickson and Kevin Payne split on the Cowboys-Vikings game. Del Don took the Saints as his best bet — the only writer picking the Saints to win.
Odds from BetMGM. Use the BetMGM Bonus Code for a risk-free bet up to $1,000.
*49ers-Cardinals at Mexico City.
| MATCHUP | ERICKSON | PIANOWSKI | WHALEN | PAYNE | DEL DON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans +3 at Packers | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans |
| Bears +3 at Falcons | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears |
| Panthers +11 at Ravens | Panthers | Panthers | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
| Browns +8 at Bills | Bills | Browns | Browns | Browns | Bills |
| Commanders -3 at Texans | Texans | Texans | Commanders | Texans | Texans |
| Eagles -6.5 at Colts | Colts | Eagles | Eagles | Colts | Colts |
| Jets +3 at Patriots | Jets | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Jets |
| Rams +4 at Saints | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Saints |
| Lions +3 at Giants | Giants | Giants | Giants | Giants | Lions |
| Raiders +2.5 at Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Raiders | Broncos |
| Cowboys -1 at Vikings | Vikings | Cowboys | Vikings | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Bengals -4.5 at Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers |
| Chiefs -6.5 at Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers |
| 49ers -8 vs. Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | 49ers | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Best Bet | Vikings | Giants | Giants | Cowboys | Saints |
| Last Week's Record | 11-3 | 8-6 | 5-9 | 6-8 | 9-5 |
| 2022 Record | 76-69-5 | 90-55-5 | 72-73-5 | 71-74-5 | 75-70-5 |
| 2022 Best Bet Record | 5-5 | 5-4-1 | 5-5 | 5-4-1 | 6-4 |
| 2022 Unanimous Pick Record | 7-3-1 | ||||
| 2022 Majority Pick Record | 77-68-5 | ||||
| 2021 Record | 129-140-3 | 134-135-3 | N/A | 145-124-3 | 136-133-3 |
| 2020 Record | 121-127-8 | 128-120-8 | N/A | 115-133-8 | 118-130-8 |
| 2019 Record | 126-124-6 | 140-110-6 | N/A | 127-123-6 | 134-116-6 |
| 2018 Record | 125-122-9 | 134-113-9 | N/A | N/A | 120-127-9 |
| 2017 Record | 117-125-14 | 128-114-14 | N/A | N/A | 98-144-14 |
| 2016 Record | 140-111-5 | 130-121-5 | N/A | N/A | 132-119-5 |
| 2015 Record | 134-114-8 | 120-128-8 | N/A | N/A | 121-127-8 |
| 2014 Record | 123-128-5 | 140-111-5 | N/A | N/A | 128-123-5 |
| 2013 Record | 132-114-10 | 118-128-10 | N/A | N/A | 128-118-10 |
| 2012 Record | 110-140-6 | 125-125-6 | N/A | N/A | 123-127-6 |
| 2011 Record | 121-128-7 | 134-115-7 | N/A | N/A | 127-122-7 |
| 2010 Record | 129-122-5 | 134-117-5 | N/A | N/A | 134-117-5 |
| 2009 Record | 123-130-3 | 132-121-3 | N/A | N/A | 126-127-3 |
| 2008 Record | 132-114-10 | 128-118-10 | N/A | N/A | 130-116-10 |
| 2007 Record | 127-120 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | 130-117 |
| 2006 Record | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2005 Record | 121-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 Record | 124-124 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2003 Record | 121-126 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 Record | 113-136 | 123-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 Record | 124-113 | 117-120 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 Record | 123-117 | 134-106 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| WRITER | COMMENT |
|---|---|
| Erickson | Similar to last week with the Saints-Steelers, I don't understand why the Cowboys are favored over the Vikings in Minnesota. At worst, it should be Vikings -2.5 IMO, and I actually think the Vikings are a better team and I set the line at Vikings -3.5. I also like both New York teams — the Giants' line feels like a trap, one that I'm willing to walk right into. |
| Pianowski | I still don't trust Detroit on the road, and its win last week had plenty of fluky elements. Happy to take New York, spotting a very modest number. |
| Whalen | The Lions are particularly vulnerable against the run, so that pushes me in favor of the Giants, who also have a decided coaching edge. |
| Payne | Patriots would be my second best-bet pick, I have no faith in the Jets, though the defense, I have to admit, is good. Buffalo could get up to 6 feet of snow, so read into that what you will; send the St. Bernard for me. |
| Del Don | The Rams might've had the worst offense in the NFL before Cooper Kupp got injured. Their season is officially finished ... I also like the Texans and Bills this week. |
The players:
• Jeff Erickson: RotoWire Senior Editor, 2001, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016 Staff Picks champ. Writes the Weekly Rankings. Covers and roots for the Bengals.
• Scott Pianowski: Fantasy expert for Yahoo! Sports, and also contributes to RotoWire. 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2020 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the Patriots.
• Nick Whalen: RotoWire Senior Media Analyst. Writes Beating the Book. Roots for the Jaguars.
• Kevin Payne: RotoWire Staff Writer, 2021 Staff Picks champ. Writes our Waiver Wire column. Roots for the Bills.
• Dalton Del Don: Fantasy Expert for Yahoo! Sports, 2007 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the 49ers.
If you are in Maryland or Ohio, keep in mind that legal sportsbooks are set to launch in your state soon. Stay up to date with the latest BetMGM Maryland bonus code, and prepare for Ohio with the BetMGM Ohio bonus code.
