THE BEST GAMES TO BET
GIANTS vs. PANTHERS in MUNICH
9:30 a.m., Giants by 5 ½, 41 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: This is an absolutely horrendous game not just to watch but to bet. As pathetic as the Panthers have been, should we trust the Giants to spot anyone this many points? Daniel Jones has been favored by more than a FG in just six of his 69 starts, including this one. But the line has moved where it is for a reason. The Dime Man is still better QB than Bryce Young and he’s coming off a decent game. The Panthers ended up with a win last week but they were dominated statistically. They are also a bad team that’s beat up, including their best weapon, Chuba Hubbard. We may regret this but here goes:
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Giants and the under.
JETS at CARDINALS
4:25 p.m., Cards by 1 ½, 45 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Cardinals have been underestimated all year, as evidenced by their 6-3 ATS record. They’ve had one of the toughest schedules in the NFL and can see their way clear to the playoffs. Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr., TE Trey McBride and James Conner spark a versatile offense that the Jets simply can’t match with theirs. Or to put it another way, Aaron Rodgers isn’t going to win any shootouts these days and he might be forced to do that here.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cardinals and the over.
49ERS at BUCS
1 p.m., Niners by 6 ½, 47 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Bucs are gritty, exemplified by their QB, Baker Mayfield, and they just took the unbeaten Chiefs into OT with a late drive, possibly a two-point conversion or coin flip away from pulling off the upset. But this an impossible situation for them as their brutal schedule continues. They’re on short rest after that absolute battle in Kansas City while the 49ers are coming off a bye. It’s looking more and more likely that Christian McCaffrey will return this week, setting up the 4-4 Niners for a great stretch run. Mayfield is still shorthanded when it comes to receivers and will have his hands full against a fresh San Fran defense.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: 49ers and the over.
STEELERS at COMMANDERS
1 p.m., Commanders by 2 ½, 44 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: This defense is a step up from what Jayden Daniels has faced so far, especially with RB Brian Robinson Jr. banged up. The only comparison is Chicago, which held the Commanders to 18 points, including the Hail Mary. Daniels might be a bit gun shy, exposing injured ribs to the Steelers’ pass rush, further fortified with the trade acquisition of edge rusher Preston Smith. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson should continue to shine against this Washington defense, which has been fighting to stop the run and unable to get much heat on the QB, which led to Daniel Jones’ second-half success last week. When in doubt, take Mike Tomlin as an underdog. He is 57-31-4 ATS as a regular season underdog and will have had an extra week to get his team ready.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Steelers and the over.
PATRIOTS at BEARS
1 p.m., Bears by 6 ½, 38 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Bears have taken full advantage of the league’s weak sisters, having covered easily against the Titans, Panthers and Jags. The Patriots certainly qualify as that with four of their seven losses coming by more than 15 points. Drake Maye gives Pats fans hope for the future but he’ll be up against very good defense without much of a supporting cast. The Bears didn’t provide the bounceback last week that many thought they would after the Hail Mary defeat in Washington. But this their opportunity to take out their anger. Look for them to run all over the Pats.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Bears and the under.
BILLS at COLTS
1 p.m., Bills by 4 ½, 47 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Bills have pretty much wrapped up the AFC East after holding off the Dolphins and have landed in a prime sandwich spot on the road with the dreaded Chiefs on deck next week. The Colts are 7-2 ATS this season and can revive their playoff hopes if they win this one. They’re a better team with Joe Flacco under center and they should get some yards out of Jonathan Taylor against the Bills’ 26th-ranked run defense, which will keep this game tight. Josh Allen has been throwing a few INTs since the streak ended a couple of weeks ago.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Colts and the over.
BRONCOS at CHIEFS
1 p.m., Chief by 9 ½, 41 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: It’s mind boggling that the Chiefs continue to be favored by over a touchdown when it’s clear that Andy Reid has adapted an approach that clearly works against blowouts. K.C. keeps pulling out games to remain unbeaten but that streak has to end somewhere. As divisional opponents, the Broncos are a candidate to end it. True, they stepped up in class last week and were humbled by the Ravens. But they also failed to capitalize on several long drives that could have changed the complexion of the game. The Broncos’ defense is still a strength. Yes, it collapsed under Baltimore’s relentless running game, but that’s not an element of the K.C. offense. With the total set this low, and the line so high, you have to grab the points.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Broncos and the under.
VIKINGS at JAGUARS
1 p.m., Vikings by 4 ½, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: Minnesota righted the Viking ship last week and should continue the momentum here against a weak opponent. Trevor Lawrence, who has been limited with an unspecified upper body injury, will be a prime target for the Minny blitz with RT Anton Harrison injured and LT Cam Robinson traded away. T.J. Hockenson is back in the Vikings lineup and the Jags have allowed the second-most TD catches to tight ends. Doug Pederson is the new betting favorite for next coach fired now that Dennis Allen was canned, and there can’t be many positive vibes around the Jacksonville locker room.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Vikings and the over.
FALCONS at SAINTS
1 p.m., Falcons by 3 ½, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: Will the Saints get the customary bump after firing Dennis Allen? It’s entirely possible. They’ve lost seven straight games, including last week against the lowly Panthers. But if they are going to step up in any game, this is it. The Falcons are their biggest rival and they’ll be in front of their home fans. It may be a divisional game but the Falcons could be set up for a letdown. They’re coming off a hyped win over the Cowboys and can easily look past a team that appears to be in total disarray. Derek Carr should be better his second week back from injury.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Saints and the under.
TITANS at CHARGERS
4:05 p.m., Chargers by 7 ½, 38 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Chargers look better each week, especially Justin Herbert. They are a complete team, well coached and fundamentally sound, which is nothing like the Titans. They are 2-6 for a reason because they continue to make fundamental mistakes even if Will Levis is no longer their starting QB. The hook gives us some pause but it’s either take the Chargers or don’t bet it at all. The total is a different matter. The Bolts are 7-1 to the under and although the total is low, we don’t see the Titans doing enough on offense to contribute to an over bet.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Chargers and the under.
LIONS at TEXANS
8:20 p.m., Lions by 3 ½, 49 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: No more standing in front of this Lions train, even if this is a great spot for the Texans. Houston has had the mini bye after laying an egg against the Jets while the Lions are ripe for a letdown after drilling the Packers in a game where the smart money was on Green Bay. Gobbledygook. The Lions are so much more talented than anyone else in the NFC and have become even more so with the addition of DE Za’darius Smith to fill Aidan Hutchinson’s void. Houston will score because of the likely return of Nico Collins so grab the over. But they will not outscore the Lions. No one is right now.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Lions and the over.
LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH
DOLPHINS at RAMS
Monday, 8:15 p.m., Rams by 2 ½, 50 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: Not a great spot for the Rams coming off a big emotional win over the Seahawks. The Dolphins’ playoff hopes are essentially over but it’s a stand-alone prime time game that could bring out their best. That said, the Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp connection is back on and in a matchup of coaches, we like Sean McVay over Mike McDaniel. It’s a big total but with Tua Tagovailoa back, the Dolphins offense is once again humming. That should continue against a Rams D that has allowed over 20 points in all but one game. At the same time, the Fins defense has cost them two games in a row.
CAN’T HELP YOURSELF?: Rams and the over.
BEST OF THE REST
EAGLES at COWBOYS
4:25 p.m., Eagles by 6 ½, 43 ½
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cowboys and the over.
* * *
WEEK’S BEST BET: Lions. Riding the train.
LAST WEEK: 6-8-1, 7-8 over/under
OVERALL: 61-73-4, 72-65-1 over/under
BEST BETS: 6-3
