Pittsburgh have to be one of the big sports betting disappointments of the year, as the defending Super Bowl champions are in real danger of missing the playoffs thanks to a four-game losing skid. The Steelers will head to Cleveland on Thursday night to face the lowly Browns, and a loss would essentially end Pittsburgh’s season.

Steelers vs Browns odds – Thursday, December 10, 8:20 PM ET

The Steelers (6-6) fell apart on defense against Oakland in a 27-24 win at home, allowing 21 points in the fourth quarter, which highlights how much they miss Troy Polamalu in the secondary. The Steelers allowed Bruce Gradkowski to throw for 308 yards and three touchdowns, all three of which came in the final 15 minutes. Ben Roethlisberger returned from his concussion to pass for 278 yards, two touchdowns and a pick on 18-of-24 passing, and the Steelers still managed to run for 132 yards, but the collapse on defense dealt a blow to their NFL odds in your sportsbook.

The Browns (1-11) came up short in a 30-23 loss to San Diego at home, as they trailed by 20 points heading into the fourth quarter. Brady Quinn had another solid outing, going 25-of-45 for 271 yards and three touchdowns, and he’s now avoided an interception in four of his last five games. However, the Cleveland defense gave up 477 yards of offense, including 386 yards through the air.

NFL odds in your sportsbook have the Steelers as a 10-point favorite in this contest, and they’ve won 12 straight against the Browns, and nine of their last 10 in Cleveland. Their first meeting ended in a 27-14 win for Pittsburgh at home, and both teams had four turnovers in a sloppy game. Roethlisberger lit up the Browns for 417 yards, and he’ll be looking to do the same against a terrible Cleveland defense. Quinn didn’t play in the first game, and he’ll be out to attack the Pittsburgh secondary, who misses their leader badly. They’ll put up some points against the Steelers, but their inability to stop anyone will lead them to another sportsbook loss.

NFL picks: Steelers -14

Those who play NFL odds could be watching history this year as not one, but two teams are 11-0 heading into Week 13 action. One of those teams, Indianapolis, will host AFC South rival Tennessee, who have won five in a row and may be the hottest team in the league outside of Indy and New Orleans.

Titans vs Colts betting – Sunday, December 6, 1:00 PM ET

Vince Young carried the Titans (5-6) to a stirring 20-17 win over Arizona, leading a 99-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Kenny Britt with no time on the clock. Since Young was given the starter’s role over Kerry Collins, the Titans look like a brand new team. Now that teams have to account for Young, it’s made Chris Johnson even more dangerous as he’s averaged 160 yards on the ground since Young joined the starters.

The Colts (11-0) beat Houston for the second time in three weeks with a 35-27 win on the road, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter. The defense had a big hand in that, forcing three turnovers, including a 27-yard interception return for a score. Peyton Manning was “held” to 244 yards and a pair of picks, but he did throw three touchdowns. The Colts even managed to get a running game going, rushing for 114 yards.

NFL odds in your online sportsbook has the Colts as a 6.5-point favorite at home, but that may be too many points to lay with Indy, even if you know that they’ve won five of their last six against the Titans at home. Both secondaries are banged up, which means it should go over the posted total in your sportsbook. The Titans can definitely keep it close with the Colts in Indy, and they need to control the clock with Young and Johnson’s running ability, which keeps Manning and the Indy offense on the sidelines (even though that didn’t work for Miami in Week 2, when the Dolphins held the ball for 45 minutes). The Colts have clinched the AFC South, so they could be due to a letdown, especially after so many close games.

NFL picks: Tennessee +6.5

Before we examine Florida Alabama odds, which will surely be the hottest betting event of the week, let’s take an early look at some NFL action this week, starting with the Thursday nighter.

New York Jets (-3) @ Buffalo Bills

Thursday, December 3, 8:20 p.m. ET

Maybe Dick Jauron was the problem all along? Buffalo’s offense has awakened since Perry Fewell took over head coaching duties. Terrell Owens is born again, suddenly posting monster numbers, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is stretching the field. Marshawn Lynch is riding the pine and watching Fred Jackson deservedly get the rock way more often. All this is good news for Bills fans and anyone who picked them at the online sportsbook last week but the mood may change this week. The Jets second-ranked defense features Darrelle Revis, the league’s best shutdown corner. He should quiet T.O. in a hurry. Also, Thomas Jones and the Jets’ rushing offense rank second in the NFL too. Facing the Bills, who own the NFL’s worst run defense, they won’t force Mark Sanchez to do much. Instead, watch New York hand off the ball and grind out an ugly win over the Bills.

NFL betting pick: Jets -3

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (-6.5)

Sunday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. ET

What would the spread for Colts/Titans football picks have been a month ago: 10? 14? Instead, Vince Young has led Tennessee to five straight victories and his team is less than a touchdown underdog travelling to Indianapolis this week. The Titans will be a “sexy” bet this week because of their potent rushing attack; it is true that the Colts are susceptible against the run. However, Peyton Manning and the Colts can erase seemingly any deficit. They’ve won an NFL-record five straight games when trailing to start the fourth quarter. As well as Tennessee has played of late, its pass defense is still suspect. Let’s remember that the Titans faced Matt Leinart last week instead of Kurt Warner. Manning carved them up for 300-plus yards earlier this season and should do so again. Don’t expect Tennessee to go quietly but pick the Colts to remain undefeated and cover the spread.

NFL betting pick: Colts -6.5

The Houston Texans have to pick themselves up off the mat once again after yet another discouraging fourth quarter failure. On Monday Night Football, NFL betting fans saw Texans kicker Kris Brown miss his second consecutive fourth quarter game-tying field goal attempt, which led to another Texans loss.

This week, the task doesn’t get any easier for Houston as the undefeated Indianapolis Colts come to town. The Texans have a lot of trouble with their division rivals. Sports betting cappers should note that in 15 matchups between the franchises, the Texans have only won once.

When the Colts offense is on the field

One of the reasons why the Colts have dominated the Texans is because they have Peyton Manning and a group of stellar wide receivers, and the Texans have a weak secondary and virtually no pass rush.

Is there any reason to believe things will change?

The Colts still have Manning and he’s having an MVP-caliber season. Beyond that, they have a slew of wide receivers from Reggie Wayne to Pierre Garcon to tight end Dallas Clark that will continue to give the Texans a hard time. Even though the Colts are on the road, the elements won’t be a factor in this game and they should have no problems moving the ball up and down the field.

When the Texans offense is on the field

For the Texans, their offense can be prolific but it clearly stalls at times. If they want to be at full force, they are going to have to trust Steve Slaton and get him involved. If the Texans become a one-dimensional passing team against the Colts, the stellar Colts ends are going to pin their ears back and mow down the Texans.

If the Texans can run with Slaton, it will allow them to play keep away and keep the Colts potent offense on the sidelines.

Outlook & Pick

The Texans are still the Texans the Colts are still the Colts. Manning will continue to pick apart the Texans defense and the Texans will continue to play from behind.

The difference between these two teams is execution. While the Colts are the best in the business, the Texans – as evidenced by their continuous fourth quarter failures – are still a work in progress.

The Colts will stay perfect with another big win.

Colts Texans Betting Odds: Colts -3.5

NFL Picks: Colts -3.5

This week’s NFL odds feature multiple games on Thursday as it’s Thanksgiving week. There’s no time to waste! Let’s string some picks together for Week 12’s early action.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (-10.5)

Thursday, November 26, 12:30 p.m. ET

The Detroit lions let Brady Quinn throw for 304 yards and four touchdowns against them last week. Brady Quinn. Now, they face MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers has absorbed a league-worst 43 sacks in just 10 games this year and still managed an eye-popping 19 touchdown passes. Now, he finally faces a weak pass rush; with time to throw, he could have his best game of the season. The Lions likely won’t have Matt Stafford (shoulder) and may not have Calvin Johnson either, so it’s hard to see them competing at all in this one. Make the Packers your NFL picks.

NFL betting pick: Packers -10.5

Oakland Raiders @ Dallas Cowboys (13.5)

Thursday, November 26, 4:15 p.m. ET

The Raiders shocked the sports betting world with a last-minute victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Can they repeat their success at Cowboys Stadium this week? Their No. 12 pass defense may give the Cowboys trouble considering that Dallas has scored a combined 14 points over its last two games. Dallas should have no trouble running the ball on Oakland but may scuffle in the passing game at times, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Bruce Gradkowski and the Raiders stay within two touchdowns (and lose).

NFL betting pick: Raiders +13.5

New York Giants (-6.5) @ Denver Broncos

Thursday, November 26, 8:20 p.m. ET

A bye week did the Giants good; they returned refreshed last week, especially Eli Manning, and moved the ball well against Atlanta. They should do the same against the struggling Broncos this week, especially in the running game. New York ranks seventh in the NFL in rushing yards and the Broncos have allowed at least 174 yards on the ground in three straight contests. The Broncos are a sinking ship and their quarterback situation is shady with Kyle Orton battling an ankle injury, so they’re in no shape to end their losing streak this week.

NFL betting pick: Giants -6.5

Sports betting fans better “get their popcorn ready,” as NFL Week 11 offers a plethora of exciting matchups to wager on – none of which involve T.O. and the Bills. Let’s make a few football picks.

Indianapolis Colts (-1) @ Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, November 22, 1:00 p.m. ET

For all we know, the 9-0 Colts will run the table this season, but Week 11’s matchup is as dangerous as any the rest of the way. It’s not that Peyton Manning can’t handle Baltimore’s blitzing; he seems to be matchup-proof and the Ravens won’t rush the passer as well without Terrell Suggs. But Indy could struggle to run the ball against a stout Ravens’ defense. It’s also worth noting that the Colts are mediocre against the run and could have trouble stopping Ray Rice. Since Indy’s secondary is banged up too, Joe Flacco could stretch the field and have his best game in a while. If you think anyone can beat Indy this season, Week 11 – in Baltimore – is the time to take your chances at the sportsbook.

NFL betting pick: Ravens +1

Pittsburgh Steelers (-10) @ Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday, November 22, 1:00 p.m. ET

As the Packers and Saints showed us in Weeks 9 and 10, beefy, 10-plus-point spreads can be scary. However, that shouldn’t scare you away from the Steelers in your NFL picks this week. Because Pittsburgh lost a heartbreaker to Cincinnati last Sunday, it should come out angry this week against hapless Kansas City. The Steelers’ amazing run defense allows under 70 yards per game and should totally bottle up Jamaal Charles. Matt Cassel doesn’t stand much of a chance against Pittsburgh’s pass rush either. Guess what – Kansas City’s defense stinks, too. Ben Roethlisberger will probably air it out early and let Rashard Mendenhall close out the game on the ground once the Steelers have a big lead.

NFL betting pick: -10

Cincinnati Bengals (-9.5) @ Oakland Raiders

Sunday, November 22, 4:15 p.m. ET

On the same logic for picking the Steelers, I advise you to avoid Cincinnati this week. The Bengals had a huge emotional uplift upsetting Pittsburgh last week to claim first place in the AFC North; that means they could lose focus in an “easy” matchup this week. It wouldn’t be the first time, as Cincinnati is 0-3 against the spread as a favorite this season. While the Raiders’ anemic offense won’t do much, their decent pass defense may slow Cincy down enough to stay inside 10 points. Go with the Raiders to beat the spread.

NFL betting pick: Raiders +9.5

Cincinnati was one of the trendy sports betting sleeper picks in the NFL, but not anymore because everyone knows there’s as good as many thought they’d be. However, after an emotional win over a division rival on the road, they could have a letdown when they head west to lowly Oakland on Sunday.

Bengals vs Raiders odds – Sunday, November 22, 4:15 PM ET

The Bengals (7-2) completed a sweep of the Steelers with an 18-12 win in Pittsburgh, and they beat the Steelers at their own game with a tough and physical defense. Carson Palmer was 18-of-30 for 178 yards, but Cedric Benson left the game with a hip injury. The Bengals responded to that by signing Kansas City malcontent Larry Johnson. Does this hurt the Bengals’ sports betting chances? This team just got over the hump of having troubled players on the roster. Can Marvin Lewis do it again?

The Raiders (2-7) got another JaMarcus Russell-like performance from, well, Russell, in a 16-10 loss at home to Kansas City. Russell was 8-of-23 for 64 yards, and he now has only two games throughout the year in which he had a passer rating of at least 60. He was benched in favor of Bruce Gradkowski, and now Russell may not even start this week. Michael Bush ran for 119 yards for the Raiders, who also committed 10 penalties. The Raiders aren’t even close to being good enough to make that many mistakes in a game.

NFL odds have the Bengals as a 9.5-point favorite on the road, and they’ve split a pair of meetings with the Raiders since 2003, which the home team winning both times. This is a dangerous game for the Bengals, who have won three in a row and are coming off tough wins over Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and that may have taken a lot out of them. This also begins a stretch where the Bengals play the Raiders, then at home to Cleveland and Detroit, and this has all the makings of a classic trap game. All joking aside, the Raiders have a good enough defense to keep it close, and we’re not sure if adding Johnson to the mix if a good look for the Bengals. Cincy may win outright, but they won’t cover the sports betting spread in your sportsbook.

NFL Picks: Oakland +9.5

No, it’s not Pacquiao Cotto odds, but the Chiefs and Raiders are division rivals. Neither will be competing for an AFC West title this season, but pride is on the line when they meet Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

Sunday, November 15 at 4:05 p.m. ET

NFL odds: Raiders -1.5

The Raiders (2-6), coming off the bye, have lost two straight since their surprising upset win over the Eagles. They hung in surprisingly well with the Chargers last week, eventually succumbing 24-16. Any game won by Oakland—or remains close, for that matter—is a credit to the defense. The Silver and Black allowed just 19 total points in their two victories this season. The “D” isn’t going to wow you but, on any given Sunday… you know the rest.

Unless you’re talking about Oakland’s offense, that is. Sunday, Monday, it doesn’t matter what day of the week it is—this team can’t score. It’s been beyond pathetic. The Raiders’ highest output this season is 20 points; they’ve been held below double digits  in half their games; and have failed to score a touchdown three times. JaMarcus Russell (48.3 passer rating) makes an easy target, but just about everyone here is lousy.

Kansas City’s offense is, statistically speaking, leaps and bounds better than Oakland’s. That’s not exactly impressive, though, as the Chiefs are managing just 15.8 points per game. Former New England quarterback Matt Cassel—whom the team awarded a big contract in the offseason—is quickly sliding from “unproven” to “unskilled.” The Patriot Way, it seems, is not translating in K.C.

The Chiefs are ranked 30th in pass defense, largely because of a lame pass rush that’s managed a paltry 10 sacks this year. At least Russell isn’t a major threat to burn them. The run defense isn’t exactly pulling its weight either at 136 yards per game. Frankly, there’s not much on this side of the ball to get offshore sportsbook bettors excited.

Oakland emerged victorious in the Week 2 matchup between these squads. The score was 13-10, mostly of product of offensive ineptitude vs. defensive proficiency. It should be more of the same this time around but Kansas City has the edge offensively. Running back Larry Johnson was cut this week but, if he were contributing anything positive, he wouldn’t have been cut. Bet on the Chiefs to score a sloppy, low-scoring victory over the Raiders on your NFL predictions.

What a weekend. From NFL odds (Patriots/Colts, anyone?) to UFC 105 (Randy Couture in action) to the NBA, the sports schedule is packed. To top it all off, we get to watch the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao battles Miguel Cotto in what should be an immensely entertaining bout. If Manny wins, he’ll likely get a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr. next in boxing’s answer to the Super Bowl odds. Let’s analyze Saturday’s fight.

Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2) vs Miguel Cotto (34-1)

Saturday, November 14

Pacquiao Cotto odds: Pacquiao -280, Cotto +220

PACQUIAO – STRENGTHS

We could write a novel listing Manny Pacquiao’s strengths. At 5’6”, he’s often smaller than his opponents. You’d think, then, that he’d have a power disadvantage. Nope. He’s won titles at five different weight classes – proof that his immense punching power can floor guys bigger than him. Look at what he did to Oscar De La Hoya. In addition to power, Pacquiao has speed to spare, so he has the best of both worlds. Against a tough, brawling fighter like Miguel Cotto, that quickness will come in handy, as it will help Cotto escape dangerous situations and catch Cotto off guard on the attack.

PACQUIAO – WEAKNESSES

It’s very tough to find a weakness in Pacquiao’s game; he’s slightly shorter but he and Cotto both have a 67-inch reach. The only possible chink in Pacquiao’s armor could be psychological. Is there a chance he looks past Cotto because Mayweather awaits? Cotto doesn’t represent any new or exciting challenge for Pacquiao, as he’s arguably beaten better fighters already. Maybe Pac-Man won’t have the same intensity he normally brings to a fight.

COTTO – STRENGTHS

A furious, street-fighting type, Miguel Cotto entertains like few other boxers. He loves to walk forward and be the aggressor, swarming opponents and overwhelming them. He may even be the hardest puncher Pac-Man has ever faced.

COTTO – WEAKNESSES

Cotto’s aggression is almost always a plus but it theoretically could hurt him against a fighter of Pacquiao’s caliber. Manny can wait for Cotto to make a mistake and get overanxious, then use his superior speed to counter attack and hurt him. The same strategy worked beautifully against Ricky Hatton.

OUTLOOK

Miguel Cotto is a solid fighter and will certainly make Pacquiao work for his victory, but it’s tough to imagine anyone not named Floyd Mayweather having a chance against Pac-Man in his prime. Bet on Pacquiao to outclass Cotto.

Sportsbook pick: Pacquiao -280

NFL odds get more and more action each day at sportsbooks around the world with baseball finished and the football playoff races heating up. Here are a few NFL picks to consider for Week 9.

Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears (-3)

Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Careful not to trust the home team too much here. Chicago’s O-line isn’t playing too well right now; it had a tough time protecting Jay Cutler against the Browns of all teams. The Cardinals are fresh off an embarrassing home loss to Carolina but are quietly 3-0 on the road this season. Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald can beat a suspect Bears secondary and the Cards overall will duplicate their Week 7 effort versus the Giants.

Sportsbook pick: Cardinals +3

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (-13)

Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Usually we can trust the high-octane Saints to cover virtually every spread but I’m not totally sold on them this week. Sedrick Ellis’ injury left a big hole up the middle in New Orleans’ run defense last week and Michael Turner exploited it for the Falcons in the Monday nighter. Even if the Saints contain DeAngelo Williams, bullish Jonathan Stewart may gouge them up the middle. The Panthers shocked the Cardinals with a dominant win last week; maybe they’ll catch the Saints looking past them and at least cover the spread.

Sportsbook pick: Panthers +13

San Diego Chargers @ New York Giants (-4.5)

Sunday, November 8, 4:15 p.m. ET

It’s time for the Giants to win decisively lest we get seriously worried about them in online betting circles. New York looked as dominant as any team over the first few weeks but their defensive injuries, especially in the secondary, are taking their toll. The Chargers are a nice matchup for the Giants, however. They struggle mightily to stop the run, allowing 130-plus rushing yards per game, so New York should romp if it hands the ball to Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw 35-40 times.

Sportsbook pick: Giants -4.5