Do you know why gambling is hard? Because the folks in Vegas are so good. Last week I told you the New England Patriots would beat the New York Jets by more than 13 ½ points, and the Green Bay Packers would beat the New York Giants by more than 7 ½ points.
The Pats won by 13 and the Packers won by 7. By a combined total of one point, I go from feeling good about myself, to being a double-loser. That’s why they call it “gambling” and not “investing”.
Welcome to “Mac’s Picks for Week 12”.
New York Jets (2-8) at Baltimore Ravens (5-5)
Sunday 1p CBS
With the playoffs a pipe dream for the 15th consecutive year, the New York Jets are simply playing out the string. That’s why during this Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, I’ll be keeping an eye on two potential Ravens free agents.
- C Tyler Linderbaum (2022 NFL Draft, 25th overall)
- DT Travis Jones (2022 NFL Draft, 76th overall)
Linderbaum made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2022 and the Pro Bowl in both 2023 and 2024. This season, he ranks fourth among the 37 qualified NFL centers with a 79.4 PFF grade. Surprisingly, the Ravens didn’t exercise their fifth-year option on the 25-year-old. If he makes it to free agency, it will be tempting for the Jets to use their cap space to elevate their offensive line from good to great.
LT – Olu Fashanu
LG – John Simpson, or Alijah Vera-Tucker (both pending UFA’s)
C – Linderbaum
RG – Joe Tippmann
RT – Armand Membou
Aaron Glenn’s mentor Bill Parcells made a similar splash heading into the 1998 season when he signed future Hall-of-Fame center Kevin Mawae away from the Seattle Seahawks. On the other side of the ball, the 26-year-old Jones is not on the same Pro-Bowl level as the departed Quinnen Williams, but he could be a solid replacement. Jones currently ranks 34th among the 124 qualifying defensive tackles with a 66.9 PFF grade.
ESPN’s early NFL Free Agent projections have Linderbaum ranked second and Jones tenth.
Meanwhile, two former Ravens are also in the spotlight. 27-year-old CB Brandon Stephens returns to Baltimore — having signed with the Jets in the off-season. He’s ranked 12th among the 107 qualified cornerbacks with a 73.1 PFF grade and is second on the Jets with 52 tackles. Plus, 36-year-old Tyrod Taylor— originally drafted by the Ravens in 2011 — officially has replaced Justin Fields as the Jets starting quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens 28 New York Jets 17
Mac’s Pick — Jets (+13 ½)
New York Giants (2-9) at Detroit Lions (6-4)
Sunday 1p FOX
Jaxson Dart is still recovering from his concussion, Malik Nabors is early in his long recovery from ACL surgery, and Cam Skattebo is recovering from misguided attacks on his character.
The rookie running back captured the hearts of New York Giants fans prior to dislocating his right ankle, fracturing his fibula, and rupturing his deltoid ligament back in Week 8. However, for some, the bloom came off the rose this week as Skattebo participated in a staged altercation at the WWE Monday Night Raw event at Madison Square Garden.
In addition to “surviving” the fake physicality, Skattebo announced he was collaborating with the WWE to sell shirts. After coming under attack from some misguided pundits, Skattebo invited fans to watch him play video games on Twitch. Next year, when all three of those kids are healthy, Giants fans can dream of competing with the Lions. This Sunday? Not so much.
Detroit Lions 31 New York Giants 17
Mac’s Pick — Lions (-12 ½)
MAC’S PICKS SEASON RECORD
Versus the point spread: 7-14
On the moneyline: 11-10
Bonus picks: 1-1
MAC’S PICKS DISCLAIMER
Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. While “Mac” comes from gambling lineage, he knows he can’t actually predict the future. Therefore, use this information at your own risk.
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