December kicks off in high gear as the we enter the NFL's regular-season homestretch.
Week 13 has some key matchups that will go along way in separating playoff contenders vs. pretenders.
FrontPageBets takes a look at three best bets for Sunday's slate, including a cross-country showdown between two of the top teams in each conference.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change.)
Miami Dolphins money line win over San Francisco 49ers (+180)
It’s the irresistible force vs. the immovable object in this AFC vs. NFC matchup.
The Miami Dolphins have one of the top offenses in the league -- second in passing yards per game (291.9), third in total yards per game (386.7) and sixth in points per game (25.6).
The San Francisco 49ers have the best defense in the league -- first in total yards per game (281.7), first in rushing yards per game (79.5) and first in points (15.7).
Heading into Sunday’s game on the West Coast, the 49ers are 4-point home favorites.
Everything points to San Francisco winning this one -- they’re 4-1 at home straight up, with the only loss coming to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7.
Call it a hunch … but Miami is on a five-game winning streak; and in the last two games, the Dolphins have outscored their opponents by an average of 18.5 points.
They’ll be tested for sure on Sunday afternoon in Levi’s Stadium, but the Dolphins have the firepower to push the 49er defense just enough to squeak by.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders over 50.5 points (-115)
Speaking of offense vs. defense: The Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders matchup is more like a screen door trying to stop a fire hose -- on both sides.
Both offenses can score -- the Raiders average 24.1 points per game, while the Chargers are scoring 22.9 an outing.
Both defenses let teams score -- Las Vegas is giving up 25.1 ppg, while LA allows 25.6, which is fourth-worst in the NFL.
This one will be high-scoring, as the team with the ball last wins.
Baltimore Ravens -8.5 vs. Denver Broncos (-110)
Even though they don’t have the worst record in the NFL, the Denver Broncos could be the worst team. Well, at least the worst offense.
Led by the $250-million man Russell Wilson, the Broncos are at the bottom of the NFL in points per game, averaging just 14.3 points.
If it wasn’t for their defense, which is giving up just 306.4 yards and 17.6 points per game (both third-best in the NFL), Denver would be giving the Houston Texans a run for their money in the loss column.
The Baltimore Ravens enter this Sunday’s home game with one of the best rushing offenses (193.4 yards per game) in the league -- thanks to quarterback Lamar Jackson -- and one of the top-10 scoring offenses (25 ppg).
The Broncos have lost seven out of their last eight, and have failed to score more than 10 points in four of those losses.
The Ravens were on a five-game winning streak before falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week in disappointing fashion.
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 22-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
