NFL Week 13 parlay: Let's make some money

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

If you went with us on all 3 ends of the top parlay selections in Week 12, you were a winner. The 4th option end did not pan out, but that's OK.

We started out with a winner on the 1st-ever Black Friday NFL game, as the Miami Dolphins covered the 9.5-point number against the hapless New York Jets.

There was a little divine intervention, too. Right after a 30-yard interception return for TD by the Jets with :58 left in the 2nd quarter to make it just 10-6, the Dolphins were picked off on the ensuing possession right before the half. The Jets attempted a Hail Mary, which S Jevon Holland picked off, and ran back 99 yards for a TD in a crazy turn of events. The Dolphins cruised after that.

In the 2nd end, the Pittsburgh Steelers outlasted the Cincinnati Bengals in an ugly, low-scoring defensive slog which we won't get too much into. They cashed on the moneyline, so it was 2-for-2.

In the 3rd end, the Tennessee Titans led 17-3 at halftime against the Carolina Panthers, but it wasn't easy. The Panthers scored midway through the 3rd to make things interesting, but that was all of the scoring in that game. Tennessee ended up with the 17-10 win, and cover as a 3.5-point favorite.

And I used these plays, as well as a couple of others in my weekly football pool, but came up short on the tiebreaker. You can't win them all.

In the extra game, the Houston Texans almost got more late-game heroics from super rookie QB C.J. Stroud, but the Jacksonville Jaguars held on a 24-21 to deny a 4-for-4 week.

Now, it's time to focus on the new week. After looking at FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL Week 13 odds, here is a "Let's make some money" NFL parlay bet to cash in on among SportbookWire's NFL expert picks and predictions.

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NFL Week 13: Let's make some money parlay

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:55 a.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.

Leg 1: STEELERS -5.5 (-114) vs. Cardinals – 1 p.m. (CBS)

We'll start off with a little bit of risky business. The Steelers jettisoned offensive coordinator Matt Canada prior to last week's game in Cincinnati, and the offense showed a little bit of life. QB Kenny Pickett threw for an NFL-caliber 278 yards while averaging 8.4 yards per completion, a far cry from the 170 yards the team had been averaging. And he managed just 3.8 yards per competition in Cleveland in Week 11, a season low.

Blame Canada! The Steelers came alive, and look like they can be trusted again, as they try and open things back up. Pittsburgh should face very little resistance at home against a Cardinals defense which was spanked in a 37-14 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams, allowing 457 total yards in the process.

Pittsburgh has won and covered the past 2 games at home, and it is 2-0 SU/ATS in the past 2 against NFC opponents, too.

Leg 2: BUCCANEERS -5.5 (-108) vs. Panthers – 4:05 p.m. (CBS)

The Buccaneers host the 1-win Panthers, who hand the keys over to special teams coach Chris Tabor, the new interim head coach. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown is back on play-calling duties, but will it matter?

The Panthers have been brutal this season, losing all 6 games on the road, while managed 15 or fewer points in each of the past 5 outings.

The good news in Carolina is that the defense has been somewhat effective at times, but it is often on the field way too much, as the offense cannot sustain drives. The D gets worn down, and really, the defense has been the only chance for this team to win.

The Buccaneers won the last time we saw them at home, topping the Tennessee Titans 20-6 as a 2.5-point favorite. Tampa Bay has won just once in the past 7 games overall, so there is risk here. However, the Bucs are also 4-1 ATS in the past 5 games.

Leg 3: RAMS -3.5 (-108) vs. Browns – 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

The Browns defense willed the team to a victory against Pittsburgh in Week 11 at home, but they weren't as fortunate on the road in Denver last week. The Broncos pummeled the Browns 29-12, a Scorigami, by the way, if you're into that sort of thing.

Anyway, rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson was knocked out in Denver with a concussion, giving way to QB PJ Walker. This week, DTR is tentatively the starting signal caller, if healthy. If not, it's going to be veteran QB Joe Flacco getting the starting nod.

Yeah, either way, I am backing the homestanding Rams. They pounded the Seattle Seahawks last week, they have a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield with RBs Kyren Williams and Royce Freeman, while QB Matthew Stafford has a solid array of receivers from TE Tyler Higbee to WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. And don't think DL Aaron Donald won't introduce himself to DTR or Flacco, making their job exponentially more difficult.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $59.63 (payout = $69.63).

Try out the Paste BN Parlay Calculator.

Leg 4-*: EAGLES ML (+128) vs. 49ers – 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

*-If you want to add a 4th play to this parlay.

Like last weekend, the Eagles will host a playoff contender in the late nationally-televised window on Sunday, and it will be raining again.

Philadelphia outlasted the Buffalo Bills in an epic overtime battle last Sunday in the rain, and the forecast calls for temperatures in the low 50's with a 50% or greater chance of precipitation during the game. Expect a lot of work on the ground for Philly. Did someone say Brotherly Shove?

It's a bit surprising to see a West Coast team travel East and be installed as a 2.5- or 3-point favorite at most shops over the team with the best record in the NFL. The Eagles should use that lack of respect as a motivating factor, dancing through the raindrops for another marquee win.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $148.75 (payout = $158.75).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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