About this episode
RJ Bell, Steve Fezzik and Mackenzie Rivers talk NFL recap for Week 12. The guys also preview Thanksgiving Day football games. RJ Bell, Steve Fezzik, and Mackenzie Rivers break down the NFL Week 12 results, focusing on phony finals, line moves, quarterback value, and upcoming Thanksgiving games. They note several games where the winner failed to cover despite controlling yards and efficiency, including the Patriots over the Bengals, where New England dominated yards per play but failed in multiple goal-line stands. They discuss the evolving market perception of the Patriots, schedule strength adjustments, and how priors reduce by late season. They review the Burrow injury line movement and how the market prices uncertainty, concluding the Bengals’ performance showed the impact of disappointment when a QB ruled “possible” ultimately sits. They examine Seattle–Tennessee, emphasizing how big favorites coast late and how punt-return TDs distort stats, along with Cleveland–Las Vegas, highlighting Chip Kelly’s firing and expected offensive regression under new coordinator Greg Olson. They debate Sanders’ surprisingly explosive plays for the Browns and how film people upgraded him despite Fezzik’s skepticism. They analyze defensive player of the year odds, Miles Garrett’s sack trajectory, and how props handle fractional sacks. Detroit–Giants and Jacksonville–Cardinals illustrate end-game analytics, field-goal vs fourth-down decisions, and how many outcomes hinge on coaches avoiding going up six. They revisit Dallas–Philly, discussing the Eagles’ tendency toward half-game lulls, Dallas’ big-play advantage, and midseason defense regression. They consider Atlanta’s underrated strength after beating New Orleans and how overreactions to one bad QB performance distort markets. They break down Minnesota’s QB crisis, O’Connell’s ability to scheme around backups, and the incoming third-stringer Brosmer, speculating he may be an upgrade over McCarthy. They highlight the Rams’ surge behind Stafford’s MVP-level play, improved running game, and elite pass rush, contrasting with Tampa’s limitations. Late games include Baltimore–Cincinnati with Burrow returning on a short week but missing Higgins, leading to under considerations. Thanksgiving picks: Fezzik’s best bet is Green Bay–Detroit under due to slow pace, strong defenses, and divisional familiarity; RJ’s best bet is Dallas +3.5 vs Kansas City, citing the brutal Sunday-to-Thursday overtime trend (6–25 ATS) for road teams and KC’s emotional drain after a long OT game; they also like Cincinnati team-total under 21.5. They close by warning listeners not to overbet Thanksgiving and teasing more picks on Wednesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices