Five Football Bets Worth Your Money This Week
The article offers betting insights and predictions for five key football matchups, suggesting wagers on the Panthers, Browns, Houston, Iowa, and Indiana.
The holiday football slate is here. After days of eating too much and lounging in sweatpants, it's time to put down some real wagers on games that matter.
These aren't "locks" or risky five-team parlays. These are the five matchups I genuinely believe in—including a pair of College Football Playoff games on Wednesday and Thursday.
2025 record: 34-47-6 (-17.4 units)
Seahawks (-7) @ Panthers
Seattle's hype machine is roaring after Thursday's overtime win over the Rams, and the narrative has shifted: Seattle can string together playoff wins.
But I'm not convinced they're seven points better than Carolina at home. The Panthers have Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan sparking something here, and I expect them to battle.
PICK: Panthers (+7)
Steelers (-3) @ Browns
Smart money backed Cleveland at +4 and +3.5 early this week when word leaked about T.J. Watt's questionable status. Watt is officially out, and the line has dropped to -3 with one of the lowest totals of the season.
This is a textbook Cleveland spot. As a bonus: if Baltimore loses Saturday night, this game becomes meaningless for Pittsburgh anyway.
PICK: Browns (+3)
LSU vs. Houston (-1.5)
Houston gets a glorified home game at NRG Stadium with a fully healthy roster. LSU, meanwhile, is decimated by injuries and operating under interim coaching staff.
Connor Weigman gives Houston the superior quarterback. If you're willing to fade an SEC team in bowl season—and you should be—this is a clean bet.
PICK: Houston (-1.5)
Vanderbilt (-5) vs. Iowa
Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt made people money all season, but Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has a historic edge in bowl games. The Hawkeyes went 4-0 ATS as underdogs this season and have covered at nearly 60% since 2003 when catching points.
Iowa's style and physicality could easily produce an outright upset.
PICK: Iowa (+5)
Indiana (-6.5) vs. Alabama
This is not a typo. Indiana is nearly a touchdown favorite over Alabama in a Playoff game.
It's a stunning testament to what the Hoosiers have built—a complete team led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. While Ty Simpson could deliver a heroic performance for Alabama, Indiana is simply the better team. Coach Curt Cignetti will deliver the win and cover.
PICK: Indiana (-6.5)
