AFC South Battle Intensifies in Week 12 – November 26

The race for the AFC South Division crown heats up today when 6-4 Houston hosts 7-3 Jacksonville. The Texans have been one of the bigger surprises in the NFL this season. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud has been outstanding all season long. He is fourth in the NFL in passing yards (2,962) and his 17-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio is impressive for a rookie.

Houston can take over the lead in the AFC South with a win today. A Texans-Jags battle is about as close to a rivalry week game as you can get. Jacksonville is a 1-point road favorite, but a Texans upset would be no surprise. Houston has won 10 of the last 11 games against the Jaguars. The Texans have done so convincingly too, winning those 10 games by an average of nearly 9 points per game.

AFC South Playoff Picture

Heading into today’s AFC South battle, the Jags are No. 4 in the conference playoff picture. They are right behind the Chiefs, who are also 7-3. Remember, the AFC South winner is guaranteed one of the top four seeds in the playoffs. Houston is currently sixth behind Cleveland, which is also 7-3. Check out how our AFC South win totals predictions are doing.

Rounding out the current playoff participants is Pittsburgh at 6-4. Indianapolis, which is currently third in the AFC South, is still in the hunt. The Colts are No. 9 right behind Buffalo (6-5). The Colts are 5-5 and host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) today. The one AFC South team not in the playoff picture is Tennessee. The Titans are just 3-7.

Both teams have a somewhat friendly schedule to end the season. Houston plays Tennessee twice plus the Jets and they finish the season against the Colts. Their toughest games should be against Cleveland and a resurgent Denver. The Jags finish the season with the Bucs, Panthers, and Titans, but must face Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Baltimore first. That stretch will have a huge impact on the AFC South race.

Sports Hub Cappers Race to Top of the Board

Speaking of races, our Sports Hub experts were getting after it yesterday. With all of the rivalry week games and the rest of the sports schedule, there were plenty of opportunities for wins. The Sports Hub Insider took advantage and earned a nice $702 to lead our handicappers yesterday. The new guy, Coach Rick, also got in on the action, laying claim to his first stop in the top-5. The entire top-5 won at least $300 and the top-50 all came out ahead.

Here’s the best of the best from yesterday.

• The inside scoop: From the very beginning, I’ve told you about the Sports Hub Insider. With connections that run deep in the industry, the Insider has access to information that the regular Joe does not. The Insider put that information to use yesterday, going 9-2 and winning $702. That gives the Insider winnings of $1253 for the last seven days. That’s impressive. You may want to get on The Sports Hub Insider’s picks today. Both of them feature AFC South teams.
• The coach: Coach Rick is new to Sports Hub and he offers a unique perspective with his handicapping. Whatever it is, it’s working. Yesterday, Coach Rick put in 13 picks and wound up going 10-3. He finished up $680. Coach Rick is back at it again today with six NFL picks in the system already. Check to see if he has one for the Jags-Texans AFC South matchup.
• Sports Central: These guys put in eight picks yesterday, primarily on college football. Sports Central hit six of the eight picks and took home $386 to end up third on yesterday’s board. 
• Rivalry week winners: Dan Jones went 3-0 on three college football picks yesterday. The Sports Hub expert won $300 and has an NFL pick for today already in the database. If it’s an AFC South pick, you’ll have to go see for yourself.

AFC South Battle Tops Sunday Schedule

With three games on Thanksgiving Day and the first-ever Black Friday NFL game, there are only 11 games on today’s NFL schedule. The Bills-Eagles late afternoon game lost some of its luster when the Bills dropped to 6-5. That makes the Jags-Texans battle for first in the AFC South the game of the day. 

The NFL isn’t the only thing on the schedule today. Bettors can find opportunities elsewhere too. Our handicappers have NBA, NHL, and soccer picks in the database for games today. Check the members’ area to see what is available. 

Here’s a look at today’s schedule.

1. AFC South: The winner of today’s Jacksonville-Houston game will lead the division and own at least the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. The loser will likely still remain in the top-7. The Colts play Tampa Bay at home and can stay in the hunt for a playoff spot with a win.
2. Divisional battles: The Jags-Texans AFC South clash isn’t the only divisional battle today. The Steelers take on the Bengals and the Chiefs face the Raiders. Tomorrow night, it’s an NFC North battle between Chicago and Minnesota. To get yourself ready for today, don’t forget to visit our Week 12 NFL picks page.

3. NBA: There are eight games on the NBA schedule today. It all starts in Milwaukee when the Bucks welcome Portland. The Bucks Damian Lillard will face his former team in this afternoon game. The day ends with rookie Victor Wembenyana and his San Antonio Spurs playing in Denver.
4. NHL: Minnesota and Detroit kick off a hockey day that includes just five NHL games. Anaheim at Edmonton is the final games of the day, starting at 9 p.m.
5. Big-time soccer: All of the world’s top leagues have matches today. Manchester United plays Everton in one of two Premier League matches. La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Italy’s Serie A all have matches today. MLS continues its playoffs. Houston Dynamo FC hosts Sporting Kansas City and  the Seattle Sounders host LAFC.
6. MundoTenis Open final: Ajla Tomljanovic faces Martina Capurro in the final of this event. Two more WTA events will begin tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Weekend Football Rules

MAC-tion started it all off on Tuesday and then Thanksgiving Day gave us three NFL games and a college football teaser. Friday college games ruled the schedule and all the rivalry games played on Saturday were the perfect way to end the regular season. Today, we get treated to more NFL games and can watch all day long before we have to face reality and go back to work on Monday. 

Here’s a look at what’s trending now.

• Michigan: Winners again. The whole sign-stealing, scouting deal is definitely behind the Wolverines. Now it’s on to the Big Ten championship and another crack at the College Football Playoff.

• Ohio: Losers again. The Buckeyes have lost three straight to Michigan. They end the regular season at 11-1 again and will hope for a Michigan loss to Iowa in the Big Ten title game. That would be one way they can make the CFP.
• The CFP: Speaking of the playoff, it could get very interesting with some upsets next week in the conference title games. The big one is Florida State and Louisville in the ACC. FSU survived Florida yesterday with backup QB Tate Rodemaker. Don’t forget, No. 4 Washington plays No. 6 Oregon in the Pac-12 title game. The Huskies are the Ducks only loss this season.
• Dolphins: With their 34-13 win in the first-ever Black Friday NFL game, the Miami Dolphins now own the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Miami is 8-3 and their next three games are against the Commanders, Titans, and Jets. 

There you have it. It’s going to be another great day of football. That AFC South battle should be a good one. Whatever you’re betting on today, make sure to check out our database full of picks. There are already well over 60 NFL picks in the system with more to come! May you find many wins today. Come back tomorrow for a recap of how our handicappers performed and we’ll get you ready for Monday night football!