Nat Coombs' NFL Week 12 Tips Including Chiefs @ Panthers

Nat Coombs is an NFL writer and broadcaster who has been anchoring TV and radio coverage in the UK for over 15 years, working with a range of networks including BBC, TalkSPORT, FIVE, ESPN and Channel 4. 

He also hosts his own NFL podcast The Nat Coombs Show and writes a column for The Times. 

Nat has joined The Panel to share his three best tips for the weekend’s NFL action using the best prices from the leading NFL betting sites.

Nat Coombs' NFL Week 12 Predictions:

• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Buccaneers -5.5 To Beat The Giants - 5/6 With Bet365
• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 2: Vikings -3.5 To Beat The Bears - 5/4 With Ladbrokes
• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 3: Chiefs & Panthers Over 42.5 Total Points - 10/11 With QuinnBet

Buccaneers @ Giants Prediction: Bucs To Capitalise On Giants Changes

What the hell has Drew Lock done to deserve this? 

As regular listeners to my podcast (The Nat Coombs Show) will know, we view the Giants qurterback as a bona fide legend, a raw undiscovered talent, a generational QB in waiting, all with our tongue firmly in our cheek. 

But with news that, instead of him, New York is handing the ball to third stringer Tommy Devito, after their benching of starter Daniel Jones, assuming Lock is gonna be firing his agent and looking for a new home. 

The Jones situation is a cautionary tale for teams that have a lacklustre starter who flashes moments of excellence and who land on paying them anyway, despite the warning signs. 

What’s particularly illogical to me, is that the Giants have chosen to eighty-six him right now, thus shorting his stock in any kind of deal, rather than let him live out the string and deal in the off-season.

Quite clearly, they’re sending a firm signal of indifference to the rest of the roster, and indeed the fanbase. 

It’ll probably backfire, and rather than go on tilt, De Vito and co will scrabble together a few wins, and they won’t even land the number one spot. 

The Buccaneers will take full advantage of 'Dysfunction Central' and are still very much in the NFC South race, despite their lull post injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, based on the far from convincing Falcons. 

New York are in the bottom five for rushing yards allowed, which is good news for Bucky Irving and co. 

Nat Coombs' Panel Tip 1: Buccaneers -5.5 To Beat The Giants - 5/6 With Bet365

Vikings @ Bears Betting: Vikings To Cover In Windy City

Speaking of far from convincing, not many are really buying the 8-2 Vikings as serious contenders, despite their formidable defense.

They also have an offense stacked with one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson (912 receiving yards and counting) and one of the most reliable running backs in Aaron Jones. 

Quarterback Sam Darnold is the main reason for the reticence, the early season comeback kid, fading in recent weeks, with critics suggesting he's reverting to (mediocre) type. 

But that’s not fair on Darnold. He’s competent enough, particularly with what’s around him, to keep the Vikings as credible Super Bowl shots, as we’ve seen in the past with defensive-led teams needing a QB who’s not gonna lose them the game. 

The Vikes are fourth in DVOA and fifth in point differential, so they’re more balanced than some suggest.

The Bears have disappointed, but chiefly because the lofty pre-season ambition of playoffs seemed premature. 

Quarterback Caleb Williams has had a raw deal, like his rookie counterpart in New England Drake Maye.

The offensive line protection has been negligible, but unlike Maye, Williams hasn’t flashed X-factor nearly as much. 

Minnesota's defense will give him plenty to think about, and the blitz happy Brian Flores may look to unleash new depths of hell on Sunday. 

Not that the Bears can lean on the ground game instead, with Minnesota equally stout against the run (0.21EPA per rush, number one in the NFL).

Nat Coombs' Panel Tip 2: Vikings -3.5 To Beat The Bears - 5/4 With Ladbrokes

Chiefs @ Panthers Tips: Chiefs To Bounce Back In Carolina

The time to buy the Chiefs stock is now. 

Off the back of their first defeat of the season, issues on the offensive line, Patrick Mahomes having his worst pro-season thus far, loud rumblings about Travis Kelce being a pale shadow of his usual self and issues with the secondary, despite being 9-1, the haters are making their voices heard. 

Here’s the thing. If they’re 9-1 despite these issues, just wait till some get corrected. And they will.

The D-Hop pick up will prove to be inspired, they’ll likely get RB superstar Isiah Pacheco back this week, and let’s face it, they always seem to have O-line issues. 

And who would be surprised, if we flash forward to the AFC Championship game, with one minute and 47 minutes left on the clock, Chiefs are down by six points on their 23-yard line - and Mahomes does it again. 

Carolina is in a dog fight for the number one overall pick in next year's draft, and as we established above, the Giants are making a play for, er, top spot. 

They’re fresh off a bye week, have a half decent offensive line (ranked in the top 12 in the PFF rankings) to protect a re-invented (kinda) Bryce Young and can look to exploit that Chiefs secondary enough to keep this honest. 

The spread on betting apps feels a reach, given the double digits, and the fact that Kansas City haven’t covered in the last four games. But the total is tempting. 

Nat Coombs' Panel Tip 3: Chiefs & Panthers Over 42.5 Total Points - 10/11 With QuinnBet

Other Betting Match-Ups To Consider:

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears:

Vikings defense lead the NFL with 16 INTs, including 5 in their last 4 games.

Caleb Williams to throw 1+ INTs - Evens With Bet365

Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts:

The Lions have won 5 of their last 6 games despite conceding the first points. 

Team that scores first and loses the game - 27/20 With Bet365

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins:

Since Tua Tagovailoa's return, the Dolphins have scored points in all four quarters in each of their last 4 games.

Dolphins to score in all four quarters - 7/5 With Bet365

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Giants:

The Giants have scored 20+ points in their last 4, the Buccaneers have scored 20+ points in their last 6.

Both teams to score 20+ points - 9/4 With Bet365

Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders:

Cowboys have not led at half-time in their last 3 games, while the Commanders have led at half-time in their last 5.

Commanders to lead at half-time - 5/12 With Bet365

Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams:

Jalen Hurts has rushed for 9 TDs in the last 5 games.

Jalen Hurts to score a TD - 4/5 With Bet365

Baltimore Ravens @ Los Angeles Chargers:

Chargers HT/FT double has been a winning bet in their last 4 games, Ravens lost last week after trailing at half-time.

Chargers HT/FT double - 23/10 With Bet365