As NFL contenders begin to take shape, analysts from Moneyline continue to evaluate teams and matchups throughout the season. Week 12 saw Moneyline's experts focusing on a common theme: road favorites. Among the eight road favorites featured, six were backed by the analysts to secure outright victories. With the panel's predictions in mind, the discussion centered around whether home underdogs could counter this trend. Let's delve into the insights and picks of our experts as they assess which visiting teams are expected to prevail this week.

In the first match, the Pittsburgh Steelers, currently riding a positive trajectory against the spread, faced the Cleveland Browns. With the Steelers' ATS record aligning with their win-loss record, they entered the week having covered the spread in five consecutive games. Experts noted the potential impact of weather conditions for this Thursday matchup, projecting a low-scoring contest due to the possibility of rain. While some analysts forecasted a close game, others expressed caution regarding the Steelers' road record on Thursday Night Football, particularly against divisional rivals. Overall, predictions indicated a slim victory for the Steelers, but the Browns were expected to cover the spread.

The subsequent matchup featured the New York Giants, who had recently benched quarterback Daniel Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito. Analysts acknowledged DeVito's previous experience and capability as a serviceable starter. However, taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, boasting a potent offensive attack ranked fifth in the league, posed a significant challenge for the Giants. Predictions leaned heavily towards the Buccaneers, with analysts citing their ability to exploit weaknesses in the Giants' defense. The consensus favored Tampa Bay in this game, projecting a comfortable victory while suggesting the score might not be as close as anticipated.

Addressing the Kansas City Chiefs, experts were curious about how the reigning champions would respond to their first loss of the season. With a substantial spread against the Carolina Panthers, there was debate over whether the Chiefs would prioritize maintaining a strong performance or scale back in preparation for the playoffs. Analysts noted that Kansas City had limited scoring margins throughout the season, with only one win exceeding a 10-point margin. The consensus leaned toward the Chiefs as well, though some expressed skepticism about their ability to cover the spread based on their previous performance.

In the matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Indianapolis Colts, Moneyline panelists unanimously supported the Lions. Despite the Colts showing some strength, particularly with the return of quarterback Anthony Richardson, analysis highlighted the vulnerabilities in the Colts' defense. The Lions' capacity to dominate against teams caught unprepared was emphasized, leading the panel to project a decisive victory for Detroit.

The Miami Dolphins, having secured consecutive victories, were examined in their matchup against the New England Patriots. Although injuries were a concern for the Dolphins, their recent performance suggested an offensive resurgence that analysts anticipated would continue this week. The historical performance of the Dolphins against the Patriots in Miami also played a role in the predictions, with consensus leaning towards the Dolphins overcoming the spread in this contest.

In Chicago, the Bears' new interim offensive play-caller, Thomas Brown, promised a more grounded offensive strategy, yet faced a formidable challenge against the Minnesota Vikings' strong run defense. Despite mixed sentiments about the Vikings' recent performance, some analysts felt the Bears could cover the spread. In a closely contested game, the prediction leaned towards a narrow Minnesota victory.

The Houston Texans were positioned against the Tennessee Titans, with analysts noting their offensive improvement following a recent victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The Titans had been struggling against quality opponents, creating expectations that the Texans would cover the spread. Consensus indicated a positive outlook for Houston as they aimed to continue their upward trajectory.

As the Washington Commanders prepared to face the Dallas Cowboys, analysts expressed mixed feelings regarding the Cowboys' ability to compete effectively given recent struggles. While the Commanders were noted for their rising performance, cautious optimism surrounded their ability to cover a significant spread. This matchup had the potential for competitive play, and predictions favored Washington to win, though concerns about covering the spread remained prevalent.

In a match featuring the Denver Broncos meeting the Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos were noted for their strong road record against the spread. With the Raiders facing injury setbacks and a prolonged losing streak, analysts focused on Denver's recent success and the emergence of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. This analysis led to predictions favoring the Broncos to cover the spread comfortably.

Turning to the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers clash, analysts noted some turnover struggles for the Packers' quarterback, Jordan Love, while acknowledging the competitive nature of the matchup. The 49ers were presented as a desperate team needing a win to remain in the playoff hunt, leading several analysts to lean towards San Francisco as the potential victors, despite recognizing the unpredictability of the outcome.

In the final matchup of the week pitting the Baltimore Ravens against the Los Angeles Chargers, excitement built for a likely high-scoring encounter. Analysts were captivated by the coaching duel between brothers Jim and John Harbaugh, considering the distinct offensive capabilities of both squads. While there were mixed predictions, the Ravens were favored to secure a win, particularly given their strong offensive play and motivation coming off a recent loss.