Can anyone explain why we have two Monday Night Football games tonight? Not only is it excess, but they’re not even good games. Both of these spreads are nearly a touchdown, and of the four teams involved, only the Vikings have a chance at maintaining relevance down the stretch. But it’s the holiday season, and in that regard, perhaps I shouldn’t be so negative. So let me start over.

Tonight’s games are like Christmas dinner! On a normal night, you’d have one dinner and be completely satiated by one plate of food. But Mom made her famous mac and cheese and Aunt Debbie brought an apple crisp, so one plate of food just won’t do. Is the food good? Yeah, it’s good why would you even ask that? Is it good for you? No one asks for a calorie count. Months from now we’ll be jogging and eating salads, so why not indulge in the moment and enjoy life’s little pleasures? Is that genuine enough for you?

If you like my picks, lock them in with the widgets below!

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings (-7), O/U 43.5

Okay, the feel-good metaphor is over because we have to talk about the Bears. Some simulations had this season going differently for the Bears, but now they’re 4-9 with an interim Head Coach, their third Offensive Coordinator of the year, and are rolling out the worst Offensive Line in the league. Caleb Williams has shown flashes that give hope for the years to come, but in this dirty, little football game there isn’t any optimism to be had. The Vikings are a solid football team at every level. People have been waiting all season for Sam Darnold and company to slip up, but it’s not going to be tonight. They’re preparing for some major matchups down the stretch, but tonight they hold serve and get the job done.

Pick: Minnesota -7

Atlanta Falcons (-6.5) @ Las Vegas Raiders, O/U 44.5

What was once a promising season has gone off the rails for the Falcons. After dealing with their biggest threat in the division in Tampa Bay, Kirk Cousins is losing them games by throwing interceptions in bunches. They’re no longer favored to make the playoffs and are left with a quarterback conundrum as Michael Penix Jr. waits in the wings. Now, they’re favored by a touchdown on the road to Desmond Ridder, who Atlanta cast away in the offseason, and the Raiders who have their eyes on the first overall pick in next year’s draft. So, a game with two teams circling the drain, a third-string quarterback, another quarterback who can’t throw the ball to his own team, and the over/under is higher than the other game going on tonight?

Pick: Under 44.5 Total Points