Top 5 betting plays for Week 13 of the NFL season

After uncovering some betting tips and giving out our best team total recommendations, here are our five best betting plays for Week 13 of the NFL season.

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wager: Over 54.5

We've enjoyed playing Tampa Bay Buccaneers overs on the road where they're allowing roughly 40 points per game, and unders at home where they're giving up half of that number. On Sunday, we're going against the grain.

The Bucs are off an 18-point home win over the San Francisco 49ers and backup quarterback Nick Mullens. One of the league's worst defenses should get a reality check against a Carolina Panthers offense that should pose a ton of problems with a group of athletic skill players that are thriving in offensive coordinator Norv Turner's system. Even though these two teams combined for 70 points in the first meeting this season, we don't think there's enough defensive talent to make adjustments in this one.

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals

Wager: Over 44.5

We hit this one when it opened at 42.5 and would still recommend at the current number.

The Denver Broncos were fortunate to allow only 39 combined points over the previous two games, which resulted in wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver's defense was gashed for more than 1,000 yards of total offense combined but benefited from red zone stops versus LA and a couple of red zone turnovers against Pittsburgh. Coming off two big wins, the Broncos now play in a spot where the defense doesn't often show up.

Under Vance Joseph, the Broncos have played an early start on the road seven times, going 0-7 straight up, 1-6 against the spread, and allowing more than 30 points per game. They do get a Cincinnati Bengals offense that will start Jeff Driskel at quarterback, but he'll have wide receiver A.J. Green back from injury. With the Bengals also ranking last in the NFL in points allowed, we're high on the over.

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans

Wager: Under 47.5

This number opened at 45 and reached 48 early in the week, in what we feel was a move based off recent offensive performances from both teams. The Cleveland Browns hung 35 on Cincinnati off a bye week and the Houston Texans put up 34 on the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. The two offenses are led by dynamic, young quarterbacks that can score, but we like the under at this number.

Extra Points

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

Recommended Pick: Under 47.5

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has taken a huge step back this season, after leading the NFL in points allowed per game last year. But they've been great at home, allowing 16.2 points per game as opposed to 27.6 on the road. The Jaguars are also starting backup quarterback Cody Kessler, who is averaging 6.7 yards per passing attempt over his career. We'll side with the under in this divisional game.

Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots

Recommended Pick: Vikings team total over 21.5

The Minnesota Vikings offense should have an advantage over a New England Patriots defense that ranks No. 25 in the NFL against the pass and has only faced three teams that rank in the Top 14 in scoring this season. Foxborough is a tough place to play but the Vikings have shown their offense can travel, averaging 28 points on the road through five games this season.

Top plays: 23-10-2 (69.7 percent)

Overall record: 37-20-1 (64.9 percent)

Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.