The playoff race continues to get tighter and tighter, we have some key matchups on deck in Week 16 -- from the Cowboys and Dolphins, to the Ravens and 49ers. Let's dive into this week's game picks.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Dec. 24)
New Orleans Saints (7-7) @ Los Angeles Rams (7-7)
This is a massive game for the NFC wildcard picture and personally, I think these two teams are headed in opposite directions. The Rams have found their groove, winners of three straight, and the offense is clicking. While Derek Carr has shown flashes for the Saints, the consistency just isn't there. Pick: Rams, 27-20.
Line: Rams -4
ML: Rams
Spread: Rams
Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
No Joe Burrow? No problem. The Bengals are firmly in the AFC playoff race with some solid play by Jake Browning and turn their attention to a key divisional matchup against the Steelers. This is the Steelers' last gasp really to stay in the hunt, but I think the Bengals are going to ride the hot streak here. Pick: Bengals, 20-16.
Line: Bengals -3
ML: Bengals
Spread: Bengals
Buffalo Bills (8-6) @ Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
The Bills picked up a huge win at home last week over the Cowboys and have some momentum here as they try to chase down the Dolphins for the AFC East lead. The Bills need to take this thing one game at a time though and not overlook a Chargers team that was embarrassed on their home field last week. Pick: Bills, 30-17.
Line: Bills -12.5
ML: Bills
Spread: Bills
Cleveland Browns (9-5) @ Houston Texans (8-6)
This is a battle of two veteran quarterbacks, with the advantage going to the Browns here as Joe Flacco, a former Super Bowl winner, will be under center once again. For the Browns, they will lean on their defense to get them into the playoffs and Case Keenum needs to be smart today, use his checkdowns and limit the forced throws. Pick: Texans, 19-17.
Line: Browns -3
ML: Texans
Spread: Browns
Detroit Lions (10-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
The Lions can clinch their first division title since 1993 with a win over the Vikings today. It won't be easy, playing in front of a loud Vikings crowd, but I think Dan Campbell knows what's at stake for the franchise today and Jared Goff gets a late touchdown. Pick: Lions, 23-16.
Line: Lions -3
ML: Lions
Spread: Lions
Green Bay Packers (6-8) @ Carolina Panthers (2-12)
It's an absolute must have game for the Packers this week as they cling to their playoff lives following a disappointing loss at home last week. They should be able to lean on Aaron Jones here and play some smash mouth football. Pick: Packers, 23-13.
Line: Packers -4
ML: Packers
Spread: Packers
Indianapolis Colts (8-6) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-8)
This line is interesting, considering the Falcons have moved away from Desmond Ridder under center and will start journeyman Taylor Heinicke. The Colts will be without their stop receiving threat in Michael Pittman Jr., but they should get a big lift with the return of Jonathan Taylor in the backfield and I feel that will be the difference. Pick: Colts, 20-17.
Line: Falcons -3
ML: Colts
Spread: Colts
Seattle Seahawks (7-7) @ Tennessee Titans (5-9)
The Seahawks came away with a huge win at home over the Eagles last week to keep their playoff hopes alive and will now head on the road to play the Titans. This is a classic 1 pm start for a West Coast team, but I think they grind it out despite that. Pick: Seahawks, 23-21.
Line: Seahawks -3
ML: Seahawks
Spread: Titans
Washington Commanders (4-10) @ New York Jets (5-9)
With both of these teams already eliminated from playoff contention, they can turn their attention to next year's draft and this game will have a big impact on their draft position. Trevor Siemian is expected to be the starter for the Jets and I think it will be their defense that forces Sam Howell into some game-changing mistakes. Pick: Jets, 20-16.
Line: Jets -3
ML: Jets
Spread: Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
The Jags have been slipping in the second half of the season and it's possible they don't walk away as the AFC South champs. It feels more like a must-win for Doug Pederson's group today, but I think they're playing the Bucs at the wrong time and Baker Mayfield seems to be at his healthiest. Pick: Buccaneers, 24-21.
Line: Jaguars -1
ML: Buccaneers
Spread: Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals (3-11) @ Chicago Bears (5-9)
Two more teams playing for bragging rights, but what's most interesting is that the Bears own the Panthers' first-round pick and a win over the Cardinals today could potentially bump them out of that top spot next May. Pick: Bears, 22-15.
Line: Bears -4
ML: Bears
Spread: Bears
Dallas Cowboys (10-4) @ Miami Dolphins (10-4)
This is the first of two marquee matchups this week. Both of these offenses are explosive and this game has the potential to be a real shootout. The Cowboys showed last week that they are vulnerable against the run and that could open the door for Raheem Mostert today. On the other side, Dak Prescott really needs this road win for his confidence because if this team wants playoff success, they need to show they can win away from home. Pick: Cowboys, 28-27.
Line: Dolphins -1
ML: Cowboys
Spread: Cowboys
New England Patriots (3-11) @ Denver Broncos (7-7)
The Broncos were run out of the building in Detroit last week and will be looking to rebound against a Pats team that find themselves in unfamiliar territory. I think the Broncos keep it simple here, mixing in the ground game with some short passes, looking to capitalize on the YAC. Pick: Broncos, 24-16.
Line: Broncos -7
ML: Broncos
Spread: Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) @ Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
Historically, the Chiefs have dominated the Raiders in the Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid era. This matchup comes at the right time for the Chiefs as they need to regain their identity in this final stretch before the playoffs. Pick: Chiefs, 28-17.
Line: Chiefs -10.5
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs
New York Giants (5-9) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)
The Eagles have been on a three-game skid and desperately need a momentum shifting win here. Turnovers have been a problem all season long for Jalen Hurts and he needs to start cleaning that up if this team wants to get back to the NFC Championship. Pick: Eagles, 31-15.
Line: Eagles -13.5
ML: Eagles
Spread: Eagles
Baltimore Ravens (11-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
This is the other marquee matchup of the week, featuring the top seeds in each conference. It doesn't appear that anything will stop the 49ers from hoisting the Lombardi trophy in February and much of that has to do with the dynamic play-making ability throughout their lineup. This game will feature several players in the MVP running, and I think Christian McCaffrey will make the biggest impact. Pick: 49ers, 27-20.
Line: 49ers -6
ML: 49ers
Spread: 49ers
Results
Week 15
ML: 13-3
ATS: 10-4-2
Overall
ML: 150-74
ATS: 130-82-12
留言