Last weekend, several more teams got tickets to the playoffs.
The Minnesota Vikings clinched a spot with losses to the Seattle Seahawks, the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a spot with losses to the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts, and the Houston Texans clinched a spot with wins and Colts The defeat secured a spot in the American League South.
Who else could win this weekend? We look ahead to Week 16 odds. Below, you’ll find my picks for spreads using the BetMGM online line sports betting.
Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers
The two teams met earlier this season, with the Chargers winning by seven points. I’ll take the Broncos to three points on the road this time.
The Chargers were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. While I don’t think Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is ​​throwing the ball as well as Baker Mayfield, Denver’s defense leads the league in sacks and will slow the Chargers down to keep pace.
Pick: Broncos +2.5 (-105)
Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs
This game hinges heavily on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury, as the introduction of Carson Wentz completely changes everything. Given the current disparity, I’ll go with the Texans in points.
The Texans’ defense has been inconsistent, but the Chiefs are one of four teams this season to fail to score 30 points in a game.
Take the Texans +3 as an example, but I’m going to hedge with some Live betting.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers offense stalled against the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Ravens offense exploded against the New York Giants. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scored five touchdowns.
Still, in a game between two teams that know each other well and the Ravens defense has an easier time dealing with it, I’d take the visiting team closer to a touchdown.
New York Giants vs Atlanta Falcons
I’ll come right out and say this is not a fun game.
On the surface, the Falcons have more talent, but their 15-9 victory over the lowly Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football left a lot to be desired.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris’ postgame comments opened the door for Michael Penix Jr. to get the starting job at season’s end, but for now, I’ll hold my nose and pick the Giants.
Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears
The Lions had three more injuries: Carlton Davis, Aleem McNeil and David Montgomery. Aside from Montgomery, the Lions offense is intact and I believe this team can win the shootout.
Still, the Bears offense has been lackluster since head coach Matt Eberfus was fired following the Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions.
Look for the Lions to pull off an even bigger win on the road than they did a few weeks ago.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were favored last week for the first time in more than 30 games and ended up losing 16.
They’re averaging a league-high 173 yards per game and are coming off a Cardinals offense that’s averaging 141.5 yards per game, which ranks seventh. Not only do the Cardinals have a stable of running backs, but quarterback Kyler Murray should be able to do some damage with his legs.
I wouldn’t bring the Panthers here.
Pick: Cardinals-4 (-110)
Los Angeles Rams vs New York Jets
The Jets defeated the Jaguars with a win, but they gave Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones a ton of production (294 passing yards, two touchdowns).
Yes, they intercepted two passes, but this week, they’ll face a Rams offense with multiple options to beat them, including wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Puka Nakua and running back Guard Karen Williams.
I don’t trust the Jets defense.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
The Commanders struggled on the road against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 and now host the Eagles, whom they beat by eight points on the road earlier this season.
Eagles quarterback Jalen is injured with a broken finger, but the passing game came alive last week, throwing for 290 yards and two scores.
They will cover on the road due to their solid defense.
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Browns offense couldn’t score against the Chiefs last week, but the Bengals defense couldn’t stop anyone. They allowed 27 points to the Titans, who threw four picks, including a six. Now, the Tigers are allowing 27.6 points per game.
That said, the Browns will be playing Dorian Thompson-Robinson in this game.
While Winston is a bit erratic as a passer, he offers an edge that a “DTR” (a player who never threw for more than 165 yards in a game) doesn’t.
Pick: Bengals -7.5 (-105)
Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts
The Titans’ defense has been pretty solid this season, giving up 297.4 yards per game, ranking second in the league. They could have beaten the Bengals if not for three interceptions by Reeves, including six.
The Colts beat them by 3 points earlier this season, but I think the Titans got 3.5 just because Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson can’t be trusted.
The Titans have at least proven recently that they can score.
Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith suffered a knee injury in Week 15. While the initial reports are good, I’m still picking the Vikings regardless of whether he plays or not.
Smith ranks third in the NFL with 13 interceptions, and the Vikings average 1.43 interceptions per game. Additionally, the Seahawks have scored multiple touchdowns in three straight games.
The Vikings are competing for the division title. They will win and cover.
New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills
The Bills have given up 43 points in each of the last two games, but those were due to hard fouls.
Scoring 14 points in the divisional round is tough, but on the road against a Bills offense that’s averaged 35 points per game over the past eight games, I’m not sure the Patriots can keep up.
I would side with Bill hesitantly while not feeling very confident in either direction.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Las Vegas Raiders
Just like the Falcons and Giants, this will be another tough game.
The Jaguars have a better quarterback, Mac Jones, and more playmakers. The Raiders had essentially no run game against the Falcons.
This game is pretty much a draft, so I think I’ll side with the better quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins only have a one-point advantage at home, so this is essentially a draft pick.
I will side with the home team. The 49ers have allowed two passing touchdowns in three of their last four games and have allowed an opposing RB to score a rushing touchdown in each game.
I prefer the Dolphins’ solid offense right now.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys offense is lively with Cooper Rush at quarterback, but their defense will have a hard time against the Buccaneers offense.
They are averaging 29.9 points per game (fourth) and quarterback Baker Mayfield has seven touchdown passes over the past two weeks.
I would like to make 4 points here. The Buccaneers offense struggled to keep up.
Pick: Pirates-4 (-110)
New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers
It’s unclear if the Saints will start Jake Harner or Spencer Rattler, but it doesn’t matter. The Saints’ offense has been very poor recently, averaging less than 15 points per game in the last three games. They now head to Lambeau Field to face a Packers defense that averages one interception per game.
I fully believe the Packers can dominate this game. They rank fourth in total yards per game with 375.9.
Pick: Packers -14.5 (-110)
