There are only two weeks left in the 2016-2017 NFL Regular Season. There are a few throw away games in our Week 16 preview. But, outside of those few throwaway games, the results of almost every other game in Week 16 should influence the NFL Playoff Race. Most NFL games are this Saturday, Dec. 24. Take note. Let’s get to it!
Editors Note: Check also Week 16 Betting Picks by Matt Ross
NFL Betting – Regular Season Week 16 Preview
Thursday, Dec. 22
New York Giants -2.5 at Philadelphia Eagles (8:30 pm ET)
72% of football handicappers are all over the Giants to cover the spread in their road battle versus the Eagles on Thursday night. I’m with the 72% in this game. The Giants’ defense has been unbelievable the past couple of weeks while Eli has started to hone on in what he needs to do once the Giants get into the playoffs. I love the look of New York right now.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills -3.5 (1:00 pm ET)
The Bills shouldn’t be favored against Miami in this game. Miami’s offense is more controlled with back-up QB Matt Moore under center. Moore won’t throw 4 TDs against Buffalo in Week 16. But, he could still throw 2 or 3 TDs. The Bills’ defense is a mess. This should be an entertaining game with both quarterbacks having success. Because of that, I’m taking the points.
Atlanta Falcons -2.5 at Carolina Panthers (1:00 pm ET)
This is the time of the year when Atlanta QB Matt Ryan starts to fold. He was terrific against San Francisco in Week 15. But, the Falcons battle Carolina on the road. I think this game comes down to the final couple of possessions in the 4th quarter. To me, the home team has the edge. I’m taking the points again.
Washington Redskins -3 at Chicago Bears (1:00 pm ET)
I’m all over the Chicago moneyline in this game. Washington looked terrible in a home game against Carolina this past Monday night. They were dreadful. It’s hard for me describe how bad they were. Only a few of their players on either side of the ball played strong. The offensive line got blown away. The defensive line played soft. It was terrible. Chicago plays hard and the Bears’ defense is much better than many believe it to be. I’m going moneyline on the Bears.
San Diego Chargers -6 at Cleveland Browns (1:00 pm ET)
Cleveland has a lot of problems. The biggest issue that Cleveland has is that they don’t have a winner on their team on either side of the football. When players get used to losing, it becomes tough for them to pick it up. San Diego QB Phillip Rivers likes to win. He’s a great leader. I see him dominating the Browns with 3 TD passes and close to 400 yards passing. This is especially true since RB Melvin Gordon may only get 5 to 10 touches in this…that’s if he even plays.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers -6.5 (1:00 pm ET)
I’m on the Packers to cover this spread big time on Saturday. Green Bay has won 5 games in a row. Green Bay’s defense is playing much better. Ty Montgomery has become a force at RB. Minnesota has an issue on defense in this one. Do they stop Aaron Rodgers and the passing game? Or, do they shut down Montgomery and the rushing game? Hard to say, right? Green Bay rolls.
Tennessee Titans -4.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 pm ET)
The Titans’ defense should have no trouble dominating the Jaguars’ offense in Week 16. Tennessee only needs to win out to take the AFC South. That would be fantastic considering that it’s QB Marcus Mariota’s second season under center. Jacksonville is already searching for a new head coach. The Jags may play tougher in this game. But, since they lost a lead over Houston in a 20 to 21 loss in Week 15, my guess is that they don’t show up as tough as they could against the Titans. I think the Titans could win by 10 points or more.
New York Jets at New England Patriots -16.5 (1:00 pm ET)
The Patriots offer too many points in this game. The Jets always play the Patriots tough. Just ask Tom Brady. The Jets shouldn’t win. But, giving over 16 points to an NFL team in a game is ludicrous. I like the Patriots to beat the Jets in a close 17 to 6 battle, or something like 20 to 7. That’s just what happens in this rivalry match up.
Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders -3.5 (4:05 pm ET)
It’s difficult to take the Colts, but I’m going to. Indianapolis was terrific in their 34 to 6 win over Minnesota. Raiders’ QB Derek Carr had has some problems in recent weeks while Andrew Luck has been on fire. I think the Colts have a great shot of pulling off the moneyline upset.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints -3 (4:25 pm ET)
The Saints shouldn’t be favored in this battle. One thing that has changed, which could put this game into New Orleans’ corner, is that Saints’ rookie WR Michael Thomas is healthy to play on Saturday. He wasn’t present the last time that the Saints battled Tampa Bay. Thomas should have a nice game against the Bucs who will take great pains to keep WR Brandin Cooks from catching long passes down field. I like the Saints to cover.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks -9 (4:25 pm ET)
It’s hard to back Arizona against any team in the NFL after watching their defense yield 48 points to the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. Seattle QB Russell Wilson could have a big day. Then again, these two played to a 6 to 6 tie on Oct. 23 in one of the worst football games I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m taking the 9 points on the Cards.
San Francisco 49’ers at Los Angeles Rams -4 (4:25 pm ET)
Do I have to pick a winner ATS in this game? If so, I’m going with the San Francisco 49’ers. The 49’ers have an offense that could exploit the Rams’ issues on defense. It’s too soon to expect the Rams to have changed the offense all that much. QB Jared Goff is still a rookie. I like SF to win this one.
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans -2 (8:25 pm ET)
Bummer game on Saturday night. The Bengals must be thinking of giving up after blowing a lead to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday. Cincinnati doesn’t figure to show up in Week 16. QB Tom Savage should play well now that Bill O’Brien has stated that he’s this Saturday’s starter. I like Houston to cover.
Sunday, Dec. 25
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers -5 (4:30 pm ET)
Pittsburgh is a big favorite versus the rival Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers probably should be 5-point favorites. I’m not backing Pitt, though. To me, Baltimore is in a must win situation. The Ravens should get CB Jimmy Smith back. I see Baltimore doing enough to keep this to around a 3-point loss. The Ravens also have a good shot of winning the game straight up
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs -4 (8:30 pm ET)
This is a bad match up for Denver. The Broncos don’t have much of a running game while Kansas City’s defensive line is designed to rush the QB. It’s going to be hard for Denver to keep this one close. 4 points is a lot to give up, but the Broncos aren’t going to make the playoffs this season. It’s difficult to see how many of their players put in an above expectation performance on Sunday.
Monday, Dec. 26
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys -7 (8:30 pm ET)
Dallas’s biggest issue on defense, stopping the pass, should play right into Detroit’s hands. The Cowboys are going to have issues stopping QB Matt Stafford and the Lions’ passing game on Monday. Almost as important is the fact that Detroit’s defense has played incredibly well in the Lions’ past three games. I’m not ready to say who wins this. But, I’m definitely ready to take the 7-points on the Lions. Dallas, FYI, is 0 and 4 against the spread in their last 4 games.