The NFL brings us a bumper weekend of football for our betting pleasure. A total of 16 games spread over four days, and three multi-game days give us plenty of options. Ahead of the start of the action, let’s take a look at some predictions and picks based on the current NFL betting odds for Week 16.
NFL Week 16 Predictions and Picks Against the Spread
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New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams Predictions
- Spread
Rams -4.0 - Moneyline
Saints +170, Rams -200 - Total
46.5
This game is intriguing because I feel like the New Orleans Saints are somewhat paper tigers. Their .306 strength of victory shows that their 7-7 record is not based on huge wins over talented teams. The Saints’ best win is over an 8-6 Indianapolis Colts team, but all the others have been under .500.
The Rams should win, but I lack the confidence they will cover by more than a field goal. Their defense is not great, and a backdoor cover could be on the table here. The Rams over 24.5 points might be the play here, but I don’t feel strongly about the other lines this week.
Pick: Rams Over 24.5 points (-115 at ESPN BET)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions
- Spread
Bengals -2.5 - Moneyline
Bengals -130, Steelers +110 - Total
36.5
The Cincinnati Bengals made tough work of the Minnesota Vikings last week, and we know the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense can give the opposing team problems.
I believe the Bengals eventually win out because backup QB Jake Browning has shown more in his short career than Pittsburgh QB Mason Rudolph has at any point in his. I don’t love laying the points, so as long as the odds stay reasonable, I will take the Bengals’ ML.
Pick: Bengals ML
Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angles Chargers Predictions
- Spread
Bills -10.5 - Moneyline
Bills -650, Chargers +475 - Total
43.5
This has a letdown game written all over it for a Buffalo Bills team that has been super inconsistent this season. The problem is that we have no idea what Los Angeles Chargers team we see this week. Hopefully, a change in head coach means we see more than last week, but will even that be enough?
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
I would prefer not to lay 10.5 points with the Bills, so my play here would be to tease the line down to 4.5 and the total to 37.5.
Pick: Bills -4.5 and Over 37.5 (-110 at ESPN BET)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons Predictions
- Spread
Falcons -1.0 - Moneyline
Colts +100, Falcons -120 - Total
44.5
The Indianapolis Colts are as hot and cold as anyone, but they should still have too much for this Atlanta Falcons team. I was shocked the Atlanta Falcons were favored here, so give me the Colts ML at even or plus odds without a moment’s hesitation.
Pick: Colts ML (Best Bet)
Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers Predictions
- Spread
Packers -5.0 - Moneyline
Packers -230, Panthers +195 - Total
36.5
It’s almost impossible to trust the Green Bay Packers in this game after what we have seen over the last two weeks. Even against the Carolina Panthers, I don’t love them laying five points, and the odds are not there for ML.
Depending on the weather in Carolina this week, pushing this total to 42.5 and teasing it with another play might be the best option, but the pickings here are slim.
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Predictions
- Spread
Texans -2.5 - Moneyline
Browns +120, Texans -140 - Total
42.5
The situation with QB C.J. Stroud will dictate a lot about this game, but the Houston Texans have not been convincing in the slightest over the past few weeks. The QB Joe Flacco-led Cleveland Browns have been a thrill a minute in the past two weeks.
I don’t love any part of this, so my early thought is to take the Browns up to 8.5 and tease it with that Panthers-Falcons under from above.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Predictions
- Spread
Lions -3 - Moneyline
Lions -170, Vikings +145 - Total
46.5
The Detroit Lions are not a team we can trust, but I want no part of the QB Nick Mullens experience. The Minnesota Vikings are the most confusing team in the league right now, but we saw last week how an offense can eventually figure out their defense. Add in the fact that the Lions seem to love playing indoors this season, and you have a recipe for success.
Detroit is 6-2 indoors and has scored over 30 points in four of their last five games under a roof. Their defense should allow just enough points to put the over in play, so this could be the trifecta of Detroit ATS, total over, and Lions team total over (depending on the line). I would not advise betting on them all, but whichever of the three you like the best is a solid play for me this week.
Pick: Lions -3, Over 46.5, Lions over 25.5 (+100 at DraftKings)
Washington Commanders vs. New York Jets Predictions
- Spread
Jets -3 - Moneyline
Commanders +135, Jets -155 - Total
37.5
This is also a game I want no part of this week. There are too many questions at QB for both teams, and that uncertainty makes this a wildcard to pick.
MORE: NFL Week 16 ATS Standings
If you forced me to make a pick, I’m teasing the Commanders to +9 and the total to 43.5, but I would rather not even have to think about this game on Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans Predictions
- Spread
Seahawks -2.5 - Moneyline
Seahawks -115, Titans +120 - Total
41.5
While I’m not a big believer in the whole “West Coast teams going East with an early kickoff” element, I do not love it on a short week. The Seahawks are coming off a huge win last week, and there’s let-down potential here with the short week and the travel.
Ultimately, I believe Seattle figures it out, but give me the ML, rather than laying the points.
Pick: Seahawks ML
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Predictions
- Spread
Buccaneers -1 - Moneyline
Jaguars -105, Buccaneers -115 - Total
43.5
This line could move around a little this week, as we hear more about QB Trevor Lawrence’s progress through the concussion protocol. The Buccaneers have been playing nicely in recent weeks, and I have taken them right now at -1 before this line starts swinging.
If Lawrence is out, the maximum I would lay is 6.5. Tampa has been good lately, but I’m not going too crazy backing QB Baker Mayfield.
Pick: Buccaneers -1
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Predictions
- Spread
Bears -4.5 - Moneyline
Cardinals +175, Bears -210 - Total
44.5
You have to give the Arizona Cardinals credit because they certainly have not quit this season.
However, the current version of the Bears should be too strong for them this week. I would prefer not to lay 4.5 points with Chicago, and the ML is outside of the range to make it worthwhile.
The total at 44.5 is going to be very weather-dependent. If the weather looks a little dicey later in the week, the under comes into play, but for now, I would stay away from this game at the current lines and weather uncertainty.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins Predictions
- Spread
Dolphins -1.5 - Moneyline
Cowboys +105, Dolphins -125 - Total
51.5
The Dallas Cowboys on the road have been a problem this year with a 3-4 record. Three of those losses came against good teams, and they have another one in Miami this week against the Dolphins.
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Last week, the Cowboys were found wanting against the run game and a pass-catching back. Miami has two backs capable of that and a deep passing game to keep the Cowboys honest.
The Cowboys are 0-3 ATS and straight up when underdogs this season. Give me the Dolphins to pile on the pain and put to this narrative that they cannot beat a good team to bed.
Pick: Dolphins ML
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos Predictions
- Spread
Broncos -6.5 - Moneyline
Patriots +230, Broncos -280 - Total
34.5
The NFL appears to have given football fans the perfect present — a game you can follow from your phone, so you can spend some time with your family on Christmas Eve.
This game is not likely to get many pulses racing — unless you are a Denver Broncos fan with a nervous disposition.
The Broncos have not been great at covering this season, so laying a touchdown feels like a lot. The weather could also be a factor in this game, so the easiest play for me here is to tease the Broncos down to -0.5 and take the total up to 40.5.
Pick: Broncos -0.5 and Under 40.5 (-110 at ESPNBet)
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs Predictions
- Spread
Chiefs -10 - Moneyline
Raiders +400, Chiefs -525 - Total
41.5
Nothing I have seen from the Kansas City Chiefs this season makes me want to lay 10 points here. The Las Vegas Raiders offensive explosion last week was more a product of the Chargers’ indifference, so I am not expecting that again.
Over 41.5 seems to be in play, but I am going to go back to a teaser as my pick here. Bring the Chiefs down to -4 and the total down to 35.5. Unless one team forgets to turn up on Christmas Day, that feels like the best way to attack this game from a betting perspective.
Pick: Chiefs -4 and Over 35.5 (-110 at ESPNBet)
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles Predictions
- Spread
Eagles -12 - Moneyline
Giants +500, Eagles -700 - Total
42.5
After the last three weeks, there will likely be some nerves in Lincoln Financial Field. A loss for the Philadelphia Eagles could end up being a dagger in their playoff ambitions, but there is no certainty the Giants have enough firepower to do that.
I have no real feel for how to attack this game. Laying 12 points feels too much, but you could give me 22 points with the Giants, and I would still hesitate.
This could be a get-right game for the Eagles, but there is nothing I feel strongly about betting on here.
Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers Predictions
- Spread
49ers -5.5 - Moneyline
Ravens +195, 49ers -230 - Total
46.5
The battle of the one-seeds in their respective conferences is a fitting way to close out the week and a Christmas Day tripleheader. The Baltimore Ravens were not convincing on the road last week against the Jaguars, and the San Francisco 49ers should have too much for them.
This should be a high-scoring game with both offenses capable of racking up points and both defenses having their moments. The straight-up pick is over 46.5, but you know I love a teaser. This one is a candidate to take the Ravens to 11.5 and the total down to 40.5.
Pick: Over 46.5 points
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