The arrival today of Week 15 means that our opportunities place prop bets in the 2020 NFL season is dwindling. Additionally, with the NFL playoff picture beginning to clear, the opportunities for placing futures bets is shrinking. Let’s take a look at some prop bets for Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season, as well as some of the remaining futures opportunities and potential teaser options.
NFL Week 15 Thursday Night Football prop bets
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders | Thursday, December 17th, 8:20 PM
Justin Herbert should have plenty of opportunities to air it out
The last two weeks have been tough sledding for the Chargers QB. Herbert has averaged just 226 passing yards in those two matchups, having gone over 300 in three of the four games before that. One of those games was against the Raiders, where Herbert threw for 326 yards.
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The Raiders’ defense has been vulnerable, both on the ground and through the air. However, the Chargers running game lacks consistency, so look for them to lean on Herbert. The Raiders rank 24th in net passing yards per attempt and 25th in total passing yards. Herbert should be able to get close to the 300-yard mark once again in this game. His passing yards prop sits around 280, a number I expect him to be able to eclipse.
The Raiders run game should be able to get back to work this week
It has been a tough couple of weeks for the Raiders’ run game. The Jets and Colts both rank incredibly high when it comes to yards per rush attempt (third and fourth. However, the Chargers do not have the same strength. The Chargers defense ranks 24th against the run in yards per attempt (4.6).
Josh Jacobs is questionable heading into the week, but if he is active, his rushing yardage line at 60.5 appears to be something he should have an excellent chance to eclipse. Devontae Booker’s line is set at 21 rushing yards and could be another number we see go over. In Week 15 of the NFL season, both players should make for intriguing prop bets today.
Other prop bets and lines to consider in Week 15
As well as looking at prop bets for the game today, let’s take a look at other options in Week 15 of the NFL season.
Seattle should have the chance to blow away Washington
The Seattle Seahawks are a team showing real development in 2020. They started as a team that needed to win shootouts, but recently they have diversified. Their defense has found its feet, and they can hurt teams on both sides of the ball. The Washington Football Team is doing its best, but they lack real high-end talent. Look for Seattle to get out of the gates early on Sunday and control this game. The Seahawks to be winning at half time and full time at -128 is an intriguing option this week.
The Indianapolis Colts should be more than a match for the Houston Texans
There are many lines that you can find on the Colts beating the Texans. However, this week’s intriguing one is for the Colts to force the Texans to punt more than they do at -145. The Texans’ offense is short-handed, while the Colts’ defense is one of the best in the league. Meanwhile, the Texans’ defense is a complete mess, and the Colts’ offense is working up to firing on all cylinders.
Which futures offer value this week?
Time is running short for finding value in the NFL futures market. However, there are still two lines that look to be too good to resist entering Week 15. Let’s take a look at some potential futures bets to go alongside your Week 15 NFL prop bets.
The Green Bay Packers have an excellent opportunity to take command of the NFC
After the New Orleans Saints lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, the Packers took control of the NFC. In Week 15, the Packers face a Panthers team that has struggled recently. Meanwhile, the Saints face the red hot Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. If the Packers win and the Saints lose this week, the Packers will be just one win away from clinching the NFC wild card.
With only one first-round bye on offer, finishing atop the NFC is crucial. If the Packers secure that and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, it is hard to see them being beat. Therefore, an NFL futures bet on the Packers to win the NFC at around +250 looks too much value to pass up.
The Kansas City Chiefs can clinch a first-round bye this week
Another team on the verge of a first-round bye is the Chiefs; they can even clinch it this week. The Chiefs are not a team anyone will want to have an extra week’s rest or have home-field advantage. For that reason, even at odds of around -135, the Chiefs to win the AFC looks like an NFL futures bet I will be considering this week.
Week 15 Teaser
If you are looking for an alternative to prop bets in Week 15 of the NFL season, then here are some options for a potential teaser.
Green Bay should have no problem handling the Panthers
The Green Bay Packers are 8.5-point favorites in their home game with the Panthers this week. The Packers are the far superior team, and the Panthers should not cause much discomfort in Lambeau Field. I wouldn’t say I like taking the line at 8.5 points, but teasing it down to Green Bay -2.5 is an appealing start to any teaser.
The Colts should be able to beat a short-handed Texans team
It is a similar story in the matchup between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. 7.5 points are more than I am comfortable laying with the Colts, but taking the line down to 1.5 certainly offers value.
Bill Belichick against a rookie QB is a familiar story
In the matchup between the Patriots and Dolphins, backing Bill Belichick, who is 21-5 against rookies QBs, to keep his team within 8.5 points seems a solid play. The last rookie QB to come up against Belichick and the Patriots had one of his worst days of the season as the Patriots won 45-0. Take the Patriots up to 8.5 without hesitation.