Best NFL underdog picks and predictions of Week 15

NFL point spread underdogs endured their worst weekend of the season in Week 14, going 3-11 against the number.
So we feel fortunate here to go 1-2 last week, covering only with the Baltimore Ravens on their touchdown and extra point with 1:17 to play to close within the 2.5-point spread against the host Cleveland Browns. Despite late rallies by the Buffalo Bills and Washington Football Team, we fell short of covering on our other two Week 14 selections, putting our season record at 28-14 (.667) ATS.
Let’s see if the ‘dogs bounce back.

NFL underdog predictions: Week 15

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET.

Atlanta Falcons +9.5 (-110) at San Francisco 49ers

Matt Ryan and Falcons have picked up the pace of late, winning and covering in two of their last three games. That puts 6-7 Atlanta at 6-2 SU and ATS in road/neutral site games on the season.

The 7-6 Niners, meanwhile, have won and covered in four of their last five, but when laying seven-or-more points since the start of the 2020 season, San Fran has only covered once in five games. And now coming off a hard-fought 26-23 overtime road win in Cincinnati, the 49ers are back home where somehow they usually don’t play close to their best, posting 3-9 SU and 4-8 ATS home marks since the start of last season.

We still like the Niners to come away with the win, but most all the trends point toward the visiting FALCONS (+9.5, -110) getting the cover in this game with NFC playoff implications.

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New Orleans Saints +10.5 (-110) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Including February’s Super Bowl, Tom Brady and the Bucs have won nine straight at home and have covered in all of them, aside from a tight season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys in September.

And with the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals also 10-3, Tampa is battling for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Bucs can take a first step by winning and locking up the NFC South title Sunday night, but it promises to be far from easy as coach Sean Payton and the Saints have won 16 of the last 21 meetings in the series, including a 2-1 mark last season and a 36-27 upset home win in Week 8 this year.

Brady and Co. figure to get the win, but the SAINTS (+10.5, -110) are simply getting too many points.

Chicago Bears +3.5 (-108) vs. Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins and the 6-7 Vikings snapped a two-game skid and got back into the NFC wild-card chase with a 36-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night, but now they’re back out on the road where they’re only 2-5 SU and ATS this season.

The Vikes also are facing the Bears, who are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in this NFC North series since Cousins signed with the Vikings in 2018.

Go with the BEARS (+3.5, -108) catching the field goal and the hook at home.

Also see: All Week 15 odds and lines

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