It’s Week 15 of the NFL season, which kicks off on Thursday with the New York Jets facing the Baltimore Ravens, so it’s time for our weekly look at the point spreads in order to help you win some money.
Last week, Charles Curtis went 7-8 in Week 14 picks (102-101 overall) and Steven Ruiz went 8-7 (106-97 overall). We now go to each of them for comments before their picks.
Charles: I’m just four games behind Steven with three weeks ago. This is almost as good of race as seeing who will be the least worst in the NFC East.
Steven: It’s not happening, Charles. The sooner you accept it, the better.
(All bets courtesy of BetMGM)
NOTE: The Giants and Dolphins spread wasn’t posted as of Thursday morning.
Jets at Ravens (-14.5)
Charles: Ravens
You hear me say it practically every week — weird things happen on Thursday night. But even if RGIII plays half of this game, I’m pretty sure the Ravens can cover.
Steven: Ravens
I think if RGIII played the entire game, the Ravens could still cover. But Lamar Jackson is playing, so this is an even easier pick, especially with the Jets’ injury report very cluttered.
Bears at Packers (-4.5)
Charles: Packers
The Bears have been playing better as of late, but I don’t see how Mitchell Trubisky and Co. can cover in the unfriendly confines of Lambeau and against this defense.
Steven: Bears
So, uh, are the Packers really that good? Their defense isn’t, and the offense has been disjointed all season. The Bears defense is good enough to keep this one close. I’ll take the points.
Broncos at Chiefs (-9.5)
Charles: Broncos
The Chiefs aren’t winning games by that margin. I actually think Drew Lock has a good enough game to lose and cover.
Steven: Chiefs
So, Drew Lock put up really good numbers in his first road start, but (1) the film from that game was not nearly as impressive as the stat line, and (2) the Texans defense was a mess. The Chiefs’ pass defense, which is really good, will give the raw rookie fits.
Texans at Titans (-2.5)
Charles: Titans
Every fiber of me wants to take the road dogs, but the Titans defense has played well as of late and Ryan Tannehill has a chance to shred this secondary. So I’ll go with the home team.
Steven: Texans
The Titans might be the hotter team but the Texans’ ceiling is higher, as we saw against the Chiefs and Patriots. I think Deshaun Watson has a big game and Houston wins this one on the road.
Patriots at Bengals (+9.5)
Charles: Patriots
Prediction: Angry Bill Belichick decides to run up the score to silence all the questions about Spygate 2.0. Pats 47, Bengals 13.
Steven: Bengals
Let’s just move on. I regret this already. I’ll say this: The Bengals defense is better than you think and we all know how bad the Patriots offense has been. I’m reluctantly taking the points here.
Eagles at Redskins (+5.5)
Charles: Redskins
Seven words for the reasoning here: The. Eagles. Almost. Lost. To. Eli. Manning.
Steven: Eagles
Charles makes a compelling case, but I have two more words for you: The. Redskins.
Seahawks at Panthers (+5.5)
Charles: Seahawks
I hesitated on this one only because the Hawks are hard to nail down, especially on the road. But the Panthers are just a mess.
Steven: Seahawks
The Seahawks always find a way to make a game closer than it should be, but this Panthers team is just going through the motions after Ron Rivera was fired.
Buccaneers at Lions (+3.5)
Charles: Buccaneers
Assuming Jameis Winston plays with his injured thumb, he’s going to throw four touchdowns and three interceptions … and still win by five. That’s the Bucs in a nutshell!
Steven: Buccaneers
The Lions are one of the worst teams in football at the moment. That’s enough for me to back the Bucs, even if Jameis is banged up.
Browns at Cardinals (+2.5)
Charles: Browns
If I was betting on NFL games, I wouldn’t touch this one. But because we pick every possible game, I have to make a pick … and I’ll take the slightly better team.
Steven: Cardinals
The Browns are a bad football team. The Cardinals aren’t very good either, but they are at home AND getting points. Kliff and Kyler will do enough to cover this one.
Jaguars at Raiders (-6.5)
Charles: Jaguars
This is screaming shootout to me, so I’ll take the points even though the Jags aren’t that good.
Steven: Jaguars
Yeah, I’m with Charles here. These are two bad defenses and I think the Jags can keep this close. Raiders win, but Jacksonville covers.
Vikings at Chargers (+2.5)
Charles: Vikings
Kind of a head-scratcher to me. The Vikings are a lot better than a minus-2.5 spread in a stadium that isn’t much of a home-field advantage. Thanks for this one, Vegas.
Steven: Vikings
I’m also confused by this line, but that’s not going to stop me from taking the better team. WHAT DOES VEGAS KNOW, though.
Falcons at 49ers (-10.5)
Charles: 49ers
They’ll ride the momentum off of last week’s win and put up a big offensive game at home.
Steven: 49ers
Was about to take the points and pick the Falcons then I remembered that it’s Kyle Shanahan vs. a terrible Falcons defense. Now I’m thinking 10.5 points isn’t that big of a spread.
Rams at Cowboys (+1.5)
Charles: Rams
How can you bet on the reeling Cowboys right now? I certainly can’t.
Steven: Cowboys
I’m not buying this revival of the Rams offense. The Cowboys will bounce back and pick up a key win in the NFC East race.
Bills at Steelers (-2.5)
Charles: Steelers
Duck over Josh Allen? Sure, why not? I think this is more about the Steelers’ defense forcing a bunch of turnovers, so I’ll take them.
Steven: Steelers
Charles is making a lot of sense. The Steelers will protect Duck Hodges and Josh Allen will make enough mistakes to help the Steelers pull out a key win.
Colts at Saints (-9.5)
Charles: Saints
The Colts are just so mediocre all over the place, and I can see them struggling on the road against a potential Super Bowl contender that might be angry at losing to a fellow elite NFC team last week
Steven: Colts
The Saints are a better team, but Frank Reich is a good coach and will have a good plan that keeps Indy in it. The Colts aren’t losing this one by 10.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[jwplayer AAeXobtn-q2aasYxh]