It’s Week 15 of the NFL season, which kicks off on Saturday with three games (Texans vs. Buccaneers, Bills vs. Patriots and Rams vs. 49ers), 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 8-7 in Week 15 picks (110-108 overall) and Steven Ruiz went 10-5 (116-102 overall).
This week, Steven is unfortunately out, so we’re getting a guest picker in Chris Korman.
We now go to each of them for comments before their picks.
Charles: Ughhhhhhhh. Happy I’m just over the .500 mark, extremely unhappy that I probably wouldn’t catch Steven.
Chris: (“Yakety Sax” plays) Yup, that’s my music. And it means, Charles, that you’ve now got every chance to catch Steven. I hope if he loses he has to pledge fealty to the Giants or something awful like that. Not that I would sabotage him if that were the case. Nope. Would never, ever do that.
(All bets courtesy of BetMGM)
NOTE: Giants-Redskins was off the board as of Thursday morning.
Texans at Buccaneers (+3)
Charles: Buccaneers
This game is going to be WILD with both quarterbacks slinging footballs all night. I think Vegas nailed this one, but I think it’s within a field goal.
Chris: Buccaneers
Steven’s one of the world’s great Jameis Winston stans, so in his spirit I’m sticking with the guy who will probably throw for 450 yards, 4 TDs and 3 interceptions that make absolutely no sense at all.
Bills at Patriots (-6.5)
Charles: Bills
This is going to be an ugly, close game. I’m taking all those points and assuming it’s a pitchers duel. Patriots 13, Bills 9 or something.
Chris: Patriots
The honest truth about this is that I’m not thinking about it analytically at all. The Patriots just seem to feed off the sort of controversy they’re currently wading through, so Brady’s going to look 10 years younger and throw a bunch of TDs. That’s how it goes.
Rams at 49ers (-6.5)
Charles: 49ers
Seems like a big spread for a Rams team that can put up points in some weeks … but the last time these two teams met, the Niners allowed just a touchdown to Los Angeles.
Chris: 49ers
Yeah … I mean … uhh … Jared Goff. So.
Ravens at Browns (+9.5)
Charles: Pulling a Derek Zoolander here and saying this spread needs to be at least three times bigger than this.
Chris: Ravens
Joe Flacco would cover this spread. Lamar Jackson is going to make it look as silly as a Doug Gottlieb take.
Panthers at Colts (-7.5)
Charles: Colts
I hesitated a little bit — what if Will Grier is decent? But I think the Colts have enough in their offense to win this one by 10.
Chris: Panthers
Colts players and coaches are saying they’re resolved to finish on a strong note, but man did they look defeated against the Saints. That team looks emotionally drained and won’t cover, even against a new QB.
Bengals at Dolphins (-1.5)
Charles: Bengals
Cincinnati was feisty last week against the Patriots and I could see Joe Mixon running for 200 yards.
Chris: Why are they even playing this game? Ok, Dolphins.
I’m not doing analysis of this.
Jaguars at Falcons (-7.5)
Charles: Falcons
Big Minshew Magic last week but I like what I saw out of Atlanta more.
Chris: Jaguars
Mustache!
Saints at Titans (+2.5)
Charles: Saints
Is this because they’re not playing in a dome? I can’t think of another reason why the spread is this low. Give me the Saints here.
Chris: Saints
This is one where you just wonder what Vegas odds-makers knows and how they know it.
Steelers at Jets (+2.5)
Charles: Steelers
A complete tossup here, but I have to go with the better defense.
Chris: Steelers
Pittsburgh has too much to play for to let this one slip by.
Lions at Broncos (-6.5)
Charles: Broncos
The Lions are a dumpster fire, so I can’t see them covering here despite the fact the Broncos aren’t that much better.
Chris: Lions
Matt Patricia has struggled in so many ways but he should find a way to get Drew Lock frazzled.
Raiders at Chargers (-6.5)
Charles: Raiders
Now HERE’s a situation where the team is a dumpster fire but the other one might be just as bad. I think Oakland covers here and might actually win.
Chris: Chargers
Both teams are a mess so it’s a tossup but I don’t see one pulling away by a full touchdown.
Cardinals at Seahawks (-9.5)
Charles: Seahawks
I’m itching to take the points here but Arizona doesn’t have enough on defense to stop Seattle at CenturyLink Field. Hawks by 13.
Chris: Cardinals
Feels like Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray are starting to figure this thing out and will find a way to keep it close (maybe with a late, meaningless TD, but whatever.)
Cowboys at Eagles (+2.5)
Charles: Cowboys
Game of the week! Both team have some huge flaws, but I can see this being a mammoth Zeke game. I also would rather trust my money with Dak Prescott than with Carson Wentz.
Chris: Eagles
I trust Wentz to keep the Eagles close and then for everything to very badly in the end, but they’ll just lose by 1.
Chiefs at Bears (+4.5)
Charles: Chiefs
I could see this ending up like the Packers game last week — the Bears hang in there until Mitchell Trubisky needs to chase points … and then the Chiefs put it completely out of reach.
Chris: Chiefs
Mahomes is finally starting to look comfortable again.
Packers at Vikings (-3.5)
Charles: Packers
Actually, this might be the game of the week. And in primetime on a Monday night, there’s no way you can bet on Kirk Cousins.
Don't forget cousins is 0-8 on monday night football 💀
— Packers (11-3) (@packersSBChamp9) December 17, 2019
Chris: Packers
You like that?
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