Tag: nfl sports betting

With two weeks to go in the regular season, there is still a lot to be decided.

In the AFC, only the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins have assured playoff spots, but neither has yet locked down a division title. Seven teams are either 8-7 or 7-8, so there is plenty of uncertainty as to who will grab playoff spots. In the NFC, three division titles have been decided, but you also have seven teams that are either 8-7 or 7-8.

All 16 games in Week 17 involve at least one team that is still in the hunt for a playoff spot, which will make every win and every loss critical for those who are looking to keep their seasons alive deep into January.

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook

New York Jets (+260) at Cleveland Browns (-350)

The Jets have won two of their last three but are huge road underdogs (7.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Browns defense is too strong for a Jets team that has been extremely inconsistent. Take the Browns and lay 7.5 points (-110).

Detroit Lions (+220) at Dallas Cowboys (-275)

This game has one of the bigger Over/Under numbers of the year (53.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). We’ve been sucked into this trap too many times this season with games that are supposed to be high-scoring shootouts. When a 28-24 game is still under, the number is too high. Take Under 53.5 points (-110).

New England Patriots (+500) at Buffalo Bills (-700)

Very few double-digit favorites have covered this season, and the Bills are favored by a ton (12 points at -110 for both teams). The Bills have been hot lately, and the Patriots are going to struggle to score. In their last home game, Buffalo beat Dallas by 21 and can do the same to the Patriots. Take the Bills and lay 12 points (-110).

Atlanta Falcons (+130) at Chicago Bears (-155)

This game has a very low Over/Under (38 points for both Over and Under). Both teams have hit under this number in a lot of games. But both will be taking risks, because they have nothing to lose at this point in their seasons and can pull out calls from the back of the playbook. Take Over 38 points (-110).

Las Vegas Raiders (+150) at Indianapolis Colts (-185)

The Colts are solid home favorites (3.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Raiders road victory last week against the Chiefs was their first road win since Week 1. The Colts should win, but the Raiders are getting too many points for a game that should be very close Take the Raiders plus 3.5 points (-110).

Los Angeles Rams (-210) at New York Giants (+170)

The Rams are big road favorites (4.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Rams have won five of their last six games, and their only loss came to the Baltimore Ravens. They have scored 28 or more points in their last five games, and the Giants just can’t keep up with them. Take the Rams and lay 4.5 points (-110).

Arizona Cardinals (+425) at Philadelphia Eagles (-600)

The Eagles are massive home favorites (10.5 points at -110 for both). Eight of the Cardinals’ last 10 losses have been by 10 or more points, with their three most recent losses coming by 23, 16 and 11 points. Take the Eagles and lay 10.5 points (-110).

New Orleans Saints (+130) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-160)

The Buccaneers are a standard home favorite (3 points at -110 for both teams). The Bucs are playing their best football of the season having won four straight, and they pounded the Saints 26-9 in New Orleans in their first meeting. Take the Buccaneers and lay 3 points (-110).

San Francisco 49ers (-800) at Washington Commanders (+575)

The Over/Under on this game is high (49. 5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The 49ers were humbled by the Ravens last week and will look to put a beating down on the Commanders. They could hold them to 13 or fewer points, which will make hitting the Over more difficult. Take Under 49.5 points (-110).

Carolina Panthers (+230) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-275)

The Jaguars have lost four straight but are still strong favorites (6.5 points at -110 for both teams). If Trevor Lawrence is ruled out, this number should drop. If he can play, expect Jacksonville to respond against the team with the league’s worst record with the Jaguars’ season on the line. Take the Jaguars and lay 6.5 points (-110).

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Miami Dolphins (+145) at Baltimore Ravens (-175)

The Ravens have been beating people up and are solid home favorites (3.5 points at -115 Dolphins, -105 Ravens). Baltimore is likely going to try to control the ball and slow down the Dolphins, but that requires touchdowns scored to be an effective strategy. Baltimore should win, but the Dolphins should keep it close by being on the attack all game long. Take the Dolphins plus 3.5 points (-115).

Tennessee Titans (+180) at Houston Texans (-225)

The Texans have been erratic but remain solid home favorites (4.5 points at -110 for both teams). Houston is winning but not blowing teams out. The Titans’ last three losses have each been by three points, and too many of their games come down to the final couple of minutes. Take the Titans plus 4.5 points (-110).

Pittsburgh Steelers (+150) at Seattle Seahawks (-185)

The Over/Under is one of the lowest on this week’s schedule (41.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The Seahawks have scored 20 or fewer points in their last three games and five of their last six. The Steelers have scored 20 or fewer points in seven of their last nine games. Too many things point to a field position game. Take Under 41.5 points (-110).

Los Angeles Chargers (+140) at Denver Broncos (-165)

The Broncos are a standard home favorite for a division game (3 points at -105 Chargers, -115 Broncos). The Broncos benching Russell Wilson will result in another matchup of unproven backup quarterbacks. In that instance, you take the best defense and that’s Denver. Take the Broncos and lay 3 points (-115).

Cincinnati Bengals (+260) at Kansas City Chiefs (-350)

The Chiefs have been brutal but remain strong home favorites (7 points at -110 for both teams). Those laying points on the Chiefs have been burned too often, but Patrick Mahomes & Co. need to have a game where all three phases click and they look like the defending champs. Take the Chiefs and lay 7 points (-110).

Green Bay Packers (+110) at Minnesota Vikings (-130)

The Vikings’ quarterback play has been brutal over the last month, and the young Packers are trending in the right direction, winning four their last six. This is an elimination game for the loser, and the Vikings are missing too many key players to compete. Take the Packers on the moneyline (+110).

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This week, we pick five games that have four with significant playoff implications and one that involves two teams that will only get the playoffs by buying tickets. We have a huge favorite covering double digits, a team locking down its first division title in 30 years, two potential Super Bowl matchups, and a “for relatives only” game between two teams hopelessly out of the playoff chase.

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook

I’m not sure long-term history will remember 2023 in the way those trying to configure title-winning fantasy football lineups will, but one thing that can be time-capsuled and unsurfaced 10 years from now is who was starting at QB to help you craft your playoff roster.

That list includes Jake Browning, Mitchell Trubisky, Easton Stick, Gardner Minshew, Joe Flacco, Case Keenum (most likely), Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard (maybe), Bailey Zappe, Aidan O’Connell and Tommy DeVito.

With friends like that, who needs enemies? Good luck for those chasing down a title with a second-, third-, or fourth-string QB being asked to bring it home for you. In the meantime, let’s see how these backup quarterback situations fit in from a betting perspective.

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook

New Orleans Saints (+165) at Los Angeles Rams (-200)

The Over/Under is quite high (46 points at -110 for both Over and Under). Of the Saints’ seven losses, they have scored fewer than 20 points in five of them. The Saints don’t have a win against a quality team and will struggle to put points on the board, which will play to the strengths of the Rams defense. Take the Under (-110).

Cincinnati Bengals (-135) at Pittsburgh Steelers (+115)

The Bengals are a minimal road favorite (2 points at -110 for both the Bengals and Steelers). This is more of an indictment of the Steelers, who have scored 18 points or fewer in their last five games and their last two home losses have come to the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots. Cincinnati is much better than both those teams. Take the Bengals and lay 2 points (-110).

Buffalo Bills (-700) at Los Angeles Chargers (+500)

The Bills are massive favorites (12 points at -110 for both teams). Buffalo saved its season over the last two weeks by beating the Kansas City Chiefs and beating up the Dallas Cowboys, respectively. With the loss of Justin Herbert, the Chargers are on life support and their blowout loss to the Raiders may be a portent of things to come to close the season. Take the Bills and lay 12 points (-110).

Indianapolis Colts (-105) at Atlanta Falcons (-115)

The Over/Under is relatively high (44.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). While both teams are capable of scoring enough points to go over this number, both are at their best when they’re running the ball. If either team can string together a couple of long drives, it will make it difficult to combine for 45 or more points. Take Under 44.5 points (-110).

Seattle Seahawks (-145) at Tennessee Titans (+120)

The Seahawks are small road favorites (2.5 points at -115 Seahawks, -105 Titans). Seattle has struggled over the last month-plus, but its last four games have been against the Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers (twice). The Seahawks saved their season last week with a win against Philly, and the Titans have lost their last two home games. Momentum has swung. Take the Seahawks and lay 2.5 points (-115).

Detroit Lions (-175) at Minnesota Vikings (+145)

The Over/Under is high for a division game (47 points at -110 for both). The Lions have gone over this number in four of their last five games and the Vikings have the passing weapons to try to come back if they fall behind early. If Detroit gets ahead, they don’t let up. Take Over 47 points (-110).

Washington Commanders (+140) at New York Jets (-165)

The Over/Under is very low (37 points at -110 for both). The Commanders haven’t scored more than 20 points in the last four games, and the Jets, while struggling, have a strong defense. New York has needed a strong defense because the offense has scored 13 or fewer points in seven of the last eight games and have been under this number in seven of the last nine. Take Under 37 points (-110).

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Green Bay Packers (-225) at Carolina Panthers (+185)

Despite losing their last two games, the Packers are solid road favorites (4.5 points at -115 Packers, -105 Panthers). The Packers have scored 20 or more points in their last five games and the Panthers have averaged 12 points a game in their last eight games. Of their 12 losses, Carolina has been beaten by more than seven points in nine of them. Take the Packers and lay 4.5 points (-115).

Cleveland Browns (-145) at Houston Texans (+120)

The Over/Under is low on this game (40 points at -110 for both). The Browns defense is elite, and it looks like C.J. Stroud (concussion) is going to be out again this week. Points will be at a premium and there are likely to be more field goals than touchdowns with both offenses hobbled. Take Under 40 points (-110).

Jacksonville Jaguars (-105) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-115)

The Jaguars have lost three straight games, and the Bucs have won three straight, but Jacksonville is the better team. If Trevor Lawrence plays, the Jaguars are capable of stringing together wins, and they need to stop the skid they’re in now. They will be willing to take risks and attack on both sides of the ball. (If Lawrence plays) Take the Jaguars on the moneyline (-105).

Arizona Cardinals (+170) at Chicago Bears (-210)

The Over/Under is pretty low given the two quarterbacks (43.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). There is the chance to hit over this number, but this will be a game of field position. Expect a splash play or two for one of them to lock down a win between two teams making business decisions to not risk another injury to a franchise QB. Take Under 43.5 points (-110).

Dallas Cowboys (+100) at Miami Dolphins (-120)

The Dolphins are small home favorites (1.5 points at -110 for both Cowboys and Dolphins). The Cowboys have been through a meat grinder in recent weeks, and the Dolphins haven’t had a signature win against an elite opponent, losing to the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs. But all those games were on the road. This one isn’t. Take the Dolphins and lay 1.5 points (-110).

New England Patriots (+230) at Denver Broncos (-300)

Denver is a solid favorite (6.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Patriots simply can’t put up points consistently. They have scored 17 or fewer points in 11 of their last 13 games and aren’t a team built to come from behind. Take the Broncos and lay 6.5 points (-110).

Las Vegas Raiders (+375) at Kansas City Chiefs (-500)

The Chiefs remain stiff favorites despite uncharacteristic recent struggles (10 points at -110 for both teams). The Chiefs have dominated the Raiders in this series lately, including a 31-17 road win in Week 12. There will be plenty who take the Raiders, but the Chiefs are due for a game where they hit in all three phases. Take the Chiefs and lay 10 points (-110).

New York Giants (+500) at Philadelphia Eagles (-700)

Despite three straight losses, the Eagles are huge favorites (12 points at -110 for both teams). The Eagles last six games have been against the Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, Seahawks and the Cowboys twice. The Giants will be their weakest opponent since October, and they’ll show there’s still some steam left in the engine. Take the Eagles and lay 12 points (-110).

Baltimore Ravens (+185) at San Francisco 49ers (-225)

The 49ers are solid home favorites (4.5 points at -110 for both). In their last six games, the 49ers have won by 31, 13, 18, 23, 12 and 16 points. This may be a game that will be replayed in the Super Bowl in February. I wouldn’t feel comfortable laying this many points to the Ravens, but the 49ers are the best team in the league right now and can force the road to the Super Bowl coming through Northern California by stepping up in primetime. Take the 49ers and lay 4.5 points (-110).

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For Week 15, we offer up a variety platter to choose from – a hot team on the moneyline in a hostile environment, a game to go Over, a game to go Under, the smallest favorite covering, and the biggest favorite doing the same.

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook