Underdog Corner: 3 best NFL picks and predictions for Week 16

For the first time this season, we’ve endured back-to-back losing weeks here in Underdog Corner.
We went 1-2 for the second straight week in Week 15, losing with the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears, but hitting big on the New Orleans Saints, who shockingly won 9-0 outright as a double-digit underdog.
Still, we’re guaranteed a winning season as we sit at 29-16 (.644) with three more weeks to go.

NFL underdog predictions: Week 16

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Tennessee Titans +3.5 (-125) vs. San Francisco 49ers

For the fourth time in five weeks, we’re fading the Niners as a favorite. That hasn’t exactly been a winning strategy as San Francisco has won and covered in five of its last six contests to climb into the NFC playoff picture at 8-6 straight-up.

Tennessee, meanwhile, has dropped three of its last four (SU and ATS) and has seen its AFC South lead dwindle to one game over the surging Colts.

The Titans, though, should be getting a key component of their struggling offense back this week in stud WR A.J. Brown, and if they can clean up the turnovers (they’ve had four or more in each of their last three losses) they should be able to keep things close — if not beat — a visiting 49ers squad that’s far from a juggernaut.

Take the TITANS (+3.5) and the points.

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Buffalo Bills +2.5 (-105) at New England Patriots

The AFC East title is essentially on the line here as the 8-6 Bills and 9-5 Pats meet for the second time in four weeks.

New England, if you recall, relied on its rushing attack and attempted only three passes to squeak out a 14-10 road win on a cold and wind-whipped night in Buffalo in Week 13.

Conditions likely will fall short of balmy but should be much better early Sunday afternoon in Foxborough. So look for the superior QB (Josh Allen) and the BILLS (+2.5) to return the favor and notch a tight division road win after finishing with fewer than 300 total yards (230) for the first time all season in the first meeting.

Get down on the Buffalo money line (+110) as well.

Pittsburgh Steelers +7.5 (-108) at Kansas City Chiefs

The 10-4 Chiefs have turned their season around, winning seven straight and covering in each of their last five contests to move into pole position as the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

K.C., though, is dealing with an outbreak of COVID cases this week, and even if a number of vaccinated players wind up being cleared to return before the game, it’s at the least going to be a disrupted week of preparation.

At 7-6-1, the Steelers are still very much in the playoff hunt, and their 19-6 (.760) ATS record as an underdog, including 5-3 this season, since the start of the 2018 season is topped only by the Ravens’ .813 winning percentage. Take the STEELERS (+7.5) plus the points.

Also see: All Week 16 odds and lines

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