NFL Betting Preview: Week 15

We are down to our final four weeks of the NFL season and it seems to be shaping up for a wild finish. COVID outbreaks are currently rampant around the NFL leading to a lot of unpredictability on these games with so many players being forced to the sidelines.

Still, if you have been following along with my NFL Betting Previews the last two weeks, we are in the midst of a real heater. After going 10-3 two weeks ago back in Week 13, I following things up with a 9-4 week last week. That brings my season record to 93-72, which is a 56% success rate against the spread.

Let’s see if we can keep this hot streak going this week!

*All odds and betting lines provided by WynnBet

Las Vegas Raiders (6-7) vs. Cleveland Browns (7-6)

Spread: LV (-4)

Money Line: LV (-180) CLE (+160)

Over/Under: 39 Points

The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off an embarrassing 48-9 loss at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs that likely spelled the end of their season. Yet this week they are favored on the road against the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns have not been great by any stretch of the imagination this year, but they are still very much in the mix in the AFC North after beating the Baltimore Ravens last week.

One of these teams needs this game much more than the other, and they also are the team that has the better point differential and record on the season.

Best Bet:

Take the Browns with the four-point spread.

New England Patriots (9-4) vs. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)

Spread: IND (-2.5)

Money Line: NE (+115) IND (-135)

Over/Under: 45.5 Points

After a year hiatus the New England Patriots are back. This team has been absolutely scorching hot, winning seven games in a row to take over first place in the AFC East. They finally got the chance to enjoy their bye last week and should be refreshed heading into this matchup in Indianapolis.

The Colts have also been on a nice run of success lately, winning four of their last five games. The Colts have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL with Jonathan Taylor and have a +88 point differential on the season. The only problem is the Patriots have a +150 point differential and have been the best team in the conference for the better part of two months.

Best Bet:

Gladly take the 2.5 points that the oddsmakers are giving you and bet on the Patriots with the spread.

Washington Football Team (6-7) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)

Spread: PHI (-12.5)

Money Line: WS (+475) PHI (-650)

Over/Under: 40.5 Points

In this matchup we have the battle of two NFC East teams that no longer have any realistic chance at winning the division, but can still find their way into the playoffs through the Wild Card.

Washington had won four-straight games heading into last week’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, but ended up losing by a touchdown to their division rival. The Eagles meanwhile were on their bye week last week, giving them the edge this week, along with the fact that they will enjoy home-field advantage.

While their record is the same, point differential tells us that one of these teams is decidedly better than the other. The Eagles have a +46 point differential on the season, whereas the Football Team has a -58 mark. Matters only got worse for the Football Team today, as starting QB Taylor Heinicke is out with COVID.

Best Bet:

Take the Eagles to cover that large spread.

Houston Texans (2-11) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11)

Spread: JAX (-5)

Money Line: HOU (+185) JAX (-225)

Over/Under: 39.5 Points

These two teams are awful. They are the only teams in the NFL that have yet to score 200 points this season, with point differentials well over -150. With that said one of the teams is getting five points in this game, simply because they are playing on the road. In a game that could come down to a field goal, that makes this choice obvious.

Best Bet:

Take the five points and bet on the Texans with the spread.

Arizona Cardinals (10-3) vs. Detroit Lions (1-11-1)

Spread: ARI (-12)

Money Line: ARI (-700) DET (+500)

Over/Under: 47.5 Points

The Arizona Cardinals were just dealt with a crushing blow, as DeAndre Hopkins will be out for at least the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury. While Hopkins is clearly their No. 1 wide receiver, their offense is not solely reliant on his production.

Arizona has been one of the best teams in the NFC all year long and that won’t change with this injury. This week they also have the benefit of playing one of the worst teams in the NFL in the Detroit Lions. The one advantage the Lions have in this game is the fact that they are playing at home, yet that might be of benefit to the Cardinals, who are 7-0 playing on the road this season.

The Cardinals are going to win this game, the only question is if they can cover that large 12-point spread. Considering how good they have been this year, I wouldn’t doubt them.

Best Bet:

Take the Cardinals to cover the spread and beat the Lions by more than 12 points.

Tennessee Titans (9-4) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1)

Spread: Pick’em

Money Line: TEN (-110) PIT (-110)

Over/Under: 42.5 Points

Nothing like a good old fashioned pick’em. No spread, just pick who is going to come out victorious in this matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans. If we are just looking at resume’s up to this point, there is no question who should win this game.

At 9-4, the Titans have one of the best records in the NFL. Their +34 point differential however is not nearly as dominant as their record would suggest. Still, it is far superior to the -50 mark the Steelers have posted this season.

Pittsburgh’s last five games do not inspire much confidence to bet on them. First they tied the Detroit Lions, then have gone on to lose three of their last four games, with the one victory only coming by a one-point margin. The Titans meanwhile have won seven of their last nine games.

Best Bet:

Take the Titans to beat the Steelers on the road.

Carolina Panthers (5-8) vs. Buffalo Bills (7-6)

Spread: BUF (-11.5)

Money Line: CAR (+450) BUF (-600)

Over/Under: 45 Points

Remember when the Carolina Panthers started this season 3-0?

Things have really changed a lot since then, as the Panthers have become one of the worst teams in the NFL. Carolina has lost four of their last five games to basically fall out of the playoff race entirely.

The Buffalo Bills on the other hand are still in the thick of playoff contention, but those hopes have taken a hit over the last two weeks. Buffalo first lost against the New England Patriots, in a game that was played in a tundra. Then they lost in overtime last week to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is the perfect matchup for them to get things back on track as they look to close out their season strong.

Best Bet:

Buffalo is going to make a statement this week. Take the Bills to cover.

Dallas Cowboys (9-4) vs. New York Giants (4-9)

Spread: DAL (-10.5)

Money Line: DAL (-500) NYG (+400)

Over/Under: 45 Points

If the Dallas Cowboys win this week and the Washington Football Team loses, the Cowboys will officially clinch the NFC East. The last time Dallas played the Giants they won 44-20, so history points to another blowout here.

Last week, the Giants were blown out on the road, losing to the Los Angeles Chargers by 16 points. The Giants are better at home this year however, as they have posted a 3-3 record at the Meadowlands, compared to a 1-6 record on the road. With Daniel Jones out again this week though, the Giants chances of keeping this game close are slim.

Best Bet:

Take the Cowboys to cover the spread.

New York Jets (3-10) vs. Miami Dolphins (6-7)

Spread: MIA (-9.5)

Money Line: NYJ (+335) MIA (-420)

Over/Under: 41.5 Points

The Miami Dolphins are rolling right now. They have taken advantage of a fortunate schedule to win five games in a row and have gotten right back in the playoff mix. This week is the perfect opportunity for them to move back to .500, with three games left after that to make their final push for a playoff spot.

When these two teams met on November 21st, the Dolphins won by a touchdown. Can they win by multiple scores this week?

Best Bet:

Miami should have no problems handling the Jets this week. Take the Dolphins to cover.

Atlanta Falcons (6-7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (7-6)

Spread: SF (-9)

Money Line: ATL (+330) SF (-410)

Over/Under: 46 Points

The San Francisco 49ers cannot risk losing either of their final two home games if they want to make the playoffs. This week they have the Falcons at home, next week they have to travel to play a good Titans team, before coming back home to face the lowly Houston Texans. They then close out the year on the road against the L.A. Rams.

With a couple of really good teams still left to play on their schedule, the Niners can’t let this opportunity against the Falcons slip away. One issue is that San Francisco has been bad at home this year with just a 2-4 record. The Falcons on the other hand are 5-2 on the road.

Best Bet:

While I think San Francisco ultimately wins this game, Atlanta is still good enough to keep it close. Take the Falcons with that nine-point spread.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) vs. Denver Broncos (7-6)

Spread: DEN (-3)

Money Line: CIN (+140) DEN (-160)

Over/Under: 44 Points

This sneakily might be the best matchup we could see this week, as these are two teams who are fighting it out for playoff spots in the AFC, who come into this week with identical records. Along with their records being the same, their point differentials on the season are very close as well. The Bengals are +61 on the season and the Broncos are +47.

Denver has won four of their last six games and is coming off a 38-10 smashing of the Detroit Lions last week. The Bengals have lost four of their last six games, dropping last week’s contest against the San Francisco 49ers in overtime.

Still, even with their latest struggles, I have more faith in Joe Burrow and the Bengals over Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos. Especially when Cincy is the underdog.

Best Bet:

Take the Bengals with the three-point spread.

Seattle Seahawks (5-8) vs. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)

Spread: LAR (-4.5)

Money Line: SEA (+175) LAR (-200)

Over/Under: 45.5 Points

Based on what we have seen from these two teams this season, this game should be a no-brainer. The Rams only have to cover a 4.5 point spread against a team that has been bad pretty much all year. The only problem is that the Rams are currently dealing with a huge COVID outbreak that has half of their players out this week.

There is a chance that this game gets postponed considering how many players are out with COVID. With so much uncertainty best to just stay away from this game.

Green Bay Packers (10-3) vs. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

Spread: GB (-6.5)

Money Line: GB (-270) BAL (+230)

Over/Under: 43.5 Points

The Baltimore Ravens are barely clinging on to their lead in the AFC North, as they have lost three of their last five games, two of which coming against their division rivals. Baltimore’s remaining schedule isn’t doing them any favors either, as they have to play Bengals on the road next week, before facing the Rams and Steelers at home to close out their season.

The Packers are facing different pressure this week, as they have their division all but sewn up at this point and could start to look ahead towards the playoffs and keeping themselves healthy. Baltimore has been great at home this season as well, winning five of their six home games.

Best Bet:

Take the Ravens with the 6.5 point spread.

New Orleans Saints (6-7) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3)

Spread: TB (-11)

Money Line: NO (+425) TB (-550)

Over/Under: 46.5 Points

The last time the New Orleans Saints played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the Saints won 36-27. Jameis Winston got hurt in that game and the Saints have not been good ever since then. New Orleans lost their first five games after Winston went down, before finally earning a victory against the Jets last week.

The Buccaneers have won four games in a row and would clinch the NFC South with a victory this weekend. They are clearly the better team, the question is just if they can win by more than 11 points.

Best Bet:

While the Bucs probably cover the spread, the best bet here is to just take the over. Tampa has been hanging up a ton of points lately and will do most of the heavy-lifting themselves. But this way if the Saints find a way to hang close in a shootout, you win either way.

Minnesota Vikings (6-7) vs. Chicago Bears (4-9)

Spread: MIN (-5.5)

Money Line: MIN (-230) CHI (+195)

Over/Under: 44 Points

The Chicago Bears are way worse than the Minnesota Vikings this season, as evidence by their record and point differential. The Bears are -121 so far this season, whereas the Vikings have a +11 point differential.

Last week, the Bears kept things close against the Green Bay Packers in the first half, only to end up losing by 15 as Green Bay covered the spread. The Bears have lost seven of their last eight games.

Meanwhile the Vikings desperately need to win this game. They still have the Packers and Rams left on their schedule, but play the Bears twice in their final four games. If Minnesota can sweep the Bears and split their other two games, they stand a good chance to make the playoffs.

Best Bet:

Take the Vikings to win and cover the 5.5 point spread.