2018 NFL Week 16 Odds, Preview & Picks for Each Game

There were lots of surprises in Week 15 of the NFL’s 2018 regular season. Philadelphia went to Los Angeles and beat the Rams with backup quarterback Nick Foles at the helm — and the Eagles put up 30 points in the victory. Washington beat Jacksonville with their fourth quarterback of the year (Josh Johnson) running things. Carolina held the New Orleans offense to just 12 points — and even scored on a pick-two conversion return — but still lost. That was the first time the Saints won a game while scoring 12 points or fewer in 20 years. Cleveland went to Denver and won, 17-16, knocking off the Broncos for the first time since 1990. The AFC is still wide-open, as the Chiefs and the Chargers are the only teams to clinch playoff spots. What can we expect this week in terms of NFL Week 16 betting? Check out our picks for each matchup. As always, home teams are in all caps.

2018 NFL Week 16 Odds, Preview & Picks for Each Game

The Chargers are on the way up, and the Patriots keep falling in our NFL power rankings. https://t.co/2aVEjlfOVA pic.twitter.com/ueVQFqdMG6

— NESN (@NESN) December 18, 2018

Saturday, December 22, 4:30pm ET

Washington (+10) over TENNESSEE

Which Titans team will show up? Washington plays a physical offensive game and has a grinding defense as well. They’re a pretty even match for the Titans, especially if Josh Johnson can play like he played against the Jaguars. I think the Titans win — but not by ten.

Saturday, December 22, 8:20pm ET

L.A. CHARGERS (-5) over Baltimore

The Chargers have all the momentum in the world after that comeback win over the Chiefs last week. They need to keep winning and hope the Chiefs lose again — and Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson will have all he wants with that Charger pass rush coming at him.

Sunday, December 23 (1:00pm ET games)

CLEVELAND (-7) over Cincinnati

The Bengals are down and out now, while the Browns could make the playoffs if they keep winning. But can the Browns deliver a win of this margin instead of coming back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat? I see this as a big coming-out party for Mayfield as the Bengals pack it in.

Tampa Bay (+7) over DALLAS

I’m not putting a red cent of my own money on this game, because you have two wildly unpredictable teams. Dallas has put up 40 points this season, and they’ve been shut out (last week, for the first time since 2003). Tampa Bay has looked glorious on both sides of the ball, and they’ve been routed. I think Dallas wins, but it will be on the last drive of the game.

Minnesota (-4) over DETROIT

The Lions are the doormat of the NFC North this season, and Minnesota’s defense should be able to squash Matthew Stafford’s offense. Can the Vikings move the ball enough to score? Given Detroit’s secondary, I would say yes.

NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over Buffalo

Should we expect the Patriots to deliver a major lesson after losing to Miami and Pittsburgh? With rookie quarterback Josh Allen on the other team? Yes, yes we should.

N.Y. JETS (+3) over Green Bay

Losing to Chicago meant that the Packers have no shot in the NFC North and no realistic shot at the postseason. The Jets are playing for next year, and Sam Darnold could just light up the Pack on Sunday.

Houston (-3.5) over PHILADELPHIA

I picked against Nick Foles in each postseason round last year, and I was wrong every time. He looked like his magical self against the Rams last week, but DeAndre Hopkins should be able to run wild against the Eagles’ secondary, and Deshaun Watson hasn’t become the INT machine that Jared Goff has.

CAROLINA (-3.5) over Atlanta

Yes, the Panthers have lost six in a row. But they hung tough against New Orleans, and they looked a lot better than Atlanta has in over a month.

INDIANAPOLIS (-9.5) over N.Y. Giants

That 23-0 win over Dallas wasn’t all about Dak Prescott missing three open touchdown passes. It was about the Colts coming out and making a statement with strong defense and special teams, and it was about Andrew Luck finding receivers down the field. They should pick up another big win over the G-men.

MIAMI (-3.5) over Jacksonville

If the Jaguars can’t beat Washington with a fourth-string quarterback, how will they beat a Miami team that knocked off New England two weeks ago?

Sunday, December 23 (4:05pm ET games)

Chicago (-4.5) over SAN FRANCISCO

This might be a scary trip after the 49ers beat Seattle at home last week in overtime. However, the Bears’ defense has a lot more consistency than the Seahawks’.

L.A. RAMS (-13.5) over Arizona

The Rams should run roughshod over the Cardinals. But they should have demolished the Eagles too. I think the Rams roll, but this is another game I’m keeping my own money far awawy from.

Sunday, December 23, 4:25pm ET

NEW ORLEANS (-6.5) over Pittsburgh

The Steelers’ defense came up huge against Tom Brady and the Patriots last week. This week, though, the Steelers are on the road in one of the league’s toughest environments, and the Saints’ offense has more weapons than New England’s does.

Sunday, December 23, 8:20pm ET

KANSAS CITY (-2.5) over Seattle

Can the latest iteration of the Legion of Boom shut down the Chiefs? Um, they let Nick Mullens lead the 49ers to 26 points against them last week.

Monday, December 24, 8:15pm ET

Denver (-2.5) over OAKLAND

This is the best game Santa could bring us on Christmas Eve? It will be ugly, but Denver wins on a late scoring drive to cover in a game that is sloppy on both sides.