One of the more entertaining plays you will ever see is the “hook and ladder,” where a team needs to score but instead of launching a Hail Mary down the field, throws a mid range pass and then starts a series of laterals. This almost never works, and it didn’t work for the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers, either — although the Packers didn’t stop the Bears until the two-yard line, making the ending a suspenseful one. Elsewhere in Week 15, the Dallas Cowboys finally decided to play a complete game, rolling to a 44-21 win over the Los Angeles Rams, their first win over a team with a winning record. The 7-7 Cowboys now play the 7-7 Eagles in a game that will almost certainly determine the “NFC Least” championship. We also saw Buffalo punch its playoff ticket with a win at Pittsburgh and reach ten wins for the first time in 20 years. Ready for NFL Week 16 odds? We have a sports betting thought about each contest.
2019 NFL Week 16 Odds, Overview & Picks for Every Game
With two weeks left in the regular season, check out where the 49ers and Raiders land in @MaioccoNBCS‘ updated NFL Power Rankingshttps://t.co/Cbs7UngtLI pic.twitter.com/tJVuBE8Rrn
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Thursday, December 19
No games! The midweek mess that the NFL serves us almost every week is done for another year.
Saturday, December 21
Houston (PK) at Tampa Bay (1:00 pm ET, NFL Network)
You might be wondering why this is a pick-em given that Tampa Bay is sitting at 7-7, but Tampa Bay has won four in a row, and Jameis Winston is going nuts at quarterback. Houston has only covered in two of their last six games against NFC teams. However, Tampa Bay will likely be missing both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin (hamstring). Houston to win and cover.
Buffalo (+7) at New England (4:30 pm ET, NFL Network)
New England has won 28 of the last 31 meetings with Buffalo, covering in 18 of those games. They have won each of the last six, winning five by at least a dozen points. However, the Patriots only beat Buffalo by six earlier this season, and the Bills have covered twice in a row against the Pats. Buffalo to cover.
L.A. Rams (+6.5) at San Francisco (8:15 pm ET, NFL Network)
The Rams just got rolled in Dallas after putting up solid wins over Arizona and Seattle. San Francisco just gave up a comeback win to Atlanta at home, and the 49ers have only covered twice in their last 10 games in the division. Rams to cover.
Sunday, December 22
Jacksonville (+6.5) at Atlanta (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Did you know Atlanta has only covered once in their last 13 games against AFC teams? However, the Falcons are on a bit of a roll right now, an unusual statement to make about a 5-9 team. Falcons to win and cover.
Baltimore (-8) at Cleveland (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
The Ravens have covered in eight of their last 10 road games. They also have that 40-25 beating they took from Cleveland at home earlier this season to avenge. Ravens to win and cover.
New Orleans (-2) at Tennessee (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Did you see the Saints run roughshod over Indianapolis on Monday Night Football? The Saints have now covered in six of their last 10 games against AFC opponents. However, the Titans have covered in six of their last eight games as home underdogs. The Titans are fighting for their postseason lives, while New Orleans is concerned about seeding. Finally, a domed team playing in the cold? Titans to cover.
Carolina (+6.5) at Indianapolis (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The Colts have covered in five of their last six home games against NFC teams — but Carolina has covered in eight of 10 against AFC teams. The Panthers, however, have gone from 5-3 to 5-9, covering just once during that losing streak. Colts to win and cover.
Cincinnati (+2.5) at Miami (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
Cincinnati has lost 12 straight road games — but has covered in eight of those games. Cincinnati needs to keep losing in order to clinch the #1 draft pick, so I don’t expect a monumental effort here. Dolphins to win and cover.
Pittsburgh (-3) at N.Y. Jets (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
In Week 16 and 17, the Steelers have covered in 13 of 20 games over the last ten seasons, winning 17 straight up. However, the Jets have gone 4-1 at home straight up since Week 6. Pittsburgh took a big punch with that home loss to Buffalo last week, while the Jets need to regroup after taking a beating in Baltimore last Thursday. Jets to cover.
N.Y. Giants (+2.5) at Washington (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The Giants have gone 9-4 straight up and against the spread against the Redskins in their last 13 meetings. However, Dwayne Haskins has shown some real confidence at quarterback, giving the Redskins a bit of a boost. Even so, the Giants have covered 11 of their last 14 on the road. Give me New York to cover.
Detroit (+6) at Denver (4:05 pm ET, CBS)
Detroit has covered just twice in their last eight games as an underdog of at least six points, dropping four in a row. In their last nine games overall, Detroit has covered just once. Denver is getting a real boost out of rookie quarterback Drew Lock. Broncos to win and cover.
Oakland (+4.5) at L.A. Chargers (4:05 pm ET, CBS)
The Chargers have covered in four of their last five against Oakland. However, the Chargers have only covered once in their last nine games in that soccer stadium that they use for their “home” games. The Chargers have the higher ceiling, but they also can sink to lower depths than the Greatness can. Raiders to cover.
Dallas (-2.5) at Philadelphia (4:25 pm ET, FOX)
Personally, I’m staying far away from this game, because neither team has shown the ability to string more than one decent game together this season against solid competition. Yes, Dallas won three straight to start the year, but that was against the Giants, the Redskins and the Dolphins. Dallas has covered in 14 of 16 against NFC East opponents, beating Philadelphia four straight times (and covering in all four). Philadelphia has covered just four times in their last 13 at home. I don’t trust Dallas, but if you follow the numbers, take Dallas to win and cover.
Arizona (+9) at Seattle (4:25 pm ET, FOX)
Seattle now controls its own destiny as the top seed if they can win out, but they don’t do well with large point spreads, covering just three times in their last 11 games when favored by at least seven points. Arizona has covered in 14 of their last 20 road games against the NFC West. Plus, Seattle has a hard time playing four complete quarters. Cardinals to cover.
Kansas City (-4) at Chicago (8:20 pm ET, NBC)
The Bears have covered in seven of their last eight December home games. Kansas City has not covered in five straight road games against NFC teams. However, they have covered in four consecutive games — while the Bears have only covered four times all season. Chiefs to win and cover.
Monday, December 23
Green Bay (+4.5) at Minnesota (8:15 pm ET, ESPN)
Did you know that Kirk Cousins is 0-8 on Monday Night Football? Did you know that Green Bay is 5-1 straight up in their last six Monday night games? Before you jump on that bandwagon, though, Minnesota has covered in 13 of their last 19 games in which they have been favored by at least four points. When it’s Aaron Rodgers against Kirk Cousins, though, give me Green Bay to cover.
