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Week 15 was, in a nutshell, difficult. Two double-digit underdogs, the Jets and the Bengals, won straight. A few favorites failed to cover by the thinnest of the margins.
MORE: Get the latest NFL Week 16 odds, lines and more here
That means the only answer is to dive right back into another tough 16-game roster in Week 16, the penultimate roster of the 2020 NFL regular season. This week is peppered with tighter calls, with 10 teams favored by one touchdown or less as well as two bigger double-digit gaps to navigate.
Here are our latest intrepid pro football predictions, for infotainment purposes only:
MORE: Week 16 NFL Power Ranking | Take it straight
NFL picks ATS for week 16
Friday, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video
The Vikings have had the Saints number in two of the last three NFC playoffs. The Saints can forget to worry about that by knocking the Vikings out of the playoffs and ultimately winning a fourth straight NFC South title at the same time. After losing to the Eagles and Chiefs in straight weeks, look for the Saints to lock in while they’re home for the holidays. Their run defense will rebound to contain Dalvin Cook before the pass defense breaks through on Kirk Cousins. Drew Brees will select the young Vikings high school with a stronger second game.
To choose: Saints earn 30-20 and cover the spread.
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The Titans will try to run all over the Packers with Derrick Henry and use Ryan Tannehill and the passing game effectively to play again. The Packers’ goal with Aaron Rodgers will be to pass aggressively to build a big lead against a defense with limited passing rush and low coverage to keep Henry from being the same kind of big factor with a negative play scenario. Matt LaFleur was working for Mike Vrabel, but he won’t hold back with the slightly more explosive offense.
To choose: Packers win 31-27 and cover the spread.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Browns took care of the Giants fairly easily in the same stadium last week and will be on high alert to play their best against the Jets with the possibility of clinching their first playoff spot since 2002. The Jets secured their victory. to get them out of the No.1 pick. Baker Mayfield and the Browns’ running game will combine for another solid performance and the defense, led by Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, will stop the run and cool Sam Darnold.
To choose: The Browns win 27-13 and cover the gap.
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
It was the natural direction to take with the Colts playing so well as a full team and the Steelers fighting offensively. The Colts’ defense may tighten in coverage and continue to make it difficult for Ben Roethlisberger. The Colts will be successful in working in the middle of the field with Philip Rivers and will effectively use their backs to exploit the weaknesses of the Steelers linebackers. A strong dose of rookie Jonathan Taylor pushed Indy to victory in the second half.
To choose: The Colts win 20-17.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Tom Brady made the comeback easy against the Falcons after a slow offensive and defensive start. He will be stuck in wire-to-wire here as the Lions cannot cover any of his receivers or tight ends and will also have no response for the current game. The Bucs’ defense will have no trouble stopping the race again and playing on a beaten Matthew Stafford.
To choose: The buccaneers win 34-17 and cover the gap.
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
The 49ers will not make the playoffs to defend their NFC championship. Their tough and injury-riddled hangover season began with a home loss to the Cardinals. Their defense begins to crumble as their offense tries their best to stay competitive. Kyler Murray looks to be back on track as a passer and will be set to do more racing with Arizona on the verge of earning a spot for the NFC. The 49ers are a little helped by the fact that this is a “home” game in 2020.
To choose: The Cardinals win 27-23 but fail to cover the gap.
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network
The Dolphins will win this game with their recent formula of a solid racing game, sometimes incorporating rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa and full defense. The Raiders can counter with more Marcus Mariota against his Hawaiian counterpart if Derek Carr stays on the board with his groin injury, but the offensive approach won’t change from heavy running with calculated shots downstream, mainly to the tight end Darren Waller. The Dolphins are best trained with Brian Flores and will perform better in all three phases to improve their playoff hopes while formally beating the Raiders.
To choose: Dolphins gain 23-20 and cover the spread.
- Panthers to Washington Football Team (-2.5, 44.5 y / u)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
It’s a Ron Rivera revenge game, which also offers a chance to win the NFC East. The Panthers offense won’t be able to do much here with a crumbling Teddy Bridgewater, thanks to Washington’s defense coming hard after him and covering his outside receivers well. Dwayne Haskins wasn’t great against the Seahawks, but he gave them a chance to win the game with his arms and legs. You too have a chance that Alex Smith will come back this week. The Panthers defense will struggle with the trio of Terry McLaurin, JD McKissic and Logan Thomas.
To choose: Washington wins 23-17 and covers the gap.
- Falcons at Chiefs (-10.5, 53.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Falcons did their best to hold the Buccaneers home in Week 15, but their defense still fell back and lost another big lead. They don’t need to worry about playing here as Patrick Mahomes will destroy their pass defense with no pressure on his face, again doing whatever he wants with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Matt Ryan on the outside without Julio Jones (probably) will start taking him on the chin often.
To choose: The Chiefs win 38-21 and cover the gap.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Allen Robinson’s revenge game will also go very well, as the Bears’ scorching offense will have no problem making big plays with him and Darnell Mooney on the pitch with Mitchell Trubisky playing well, with everything fueled by the great race by David Montgomery. Gardner Minshew is in his last two starts for the Jaguars and could be without James Robinson, an undrafted dynamic full-back, against a tough defense.
To choose: The bears win 31-14 and cover the gap.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Bengals expended a lot of emotion and energy to defeat the Steelers at home on Monday night, making it a tough short-week road trip. Deshaun Watson is back locked in with his new mix of receivers and now David Johnson is back and performing well. The Texans could use a good win to get through to 2021 and that’s it as the limitations of the Bengals’ running game help the defense.
To choose: The Texans win 31-23 but fail to cover the spread.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Ravens are rolling again with their 2019 offensive formula around Lamar Jackson with all of his key skill support again. Defense suffer a few injuries but take a break with the Giants’ anemic attack, whether it’s Colt McCoy or Daniel Jones
To choose: The Ravens win 27-13 and cover the gap.
- Broncos to chargers (-3, 48.5 o / u)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Chargers work to finish strong with Justin Herbert as their offense shoots all cylinders with balance and explosiveness. Their defense still has plenty of holes but enough playmakers to contain Drew Lock, even with struggles against former Charger Melvin Gordon and the racing game. The Broncos’ defense has been lost all over to the Bills and faces a similar challenge on the road this week.
To choose: Chargers gain 27-20 and cover the spread.
- Eagles (-1.5, 49 o / u) at Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Eagles offense is buzzing with the run and the passing of Jalen Hurts. The Cowboys cannot stop this double threat and the traditional management of Miles Sanders. The Cowboys should run better from Tony Pollard, assuming Ezekiel Elliott (calf) is taken out of action, but they should face a healthier overall defense from the Eagles than the one that went to Arizona in Week 15.
To choose: The Eagles win 27-24 and cover the gap.
- Rams to Seahawks (-2.47.5 o / u)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Rams will try to recoup the pieces of the loss to the Jets, but will be deprived of their best rushed production source, rookie Cam Akers. The Seahawks’ defense has been strong against the run all season and tightened the screws against the pass. The Seahawks’ rushed offense also rolls with Russell Wilson assisting Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde. The Seahawks survive a battle of attrition to lock in the NFC West title.
To choose: The Seahawks win 23-20 and cover the gap.
- Bills at Patriots (-7.45 o / u)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Patriots are officially eliminated from the playoffs while the Bills, the new AFC East champions, know they can get the AFC’s No.2 seed with the Steelers stumbling. They beat the Patriots once and want to do it again to mark the transition of power to prime time. The disparity at quarterback from Josh Allen to Cam Newton appears here.
To choose: Tickets win 24-14 and cover the spread.
Statistics of the week
Week 15 straight: 10-6
Week 15 against spread: 5-10
Straight season: 142-82
Season Against Spread: 116-102
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