Best NFL Football Games to Bet in Week 15
The NFL is closing in on the final weeks of the season. This will mean that every matchup down the stretch will take on added importance. As teams try to figure out how to get in the best position to chase down a spot in the Super Bowl playoffs, there will be added intensity down the stretch.
While the NFL is always an adventure to bet from week to week, here are a few games that are worth putting some money down on.
Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) at Cleveland Browns
This is a game where there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding who will play quarterback for Baltimore. Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are both still banged up. Jackson hasn’t practiced, while Huntley is limited. With how Cincinnati has heated up, there will be added pressure on the Ravens to keep up with the Bengals, who are tied with Baltimore for first place.
The Ravens took advantage of injury issues at quarterback with Pittsburgh last week. Steelers backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw three interceptions and were able to help Baltimore’s quarterbacks score just enough to win. Cleveland hasn’t seen Deshaun Watson play well since returning.
Watson won’t find his mojo this weekend, as the Ravens will grab a pivotal road win. Cleveland’s defense hasn’t helped out Watson and the offense much this season. The Browns are still missing pieces from a playoff run.
Miami Dolphins (+7.5) at Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins and Bills will finally have their much-awaited rematch that will determine if Miami is really in the AFC East division race or not. Buffalo is two games ahead of the Dolphins. Miami was able to slow down the Bills’ offense in the first meeting, only allowing 19 points.
Buffalo has started to heat up following a tough loss to Minnesota in early November. The Bills rank fourth in the league by putting up 27.2 points per game. Miami’s defense hasn’t been playing as well recently. The Dolphins are allowing 24 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the league.
Buffalo will win, but the Dolphins will keep it close. The Bills are 6-6-1 against the spread this season.
Detroit Lions (-.5) at New York Jets
The Lions’ offense has been scoring at a hectic pace and helping Detroit shoot up the standings. The Lions rank fifth in the league by averaging 26.8 points per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Detroit has also been rewarding bettors recently, covering six straight games against the spread.
The Jets have lost their last two games and three of their past four. New York’s offense has struggled to find traction. The Jets score 20.3 points per game, which ranked 22nd in the league.
Detroit is 6-7 on the season now and closing in on a seventh place in the NFC standings. The Lions will grab their third straight win over the struggling Jets. New York has shown some life on offense by starting veteran quarterback Mike White.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
The Panthers are still in the race for the NFC South title. Depending on how Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett does in concussion protocol, there is a chance the Steelers will be forced to start either Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph. While Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled all season, there was some minor progress made under Pickett.
Carolina doesn’t have the ideal starting quarterback either with Sam Darnold. The Panthers rank 30th in the league in total yards and passing yards per game. Carolina also only scores 20 points per game, which ranks 24th.
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos (-3)
The Cardinals and Broncos are set up to play in the disappointment bowl. Both Arizona and Denver were eager to make a run at the Super Bowl season, but both are going to end up on the outside looking in of the playoff race. The Cardinals got devastating news last week when Kyler Murray suffered a torn ACL in a non-contact play.
Arizona is now forced to start veteran backup Colt McCoy. While the Broncos’ defense is still playing well, Denver’s offense has been bad, with Russell Wilson under center. This game will be ugly, and it is an opportunity for the home team to try and build momentum for next season with a win.
The Broncos have the worst-scoring offense in the league. Denver only scores 14.9 points per game. Defensively, the Broncos have the seventh-best mark in the league for total yards allowed. Denver also only allows opponents to score 18.3 points per game, which is fourth-best in the league.
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Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
