As NFL teams make a push towards the playoffs in Week 16, the road teams are expected to have a lot of success. They are favored in half of the games on the schedule, according to the betting odds at Las Vegas casinos. Two road teams are favored by double-digits.
The underdogs were almost even with the favorites in Week 15, covering just one less betting line. Below are picks against the spread for every game in Week 16.
Tennessee Titans (+3) at Jacksonville Jaguars
These might be the two worst teams in the NFL, but the Jaguars haven’t been horrible in recent home games, winning two of their last five contests in Jacksonville. The Titans haven’t won since they beat the Jaguars in Tennessee in Week 6, and they might not win again until 2015.
Prediction ATS: Jacksonville
San Diego Chargers (+2.5) at San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have lost three games in a row and are out of the playoff race with nothing to play for. The Chargers are on a two-game losing streak, but they’ve been terrific against teams that don’t have a winning record, going 5-1 against opponents that have a .500 record or worse.
Prediction ATS: San Diego
Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) at Washington Redskins
The Redskins are a mess, and even though Mark Sanchez is starting to look like the player that started for the Jets, he should be able to have success against Washington. Philadelphia’s last four wins have come by 10 points or more, and Saturday should produce a similar result.
Prediction ATS: Philadelphia
Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) at Miami Dolphins
Minnesota might not win this week, but they’ll likely have a chance to pull off the upset in the fourth quarter. In their last eight games, the Vikings have suffered just one loss by more than three points. The Dolphins have lost three of their last four games.
Prediction ATS: Minnesota
Green Bay Packers (-10.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A loss for the Packers would be the biggest upset of 2014, but 10.5 points is a lot to cover on the road. The Packers are 3-4 away from Lambeau Field, and only one of their road wins came by more than three points. Tampa Bay is 0-6 at home, but only one of those losses has come by more than 10 points.
Prediction ATS: Tampa Bay
Detroit Lions (-7) at Chicago Bears
The Bears might be the most dysfunctional team in the NFL right now, with a quarterback that’s playing poorly and a coaching staff that is on the verge of getting fired. Detroit is still in the hunt for a bye in the NFC playoffs, and they could leave Chicago with a big win. The Bears have lost three straight games, and their last six losses have come by at least 13 points each.
Prediction ATS: Detroit
Atlanta Falcons (+6) at New Orleans Saints
Matt Ryan and the Falcons haven’t been able to pull off any recent road upsets, losing 11 straight games as road underdogs, via Odds Shark. The Saints have been up and down this season, but five of their six wins have come by at least six points.
Prediction ATS: New Orleans
New England Patriots (-10) at New York Jets
As bad as the Jets have been in 2014, they haven’t played terrible football in recent weeks, going 2-3 since Week 10 and losing two games by a total of nine points. New York often plays New England close, and they only lost to the Patriots by two points on Oct. 16.
Prediction ATS: New York
Kansas City Chiefs (+3) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Le’Veon Bell has sparked Pittsburgh’s run towards the playoffs, and he could have a big game against one of the league’s worst run defenses. The Steelers are 3-1 against the spread in their last four home games.
Prediction ATS: Pittsburgh
Cleveland Browns (+4) at Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have played better of late, winning two games in a row. It’s hard to pick the Browns with Johnny Manziel at quarterback, after the rookie posted a 27.3 passer rating in his first career start.
Prediction ATS: Carolina
Baltimore Ravens (-5.5) at Houston Texans
Houston could have a very tough day on offense, as injuries will force them to start a quarterback that hasn’t been in the league for most of the season. The Texans are 1-9 in their last 10 games as home underdogs, and they’ve been beaten by the Ravens in seven of eight meetings.
Prediction ATS: Baltimore
New York Giants (+5) at St. Louis Rams
New York’s seven game losing streak was likely an aberration, considering they faced a difficult schedule and their loss to the Jaguars was the result of two fumble returns for touchdowns. Odell Beckham Jr. has quickly become one of the league’s best offensive weapons, and he could help the Giants steal a road win.
Prediction ATS: New York
Buffalo Bills (-5.5) at Oakland Raiders
Oakland has improved throughout the season, and they’ve even won their last two home games. The Bills might pull out a win, but it could come by a field goal or less.
Prediction ATS: Oakland
Indianapolis Colts (+3) at Dallas Cowboys
Even if DeMarco Murray doesn’t play, Dallas has the advantage on Sunday. Tony Romo has played like an MVP candidate, and Indianapolis has allowed some high-scoring performances. Andrew Luck leads the league in passing yards, but he and the Colts have taken advantage of a weak schedule and have struggled against good teams.
Prediction ATS: Dallas
Seattle Seahawks (-8) at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals won’t have an easy time moving the ball with Ryan Lindley at quarterback, but their defense should keep them in the game. Arizona has won 10 of their last 13 games as home underdogs, and Seattle is just 3-3 on the road.
Prediction ATS: Arizona
Denver Broncos (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati has struggled against the best quarterbacks on their schedule, losing to the Colts, Patriots and Steelers by a combined 74 points. Monday could be another big loss, as Denver pushes to get a first-round bye.
Prediction ATS: Denver
Season Record: 109-112-3
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