NFL Week 16 Preview - My Best 5 Bets
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-11) - Levi Stadium
BET = Jacksonville Jaguars - 4.5
I think this is the bet of the round here perhaps one of the bets of the year. The 49ers are playing better with Jimmy Garappolo, but the Jags are playing at an elite level right now. This defence is elite on so many levels and, with quarterback Blake Bortels hitting his straps, this is a very dangerous side heading into the playoffs. I think they might make light work of the 49ers here, despite being on the road. Garappolo has looked really good so far but he hasn't faced anything like the Jags’ defence to date.
Cleveland Browns (0-14) @ Chicago Bears (3-11) - Soldier Field
BET = Cleveland Browns +6.5
The Browns are a very bad side, however they will be desperate to get off the dreaded goose egg. This was the corresponding week last season when they cracked their duck, and they are capable of doing it here against a pretty ordinary Chicago side. The Bears have won 3 games but rarely blow sides away, so I'm thinking 6.5 is a good start for the Browns here and, whilst I'm not convinced they can win, they should cover this.
Seattle Seahawks (8-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-6) @ AT&T Stadium
BET = Dallas Cowboys -4.5
I just think Seattle are a battered and bruised side right now, ready to be knocked out. The Cowboys get back their elite running back Ezekiel Elliott from suspension and are starting to build momentum in time for a late surge at the playoffs. Back in front of their home fans, after winning 3 straight, I think the Cowboys dominate this game and end the Seahawks playoff hopes. The Seahawks have too many injuries to what was an elite defence at the start of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers (7-7) @ New York Jets (5-9) - MetLife Stadium
BET = Over 43.5 Total Match
I know the Chargers were shut down last week, however playing in Kansas City at this time of year will do that to a side. The Jets have nothing to play for really so I expect them to throw caution to the wind here in their final home game of the season. Josh McCown, for a journeyman quarterback, has put up some good numbers this season, so I expect both he and Philip Rivers to fling the ball around a bit and this to be a high scoring game.
New York Giants (3-11) @ Arizona Cardinals (6-8) - University of Phoenix Stadium
BET = Over 39.5 Total Match Points
Both these sides are marking time before the end of the season so I’m expecting an open game here with defence not being a priority. The Giants actually raced up 28 points last week against the Eagles, so their offence are coming off a rare good outing. The Cardinals are always a better side at home, so I just think we can win on a line set so low at 39.5 points, late in the season, where sides are a bit banged up in perfect offensive conditions inside a stadium.