NFL Week 16 sport picks: Odds and predictions for each matchup – USA TODAY

There are simply three video games left within the 2024 NFL common season, so the Week 16 schedule is plagued by matchups that can have a profound impact on this 12 months’s playoffs. The race for division titles, seeds and wild-card spots is heating up, and it makes for an interesting set of video games over 4 days (together with Saturday this week).
It begins with “Thursday Evening Soccer” when the Denver Broncos go to the Los Angeles Chargers for a sport that can have a huge effect on seeding within the AFC. Then come two large AFC tilts on Thursday afternoon when the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs host the AFC South champion Houston Texans adopted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens renewing their rivalry in Baltimore.
On Sunday, the NFC discipline might achieve some readability after the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles go to the Washington Commanders in an NFC East conflict that may even be one of many NFC wild card video games if the season had been to finish earlier than Week 16. The Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks additionally face each other with the outcome prone to have main postseason implications.
It is shaping as much as be a Week 16 that alters the standings heading into the ultimate stretch of the common season. Analysts and consultants are already weighing in on what would possibly occur with playoff spots on the road. Right here is an early take a look at picks and predictions for each sport on the Week 16 schedule.
NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE AFTER WEEK 15:Steelers secure birth, Rams move to top of NFC West
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 16
∎ Arizona Republic: Chargers 23, Broncos 20
“These groups are in nice place for the NFL playoffs, however seeding could possibly be on the road at SoFi Stadium. The Broncos are the warmer crew, however the Chargers are determined after two straight losses.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Broncos 27, Chargers 17
“Even with a wholesome (Justin) Herbert, this line is the improper method round, so with their passer additionally struggling, it appears weird that the Chargers are three-point favorites. The Denver Broncos are the higher crew offensively and defensively, though they’ve performed a neater schedule than the Chargers.”
∎ Sporting News: Chiefs 23, Texans 20
“The Chiefs could be with out franchise participant and back-to-back Tremendous Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes for the primary time shortly, which has the Texans as street favorites early within the week. Capitalize now, as a result of Kansas Metropolis is not about to get rolled by an AFC foe at Arrowhead. … Kansas Metropolis’s protection has been its prime weapon all season.”
∎ Bookies.com: Again the Chiefs
“Each groups are divisional champions and will effectively meet within the playoffs. Patrick Mahomes’ ankle damage will probably be a priority all week though the post-game X-Ray was detrimental. … It is going to be chilly (excessive 20s) and windy at Arrowhead on Saturday. The Texans have performed solely 2 outside video games this season.”
∎ ESPN: Mike Tomlin and the Steelers
“The important thing right here, as all the time, is to again the canine within the John Harbaugh-Mike Tomlin rivalry, which has gone an astounding 24-6-3 in opposition to the unfold (80%). … Mike Tomlin is aware of learn how to game-plan for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense, as evidenced by the truth that the Ravens are averaging simply 13.8 factors per sport over their previous eight showdowns with the Steelers.”
∎ BetMGM: Take the factors with Pittsburgh
Wait “to seize this aspect till readability emerges about T.J. Watt’s ankle damage. … Watt’s absence would severely affect Pittsburgh’s means to take advantage of Baltimore’s offensive line and include Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh additionally might return George Pickens for Saturday’s sport. That will enhance an offense rating thirtieth in offensive success charge over the earlier two video games. However the crux of this guess is trusting Tomlin as an underdog in a divisional contest. The Steelers head coach is 66% in opposition to the unfold as a market (underdog) in his profession.”
∎ ESPN: Take the Giants (and hope)
“Since Week 10, Kirk Cousins ranks twenty seventh out of 32 quarterbacks in QBR. That is one spot behind Drew Lock, by the best way. Give me the factors and hope the Giants simply run the ball.”
∎ NorthJersey.com: Falcons win huge
“Whether or not it is Tim Boyle – who changed an injured Tommy DeVito underneath middle late within the fourth quarter – or the latter being wholesome sufficient to begin, it should be a tall ask for Huge Blue to be aggressive on the street in Atlanta.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Cardinals 24, Panthers 21
“The Cardinals ended a three-game skid with their win over the Patriots. Kyler Murray and firm will begin a win streak in opposition to the Panthers, who’ve misplaced 4 straight.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Cardinals 27, Panthers 16
“After a number of promising performances, the Carolina Panthers took an enormous step again in Week 15 in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys. They now face an Arizona Cardinals crew that has confirmed able to beating up on dangerous groups this season. Arizona has been a really Jekyll and Hyde unit in 2024, however the metrics inform us that they’re the higher crew throughout the board. Chilly climate being forecasted for Charlotte on Sunday doesn’t make this as straightforward correctly to take the Cardinals, however they need to have an excessive amount of for the Panthers.”
∎ NorthJersey.com: Wager on the Bears
“The accidents maintain coming for Detroit. Already lacking quite a few impactful gamers/starters on protection, the listing retains rising with defensive sort out Alim McNeill out for the 12 months with a torn ACL and cornerback Carlton Davis out indefinitely with a damaged jaw. … It was additionally lower than a month in the past that No. 1 general decide Caleb Williams and Co. went into Detroit on Thanksgiving Day and practically beat the Lions on the street.”
∎ Sportsnaut: Lions 31, Bears 27
“An injury-depleted Lions protection will in all probability maintain this sport nearer than it must be, however Detroit’s offense received’t permit for a second consecutive loss.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Colts 21, Titans 13
“The Colts dedicated 5 turnovers of their loss to the Broncos. If they’ll deal with the ball in opposition to the Titans, they need to be capable to get a much-needed victory.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Colts 20, Titans 17
“The Titans are fading badly and could possibly be making a change at quarterback this week. Indianapolis is the higher of the 2 groups, they usually have one thing of substance to play for. It already received an in depth sport in Tennessee, and it very a lot looks like that could possibly be the case once more this week. (Anthony) Richardson makes them a tricky crew to belief.”
∎ BetMGM: Go together with the Rams
“This matchup is a straight nightmare for the Jets protection. Since Week 8 – the purpose the place the Rams returned Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua – the Rams rank eighth in offensive anticipated factors added per play. Over that very same timeframe, the Jets protection ranks twenty ninth within the corresponding defensive classes.”
∎ NorthJersey.com: Rams win by a minimum of a discipline objective
“The Jets have proven a number of battle over the previous two video games away from the MetLife Stadium … nonetheless the Rams are a very totally different beast in comparison with the Jacksonville crew the Jets needed to face. Gang Inexperienced’s protection could have their fingers full masking the likes of Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp all sport lengthy.”
∎ ESPN: Lay the factors with the Eagles
“Jayden Daniels could be more healthy on this sport than he was within the first Eagles contest, however the Vic Fangio-led Eagles protection continues to be the league’s greatest, and Fangio has been notably profitable in opposition to cellular quarterbacks in his profession. … Philadelphia ought to be capable to run throughout Washington and win this comfortably.”
∎ Covers.com: Wager the Eagles
“Philadelphia out-muscled Pittsburgh this Sunday in a 27-13 win that wasn’t even that shut. … The Commanders barely beat New Orleans deploying two backup QBs in Week 15 and haven’t seemed proper since early November.”
∎ NorthJersey.com: Bengals cowl
“The Bengals ought to be capable to cruise on this spot versus a Cleveland protection that has surrendered 27 or extra factors in 4 of their prior six contests and are 4-10 in opposition to the unfold, tied for second worst within the league with the Giants. This has all of the makings of a excessive scoring affair.”
∎ Bookies.com: Take the Bengals in dangerous climate
“Between Winston’s passes and winds gusting as much as 30 MPH, the ball might land wherever between the Browns‘ receiving corps and Louisville.Joe Burrow is aware of this climate effectively. The Bengals have coated seven-straight in opposition to groups with a dropping file.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Vikings 24, Seahawks 17
Week 15 “confirmed us the place the Seattle Seahawks sit relative to the remainder of the NFC. They’re a ok crew to beat different middling groups however will not be a crew we must always anticipate to compete with the perfect within the convention. That’s what the Minnesota Vikings are, as they continue to be absolutely engrossed within the race for the NFC North and the highest seed within the NFC.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Vikings 24, Seahawks 17
“This sport grew to become crucial for Seattle after its loss to Inexperienced Bay. Downside is, the Vikings are a superb street crew and the Seahawks are simply 3-5 at dwelling this season.”
∎ Sporting News: Payments 34, Patriots 17
“Jerod Mayo’s crew does not stand an opportunity in opposition to their division rivals, particularly in Orchard Park. New England averages 17 factors per sport on the season (second-worst), whereas Buffalo averages 31.8 (second-best). Their dwelling/street splits level to an excellent larger disparity.”
∎ NorthJersey.com: Payments roll
“That is clearly a distinct Payments crew that’s clicking on all cylinders and will not permit 40+ factors for a 3rd consecutive week after dealing with two prime quality offenses within the Rams and Lions … Buffalo is 7-2 in opposition to the unfold after that discipline objective win over the Jets two months in the past and are actually again at dwelling the place they’ve received by 9 or extra factors in 4 of six video games this season.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Jaguars 20, Raiders 13
“Since these groups are each so dangerous, does that imply we could possibly be in for a superb sport? We’re not crossing our fingers. Count on an unsightly contest. We have now extra confidence within the Jaguars’ means to attain.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Jaguars 20, Raiders 17
“If it wasn’t for the crumbling New York Giants, this could primarily be the matchup to resolve the course of the first-overall decide within the 2025 NFL Draft. Video games like this are odd as a result of each groups can be higher off long-term dropping, however there’s not a participant on the sphere who will assume that method. Moreover, you will have two coaches probably preventing for his or her jobs.”
∎ Sporting News: 49ers 23, Dolphins 21
“Tua Tagovailoa and firm managed simply 12 factors in opposition to the Texans in Week 15, they usually barely squeaked by a 3-9 Jets crew at dwelling two weeks in the past. Fred Warner and pals will probably be itching to get a W after a irritating loss to the Rams within the components final Thursday. Kyle Shanahan coming off a mini-bye in opposition to former Niners assistant Mike McDaniel and a smooth Dolphins squad? Yeah, we’ll take San Francisco.”
∎ Betting Pros: 49ers win
“This matchup is on (Brock) Purdy’s shoulders. The 49ers can’t afford one other loss in the event that they wish to make the playoffs. That mentioned, the offense has gained practically 232 yards within the air and 133.50 yards on the bottom per sport. They’ve been far more constant than Miami’s offense all through the season. … The 49ers will probably be tremendous if they’ll forestall Tagovailoa from making performs down the sphere to Tyreek Hill.”
∎ Bookies.com: Again the Bucs
“Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers lastly get some prime-time love. Tampa Bay is on its technique to a fifth-straight playoff look. The Buccaneers zapped the Chargers protection in a 40-17 blowout Sunday. Mike Evans and Mayfield are the most well liked QB-WR duo within the NFL proper now and the Cowboys supply nothing to sluggish their roll.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Buccaneers 31, Cowboys 23
“Dallas is taking part in higher, however the Cowboys are simply 1-6 at dwelling this season. The Buccaneers have received 4 straight and are 5-2 on the street. Benefit: Tampa Bay.”
∎ BetMGM: Fade Jordan Love and the Packers
“Love is simply 7-7 in opposition to the unfold as a market favourite in his profession. Nevertheless, Monday’s sport marks the primary time Love will shut north of a landing favourite. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur can be a comparatively inexperienced huge favourite … Pair that knowledge with the actual fact New Orleans ranks twelfth in defensive EPA per play over the past three video games, and seize the (underdog) at an enormous quantity.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Packers 30, Saints 17
“The Green Bay Packers laid their credentials firmly on the desk of their Week 15 win over the Seahawks. They’ve established themselves as a top-four crew within the NFC and may beat the Saints at dwelling on a probably freezing evening in Lambeau Discipline. The one concern is that with a gathering with the Vikings in Week 17, the Packers overlook this sport barely.”
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