NFL Week 16

I have to begin by wishing all of our BSSR readers a Merry Christmas.

​I must also apologize for missing my betting article last week.  I simply forgot all about writing it until this past Monday morning, when I realized I didn't write an article for week 15.  I'm sure all of my zero readers were incredibly disappointed that they couldn't see my favorite picks last week.  But fear not, for I have returned for week 16.

We actually had a very good week 14, finishing 5-2 (and that was with a bad beat on the under in the Browns-Ravens game).  Our season record is now 45-48, and an above .500 season is still within reach if we can finish strong.  Let's keep our winnings rolling here through the Christmas weekend.

Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings Over 49.0

This is kind of tough because the Rams have been a bit quiet offensively at times this season.  But they've put up 30-plus in two of their last three and this Vikings defense is very exploitable, both on the ground and through the air.  Minnesota's games have seemingly hit 60 or more total points every week with the exception of last week, but that was against the struggling Bears.  Given that this is being played in Minnesota, I foresee a fairly close contest.  But either way, I think there's a much better chance for the over to hit than the opposite outcome.

Baltimore Ravens +7.0 at Cincinnati Bengals

This number has grown to 7 after news that Ravens backup quarterback, Tyler Huntley, is going to be forced out of the lineup due to Covid, and since Lamar Jackson is still nursing an ankle injury, third-stringer Josh Johnson will be starting for Baltimore.  While I don't think they have any chance of winning this game with Johnson under center (or in shotgun, if you will), Baltimore's last three games have resulted in losses of only 1, 2, and 1 point, respectively.  The Ravens have the kind of defense and offensive scheme that allows them to keep games relatively close even with a reserve QB, which is why I'm taking them to cover here.  The Bengals are a good team for sure, but I'm not confident that they'll win this game going away by any means.

New England Patriots -2.0 vs. Buffalo Bills

This is Bill Belichick and the Patriots going up against a division rival in December with playoff implications on the line.  Historically, this is the type of game New England has dominated.  I know that rosters have changed and the Bills are a legitimate contender now, but my gut just tells me that this is a game that the Patriots will definitely win.  Especially since it's taking place in New England.  I just can't bet against Belichick after watching his gamesmanship and play calling a few weeks ago when they beat the Bills on that snowy, windy night in Buffalo.

Detroit Lions +6.5 at Atlanta Falcons

The mighty Detroit Lions have won two of their last three and just knocked off the former top team in the whole league.  And they're now getting 6.5 points against the Falcons??  This is maybe an absolutely stupid decision to make, but I'm riding with Dan Campbell and the Lions to cover and I won't be surprised if they get their first road win of the season this Sunday.  It just seems like the players are bought in to this team and are still fighting as hard as anyone to win each week, even if that's not what the ownership would want at this point.

Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys Under 47.0

I took the under two weeks ago in this matchup, and nothing has happened since that game that has made me change my mind after it hit then.  Dallas has just been curiously quiet offensively for much of the season, though to be fair, they haven't really needed to put up tons of points given how their defense has played.  Washington is allergic to scoring 20 points in a game, but they've done a pretty good holding their opponents to not much more than that either.  Let's just see if we can make it easy and hit the same bet as in our last article.

Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints Over 37.5

Body

Fade of the Week: Kansas City Chiefs -10.0 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Body