2008 NFL Week 16 Betting Tips
It’s crunch time in the NFL with only two weeks remaining in the season.
Yes, it’s already Week 16 of the 2008-09 NFL football season and nothing, absolutely NOTHING has been decided as far as the final playoff picture is concerned. And after 15 weeks into the season, we learned that Matt Cassel can put up points, Terrell Owens is letting Romo and Witten have their thing together (for now…) and the Lions STILL can’t win shit. (Surprise… surprise…)
Heading to NFL Week 16, we’ll have the last Thursday and Monday night games of the season and since we’re giving you a heads up for the coming football action, we’ll start on Thursday night when the Indianapolis Colts visit the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Indianapolis Colts want to extend their six-year streak of making it to the playoffs. That’s exactly what they can do with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who will try to partially salvage their season of failed expectations by at least delaying the Colts’ seventh straight entry into the postseason. However, the 10-4 Colts won seven in a row to put themselves at the top of the AFC wild-card standings. That’s why you should stay away from Jacksonville for this one.
Indianapolis Colts by 7
For the first time this season, we’ll have NFL football action on a Saturday when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. This is historic for the ‘Boys since they’ll be playing their last game at the stadium. Of course, they’re looking to win their last one too. The Ravens currently share the same 9-5 record with three teams; the Jets, the Dolphins and the Patriots, and if they win their last two games, they would finish 11-5, including 8-4 in the AFC, to give themselves a better playoff position heading to the postseason. However, since the ‘Boys desperately need to win their final two games just to MAKE the playoffs, we’re expecting Dallas to pull through.
Dallas Cowboys by 3.
Next, we have the San Francisco 49ers playing the St. Louis Rams this Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. It has been a struggle, to say the least for the Rams this season. The Rams’ only win over a division rival at home was back in 2006 ironically against the San Francisco 49ers. And with 49ers running back Frank Gore questionable for this Sunday’s contest, the Rams are in a perfect position to beat the visiting 49ers at home again.
St. Louis Rams by 3.
The 2-11 Cincinnati Bengals look to improve their chances of competing in the final weeks of the season against the 4-10 Cleveland Browns. Carson Palmer is still questionable because of an inflamed right (throwing) elbow but since the Bengals already proved they can win games without him after shocking the Washington Redskins last week, we’re not expecting Palmer’s absence to be a factor. After all, the Browns are still struggling, extending their disappointing losing skid to four games. Cincinnati should get their third win of the season easy.
Cincinnati Bengals by 3.
The Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs both hope for a win this Sunday at the Arrowhead Stadium. The Dolphins are trying to make the playoffs while the Chiefs just want to end their season on a high note. But since the Dolphins are on a three-game winning streak while the Chiefs have been losing two straight, we’re picking the Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins by 7.
The San Diego Chargers have been perfect the last two weeks and will look to remain as perfect and on track for the postseason when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chargers kept themselves in playoff contention after rallying from a 21-3 deficit to beat Kansas City, 22-21, in dramatic fashion. However, beating a tough Buccaneers team is a tall order and I have a feeling their playoff hopes end in Tampa this Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers by 7.
The Oakland Raiders will try to bounce back from the setback they suffered last week when they meet the Houston Texans at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Yes, you read it, the Raiders will try to bounce back from the ass-whooping they got from Matt Cassel after leading the Patriots to a 49-26 blowout. The Raiders have lost three straight and I see no reason for you to think that somehow, the Raiders can magically beat Houston.
Houston Texans by 3.
Next, we have another intense NFC East rivalry game when the Philadelphia Eagles play the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Eagles need to win their final two games against Washington and Dallas to have a better shot of making it to the postseason, and since the Redskins have been struggling lately, losing three straight games, Philly should be able to take advantage.
Philadelphia Eagles by 3.
The Tennessee Titans, after suffering only their second loss of the season, will try to regain some pride when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers at LP Field. Even though the Titans are at 12-2 and the Steelers at 11-3, Pittsburgh would still move ahead of the Titans with a victory Sunday based on the first tiebreaker, head-to-head result. Kerry Collins have also showed signs of age for the first time this season in their disappointing loss to Houston, giving the Steelers all the confidence to win in Nashville and be the new kings of the AFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers by 3.
The New Orleans Saints are still mathematically in the NFC playoff race. And with the still winless Detroit Lions scheduled to host them at Ford Field, they should be able to come out of the Motor City still very much alive for the postseason. However, if the Saints are not careful, they might just let a winless team WIN for the first time. After all, the Lions certainly don’t want to be the very first NFL team to go 0-15 right? We wouldn’t bet on it though, we’re still sticking with the Saints.
New Orleans Saints by 14.
With a division title secured, the Arizona Cardinals are now just in pursuit of some motivation for the final weeks of the season. The team certainly didn’t seem interested in competing last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, losing 35-14 at home. Playing Matt Cassel, who led the New England Patriots to a whopping 49 points last Sunday, should help them get interested into their faceoff this weekend. And since Cassel will still probably be emotionally charged, the Pats just might get a win over one of the league’s highest scoring teams.
New England Patriots by 3.
The Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills are both looking for a huge win when they battle at Invesco Field this week. The Broncos found out Woodyard can play linebacker in the NFL, but with D.J. Williams back, they figured using him at strong safety is a good idea to keep him on the field. Williams returned to the lineup after missing five games with a sprained knee. And with the Broncos having their defensive unit rejuvenated, the Bills (who are back being the Bills we know again…) could be walking into an ass-whooping.
Denver Broncos by 3.
The New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks both look to continue their winning ways when they collide at Qwest Field. The Jets are still in control of their own destiny and will win the AFC East if they win their final two games. But if they lose to the Seattle Seahawks, their playoff outlook could change. The Jets are in a three-way tie with Miami and New England, all at 9-5. And since they are playing for the playoffs, unlike the Seahawks who just want to end their season on a high note, we’re counting on Brett Favre to pull through.
New York Jets by 7.
The Atlanta Falcons need their run defense to come out strong again against the Minnesota Vikings and their monster back, Adrian Peterson, the league’s top rusher. The Vikings have the league’s No.1 rushing defense and will be facing the NFL’s top-ranked rushing offense, (yeah, Michael Turner has been THAT ridiculous for the ATL…) but since AP should play this game looking to prove that he’s the league’s No.1 guy on the ground, I’m counting on the Vikings to get a win against the birds.
Minnesota Vikings by 3.
Culminating this Sunday’s games is Sunday Night Football, when the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants face-off in what should be a shootout.
The Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants are both tied at the top of the NFC at 11-3. Whoever wins Sunday night’s game will be the top seed in the NFC playoffs and will have home-field advantage throughout the postseason. However, despite posting the 11-3 record, the Panthers still haven’t clinched anything yet and it’s possible, although unlikely, they could go from playing for the No.1 seed in the NFC to not even making the playoffs. Yes, the competition in the NFC South has become a little better than the NFC East. The Panthers are playing for their playoff hopes and just might catch the Giants sleeping. New York, the city that never sleeps, was caught sleeping the last two weeks anyway, losing to the Eagles before losing to the Cowboys.
Carolina Panthers by 3.
And finally, we have the last broadcast of ESPN’s Monday Night Football this week.
It’ll be a huge NFC rivalry game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears and since both teams are looking to end the season on a high note, a win over their hated rivals should at least keep ‘em happy for the holidays. However, the Bears could still be playing for a playoff spot against the Packers as well. If the Vikes lose to the Falcons and the Cowboys, Buccaneers, and the Eagles all lose their respective games, the Bears would still be in playoff contention with a win over Green Bay. That should motivate DA BEARS to go grab a win over the cheeseheads.
Chicago Bears by 3.
Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? SportsBetting.com has the odds.
New York Giants 12-1
Dallas Cowboys 7-1
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