{"id":27279,"date":"2020-12-23T15:29:11","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T05:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=27279"},"modified":"2021-01-04T15:58:59","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T05:58:59","slug":"nfl-week-16-tips-preview-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2020\/12\/nfl-week-16-tips-preview-2\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Week 16 Tips & Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The penultimate week of the NFL season is filled with plenty of tantalising contests starting with a Boxing Day morning clash between the Saints and Vikings.<\/p>\n

With the entire league still competing for playoff seeding or draft positioning, every game has something on the line.<\/p>\n

We have our Week 16 NFL tips below so read on and see what our recommended plays are.<\/p>\n

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New Orleans Saints v Minnesota Vikings<\/div>\n
Saints by 1-13 @ $2.25<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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When the schedule came out earlier in the year this had all the makings of a phenomenal Christmas present from the NFL to fans.<\/p>\n

The Vikings had ended the Saints season in two of the last three years in heartbreaking fashion and both teams looked primed for a playoff push once again.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the stakes in this game have decreased slightly with the Vikings needing a minor miracle to reach the playoffs however the Saints should take plenty of delight in ending their conqueror\u2019s postseason ambitions.<\/p>\n

Drew Brees returned from injury last week but didn\u2019t look like himself so I can\u2019t see the Saints blowing out Minnesota but after Christmas, style points don\u2019t mean much, just the scoreboard.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Saints v Minnesota Vikings<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Detroit Lions v Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/div>\n
SGM: Buccaneers to Win & Rob Gronkowski Anytime TD Scorer<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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While Tampa\u2019s hopes of an NFC South crown and home field advantage in the playoffs have pretty much evaporated, they have a perfect playoff tune up coming against Detroit.<\/p>\n

The Lions have given up 30 points in their last four games and their pass defence should have Tom Brady foaming at the mouth to take them on.<\/p>\n

In a sight that will make every Patriots fan die a little bit inside, Brady\u2019s connection with Rob Gronkowski is coming together nicely and the two of them should find a way to hook up for a score in a comfortable Buccaneers win.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Lions v Buccaneers<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Arizona Cardinals v San Francisco 49ers<\/div>\n
SGM: Cardinals -5 & Kyler Murray Anytime TD Scorer<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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For the third time in four weeks, the 49ers head to State Farm Stadium in Arizona, except this time they will be the visitors as they take on the stadium\u2019s regular tenants.<\/p>\n

The Cardinals playoff push began with a 24-20 upset in Week 1 as Kyler Murray ran for 91 yards and a score.<\/p>\n

Last week he had his best day of the season through the air going for over 400 yards and three touchdowns in their win over the Eagles.<\/p>\n

It looks like he has shaken off that shoulder injury that limited him for a while earlier in the month and is looking like the one time MVP candidate.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Cardinals v 49ers<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Las Vegas Raiders v Miami Dolphins<\/div>\n
Raiders to Win @ $2.25<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Miami is holding onto the AFC\u2019s final playoff spot for dear life with Baltimore behind only on tiebreakers while the Raiders have to win out and hope Baltimore does the same.<\/p>\n

Vegas has swung between the spectacular and horrendous extremes this season but the chance to keep their playoff hopes alive and harm a direct rival for that spot should give them plenty of motivation.<\/p>\n

Even with Derek Carr set to miss the game, his replacement Marcus Mariota looked pretty good keeping the Raiders in their game last week where the defence ultimately cost them.<\/p>\n

Not to mention injuries have decimated Miami and while a win over the Patriots would mean a lot in the last 20 years, this season, the Dolphins didn\u2019t look all that impressive last week.<\/p>\n

This should be closer than the market has it at and I\u2019ll back the underdog as a value play.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Raiders v Dolphins<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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New York Jets v Cleveland Browns<\/div>\n
Browns to Win & Under 47.5 @ $2.30<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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In a move that only a few select teams could pull off so spectacularly, the New York Jets just ruined the future of their franchise with their win over the Rams last week.<\/p>\n

They could double down on the disaster by winning again before the end of the season but it won\u2019t be this week against the Browns.<\/p>\n

Cleveland needs to keep on winning to clinch a playoff berth (with one of Baltimore, Miami or Indianapolis losing) and to keep their hopes of a division title alive (combined with a Steelers loss).<\/p>\n

They are guilty of playing to the level of their opponent and found themselves in a scrap with the Giants last week so even if they do turn this into another grind, they should still be able to do the Jets a huge favour and beat them.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Jets v Browns<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Pittsburgh Steelers v Indianapolis Colts<\/div>\n
Colts to Cover -6 @ $2.55<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Make no mistake about it, the Steelers are well and truly cooked.<\/p>\n

Three straight losses, admittedly largely due to injuries and COVID, have them tumbling down the standings and now they face the red-hot Colts who are neck and neck in their own divisional battle.<\/p>\n

This is an increasingly rare opportunity to back against the Steelers to lose convincingly as the market still thinks they have a shot to turn it around here.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Colts v Steelers<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Baltimore Ravens v New York Giants<\/div>\n
Under Total Points<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Baltimore\u2019s offence looks like it is back in business over the last three weeks scoring 116 points in wins over the Cowboys, Browns and Jaguars.<\/p>\n

An injury to Daniel Jones has ruined the Giants offence however I do like their defence\u2019s ability to cause a few headaches for the Ravens as well.<\/p>\n

This might not quite be a repeat scoreline of Super Bowl XXXV between these teams when the Ravens won 34-7 but if Jones is out (or just incapacitated), Baltimore will be happy to grind this one out on the ground.<\/p>\n

After all, chances are 20 will be enough to win this game and if the running game produces there is no need to put it in the air too many times.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Ravens v Giants<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Houston Texans v Cincinnati Bengals<\/div>\n
Bengals to Cover the Line<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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A few years ago these teams were competing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs but in 2020, they take each other on in a December battle where a loss is probably a more beneficial result.<\/p>\n

At least that\u2019s the case for the Bengals who need to lose to hold onto the third pick in the draft while Miami, who has Houston\u2019s first and second round picks will be backing a Texans loss to increase their draft position.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati is coming off a huge win over the Steelers and Houston just can\u2019t put opponents away this season, this should be a close game and Cincinnati should cover the line regardless of who takes to the field for them.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Texans v Bengals<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Jacksonville Jaguars v Chicago Bears<\/div>\n
Bears to Cover -7.5 @ $1.94<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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\u201cNow here\u2019s a team that knows how to suck at the end of the season when they are playing for draft position.\u201d \u2013 Cris Collinsworth (probably).<\/p>\n

Ok maybe that wasn\u2019t something that Collinsworth said but the point still rings true.<\/p>\n

Jacksonville is in pole position to finish with the worst record in the league and the top pick in next year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

They won\u2019t screw it up by accidentally winning a game for the first time since Week 1.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Jaguars v Bears<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Washington Football Team v Carolina Panthers<\/div>\n
Under Total Points<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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I\u2019ll admit to doing a double take upon seeing Washington installed as favourites here but it makes total sense on reflection.<\/p>\n

Washington could clinch the NFC East with a win and a Giants loss or at least put themselves in position to clinch in Week 17, while Carolina is another team competing for draft positioning.<\/p>\n

Whether its Alex Smith or Dwayne Haskins taking snaps for the Football Team, Ron Rivera knows there is only one style of game his team can win, and it\u2019s an ugly, knock down street fight style.<\/p>\n

It still feels insanely risky taking Washington with any sort of handicap, but the total has plenty of appeal to it since neither team seems overly likely to score 20.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Washington v Carolina<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Kansas City Chiefs v Atlanta Falcons<\/div>\n
Chiefs by 1-13 @ $2.40<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Tip of The Day<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Assuming both teams play to their potential, the Chiefs really should win this game by a score of about 54-30.<\/p>\n

What we have seen though is the Chiefs continuing to let their opponents hang around in games, probably because they get bored taking too big of a lead like someone playing Madden on rookie difficulty.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a good play lately taking the Chiefs by 1-13 so why break the streak here?<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Chiefs v Falcons<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Los Angeles Chargers v Denver Broncos<\/div>\n
Chargers to Cover -3 @ $1.83<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Denver pulled off a miraculous comeback win when these sides met in early November stunning the Chargers 31-30 at Mile High.<\/p>\n

Based on how both teams have played lately though, LA should be primed for revenge in this game as they look for their first win over the Broncos since December 2018.<\/p>\n

In spite of Anthony Lynn\u2019s horrendous mismanagement as the coach, the Chargers should have enough offence to get them over the line as the Broncos win a mistake filled clash.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Chargers v Broncos<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Dallas Cowboys v Philadelphia Eagles<\/div>\n
Eagles to Cover -2.5 @ $1.90<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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When it comes to betting on NFC East games, the best strategy this season has been to work out what the most chaotic outcome would be and to follow that in.<\/p>\n

Seeing rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts light up his two starts has given the Eagles new life while Dallas is starting to put things together themselves with wins over the Bengals and 49ers.<\/p>\n

The Eagles have not won in Dallas since November 2017, but I cannot bring myself to back against Hurts getting the Eagles back in contention for that playoff spot.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Cowboys v Eagles<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles Rams<\/div>\n
Seattle to Win @ $1.80<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Seattle could lock up the NFC West with a win in this game and perhaps allow themselves to have a bit of rest in Week 17 ahead of the playoffs.<\/p>\n

The Rams won the first meeting between these teams this season on the back of a phenomenal defensive display and will be motivated to not only keep their divisional hopes alive but rebound after last week\u2019s embarrassing loss to the Jets.<\/p>\n

Perhaps they overlooked last week\u2019s game with an eye on this blockbuster but it\u2019s almost impossible to forget that performance.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Seahawks v Rams<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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Green Bay Packers v Tennessee Titans<\/div>\n
SGM: Titans to Win & Derrick Henry Anytime TD Scorer<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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With the way both teams have been playing this is quite possibly going to be a Super Bowl preview thanks to two of the most talented offensive players in the NFL.<\/p>\n

Aaron Rodgers just continues to make things happen for the Packers while Derrick Henry is closing out a historic rushing season.<\/p>\n

What splits these teams here is the fact that Green Bay\u2019s rush defence can be very vulnerable and if they commit the necessary resources to slow down Henry, Ryan Tannehill should be able to make the throws to win the game for the Titans.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Packers v Titans<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n
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New England Patriots v Buffalo Bills<\/div>\n
Buffalo to Cover -7 @ $1.90<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Get ready for the most depressing Patriots game in recent memory and what will be a really flat note to end the week with.<\/p>\n

Buffalo is heading to the playoffs, New England is heading to the offseason and Cam Newton is still the starting quarterback despite his struggles completing a pass.<\/p>\n

It turns out even the coaching genius of Bill Belichick cannot salvage the season played with a roster that has so many holes.<\/p>\n

Buffalo puts an emphatic stamp on their AFC East crown by drilling their vanquished rivals into the ground.<\/p>\n

\n Bet Now: Patriots v Bills<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The penultimate week of the NFL season is filled with plenty of tantalising contests starting with a Boxing Day morning clash between the Saints and Vikings. With the entire league still competing for playoff seeding or draft positioning, every game has something on the line. We have our Week 16 NFL tips below so read…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":24712,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,344],"tags":[2223,242,2208,5616,239,2249,276,274,243,47,3435,48,234,3472,2077,4054,2209,2099,238],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-27279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-american-football","category-sports","tag-arizona-cardinals","tag-buffalo-bills","tag-green-bay-packers","tag-las-vegas-raiders","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-miami-dolphins","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-new-orleans-saints","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-bets","tag-nfl-betting","tag-nfl-odds","tag-nfl-preview","tag-nfl-tips","tag-nfl-week-16","tag-san-francisco-49ers","tag-seattle-seahawks","tag-tennessee-titans"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":null,"md_tip_date_end":null,"md_market_url":"","tip_date":"23\/12\/2020","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27279"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27279\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27279"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=27279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}