NFL Week 15 Betting Recap
NFL Week 15 Betting Recap
The holiday season is nearly here so let’s get to recapping last week. Let’s go back and take a look at what happened in Week 15 of the NFL in terms of the lines, backup quarterbacks, injuries and of course, penalties.
Thursday, Dec.14
LAS VEGAS (-2.5/36.5) over LA Chargers 63-21
Brandon Staley was fired after this game along with GM Tom Telesco. It’s amazing Staley lasted this long. What an embarrassment as the Raiders with Aidan O’Connell at quarterback set a team record with 63 points. O’Connell thew for four TDs in the first half and gave the Raiders a slight chance at 6-8. The Chargers appeared to give up on Staley though they were going to struggle offensively with Easton Stick at quarterback. He hit 23 of 32 for 257 yards and three second-half TDs when the game was essentially over. Giff Smith, an outside linebackers coach, will now the interim head coach for Los Angeles.
Saturday, Dec. 16
CINCINNATI (-3/41.5) over Minnesota 27-24ot
If you got 2.5 or bought the half point on Cincinnati, that was a smart move. The Bengals needed a 29-yard field goal with 3:11 left in overtime to beat the Vikings and improve to 8-6. Jake Browning completed 29 of 42 for 324 yards with two TDs and a pick. However, the Bengals lost star WR Ja’Marr Chase to a separated shoulder and he’ll be out indefinitely. Minnesota fell to 7-7 and had chances to win this game. Nick Mullens did a solid job taking over for Joshua Dobbs at QB. He threw two TDs and was helped by RB Ty Chandler, who ran for 132 yards with a TD.
INDIANAPOLIS (-1.5/41.5) over Pittsburgh 30-13
One team is going one way and the other is floundering. Gardner Minshew is the gem of a bad group of backup QBs, though Jake Browning and Joe Flacco are in the room. Minshew threw three TDs passes as the Colts rallied from being down 13-0 to crush the Steelers. The only positive for the Steelers was that T.J. Watt had two more sacks to raised his number to 16. But Indy held punchless Pittsburgh to just 216 total yards, while the Colts produced 372 yards. Mitch Trubisky threw for just 169 yards with two picks as the Steelers (7-7) have now lost three straight games. Their playoff hopes will now hinge on the arm of Mason Rudolph, who replaces Trubisky as the starting QB.
DETROIT (-4.5/49.5) over Denver 42-17
The Lions got back on track with an impressive win as Jared Goff torched a pretty good defense for five TDs, including three to rookie TE Sam LaPorta. Jahmyr Gibbs added 110 yards and a TD on 11 carries and also had a receiving TD. At 10-4, the Lions are close to a playoff berth and NFC North title. Russell Wison threw for 223 yards and a TD for the Broncos, who were down 21-0 at the half. They don’t have the dynamic enough offense to come back from that deficit. Denver dropped to 7-7 on the season.
Sunday, Dec. 17
Tampa Bay (+4.5/41.5) over GREEN BAY 34-20
Baker Mayfield threw for 381 yards and four TDs to lead the Bucs right back in the playoff race at 7-7. Chris Godwin had a big day with 10 catches for 155 yards, while Mike Evans, Rachaad White, David Moore and Ko Kieft all caught touchdown passes. The Packers (6-8) are now reeling as their pass defense was torched in this one. Jordan Love completed 29 of 39 for 284 yards and two TDs for the Packers. This game was 13-10 at the half (Bucs) and Tampa Bay scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives of the second half.
MIAMI (-7.5/35.5) OVER NY Jets 30-0
Another embarrassing offensive performance by the Jets. Tyreek Hill (ankle) sat this one out, but Jaylen Wadded stepped up with eight catches for a season-best 142 yards for Miami. The Dolphins (10-4) outgained the Jets 197-4 in the first half. New York committed four turnovers and was held to 103 total yards. Zach Wilson (concussion) left the game for Trevor Siemian, who may get the start this week. With the Jets out of the playoff picture, there’s no reason to play Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), who is listed as questionable this week.
CLEVELAND (-3/38.5) over Chicago 20-17
Another game where you could have bought the ½ point if you had three. Joe Flacco did Joe Flacco things in this game. He threw three picks and then he led the Browns back in the fourth quarter to give them another win (9-5). TE David Njoku caught 10 passes for 104 yards and a TD, while Amari Cooper had the big TD late and caught for passes for 109 yards and a score. Flaco finished going 28 of 42 for 372 yards with two TDs and three picks. The Browns fell to 5-9 despite 2.5 sacks from Montez Sweat and a pick-six from Terrel Edmunds. They were also eliminated from playoff contention. Justin Fields chucked a Hail Mary at the end of the game and ball went into Darnell Mooney’s hands as he lay on the ground, but he couldn’t corral it and D’Anthony Bell grabbed the pick.
Kansas City (-9.5/39.5) over NEW ENGLAND 27-17
The Pats fought hard in the first half, but ultimately it was too much Patrick Mahomes for New England. He threw for two TDs and 305 yards, though he was picked off twice. KC (9-5) snapped a two-game losing streak to keep pace in the AFC West. Bailey Zappe threw for 180 yards with a TD and a pick for the Patriots (3-11), who have 11 losses for the first time since 2000. Chiefs’ RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for 37 yards and caught a TD pass accumulating 101 total yards.
CAROLINA (+2.5/31.5) over Atlanta 9-7
This was a snoozefest and easy under but this was also a devastating loss for Atlanta (6-8), who would have had a share of first place in NFC South with a win. Eddy Pineiro kicked a 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Panthers their second win of the season. The Falcons struggled offensively as QB Desmond Ridder went 12 of 20 for 152 yards with a TD and late INT. He will be replaced once again by backup Taylor Heinicke. Bryce Yong completed 18 of 24 for 157 yards and helped interim coach Chris Tabor get his first win since the firing of Frank Reich.
NEW ORLEANS (-6/39.5) over NY Giants 24-6
The Saints improved to 7-7 with a big win over the Giants. Derek Carr threw for three TDs and the New Orleans defense was dominant. Rookie QB Tommy DeVito completed 20 of 34 for 177 yards as the Giants (5-9) had their three-game winning streak snapped. Carr completed 23 of 28 for 218 yards and connected with 10 different receivers. Alvin Kamara had 66 rushing yards and 44 receiving yards on five catches for the Saints.
Tampa Bay (+4.5/41.5) over GREEN BAY 34-20
Tampa Bay is now tied for first with New Orleans after this big road win. Baker Mayfield had a monster game with 381 passing yards and four TDs. Chris Godwin had 10 catches for 155 yards to lead the Bucs. Jordan Love threw for 284 yards and two TDs to lead the Packers, who fell to 6-8. The Packers allowed 21 points in the second half to an offense that has been anything but dynamic this season.
LA RAMS (-6/48.5) over Washington 28-20
Matthew Stafford completed 25 of 33 for 258 yards, while Kyren Williams rushed for 152 yards. This was a close game at the end, despite the fact that Washington was outgained 445-297. That’s because Sam Howell had an awful game (102yds, a TD, INT) and was benched for Jacoby Brissett with 9:05 left in the game. He came in and threw a TD to Terry McLaurin and the an 3-yard TD to Curtis Samuel with 1:46 left. The Rams improved to 7-7, while the Commanders fell to 4-10.
San Francisco (-11.5/48.5) over ARIZONA 45-29
Arizona made this a game in the first half and the Niners pulled away in the third quarter with two TDs. Brock Purdy threw for 242 yards and four TDs as San Francisco (11-3) clinched the NFC West and has won six straight.; Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel both caught two TD passes. James Conner had a strong game with 86 yards and a TD for the Cardinals, who fell to 3-11 coming off a bye week. TE Trey McBride continues to impress with 10 catches for 102 yards.
BUFFALO (-2.5/49.5) over Dallas 31-10
The Bills needed a win and they sure got one. James Cook rushed for 179 yards and two TDs as Buffalo improved to 8-6 on a rainy day. Dak Prescott struggled with just 134 yards passing and a pick. Josh Allen managed just 94 yards, but threw for a TD and ran for one. Dallas fell to 10-4 but with the Eagles losing Monday night, they moved back to second place in the NFC. To make matters worse for the Cowboys, they lost All-Pro RG Zack Martin to a left quad injury in the first quarter. He is listed as questionable for this week.
Baltimore (-4/42.5) over JACKSONVILLE 23-7
The Ravens clinched a playoff spot as their defense shut out the Jaguars in the first half. It was a rough game for Trevor Lawrence, who had 264 yards passing with a TD, but had two lost fumbles. The Jaguars fell to 8-6 and are now tied with the Colts and Texans for the AFC South lead. Lamar Jackson threw for 171 yards and a TD with a pick. He also ran for 97 yards on 12 rushes. The Ravens ran all over Jacksonville (251 yards), but lost star rookie Keaton Mitchell (73 yds) in the fourth quarter with a knee injury (ACL). The Ravens improved to 11-3 and clinched a playoff spot.
Monday, Dec. 18
SEATTLE (+5.5/46.5) over Philadelphia 20-17
Drew Lock? Yes, Drew Lock led the Seahawks to an improbable win that saw him hit rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 29-yard TD pass with 28 seconds left to give them a 20-17 win. Lock led Seattle on a 92-yard drive on 10 plays to held the Seahawks improve to 7-7 and stop a four-game losing streak. This was a decent defensive game for new defensive play-caller Matt Patricia until that final drive. He took away some of the blame from QB Jalen Hurts, who threw for just 143 yards with two picks and 82 rushing yards. To his credit, he did play while battling an illness. Philadelphia fell to 10-4, while Seattle gave themselves a chance in the wild card picture. Now the bigger question is whether Geno Smith (groin) returns as the starter this week over Lock.