Time is running out for teams to jockey for position in the NFL playoff picture. Wherever you are at the end of Week 16 is probably going to be just about it with just one more game left to play to change your fate.
Many teams have control of their own destiny and will need just two more wins to get where they want to get, but as we all know, those last wins are always the toughest to get.
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The Numbers
1: The number of games the Ravens have covered against the Colts in the last 10 meetings between these two teams. Baltimore hasn’t had a lot of luck against Indianapolis, and a lot of that is due to Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. But Luck and Manning aren’t walking through the doors at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, and this marks a great chance for the Ravens to move close to the playoffs. With just a third win in 12 games against Indianapolis on Saturday, Baltimore could be opening up the gift of a playoff spot by the end of the night on Christmas Eve.
7: The number of games in a row the Bears have lost as favorites. Perhaps the more relevant number here, though, is 15, that being the number of consecutive games the Browns have lost overall. Cleveland won in Week 16 last season, and maybe its luck is in again this time in the penultimate week of the campaign.
13: The number representing the highest point spread of Week 16. You’d think that the Patriots have been favored by nearly two full touchdowns several times before against the Bills. To the contrary, this is the first time since 2012 in which the Bills have been greater than +10 against the Pats. In fact, Buffalo hasn’t been a double-digit underdog to anyone since October 27, 2013. The Patriots are two wins away from the No. 1 seed in the AFC, though, and they realize that this is a potential playoff matchup if this game is ultimately lost.
17: The number of regular season games the NFL has played on Christmas Day in its history. Home teams have won each of the last four games played on Christmas, including the two played last season. Last season’s games both had huge impact on division titles for the Steelers and Chiefs. The Steelers and Eagles are hoping that they can both pull out victories to move them closer to their goals at the tops of their respective conferences.
49: The number of points in the over/under of the Rams/Titans game, the highest total amongst the Week 16 betting odds. This won’t be the highest total of the week for sure; Falcons/Saints will take the cake from that standpoint. But that doesn’t mean this won’t be a shootout. Los Angeles has scored at least 26 points in eight of its last nine games and at least 32 points in three straight. The Rams have the top-scoring offense in the NFL, and the only way that teams can seemingly move the ball against them is on the ground. That’s Tennessee’s specialty for sure. If Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray can have big games, this could end up being a back-and-forth war.
Opening Week 16 NFL Odds
Colts at Ravens (-13.5, 41.5)
Vikings a Packers (OFF)
Lions at Bengals (+3.5, 43.5)
Chargers at Jets (+7, 42.5)
Rams at Titans (+7, 49)
Browns at Bears (-7, 38.5)
Buccaneers at Panthers (-9.5)
Falcons at Saints (-5.5)
Broncos at Redskins (-4, 42)
Dolphins at Chiefs (-10, 45)
Bills at Patriots (-13, 47)
Jaguars at 49ers (+5.5, 42.5)
Giants at Cardinals (-4.5, 40.5)
Seahawks at Cowboys (-2.5)
Steelers at Texans (+10)
Raiders at Eagles (-8)
(Odds Courtesy of BookMaker.eu)
