The Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and the Green Bay Packers each have playoff aspirations, and all five of these teams are seeking wins this weekend just to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Join me as I share my best bets for Week 16 of the NFL season, beginning Saturday, December 23.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday 12/23 at 4:30 p.m.
This AFC North clash occurs Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh, involving two potential playoff teams trending in opposite directions. The Cincinnati Bengals are a -2 point favorite and riding a three-game winning streak, while the Pittsburgh Steelers hope to end a three-game losing skid.
Saturday’s matchup is a battle between reserve quarterbacks. Bengals’ backup Jake Browning is beginning to look comfortable in the pocket and has far more weapons to unleash than Steelers’ third-string signal-caller Mason Rudolph does. Pittsburgh hasn’t scored 20+ in any of their last five, with an offense reeling from quarterback injuries and a seeming lack of effort and intensity. I expect the Steelers to raise their level, but bet on Cincinnati to cover the -2.
Editors Note: Ja’Marr Chase has been ruled out for the Bengals
Best Bet: Cincinnati Bengals -2 (-110) at BetMGM Ohio
Indianapolis Colts vs Atlanta Falcons on Sunday 12/24 at 1:00 p.m.
This matchup features two potential playoff teams. The Indianapolis Colts are a +1 underdog when they meet the Atlanta Falcons for this important NFC showdown.
The Atlanta offense hasn’t been very efficient, and that will hurt them Sunday. Indianapolis scored 20+ in 12 of their 14 games and should outscore the Falcons. The Atlanta defense has surrendered just 84 points over their last five, but that was against poor offensive teams. The Colts offense is the best one Atlanta has seen in the past month, and I like the Colts to win this one straight-up.
Best Bet: Indianapolis Colts ML (+100) at Caesars Ohio
Green Bay Packers vs Carolina Panthers on Sunday 12/24 at 1:00 p.m.
This NFC matchup is meaningful for the Green Bay Packers and less meaningful for a Carolina Panthers side coming off just its second win of the season but already eliminated from playoff contention.
The Under is 37.5, and playing the Under is the best bet for this game. Neither offense has been very stable or consistent, and the respective defenses are much better than the offenses. Green Bay has scored 20+ in nine of their 14 matchups, while Carolina hasn’t scored a TD in their last two games and 53 points over their last five. This one will be as ugly a game as we’ll see this weekend, but Under 37.5 is the play.
Best Bet: Under 37.5 (-110) at Caesars Ohio
