As the NFL regular season makes the turn into Week 15, there are just three games left for all of the teams. The playoff races are heating up in both conferences, although there aren’t that many teams in contention. Let’s take a look at the five most important games sports bettors should keep an eye out for during Week 15:
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
Odds: Titans -3
The Texans continue to Jekyll and Hyde as they earned a big win over the New England Patriots two weeks ago only to get blown out by the Denver Broncos last week. They are now tied at 8-5 atop the AFC South with the Tennessee Titans. While the Texans are just 2-2 in their last four and 4-3 in their last seven, the Titans have been heading in the opposite direction. They’ve been unstoppable with Ryan Tannehill under center, going 6-1 while averaging 37.5 points per game during their current four-game winning streak.
These two teams will square off twice in the final three weeks. Gamblers should remember this in the second contest, since you’ll have a recent gauge of the teams’ relative strength and weakness.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Odds: Chiefs -10
Have the Broncos found a quarterback? The long search might be over as rookie Drew Lock has looked fantastic in his two starts. Not only have the Broncos won both games, Lock is completing 72.4% of his passes with five touchdowns, two picks and a QBR of 80.2. This week, they’ll visit the Chiefs, who are rounding into playoff form. The Chiefs beat the New England Patriots on Sunday to avenge their loss in last year’s AFC Championship Game and clinched the AFC West Division title in the process.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Odds: Packers -5
The Bears were written off weeks ago but since then, they’ve won three in a row and four of five. Remember when quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was in tears getting supposedly benched? He’s completing over 70% of his passes the last two weeks with six touchdowns and two picks.
Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers are at 10-3 but with the Minnesota Vikings still hot on their heels (Vikings have nine wins), the Packers need to keep winning to maintain their lead in the NFC North.
Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys
Odds: Cowboys -1
The Cowboys have lost three in a row and seven of their last 10 to fall below .500. While they still lead the NFC East, the mood in Dallas is quite sour as head coach Jason Garrett is sure to be fired unless this team can turn things around.
This week, the Cowboys host the resurgent Rams, who have blown out their last two opponents (Seattle and Arizona). We’ve seen a lot of line movement in this game already as the Cowboys opened at -3 but are already down to -1.
Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
Odds: Steelers -1
The Bills and Steelers hold the final two playoff spots in the AFC. While the Bills are the No. 5 seed and the Steelers are No. 6, the two teams will swap spots if the Steelers get the win.
Both teams are built the same as they enter with rugged defense but shaky offenses. Bills quarterback Josh Allen has completed less than 20 passes in six of his last eight games. Meanwhile, the Steelers are doing their best to get by with third-string quarterback Devlin Hodges under center, but he’s totaled just 364 passing yards in his last two starts.
The Bills are playing a tough stretch where they fit the Steelers in-between the Ravens and Patriots, but they have a better offense at this stage of the season. The Steelers might get Juju Smith-Schuster, which could tip the odds in their favor. Expect turnovers to play a huge role in this contest.