The Super Bowl futures have shifted wildly over the last couple of weeks as the Green Bay Packers have gone from +5000 to +1600 in a span of two games while some of the NFC favorites – like the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks – have looked shaky in that span. Here’s a look at the best games on the bill for Week 15.
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Odds: Seahawks -15
The Seahawks fell to 8-4-1 after getting destroyed in Green Bay, but this Thursday night visit from the 4-9 Rams might be just what the doctor ordered. The Rams are last in points scored, third-down conversions, yards per game, and a number of other categories. On top of that, they just fired head coach Jeff Fisher, although that may be a positive step.
The Seahawks looked like they really missed Earl Thomas last week but that shouldn’t be a problem against rookie quarterback Jared Goff and the Rams’ anemic pass offense. However, keep in mind that the Seahawks have had a lot of trouble with the Rams, who are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five meetings with Seattle. The Rams beat the Seahawks 9-3 at home back in Week 2.
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
Odds: Dolphins -3
The Dolphins beat Arizona at home, but it came at a cost as Ryan Tannehill injured his knee and Matt Moore will be the starter for the foreseeable future as 8-5 Miami chases a playoff spot. The Dolphins should lean on Jay Ajayi and their ground game in this one as the Jets have coughed up 478 rushing yards in their last three games.
The Jets are 4-9 after a 23-17 OT win in San Francisco, and at least it looked like players had some pride, more so than they did the previous week in a blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Jets are 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five against the Dolphins, who won 27-23 in Miami in Week 9. However, the Jets have been brutal at home this year as they have just one win in six games.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Odds: Steelers -3.5
The 8-5 Steelers won their fourth in a row in Buffalo behind a huge game from Le’Veon Bell, but it’s slightly worrying that Ben Roethlisberger had his worst game of the season. The Steelers have won four straight but Big Ben is averaging just 224.3 passing yards per game over that span while throwing five touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Bengals are 5-7-1 after keeping Cleveland winless and they can bring down another AFC North rival this week. Interestingly enough, they’re still in the playoff hunt. A win in this spot pulls them within two games of the AFC North lead – if Baltimore was to lose. Even if the Ravens win, they still have to play the Steelers and Bengals on the road to end the year, so there is a slim path for the Bengals to squeak in.
The Steelers are 4-1 SU and 3-1-1 ATS in their last five against the Bengals, who fell 24-16 in Pittsburgh in Week 2.
New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
Odds: Patriots -3
The Patriots are a three-point favorite in Denver where the 8-5 Broncos wait after losing in Tennessee. The defense is doing their best to keep the Broncos in it, ranking fourth in yards allowed, but the offense is 25th in yards for per game. Denver is a team that’s fallen apart after a good start. They opened the season 4-0 but are 4-5 since. They’ve been ineffective running the ball this season as their 93.8 rushing yards per game is 27th in the NFL.
The Patriots are 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five against the Broncos, who edged New England 20-18 at home in last season’s AFC title game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
Odds: Cowboys -7
The Cowboys are 11-2 following their second loss of the season to the New York Giants while the 8-5 Bucs have crept into the playoff picture after their fifth straight win.
The Bucs will have to find a way to slow down the Cowboys running attack in this one but they’re 21st in rushing yards allowed per game this season. However, they’ve been better of late, giving up just 99.2 per game over their last five. That would rank them 13th if that was their season-long number.
If the Bucs are going to steal this game in Dallas, they might need a turnover or two. They are +6 in turnover ratio for the season while the Cowboys are +2.