Throughout the 2021 season, a panel of Sportsnet’s NFL contributors will preview each week’s slate of games from a gambling perspective. Staff writer/host Donnovan Bennett, staff writers Emily Sadler and Mike Johnston, plus fantasy writers Andy McNamara and Matt Marchese will pick one FAVOURITE, one UNDERDOG, one OVER, one UNDER, including their personal LOCK, as they attempt to beat the odds
Holy smokes, Week 15 isn’t messing around.
Rising COVID cases and an increasing number of players entering health and safety protocols will undoubtedly impact this week’s outcomes. For example, the Browns-Raiders line has been volatile for days with Cleveland’s roster decimated by absences. In addition to all the player news, several heavyweight matchups with playoff implications are also adding to the chaos.
The week begins with a Thursday AFC West showdown between the Chiefs and Chargers that features the highest total of the week. It’s a rematch of a Week 3 Chargers upset win. Kansas City began the year just 2-7 against the spread but has rewarded bettors with four consecutive covers. Can that trend continue?
Other notable matchups include: Patriots-Colts, Bengals-Broncos, Titans-Steelers, Packers-Ravens and this week’s Toilet Bowl between the Texans and a Jaguars team finally rid of Urban Meyer.
Below are the Week 15 picks.
Donnovan Bennett, staff writer/host
2021 record: 33-23-0
Last week: 3-1-0
Locks: 8-6-0
🏈 Bengals at Broncos OVER 44
🏈 Patriots at Colts UNDER 45.5
🏈 Packers (-4.5) at Ravens
🔒 Lions (+13.5) vs. Cardinals
You can crown them if you want to, but the Arizona Cardinals aren’t who we thought they were. The Cardinals are just 2-2 in their last four games after starting the season 8-1. They’ve only averaged 22.3 points per game in their last four after averaging 30.8 points per game in their first nine. Plus, DeAndre Hopkins is expected to miss the regular season due to a knee injury. They should no longer be considered double digit favourites over anybody.
Emily Sadler, staff writer
2021 record: 30-25-1
Last week: 2-2-0
Locks: 7-7-0
🏈 Chiefs at Chargers OVER 52
🏈 Patriots at Colts UNDER 45.5
🏈 Falcons (+9) at 49ers
🔒 Jaguars (-3) at Texans
Today is the first day of the rest of Trevor Lawrence’s life, and I see no other way to mark the occasion than to take a deep, cleansing breath and then glide onto the field this Sunday and deliver Jacksonville its first victory of the post-Urban Meyer era. Sports law dictates new coach = bring on the win! (Hey, I don’t make the rules!) And in this case, it doesn’t matter that their playoff hopes are long-ago spoiled, or that their opponent is even more lost than they are, sitting right beside them in the league’s basement… celebrate this one like it’s the Super Bowl.
Mike Johnston, staff writer
2021 record: 26-30-0
Last week: 2-2-0
Locks: 7-7-0
🏈 Titans at Steelers OVER 41.5
🏈 Jets at Dolphins UNDER 42
🏈 Saints (+11) at Buccaneers
🔒 Colts (-2) vs. Patriots
Are the Pats the hottest team in the NFL? Yes. Has their defence been playing off the charts, thus making me nervous Carson Wentz will inevitably give up multiple brutal turnovers on Saturday? Absolutely. Am I oddly stubborn about this Colts team being a dark horse Super Bowl contender? You bet I am! That’s why I’m going with the Colts to pick up a massive home win that turns the AFC on its head.
Andy McNamara, analyst/fantasy sports writer
2021 record: 34-21-0
Last week: 3-1-0
Locks: 6-8-0
🏈 Titans at Steelers OVER 41.5
🏈 Patriots at Colts UNDER 45.5
🏈 Chargers (+3) vs. Chiefs
🔒 Cowboys (-10.5) at Giants
Dallas has broken out of their mini rut and won their past two games. The Giants lose by an average of 13.2 points and one of those nine defeats came to the Cowboys 44-20 back in October. Oh, and New York quarterback Daniel Jones is still not cleared to play. This is as easy a LOCK of the week as it gets, people.
Matt Marchese, radio host/producer/fantasy football writer
2021 record: 23-33-0
Last week: 2-2-0
Locks: 6-8-0
🏈 Titans at Steelers OVER 41.5
🏈 Washington at Eagles UNDER 44.5
🏈 Raiders (+3) at Browns
🔒 Rams (-4.5) vs. Seahawks
The Rams are coming off a massive win over the Cardinals and that trend will continue against another divisional rival in the Seahawks. Los Angeles is 7-2 in their last nine home meetings against the spread versus the Seahawks who are also 1-3 in their last four away games ATS this season.
BONUS STAT: The Raiders are 3-0 in their last three against the spread versus Cleveland, who if you haven’t heard, might be very shorthanded this weekend.
[relatedlinks]
9:24