Week 15 is in the books and the regular season has two weeks left. The betting markets for Week 16 is seeing early action and plenty of NFL line movement. There are a few intriguing matchups for Week 16. The Minnesota Vikings visit the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles visit the Dallas Cowboys, and the Sunday Night primetime game features the Tennessee Titans visiting the Green Bay Packers. Also, a huge NFC West game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.
Let’s dive right into the early action and news for Week 16!
First, I want to list the games that currently do not know who will be starting at quarterback. As a result, the following games DO NOT have a line posted:
Cincinnati Bengals vs Houston Texans
Carolina Panthers vs Washington Football Team
New York Giants vs Baltimore Ravens
NFL Line Movement Week 16 Mid-Week
Tampa Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions
Opening Line: Bucs -7.5 Total: 53.5
Current Line: OFF Total: OFF
In Week 15 the Bucs fought back from a three-possession deficit to rally and beat the Falcons, keeping their wild card hopes alive. Furthermore, Ronald Jones missed last week due to an injury and is expected back Sunday against the Lions. The Lions come off a beating by the Titans in Week 15. In addition, Matthew Stafford was once again removed from the game in the 4th quarter due to an injury.
As of Wednesday morning, the line for this game was pulled off the board due to a COVID-19 breakout within the coaching staff. As a result, Lions and the NFL are working through the COVID-19 protocols and will determine if this game will take place Saturday.
Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Opening Line: Steelers -2.5 Total: 44.5
Current Line: Colts -1.5 Total 44.5
The opening line on Sunday for this inter-conference game between two teams battling for playoff seeds was Steelers -2.5. However, the line was pulled down prior to the Steelers Monday night game against the Bengals. As a result, of Steelers shocking loss to the Bengals on Monday, the line re-opened Tuesday early morning Colts favored by 1.5 points.
Currently, the line remains there. Lastly, Steelers seem to have red flags right now, the offense has fallen off a cliff and the defense has not been the same since the Bud Dupree injury.
Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys
Opening Line: Eagles -1.5 Total: 50
Current Line: Eagles -2.5 Total: 49.5
The Dallas Cowboys come off an impressive victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15. Furthermore, Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliot did not play in Week 15 due to a calf injury. As a result, Tony Pollard filled in nicely for the Cowboys as the recorded two touchdowns and 132 total yards.
Doug Pederson on Tuesday morning confirmed that Jalen Hurts will get the start in Week 16 against division foe Dallas Cowboys. As a result, the Eagles jumped from -1.5 to -2.5 and currently that is where the line sits.
Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks
Opening Line: Seahawks -2.5 Total: 46.5
Current Line: Seahawks -1 Total: 47.5
The biggest shock of Week 15 was the New York Jets getting their first victory of the season as a 17-point underdog to the Los Angeles Rams. After the game McVay said “loss to Jets embarrassing, ‘humbling’. Furthermore, the Seahawks pulled off a victory in Washington to take a full one game lead over the Rams for the division. Money is coming in on the Rams mid-week. As a result, the line is currently down to Seahawks as a 1 point favorite. In addition, McVay one of the top coaches in the league will have his team fully focused this week and I expect to see good two-way action on this game come Sunday.
Tennessee Titans vs Green Bay Packers
Opening Line: Packers -4.5 Total 55.5
Current Line: Packers -3 Total: 56
This Sunday night matchup is the biggest move of the week by far. Packers opened as a 4.5-point favorite and as of this morning are down to -3. Furthermore, Titans are coming off an impressive victory over the Lions. In addition, Packers played last Saturday night in a subpar performance against the Panthers.
Early money is coming in on the Titans and therefore the line has moved towards the Titans direction. Lastly, I expect the public to be on the Packers which may result in the books rooting for the Titans come Sunday night.
