NFL opening line report: Playoff chases front and center in Week 16
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Week 16 of the NFL regular season has some key games on tap, but because of how Week 15 is playing out, many sportsbooks aren’t yet posting lines on those matchups. However, thanks to Scott Cooley, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu, Covers still gets you a little insight on a quartet of contests with playoff implications.
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (no line)
New Orleans lost its first two games of the season, but has only lost twice since then to stand tied with Carolina atop the NFC South. The Saints (10-4 SU, 8-6 ATS) were massive 16.5-point home favorites against the New York Jets on Sunday and were never covering that number, but got a 31-19 victory.
Defending NFC champion Atlanta still has Week 15 work to do before Bookmaker.eu can set the line on Falcons-Saints. Atlanta (8-5 SU, 6-7 ATS), which travels to Tampa Bay for the Monday nighter, just hosted the Saints a week ago, notching a 20-17 home win as a 2.5-point chalk.
“If there are no major injuries Monday evening, and the Falcons win, we’ll look to make the Saints around 4-point chalk for this big divisional matchup,” Cooley said. “The public will continue to play New Orleans, and we know every Joe Bettor and his dog will be on the over.”
Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans (+7)
Los Angeles is looking very much like the real postseason deal heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. The Rams (10-4 SU, 9-5 ATS) steamrolled Seattle 42-7 as a 1-point road fave in Week 15 and now have complete control of the NFC West.
Tennessee would be in the playoffs if the season ended today, but needs better results than it got in Week 15 to stay in that position. The Titans (8-6 SU, 6-7-1 ATS) lost to San Francisco 25-23 on a last-second field goal, though they cashed as a 2.5-point road pup.
“Marcus Mariota just isn’t playing at the same level he was before the injury earlier this season,” Cooley said. “He’s gutting it out weekly, but he’s a shell of his former shelf, which has caused a drastic downgrade for Tennessee in our ratings. Early action has come on the Titans, dropping the spread a half-point.”
That move put the line at Rams -6.5.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (no line)
Green Bay got Aaron Rodgers back for Week 15, and while he led a valiant late rally at Carolina, he also threw three interceptions. That doomed the Packers (7-7 SU and ATS) to a 31-24 loss catching 3 points on the road, and likely ended their playoff hopes.
Meanwhile, Minnesota had no problem dispatching Cincinnati on Sunday. The Vikings (11-3 SU, 10-4 ATS) led 24-0 at halftime and cruised to 34-7 home win laying 12.5 points.
This is another line that Bookmaker.eu has put on hold.
“We really have to wait and see what the Packers decide to do with Rodgers,” Cooley said, pointing to the fact that if Atlanta beats Tampa on Monday night, Green Bay is eliminated from playoff contention. “The Packers might be home underdogs to this great Vikings squad either way, but are certainly a healthy ‘dog if Brett Hundley is back under center. If the Falcons win Monday, we don’t expect to see Rodgers the rest of the year.”
This NFC North clash is in prime time on Saturday, with an 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys (no line)
Dallas is clinging to postseason life, but might get a little defibrillation this week, with star running back Ezekiel Elliott returning from his six-game suspension. The Cowboys (8-6 SU and ATS) went off as a 3-point chalk at Oakland on Sunday night and pushed with a 20-17 victory, sealed when Raiders QB Derek Carr fumbled inside the 2-yard line in the final minute.
Seattle is also on the outside looking in for the moment, thanks to that aforementioned beatdown suffered at the hands of the Rams. The Seahawks (8-6 SU, 5-8-1 ATS) could still reach the playoffs, but may need some help getting there after that dismal 42-7 loss to L.A. as a 1-point home ‘dog.
With the Cowboys playing Sunday night, Bookmaker.eu will wait to post this number until Monday.
“Dallas will be a short favorite in this one when we open. Both teams are trying to hang around for a playoff spot, but neither are impressing too greatly,” Cooley said. “The Seahawks were badly exposed Sunday, but we will certainly expect their best effort here. We’ll need some sharp action on the underdog to offset the square money that will come on the Cowboys.”
Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers_Vegas.