With the NFL season winding down the OddsShark Super Computer is looking to finish the season strong. Despite its inability to feel human emotions, the computer wants to see you finish strong as well as it delivers its top picks for Week 16.
If you prefer the human element, check out our video of Team Oddsshark members Rob Pizzola and Ben Eckstein breaking down their top picks.
Vikings -4.5 Hosting the Giants
This game does offer a certain level of fear, as a Packers win earlier in the day could make this game relatively meaningless to the Vikings.
Although Adrian Peterson has gotten all the media attention (and rightfully so), Teddy Bridgewater is starting to round into the form that made the team believe he could be their quarterback for years to come. The sophomore signal caller has completed 75 percent of his passes for 566 yards and five touchdowns without an interception in the past two games.
The Giants defense has been unable to stop anyone from scoring this season as they have given up 25.6 points per game. The G-Men have also easily surrendered the most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks in the NFL while allowing over 112 yards rushing per game as well. And, oh yeah, it doesn’t help that Odell Beckham is suspended for the game.
Panthers -6.5 Visiting the Falcons
Two weeks ago the Panthers humiliated the Falcons 38-0. The Panthers have scored 33 or more points in five straight weeks, while the Falcons haven’t hit the 30 point mark since Week 4. The Panthers are motivated to go 16-0 this season and 6.5 points looks like a nice present under the tree for Panthers’ backers.
Redskins +3 Visiting the Eagles
Are the Redskins good? Well, that might be a stretch, but they have won three out of their last four games and Kirk Cousins is starting to look like a franchise quarterback. Cousins is coming off his best game as a pro, and he should be able to expose a leaky Eagles defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in touchdown passes allowed.
Just when the Eagles were starting to show us something with back-to-back wins over the Patriots and Bills, they showed their true colors in a 40-17 beatdown loss at home to the Cardinals. It was the second time in their last three home games that they’ve allowed 40 or more points. They’ve lost three out of their last four at home and earlier in the season the Redskins beat them 23-20.
Seahawks -13.5 Hosting the Rams
Scared of the big spread? Don’t be—The Seahawks certainly aren’t. They have a number of things working in their favor in this game, not the least of which is that they’ve been covering huge spreads with ease. They have five straight ATS wins, including covers of 14 twice and one of 10.5.
As an underdog in Seattle, the Rams are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games when visiting the Seahawks. They’ve gone just 1-4-1 ATS on the road this season and will have trouble keeping up with a Seattle offense that’s scored 30 or more points in five of their last six games.
Another reason to back the Seahawks—They’re currently on an 8-0 SU and ATS run in their last eight December games.
Broncos -3.5 Hosting the Bengals
The AJ McCarron era got off to a decent start last week against the 49ers, but he could be in for a rude awakening on Monday night in Denver. The Broncos have a top five defense along with a history of dominating the Bengals to the tune of 13 wins in 16 games.
Despite the win over San Fran, the Bengals are a different team with McCarron under center. He was only asked to throw the ball 21 times in the game, as Cincy opted to run the ball 36 times. The same strategy could spell trouble going up against a Broncos defense that leads the league in allowing just 79.9 rushing yards per game.
A young quarterback in his second start, playing on Monday Night Football against a tough defense—I don’t like his chances.
