Welcome to Saturday football. A fourth day of NFL action is not the only news this week, as we saw more injuries change the betting aspect ahead of Week 15 of the NFL.
Every team is back in play as bye weeks are done. Thirty-two teams. Sixteen games.
Let’s go.
The Game Day has all your NFL betting action. Check out the talented crew’s work.
Jeff Hicks’s 2023 NFL Best Bets Record: 35-38 (-7.41 Units)
*All odds and lines are current as of 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
NFL Week 15 Best Bet
Chargers vs Raiders Under 34 Points (-110)
BetMGM Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
This game sucks.
Justin Herbert (finger) is out for the season, the running game is stuck in neutral, and on a short week, they get to face a defense that sacked Josh Dobbs on 11% of plays in Week 14. Herbert and Easton Stick took a sack on 12.5% of snaps against Denver at home on Sunday.
Las Vegas gave up three points and lost. That takes talent.
Aidan O’Connell is just a guy and is not going to push the Raiders offense downfield. The Chargers defense is nothing special, but can key in on Davante Adams and force O’Connell to look elsewhere.
It would also be surprising to see the Raiders not run the ball 20-30 times for a second straight week after averaging 23.7 per game overall and 26.7 at home in 2023.
The only thing that may cook lower and slower than this game is a smoked brisket.
NFL Week 15 ATS Best Bets
Jets +9.5 (-115) vs Dolphins
BetMGM Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Tyreek Hill ankle injury is a major concern, but even if he does play Week 15, the Dolphins are dealing with injuries to four starting offensive linemen. The Miami offense struggled against a good, but not great Titans defense when Hill was out.
Now the Jets defense comes to town after humbling Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite C.J. Stroud. There is no reason to think the Jets can’t get after Tua Tagovailoa, as they are top 10 in sack rate, including a 15% sack rate against the Texans.
This game could be a replica of Monday’s Titans-Dolphins contest where the running backs took over for both teams and ended with Tennessee covering the spread and winning outright.
Keep up with all of our NFL lines for Week 15 and beyond:
NFL Week 15 Over/Under Best Bets
Cowboys vs Bills Under 49.5 Points (-110)
BetMGM Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Taking the Under with the game hovering near 50 was tough, but despite Dallas’s impressive scoring run, it has only averaged 2.7 touchdowns per game away from Jerry’s World. It’s odd that the TD total is low since the Cowboys are 2-0 hitting the Over as road underdogs.
If Buffalo can expand from the Josh Allen Show, it has a chance to score big against the Cowboys defense. I just don’t see that with defenses looking to force Allen away from Stefon Diggs.
I’d expect another busy day for James Cook, which doesn’t necessarily guarantee big plays from the Bills.
Buccaneers vs Packers Under 42.5 Points (-115)
ESPN BET Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Neither team played inspiring football Week 14, especially Green Bay. Health is also a big factor going into Week 15. Both teams could be getting key defenders back.
The Packers will likely be without Dontayvion Wicks (high ankle sprain), which would be a massive loss as he’s developed chemistry with Jordan Love. There is also no guarantee Christian Watson (hamstring) is back.
Both teams need wins to maintain their playoff chances, so expect intensity on defense from both teams.
NFL Week 15 Moneyline Best Bets
Cowboys (+115) vs Bills
BetMGM Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Aside from the humbling in San Francisco, I like how the Cowboys have played. Their loss in Philly was against a good team, and teams flop like the Boys did in Arizona.
Dallas is only 3-3 away from home but are 3-0 in non-conference matchups. What the team has accomplished during its five-game winning streak is impressive, including its comeback win against Seattle where the defense had its worst showing in some time.
I believe the Bills win in Kansas City ends up being their Super Bowl due to the “rivalry" between the two teams over the past few seasons.
Both defenses have done well to limit opposing scoring, but Buffalo has not seen an offense hitting like Dallas’, especially with unsung heroes such as Rico Dowdle adding another layer for defenses to account for.
