The first NFL Saturday of the season brings us three monster matchups in terms of their playoff implications. With all six teams in the thick of the NFL playoff race, we could be in for a great day of action. On top of that, it gives us three more standalone NFL games for our betting pleasure this week, but what are our analysts’ top picks across all three slates?
Let’s take a look at our analysts’ best bets across the three games involving the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions.
NFL Week 15 Predictions (Saturday Games):
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Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals Predictions
- Spread
Bengals -3 - Moneyline
Vikings +140, Bengals -165 - Total
40.5
Blewis:Â The Bengals have been playing much better offensively than anyone could’ve imagined with Jake Browning at quarterback over the last couple of weeks. In three starts, Browning has thrown for 285.3 yards per game, with 4 TDs and 2 INTs, 9.84 yards per attempt, and a QB rating of 113.4.
But this is too small of a sample size to completely buy in, and I think this is a good spot to fade him going against this Vikings’ defense.
Since their 1-4 start, the Vikings have the best defense in the NFL by EPA/play. Brian Flores could certainly be in the running for Assistant Coach of the Year, as he has transformed this defense after they were one of the worst units in football last season.
Inexperienced quarterbacks have struggled to go against this Vikings defense all season long, as they blitz at the highest rate in the NFL and also like to drop eight guys in coverage, which makes things very confusing. I’m going to go with the Bengals’ team total under.
Pick: Bengals under 21.5 (-108 at DraftKings)
Bearman:Â I like what I have seen so far from Jake Browning since he has taken over in Joe Burrow’s absence. He has completed over 75% of his passes and has thrown for over 900 yards in 3+ games. Just when you thought the Bengals’ season was over, Browning has led them to two consecutive wins, keeping them right in the playoff race.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
While the Vikings are alive and fighting for a playoff spot as well, I’ll roll with the better team here giving a field goal at home.
Pick: Bengals -3
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts Predictions
- Spread
Colts -1.5 - Moneyline
Steelers +100, Colts -120 - Total
42.5
Bearman: My successful ride on the Colts Express ended last week, but we aren’t hopping off of it just yet.
Stinkers like the loss to the hot Bengals are going to happen, but Indy is right there in the AFC race and needs this one against a fellow playoff contender in Pittsburgh.
While I’m a believer in the Colts, I do not feel the same way about the Steelers, who have lost two straight games and have been out-gained in 11 of 13 contests this season. It’s a miracle this team is 7-6 and the current sixth seed in the AFC. I’m betting on the Colts yet again.
Pick: Colts -1.5 (best bet)
Blewis: The Steelers are no longer getting overvalued because of their record, and they’re going against a team that is perhaps more fraudulent than they are.
While neither team is as good as their 7-6 record indicates, the Steelers are 11th in DVOA, while the Colts are just 20th. This comes with fairly similar schedules to this point as well, as they have both mostly faced bad offenses but good defenses.
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It’s not a strong play here, but I like the Steelers to bounce back here coming off extended rest. While they’re coming off consecutive losses to two-win teams, this is one of those spots where you don’t hesitate to back the Steelers — 14-5-1 ATS with extra time to prepare since 2018, best in the NFL, according to The Action Network.
I’m also going to pair this as a teaser leg with the first game of the day, getting the Steelers up to +7.5 with the Vikings at +9.
Picks: Steelers +1.5 (-110 at DraftKings), Steelers +7.5 and Vikings +9 six-point teaser (-120 at DraftKings)
Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions Predictions
- Spread
Lions -4 - Moneyline
Broncos +170, Lions -200 - Total
47.5
Rolfe:Â This Week 15 primetime Saturday matchup sees a surging team that is 6-1 in the past seven games facing a team that is flailing around a little after losing two of their last three. It doesn’t quite make sense to me that the Lions are favored, let alone by four points.
On a neutral field, I am giving the edge to the Broncos, given how they have been playing recently, so even with a home-field nod to the Lions, that would still be less than a field goal if I were setting the line on this one.
My heart is screaming to take to the Broncos ML with odds as high as +188 in places. However, my head is telling me that feels too easy. My sensible side says to take the Broncos and the points and parlay it with the over.
Four of the Lions’ past five games have gone over 50 points, and two of them have topped 60 points. Both of their last two games in Ford Field have broken the 50-point mark. If you want to play it a little safer, then you could tease the line to Broncos plus a touchdown and bring the total down to the low 40s.
Pick: Broncos +4.5 and over 48 (+267 at DraftKings)
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