AFC Top 3 Matchups- Week 16
All we know for sure is that New England and Pittsburgh are in the playoffs and Miami is not after last week’s games. This week should bring a bit more clarity to the postseason picture as a few more teams can clinch a spot with a win.
Here is a look at my top three matchups in the AFC for Week 16 of the NFL season. All odds are provided by Betus.com.
New England (-7 ½) @ Buffalo Over/Under: 44
The Patriots are in the driver seat in the AFC for the number one seed in the conference at 12-2 but still need one more win to clinch the East. They finish the season at home against Miami which should be a slam-dunk win but will look to seal the deal with a victory this week in Buffalo.
The Bills can play the role of spoiler with an upset and after winning four of their last six games could actually be in a position to do it. Buffalo knocked Miami out of the playoffs last week and have held their opponents to an average of less than 16 points in those four wins.
New England is 6-2 in its last eight games against the Bills and 6-0 ATS in its last six games in Buffalo. The total has stayed ‘under’ in nine of the last 12 meetings in Buffalo and in 17 of the last 23 meetings overall. The Patriots should get the win and cover, but the ‘under’ could be the best play in this one.
Baltimore (-3 ½) @ Cleveland Over/Under: 39 ½
The Ravens win over New Orleans last week put them back into a tie with Pittsburgh in the AFC North at 10-4, but the Steelers still hold the tiebreaker for the division. It is doubtful that Pittsburgh will slip up against Carolina on Thursday night, so Baltimore needs a win in this one to keep pace.
The Browns loss to Cincinnati last week ended their shot at finishing the season with a .500 record but a win at home over their bitter rival would provide a moral victory for this team. Cleveland lost to Baltimore 24-17 in Week 3 on the road, giving them the confidence to take them down this time at home.
Baltimore is 4-1 ATS in its last five games against the Browns and 3-1-1 in its last five games on the road. Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last five games as an underdog and 1-5 ATS in its last six games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of the last five meetings in Cleveland. It will not be as easy as it looks, but the Ravens get the win and cover the points.
Indianapolis (-3) @ Oakland Over/Under 47
The Colts breathed new life back into their season with a huge win over Jacksonville last week. They are still tied with the Jaguars at 8-6, but control the tiebreaker to win the AFC South. Injuries are still an issue as it looks like WR Austin Collie could be done for the season with yet another head injury.
The Raiders are clinging to life-support in the AFC West, but can keep their slim title hopes alive with a win in this one and a Kansas City loss at home against Tennessee. Regardless of the outcome over the next two weeks, 7-7 Oakland is guaranteed to turn in its best record since 2002.
Indianapolis is 13-5-2 in its last 20 games on the road. Oakland is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games as an underdog and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games overall. The total has gone ‘over’ in five of the Raiders last six home games. Do not be surprised if Oakland comes away with a straight-up win in this game in one last bold effort at home.
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