Big Week 16 NFL Games

Written December 19, 2008 by Jack Jones

This is the time of year when you can really make some money with the NFL picks offered by our handicappers. With the regular season down to its last two weeks you find teams that have nothing to play for, these are the teams you fade, while others are fighting to get into the playoffs. Those teams are well motivated and you can trust to bring their best to the field. Let’s take a look at two of the bigger games this weekend with plenty of the line.

Baltimore at Dallas

The Ravens come into this game at 9-5 and are hanging on to the sixth and final playoff seed in the AFC. Two other teams are in close pursuit with Miami and New England both also at 9-5. Even with a win here against the Cowboys the Ravens won’t have locked up the Wild Card.

falcons vikings nfl odds

The Cowboys are also 9-5 and currently the fifth seed in the NFC. They can clinch with a win and some help, but four teams are close on their heels in the Falcons (9-5), Eagles (8-5-1), Bears (8-6), and the Redskins (7-7). A win here is big because it sets up a showdown with Philadelphia in Week 17, while the Ravens get to take on the 5-9 Jaguars next week in Baltimore.

It’s important that Dallas wins here since they are 6-1 at home, while Baltimore is just 4-3 on the road. The NFL odds favor Dallas by four points, with the over/under set at 39.5 points. Both teams are coming in on hot streak with Dallas winning four of their last five and Baltimore winning seven of nine. This game should feature an entertaining matchup between the Cowboys sixth-ranked offense going against the third-ranked Baltimore Raven defense. The Cowboys fifth ranked defense should have an easier time going against the Ravens 27th ranked offense.

Atlanta at Minnesota

The other big game this week see the Falcons visiting the Vikings. Right now Atlanta is on the outside looking in but with a win and a Tampa Bay loss coupled with either a Dallas or Philadelphia loss and the Falcons are in the postseason. Minnesota comes in at 9-5, good enough for first place in the NFC North. The Vikings lead is a single game over the Bears though, but with a win they can clinch the division.

Minnesota does not have an easy road to the playoffs, after taking on the Falcons they face the 11-3 Giants at the Metrodome. Atlanta will have an easier task next week when they play host to the 2-12 St. Louis Rams. Minnesota has gone 5-1 on their home turf while Atlanta is just 3-4 outside of the Georgia Dome.

Odds makers currently have Minnesota as 3-point favorites with high juice, but this could go to 3.5 before game time. The total is at 43. Minnesota has won four in a row while the Falcons are 3-2 over their last five.

Win more with your NFL betting this week when you sign up for the football picks offered by our handicappers!

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