Best Early Game Total Picks for Week 16

The Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints wrapped up Week 15 of the NFL regular season on Monday, paving the way for unbridled focus on Week 16 and what bettors can expect in the NFL lines. Looking to make your early wagers? Go inside this write-up to read our highly informative NFL online betting preview on the best OVER/UNDER to consider in Week 16, culminating with our select total picks for the week.

Best Early Game Total Picks for Week 16

It’s Patriots Week. But more importantly, it’s must-win week. READ- https://t.co/xwhkR4Al6E pic.twitter.com/y03yaE114K
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 22, 2015

Patriots at Jets

When: Sunday, December 27th at 1:00 PM ET Odds: OVER/UNDER 45.5 Analysis: Besides owning the league’s best run defense, the Jets have been amazing in their last four games, giving up just 14 points, with the offense making a good number of solid plays to keep New Yorkers alive in the playoff race. The Patriots, often known for their offense, have also had to heavily rely on their defense, given the many injuries witnessed in the offense. And to their credit, the Patriots have been splendid, allowing a total of just 22 points in their last two games, along with 10 sacks and two picks. Stopping the Jets’ offense that is averaging 27.5 PPG in their last four games won’t be easy, but with New England banged up in the offense, you can be sure that coach Bill Belichick will design plays that will emphasize more on the strength of the Pats in the D-side. All that considered, this game offers a great likelihood of a tame scoring affair that will keep the total UNDER. Pick: Both the Jets and Pats play to UNDER 45.5 points, with New England’s injuries evidently showing in their game.

Colts at Dolphins

When: Sunday, December 27th at 1:00 PM ET Odds: OVER/UNDER* Analysis: Over the last couple of weeks, the Colts and Dolphins have been the personification of struggling offenses in the league. Case-and-point, the Colts could only muster 10 points in the 16-10 home loss to the Texans last week, with QB Matt Hasselbeck struggling mightily in passing the ball and the running game also failing to move the chains (mustering up just 50 total rushing yards on 19 carries as a team). The Dolphins, in their Sunday game to the Chargers lost 30-14, with Miami going into the half trailing 23-0 and managing to get on the scoresheet late in the game when it was garbage time. This continued the season-long trend of Miami failing to use its scoring opportunities, which has seen them rank as the third-worst team in the league in total first downs, and second worst team in the league in third down completions with a shameful 29.6-percent clip. So, if you are hoping for a game that will light up the stadium with scores, steer clear of this Colts @ Dolphins game because this one is nearly guaranteed to total below 40 points in a pathetic scoring showcase. Pick: Miami and Indianapolis continue to struggle offensively, with none of them scoring beyond 25 points, as the total stays sickeningly below 40 points for an UNDER pay.

Rams at Seahawks

When: Sunday, December 27th at 4:25 PM ET Odds: OVER/UNDER 41 Analysis: After a slow start to the season, the Seahawks have been a red-hot team over the recent weeks, compiling five straight wins that have earned them a spot in the playoff. Key to Seattle’s success has been the constantly improving play of Russell Wilson and the offense, supported by a mean defense that has been allowing just 302.2 total yards allowed per game (second-best mark in the league). Against a St. Louis side that has struggled to find rhythm for most part of the season, it doesn’t look like the Rams will be producing mega output in the offense this weekend. Conversely, the Seahawks will have some questions to answer in their offense (especially in running the ball), considering RBs Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls are both injured. Plus, although the Rams passing defense has not been that steady at keeping teams out of the end zone, the run defense has been playing better, offering St. Louis a chance to limit Seattle from lighting up the scoreboard. With all such issues factored into the game, it wouldn’t be a surprise if this game plays out to a low-scoring UNDER total. Pick: St. Louis’ defense gives a spirited performance to avoid getting blown out by the Hawks in a tamed UNDER scoring game.

My Best NFL Week 14 Game Total OVER Betting Picks

Chargers at Raiders

When: Thursday, December 24th at 8:25 PM ET Odds: OVER/UNDER 47 Analysis: After treating us to a spectacular 37-29 win over the Chargers in San Diego back in Week 7, the Oakland Raiders will be hoping to impress once again when they host the Bolts at the O.co Coliseum on Sunday. Statistically speaking, this game will be a mismatch of sorts, as San Diego’s QB Philip Rivers and his strong aerial passing game will be facing Oakland’s 29th-ranked passing defense that is yielding 271.5 yards per game, hence offering him a chance to use his strong arms to wreak havoc. Meanwhile, Derek Carr and his Oakland offense is averaging 253.5 passing yards per game, which should be more than enough to find solid scoring opportunities against San Diego’s nearly non-existent pass rush unit. If Carr can regain his early season form and take advantage of having a stellar receiver in rookie Amari Cooper, the Raiders could also have a chance of tallying up decent scores, just like the Chargers, leading to a big scoring encounter from the two opposing sides. Pick: A shootout affair ensues, with both teams scoring 25-points in a thrilling scoring display, helping the total to easily go up for an OVER pay.

Steelers at Ravens

When: Sunday, December 27th at 8:30 PM ET Odds: OVER/UNDER 47 Analysis: Despite their season-long struggles, the Ravens have maintained their place among the top 10 in the nation in passing yards per game, a clear sign that Pittsburgh’s defense (which is ranked second-worst in the NFL in defending the pass) will have a hard time containing Jimmy Clausen and his aerial threats. In the meantime, the Steelers have racked up 30-or-more points in all their last six games, and the tandem of Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown is proving to be too much for most teams. If both offenses can therefore show up on Sunday as is expected, the two teams should be able to light up the scoreboard en route to around 50-or-more points and a possible OVER total. Pick: The Steelers blowout the Ravens and record a big double-digit win, but Baltimore equally features decently on the scoresheet, scoring 20-plus points in the losing effort, which helps to push the total way up for an OVER.