NFL Week 15 Odds: 5 best bets against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Atlanta Falcons (+3) over Jacksonville Jaguars
The Falcons are in the midst of a brutal six-game losing streak, but that isn’t even the worst indicator of their recent play from a handicapping perspective. Atlanta has failed to cover in nine consecutive games, and it appears that Las Vegas is finally catching up to the fact that Dan Quinn’s team isn’t very good right now.
It was unthinkable a few weeks ago that Atlanta would enter this game against Jacksonville as a real underdog, but that is where we are. On top of that, the Jaguars are actually receiving the majority of the action from handicappers, making this a spot where Atlanta is actually the valuable side. I fully understand if you don’t want to ride with a sinking ship, but the line indicates that the hate has gone a bit too far here.
Denver Broncos (+6.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers
What would this line have been if Denver did not collapse in the second half against Oakland a week ago?
That is the question you need to ask yourself, and the answer is “not +6.5.” There is clear value with the Broncos here, as everyone is jumping on the Pittsburgh bandwagon and scurrying away from Brock Osweiler and Denver. The Broncos still boast one of the best defenses in football with strong weapons, and I can’t reconcile Denver getting nearly a touchdown in this spot.
Pittsburgh should be favored, but not by this much and all of the value is on the underdog.
Next: Browns-Seahawks and Cardinals-Eagles