NFL Week 16 Underdogs Who Can Win
Looking For Betting Value With the Underdogs This Week
The addition of the extra wild card teams has resulted in not only more revenue due to more NFL playoff games. But it’s also added revenue due to more meaningful late-season games, which is the case this week. Of the 16 games on the NFL slate, only two of them have no playoff implications.
But that also means more NFL teams are trying to win late in the season. That’s good news for underdog bettors. We’ll try to find a couple of NFL Week 16 underdogs that can spring the upset or, at the very least, cover the point spread.
Bengals vs Steelers 
Day/Time:
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Lines: Cincinnati -2
Total 37
Stream: ESPN
The Bengals visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in the old story of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Bengals have won three straight, while Pittsburgh has lost its last three, including two at home. Cincinnati is favored by two points and the total on the game is just 37.
Jake Browning has done a solid job since taking over for Joe Burrow. But now he’s favored on the road in a revenge game for the Bengals.
The Steelers’ last victory came against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 26. The Steelers were 2-point road favorites in that game. Now, Pittsburgh is getting two points at home.
The Bengals are currently No. 6 in the AFC playoff race, but don’t have much room for error. Four other teams have 8-6 records, including Buffalo and three from the AFC South, Jacksonville, Houston and Indianapolis. One of the AFC South teams will win the division.
Cincinnati’s offense has come to life under Browning, scoring at least 27 points in each of the last three games. The defense has been good enough to win, which is all you need. It doesn’t matter if you allow 30 points. Just as long as you score 31.
Steelers Stumbling Hard
Pittsburgh hasn’t played well lately, losing its last three games straight-up and against the NFL betting lines. Still, at 7-7, Pittsburgh is alive for the playoffs. But the Steelers can’t afford another loss if they hope to get there.
Mason Rudolph gets the start for Pittsburgh, and he can be good when given time. That might be easier said than done, as the Steelers’ offensive line has been pretty bad at times this season.
But it’s probably premature to count out the Steelers just yet. This is a game they can win if they play well up front.
The Bengals don’t stop the run very well, so Pittsburgh can gain some yards on the ground. The Steelers +2 are the first of the two NFL Week 16 underdogs that we’ll be on.
Lions vs Vikings
Day/Time:
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Lines: Detroit -3 (-120)
Total 47
Stream: CBS
For about the fourth or fifth time this season, the Minnesota Vikings take the field after losing a game they should have won.
A couple of ill-timed interceptions and a critical fumble did in Minnesota at Cincinnati last week. Now, the Vikings have to regroup in a hurry. At 7-7, the Vikings can’t afford a loss here.
It’s a different story for Detroit, which has a three-game lead in the NFC North. The Lions just need one more win to clinch the division title. The NFL stats 2023 say they’ll get it.
The Lions are No. 3 in total offense and one of the best rushing teams in the NFL. Detroit is gaining 4.8 yards per carry and 140.9 yards per game. That’s helped open up the passing game, which is averaging 253.5 yards per game.
The Lions haven’t been that great on defense, allowing 23.6 points to teams averaging 21 points a game. But as long as they allow fewer points than they score, Detroit won’t complain.
Vikings Give Away Another Game
After catching nearly every break imaginable last year, Minnesota is paying for it this season. Nearly all the luck the Vikings have had has been bad, starting with the injury to Kirk Cousins. Now, Minnesota is trying to win with its fourth starting quarterback of the season in Nick Mullens.
He wasn’t all that bad in last week’s start, but has to share in the blame for the loss. A couple of poor decisions cost the team some early points that could have changed the entire game.
The Vikings haven’t played well at home this season, going just 2-4 straight-up and against the spread. That’s a bit surprising for a team that traditionally has had a decent home-field advantage.
The Minnesota defense has been pretty good for most of the season this year. It was the team’s weakness last season. But if the Vikings manage to make the playoffs this year, it will be because of the defensive unit, which is allowing 19.2 points per game.
Minnesota is solid against the run, and if it can take away that aspect of Detroit’s offense, it can keep this game close. The Vikings +3 (Even) are the second of our two NFL Week 16 underdogs.
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