The Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts will all be looking to get it done at home in their respective Week 16 matchups. If you’re an NFL betting aficionado that is looking for value – and some expert Week 16 betting predictions that could help you in your quest to cash in early and often this coming weekend, then consider your ticket punched. Now, let’s find out if all three home teams are the pick to cover the chalk against their Week 16 opponents.
Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles
Game Information
What: Houston Texans (10-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)
When: Sunday, December 23, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
TV: CBS
Weather Forecast
Clear: 3°C | 38°F
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 5 MPH W
Stadium Type: Open Air
Houston got past the New York jets 29-22 last weekend to improve to 10-1 over their last 11 games, but they didn’t look real pretty in taking out the rebuilding AFC East residents despite the fact that Deshaun Watson passed for 2914 yards while tossing two TD passes and no picks. The Texans average 25.1 points per game (11th) and limit the opposition to just 20.1 points per game defensively to rank a stellar fifth in points allowed.
Philadelphia got a huge, 30-23 upset win over the Rams on Sunday to improve to 3-1 over their last four and keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the crowded NFC. Veteran backup Nick Foles passed for 270 yards with no touchdowns and one interception but running back Wendell Smallwood added a pair of rushing scores and rookie running back Josh Adams added another. The Eagles average a modest 22.2 points per game (18th) while allowing 22.7 per contest defensively (16th).
While a whopping 68 percent of public bettors are backing the desperate Eagles at home in Week 16, I say the Houston Texans are the better – and correct – pick in this Inter-Conference clash. The Texans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win. On the flip side of the coin, Philadelphia is just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games, 1-5 ATS in their last six home games and 0-4 ATS in their last four games following an ATS win.
I know Houston has been winning ugly all season long, but the fact of the matter is that the Texans have the far better defense in this pairing and the best quarterback on the field despite the fact that Nick Foles won last season’s Super Bowl MVP award. I don’t trust the Eagles one iota and neither should you!
Predicted Score: Houston Texans 27 | Philadelphia Eagles 24
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Game Information
What: Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Carolina Panthers (6-8)
When: Sunday, December 23, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX
Weather Forecast
Clear: 8°C | 46°F
Humidity: 67%
Wind: 4 MPH SW
Stadium Type: Open Air
The Falcons snapped their five-game losing streak by beating up on the lowly Arizona Cardinals 40-14 last weekend to cover the chalk as a 10-point home favorite as Matt Ryan passed for 231 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and running back Tevin Coleman added 145 rushing yards and one score on 11 carries. The Falcons average 25.4 points per game while allowing 27.2 points per contest defensively (29th).
Carolina has fallen completely apart in dropping their last six games including their narrow 12-9 loss to New Orleans as a 6-point home dog on Monday night. Cam Newton has limited to 131 passing yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the loss while Carolina was shut out in the game’s middle two quarters. The Panthers average 23.8 points per game (15th) while allowing 24.6 points per contest defensively (21st).
I know Carolina has basically gone belly up this season and that they no longer have much to play for, but I’m going to advise you to back Cam Newton and the Panthers to get the much-needed win over their longtime division rivals, mostly because they’re at home – and they know the Falcons quite well.
Atlanta has gone an uninspiring 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games versus a team with a losing record. Conversely, Carolina the Panthers are 9-3 ATS in their last dozen home games while the home team in this NFC South divisional rivalry has gone 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings. Carolina might be a mess right now, but the Falcons are in the same boat, even if they did look good in beating an overmatched opponent last weekend.
Predicted Score: Atlanta Falcons 24 | Carolina Panthers 30
New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts
Game Information
What: New York Giants (5-9) at Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
When: Sunday, December 23, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
TV: CBS
Weather Forecast
Clear: 2°C | 35°F
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 7 MPH W
Stadium Type: Retractable Roof
New York had their modest two-game winning streak snapped in their humbling 17-0 shutout loss against Tennessee last weekend while failing to cover the chalk as a 2.5-point home underdog just as I predicted last week. Eli Manning passed for 229 yards but failed to throw a touchdown pass while tossing one interception. New York’s defense gave up 170 rushing yards and two scores to red-hot Titans running back Derrick Henry in the loss. The G-Men average 21.9 points per game (20th) while giving up 24.9 points per contest defensively (23rd).
Indianapolis has won two straight and seven of their last eight games including their statement-making 23-0 shutout win over Dallas last weekend as a 3-point home favorite. Andrew Luck passed for a modest 192 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, but running back Marlon Mack led the way offensively with 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries. Indy’s defense was outstanding in not allowing Dak Prescott to throw a TD pass while picking off the Cowboys’ quarterback once and recording three sacks. The Colts average 26.6 points per game (8th) while allowing 21.4 points per contest defensively (11th).
Just like last week’s game for the G-Men, I’d love to see them get the upset win (mostly because I love fellow Penn State alum Saquon Barkley), but there’s no way New York gets past a superior Colts team that is both, playing extremely well right now – and has a ton to play for.
New York has gone 4-10-2 ATS in their last 16 road games against a team with a winning home record while Indianapolis has gone 4-1 ATS in their last five games in December while also going 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall. The favorite in this rivalry is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, but that’s not why I like the Colts. No, the best reason to back Indy is that Andrew Luck is back to playing like a top-five quarterback and now, Indy’s defense has improved a ton too. The Colts win by double digits to cover the chalk.
Predicted Score: New York Giants 21 | Indianapolis Colts 31
