NFL Schedule - Team vs. Team - Week 16
Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have an excellent record against the Atlanta Falcons and will need to continue that if they want to qualify for the playoffs in 2012. The Falcons have their division title sewn up but the Lions are currently involved in the dog fight for NFC wild card spots. This game is likely to develop into a shootout as both sides like to throw the football and have excellent receivers. Normally you would give the Falcons the edge in this game but they may choose to rest some of their star players heading into the playoffs. Because of this the Lions are a good bet to spring an upset in this game.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills got their season back on track with a 19-13 win over the Miami Dolphins in week 11 of the 2012 NFL schedule. The Bills started the season slowly but have improved defensively and will be confident they can record their second straight victory over their divisional rivals. The Dolphins hit a slump in the middle of the season and have struggled to do anything on offense. Both running back Reggie Bush and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill have been inconsistent, especially in recent weeks. The Bills should be available at good odds and are one of the best betting plays of the week.
Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals
There is a great deal of history involved in this match-up as these are the only two franchises remaining from the original NFL charter members. When the Cardinals were based in Chicago these teams were embroiled in a heated rivalry but that has died down in recent times. The Bears have an excellent record against the Cardinals and should be able to maintain this in 2012. The Bears defense is the best in the NFL and it is tough to see the Cardinals being able to move the football against them. The Bears are one of the safest bets of the week and a good addition to NFL accumulator bets.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cincinnati Bengals will be desperate to end a five game losing streak against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals went close to ending their drought, against the Steelers, in week 7 but a disappointing performance from quarterback Andy Dalton saw them slump to a 24-17 defeat. The Steelers have been solid this season and generally don't lose games like this one. If Ben Roethlisberger is fit and healthy the Steelers should win this game but if Big Ben isn't playing betting on the Bengals would be the best gambling play.
Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have an excellent record against the Cleveland Browns and will head into this game as short priced favourites. The Broncos have won the last nine meetings between these sides and with Peyton Manning under center it is very difficult to see them losing this one. The Browns have improved this season but they are not strong enough offensively to match it with Manning and the Broncos offense. The Broncos are the safest bet of the week and are an excellent addition to NFL accumulator bets.
Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Indianapolis Colts have won eight of the last ten meetings between these two sides and they will be confident they can make it nine from eleven. The Colts have been the surprise packets of the AFC this season and are a chance to qualify for the playoffs. Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has been exceptional and he should have no trouble leading his side to victory. The Chiefs have been the worst team in the NFL this season and with very little to play for could get blown out in this game. The Colts are a good bet to beat the spread set by Online Sportsbooks.
Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans
This will be just the third meeting between these sides. The Texans have never defeated the Vikings but will be confident that they can score their maiden victory over the Minnesota based side in week 16. This game will be a meeting between the two best running backs in the NFL with Adrian Petersen doing battle with Arian Foster. Both these players dominate their teams offense and whoever has the best game could lead their team to victory. The Texans have the stronger all-round squad and their defense should be able to keep Petersen and win the game.
New England Patriots vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The New England Patriots have won eight of their nine meetings against the Jacksonville Jaguars and will be extremely confident they can improve that record in this game. The Patriots started the season slowly but have returned to their best and will once again be heading to the playoffs. Tom Brady is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league and should have no trouble leading his team to victory in this game against a Jaguars side who just can't get anything going on offense. This game will not be close and the Patriots are an extremely safe bet.
New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys
This will be an interesting game between two sides that are still a chance to secure a NFC wild card berth into the NFL playoffs. Both of these teams started the season extremely poorly but have won enough games in the second half of the season to still be in the playoff hunt. This will likely be a high-scoring game and may be decided by the battle between quarterbacks Drew Brees and Tony Romo. Brees is easily the superior quarterback and will likely be good enough to lead the Saints to victory.
New York Giants vs Baltimore Ravens
This will be just the fifth meeting between these two sides and will be a very interesting game. Both of these sides will likely be heading to the playoffs and would love to win this game and take some momentum into the post-season. The Giants and the Ravens previously met in Super Bowl XXXV and enjoy playing in these intense, playoff style matches. The Ravens will likely be favorites with Online Sportsbooks which makes the Giants one of the best bets of the weekend. The Giants have an excellent record in games against top teams and are a good chance to spring an upset.
Oakland Raiders vs Carolina Panthers
The games between these sides are generally high scoring and this meeting should be no exception. Both teams have struggled on defense this season and have had to rely on their quarterbacks to win games in 2012. Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer has thrived in the pass heavy offense and is on track to finish the season as a top ten thrower. Cam Newton has struggled in his sophomore season and will need to improve his performance to win this game for the Panthers. The Raiders should be available at attractive odds and are a good bet in this game.
San Diego Chargers vs New York Jets
Both these teams have underperformed in 2012 and have been heavily criticized by their own fan base. The Chargers have suffered some terrible losses this season and head coach Norv Turner may finally end up losing his job. The Jets have struggled on both sides of the football this season but head coach Rex Ryan has persisted with quarterback Mark Sanchez. This is despite calls from a vocal section of the Jets fanbase who want Tim Tebow to be given an opportunity under center. It is impossible to trust any of these teams so this is a good game to ignore from a gambling perspective.
San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
This is the second meeting between these sides in 2012. Their first meeting was a defensive battle with 49ers quarterback Alex Smith throwing a twelve yards pass to Delanie Walker late in the third quarter to win the game for his side 13-6. This will likely be another tough defensive battle and is a must win for the Seahawks if they are going to be any chance to steal this division from the 49ers. This will be a low scoring game so betting on the under option in the Over/Under betting market at Online Sportsbooks is a good gambling play.
St. Louis Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won five of the last six meetings between these sides and have never lost to the Rams at Raymond James Stadium. They will head into this game full of confidence after completing revamping their team, on both sides of the football, this season. Rookie head coach Greg Schiano has done a fantastic job with this team and is a chance of winning the NFL coach of the year award. The Rams have also improved but will likely struggle to keep up offensively with the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are a good bet in this game.
Tennessee Titans vs Green Bay Packers
The Tennessee Titans have a surprisingly good record at Lambeau field but will be up against it to maintain that record in this meeting. The Titans have shown potential at times but generally have struggled, particularly on defense. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers defense will be able to exploit the poor Titan secondary defense and this game could be a blowout. The Packers are a very safe bet to record their first victory against the Titans since the franchise moved to Tennessee and should be able to beat the spread set by Online Sportsbooks.
Washington Redskins vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles and quarterback Michael Vick have a good record against the Washington Redskins in recent seasons. This is a difficult game to analyse as both of these teams have been unpredictable in 2012. The Redskins have improved with Robert Griffin III as quarterback but that hasn't really translated into increased wins while Vick has been plagued by turnover problems and a terrible offensive line. This is a very open game so betting on the team that is available at longer odds at Online Sportsbook is the best gambling play.
