NFL Week 16 Betting Picks

Underdogs again rewarded bettors in Week 15 of the NFL season, going 8-7-1 ATS while posting four outright wins. For Week 16 divisional matchups are the focus in the NFC, while in the AFC the Wild Card race heats up. Here are the top betting picks for Week 16 . . .

San Diego Chargers @ San Francisco 49ers

Game Line: San Francisco -2.5 | OU 41.5

Following a pair of SU losses at home the 8-6 San Diego Chargers need a SU win to keep their AFC Wild Card hopes alive. The Chargers are 2-2 SU in their last four on the road, but are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 overall. Despite having one of the NFL’s top pivots in Philip Rivers, the Chargers have averaged just 17.4 points per game in their last eight and sport the league’s second worst running game.

The 7-7 Niners are winless in their last three on the NFL betting lines to fall out of the NFC Wild Card race, and are 1-2 SU and ATS in their last three at home. The 49ers have averaged just 10 points per game in their past five but have been a defensive force, twice holding opposing offenses to fewer than 100 yards rushing while allowing more than 19 points on just one occasion.

Free Pick: Take San Francisco and give the points. San Francisco 19-15

Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Game Line: Pittsburgh -3 | OU 46.5

The 9-5 Pittsburgh Steelers will be looking for their fifth straight home victory over the 8-6 Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers have won their last two SU and ATS, both on the road, and are 3-1 SU and ATS in their four at home. Pittsburgh has averaged 32 points per game in its last four, but has failed to follow up a road win with a victory at home this season.

However, the Steelers face an 8-6 Chiefs squad that has faded in recent weeks after opening the season with a 7-3 record. Kansas City finally showed some offense in a 31-13 win in Oakland last week, following three straight losses in which they averaged just 16.7 points per game. The Chiefs’ pass defense ranks second in the NFL and will have to be on fire to keep them close against the surging Steelers.

Free Pick: Take Pittsburgh and give the points. Pittsburgh 31-18

Minnesota Vikings @ Miami Dolphins

Game Line: Miami -6.5 | OU 42.5

The 7-7 Miami Dolphins need a win to stop their current 1-3 SU slide and preserve their threadbare AFC Wild Card hopes. The Dolphins’ offense has been missing in action since a 37-0 home win over San Diego in Week 9, going 2-4 ATS in NFL online betting since while scoring more than 16 points just twice. The Dolphins have also wilted against opposing rushing games, surrendering over 180 ground yards in three of their last five.

The 6-8 Vikings will be gunning for their first SU win in Miami since 1976. Minny has struggled on the road this season, just 1-5 SU in their last six, but have defied the NFL betting odds with three ATS wins in their last four road contests. The Vikes’ pass defense has played a big role in their recent success, holding opposing offenses to under 210 passing yards in three of their last five.

Free Pick: Take Minnesota and the points. Miami 22-20

Buffalo Bills @ Oakland Raiders

Game Line: Buffalo -6 | OU 39

The surprising Buffalo Bills will look to end a three-game SU losing streak in Oakland and keep their AFC Wild Card hopes alive. The 8-6 Bills have been defensive beasts while going 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS in their last four. The Bills lead the NFL in sacks and are second in interceptions, while holding opponents to just 18.1 points per game. Buffalo has also shown their offensive teeth of late, scoring 25.5 points per game in their last four.

While the 2-12 Raiders have struggled to post SU wins, they are 3-2 ATS in their last five games, including two outright wins as NFL online betting underdogs in their last two at home. But with a limited offense that has tallied fewer than 280 total yards in three of their last five, the Raiders will struggle to put points on the board against the stingy Bills.

Free Pick: Take Buffalo and give the points. Buffalo 23-10

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals

Game Line: Seattle -8 | OU 36.5

The 11-3 Arizona Cardinals take the field as season-high eight-point underdogs against streaking Seattle. Arizona can clinch the NFC West with a win, but with starting QB Carson Palmer gone for the season and backup Drew Stanton out for at least another week the Cards’ offense will be a big question mark. The Cardinals have averaged fewer than 13 points in their last four, but have seen their ground game show signs of life in their last two outings.

The 10-4 Seahawks have roared to life after a shaky start, 4-0 SU and ATS in their last four while surrendering just three TDs and 27 total points during the streak. While Seattle has the momentum heading into Sunday they still must overcome a formidable Cardinals defense that is quite capable of keeping this game a close, one-possession affair.

Free Pick: Take Arizona and the points. Seattle 16-13