The NFL’s Week 15 schedule is highlighted by big prime-time matchups, so we used the OddsTrader BetStation app to find the best computer-generated predictions for this week’s games.
The app is available to anyone via free download from your device’s app store. It will show you statistical comparisons of each matchup, information on past meetings as well as spread movement, injury news, and even the weather forecast.
5. Buffalo Gets Weather Revenge on Miami
The Bills can take a big step forward to winning the AFC East by avenging an earlier loss to the Dolphins in some extreme Miami heat.
It will be cold with some snow and wind this time, but it shouldn’t be a blizzard. Still, the weather figures to be a disadvantage for the struggling Dolphins, losers of two straight.
The Bills are a 7-point favorite with a total of 43.5 points.
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills
Saturday, December 17, 2022 – 08:15 PM EST at Highmark Stadium
If we are just being honest, then Miami’s 21-19 win in Week 3 was one of the biggest flukes of the season. Buffalo lost despite outgaining the Dolphins by nearly 300 yards. Too many self-inflicted mistakes and a mismanaging of the end of each half doomed the Bills. The field goal kicker also did not help.
But the Bills come in having won four in a row, with the defense stepping up against the Jets and Patriots after losing Von Miller on Thanksgiving. The Dolphins looked good when they were beating up on non-playoff teams, but the 49ers rocked them in Week 13, and even the Chargers had a great game plan for them last week.
Tua Tagovailoa is really struggling with his accuracy right now, and he was only able to complete 10-of-28 passes against the Chargers. The Buffalo defense is better than that, and given the weather conditions, it’s going to be tough for the speedy Miami wideouts to use their talents on a sloppy field.
The Betting Pick
The Miami running game is not developed enough for the Dolphins to win on the ground, while the Bills have made a good effort to improve their ground attack. Josh Allen also can take matters into his own hands.
We were glad to see the OddsTrader BetStation agree that the Bills will show Week 3 was a fluke and get the cover in this one.
OddsTrader NFL Final Score Prediction: Bills 29 – Dolphins 21
OddsTrader NFL Spread Pick: Bills -7 (-105) at FanDuel
4. Will the Jets Rough Up Jared Goff Outside?
For the second week in a row, the Lions (6-7) may be favorites over a team with a winning record while they still have a losing record. It worked out last week as the Lions did indeed win the game against Minnesota, but the Vikings have been fraudulent all year.
Now we’ll see how the Lions handle the elements and a much better defense. The spread has been up and down all week with the Lions being favorites, then a 1-point underdog, and now it is a pick ‘em at some sportsbooks.
Detroit Lions vs. New York Jets
Sunday, December 18, 2022 – 01:00 PM EST at MetLife Stadium
When Jared Goff has a clean pocket and open receivers, he can look like an elite quarterback. This has always been the case in his career. But a little bit of pressure or tighter coverage, and you get the mistakes from him.
This year, Goff has been a wizard at home but pretty basic on the road. He has 20 touchdowns to three interceptions at home and two touchdowns to four interceptions on the road.
The Betting Pick
The Jets are No. 1 in yards per drive allowed on defense and up to No. 5 in points allowed per drive. The Lions rank No. 32 in both categories, so this defense can still be had. Mike White can lead the Jets into a shootout with Goff, which would have sounded crazy in September, but this is where these teams are.
The Lions’ resurgence has been a nice story, but on the road against a legit defense, we’ll take the Jets to cover. You can shop around for the best number with the way it keeps moving for this game, but SBK is offering the Jets at the best price as a 1-point favorite.
OddsTrader NFL Final Score Prediction: Jets 25 – Lions 21
OddsTrader NFL Spread Pick: Jets -1 (+102) at SBK
3. Can Houston Slow Down Patrick Mahomes?
The Houston Texans (1-11-1) nearly pulled off one of the all-time upsets in Dallas last week, but they were unable to close the deal. The Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) nearly blew a 27-0 lead in Denver, but backup quarterback Brett Rypien was unable to close for the Broncos.
What’s going to happen this time with the Chiefs as a 14-point favorite and a total of 49.5 points?
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans
Sunday, December 18, 2022 – 01:00 PM EST at NRG Stadium
Before last week, one may have said the Chiefs would crush Houston, but let’s face some facts:
- Despite being 1-11-1, the Texans have lost two games by 14-plus points this season, and one of those was a game they led in the fourth quarter (38-20 loss vs. Raiders).
- Kansas City is 4-8-1 ATS – only Tampa Bay at 3-9-1 is worse.
- Kansas City just flirted with blowing a 27-point lead and allowed Denver to score a season-high 28 points.
- The Texans just scored 23 points against Dallas’ superior defense by using a two-quarterback offense with Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel.
- Kansas City has allowed at least 17 points in every game this season except for the Rams, who started Bryce Perkins at quarterback.
- Houston’s defense has only allowed six offensive touchdowns in the last four games, and the defense has five takeaways in the last two games.
The Betting Pick
The Chiefs also love to pass when Houston is a better defense to run the ball against. The Chiefs are minus-5 in turnover differential, so they are a bit sloppy when it comes to that area of the game.
As long as the Texans can avoid giving up return touchdowns like they did in recent weeks, they should be able to cover this spread.
OddsTrader NFL Final Score Prediction: Chiefs 30 – Texans 19
OddsTrader NFL Spread Pick: Texans +14 (-110) at BetMGM
2. Shooting Coming with Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields?
The Philadelphia Eagles (11-1) are rolling with at least 35 points and 430 yards in three straight games. The Chicago Bears (3-10) are eliminated from the playoffs, but they have shown some scoring capability behind second-year quarterback Justin Fields.
The Eagles are a 9-point favorite with a total of 48.5 points in what could be a fun one.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears
Sunday, December 18, 2022 – 01:00 PM EST at Soldier Field
Earlier this season, the Eagles were efficiently scoring 20-to-29 points a game, but there was some concern that they may not have the extra oomph to put up the 30 or 40-point game. But then they scored 40 points against Green Bay, 35 against Tennessee, and a season-high 48 against the Giants.
Looks like the problem is solved as the Eagles continue to be one of the most balanced offenses in years, with the ability to throw for 300 yards or rush for 250 from game to game.
Unfortunately, the Bears are having one of their worst defensive seasons in some time and will unlikely be able to keep the Eagles from doing what they choose to do this week.
The Betting Pick
At least Fields and the offense got a bye week to rest and prepare for this one. Fields may not find much success throwing the ball against this tough pass rush from the Eagles, but the Bears are a dominant rushing offense thanks in large part to Fields’ ability to take off.
He is the only quarterback doing more on the ground than Hurts this year. He’ll need that this week as the Eagles are going to lock down these receivers on the outside.
If the Eagles can score 35-plus points again, then we can trust the Bears to put up at least a couple touchdowns too to hit this over.
OddsTrader NFL Final Score Prediction: Eagles 30 – Bears 23
OddsTrader NFL Total Pick: Over 48.5 (+102) at SBK
1. Cowboys Use Jaguars for Philadelphia Warm-Up
How bad would a Dallas loss as a 17.5-point home favorite to 1-win Houston have been? Let’s just say you have to go back to 1977 to find a bigger favorite to lose a game, and the opponent was not 1-10-1. But the Cowboys escaped with the win in the end.
Now Dallas is a 4-point favorite in Jacksonville with a total of 47.5 points.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, December 18, 2022 – 01:00 PM EST at TIAA Bank Field
The Jaguars have been alternating wins and losses since Week 8, and they rarely make much sense. The Jaguars only scored 17 points on the Chiefs before dropping 28 on a better Baltimore defense. Then the Jaguars were blown out 40-14 against Detroit’s 32nd-ranked defense, but still found a way to score 36 on the Titans last week.
Jacksonville goes as Trevor Lawrence goes. The Jaguars are 5-0 when he gains a first down on at least 35% of his passes and 0-8 when he is under 35%. The Dallas defense has the best pass rush and ranks No. 4 in first down per pass rate (30.5%).
The Betting Pick
Lawrence is still 1-18 in his career when the Jaguars allow at least 23 points. The Cowboys have scored at least 24 points in every game since Dak Prescott returned in Week 7.
Let’s assume last week serves as a wake-up call and the Cowboys play a better game on the road one week before the showdown with the Eagles.
OddsTrader NFL Final Score Prediction: Cowboys 27 – Jaguars 20
OddsTrader NFL Spread Pick: Cowboys -4 (-108) at SBK
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