We experienced another chaotic week at the betting window in Week 15 of the NFL season. For the third straight week a double-digit underdog won outright and maybe the winter weather had something to do with the scoring totals as eight of the 15 games cashed the under with two games pushing the total. The betting week started with the Los Angeles Chargers upsetting the Chiefs on the road as a 3.5-point dog. The weekend ended with the Rams losing outright as a 13.5-point favorite to the Eagles, who are looking to rekindle last season’s magic under backup Nick Foles. The Eagles remain alive for the NFC East title and a wild card slot with two games left in the regular season.
Favored teams went 9-6 straight up through the Sunday night matchup, but taking the points was a profitable move. Dogs were able to cover in eight of the 15 games with the Texans at Jets contest pushing the 7-point closing spread. And it was another strong week for playing the under with eight games finishing below the closing total and two games pushing the final number. It’s the fourth straight week a majority of games played below the closing total with the under 36-24-2 in that span.
NFL Week 15 Betting Summary
| WAGER | Favorite/Underdog |
| Straight Up | 9 - 6 |
| ATS | 6 - 8 - 1 |
| WAGER | Total (O/U) |
| Over/Under | 5 - 8 - 2 |
Biggest Week 15 Upsets
Don’t count the defending champs out just yet. Facing the Rams on the road without Carson Wentz in what was a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Eagles turned to their secret weapon and he delivered. The line for Sunday night’s game blew up with news that Wentz wasn’t going to play and could be done for the year, closing at Rams -13.5. The backup QB situation in Philly is a tad different, however. Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, who hadn’t played since Week 2, stepped in and the Eagles played an inspired game taking down the Rams 30-23.
The Rams were one of four home favorites to lose outright in Week 15, joining the Chiefs, Jaguars and Broncos. The Jags were a 7.5-point favorite for their game with the Redskins, who were starting their fourth different quarterback in as many games. Making his first NFL start in seven years, Josh Johnson rallied the Skins to a stunning 16-13 victory as the Jags season continues to come unhinged.
It’s apparent that last season’s run to the AFC Championship Game was an outlier. The Jags lost for the ninth time in 10 games and have posted double-digit losses in seven of the last eight seasons. The move to Cody Kessler has made the offense worse, and we didn’t think that was even possible. Kessler threw for 57 yards and the Jags totaled fewer than 200. Their only touchdown on Sunday came on a punt return and Kessler has directed one touchdown drive in 31 possessions since taking over.
With a chance to clinch a playoff spot, the Seahawks were upset by the 49ers in overtime. A few weeks after dismantling the Niners in their own yard, the Hawks were outplayed and undisciplined, bowing as a 4-point favorite with 14 penalties aiding in their collapse. Seattle was 7-1-1 ATS in its previous nine games and still needs a victory to clinch.
Biggest Week 15 Spreads
The Rams were the third double-digit favorite to lose outright in as many weeks, but other heavily-favored teams took care of business. The Ravens were laying 8.5-points for their matchup with the Bucs and came away with a 20-12 win, falling just short of covering the spread. Baltimore is 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the line since Lamar Jackson took over as the team’s starting quarterback. Joe Flacco was healthy enough to play this week, but John Harbaugh named the former Heisman Trophy winner his starter moving forward.
They couldn’t score more than 20 points during a five-game losing streak that ended any chance of a return to the postseason, but a visit from the Cardinals cured the ills of the Atlanta Falcons. In their last home game of the season, the birds put up 40 on the woeful Cards, easily covering the 9.5-point line in a 40-14 win.
Mike Zimmer looks like a genius after the Vikings ended a two-game losing streak with a win over Miami as 7.5-point chalk. The coach fired his offensive coordinator last week after the Vikes scored a total of 17 points in those losses. With a new voice in the ear of Kirk Cousins, Minnesota put up a season-high point total in its 41-17 win over the Dolphins to maintain possession of the final wild card in the NFC.
NFL Betting Odds
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