NFL Week 16 Odds and Analysis: Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks

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NFL Week 16 Betting Odds, Notable Matchups, TV Schedule By Christopher B. Watford for NoLuckNeeded.com

Things are starting to get chaotic: Christmas is right around the corner and the NFL is entering its final weeks. With Christmas feasts and playoff football around the corner, let’s take a look at some of the upcoming games to enjoy this holiday weekend.

Houston Texans (+1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (-1) 12/23/18

Taking one look at the standings and you wouldn’t think this would be a very exciting matchup, but I think it might shock some people. The Eagles are fresh off their win against one of the best teams in the league: the LA Rams. Clinging to their playoff hopes, Philadelphia has had a tough stretch of games over the past couple weeks and they need to play the best football they can in order to keep their postseason hopes alive.

I won’t try and sugar coat it: this is a tough game to wager on. The Philadelphia Eagles have been pretty up and down throughout the season, but their defense against the Rams last week was stifling. No matter who takes this game, it’s going to come down to who plays better defensively.

The Texans obviously have a generational talent in JJ Watt, who has 54 tackles and 14.5 sacks this season, but they also have Jadeveon Clowney who has 37 tackles and 8 sacks. The Eagles have their own special defenders as well: Fletcher Cox has 41 tackles and 7.5 sacks this season, alongside Michael Bennett who has 30 tackles and 8 sacks.

Right now, the odds have the Eagles at taking this game, but it really comes down to who can shut the other team down more efficiently. Watch this game this Sunday on CBS at 1:00 PM ET.

Steelers, Ravens, or Browns? Who will win the AFC North? Bet Your Team!

Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) @ Seattle Seahawks (+2.5) 12/23/18

The Chiefs aren’t necessarily fighting for their playoff hopes, but their performance (along with how the Chargers’ performance) over the next two weeks will determine the difference between a first seed and a fifth seed. Unfortunately for them, they have to step foot on Seattle’s territory and go against a team that is 4-2 at home. Do they have what it takes to close out the season and snatch that first seed? Let’s take a look at some of the matchups and see.

Going in to this game, the Chiefs are slightly favored to win, but of course it comes down to how well Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce perform. In their last outing in a loss against the Chargers, Mahomes had two touchdowns and 243 yards on 68% completion. Kelce has been a huge part to the Chiefs’ ongoing success; he has 1,220 yards on 93 receptions to go along with 10 touchdowns.

Kelce will be matched up with Bobby Wagner going into this Sunday night game. Wagner has been one of the best linebackers in the league this year, tied at 7th place for the most tackles in the league (114). The key to the Chiefs’ success will be Wagner’s ability to shut down Travis Kelce.

While the Chiefs are expected to win this one, the Seahawks do pose a great chance to win it. Watch this Sunday night matchup on NBC at 8:20 PM ET.

Denver Broncos (-3) @ Oakland Raiders (+3) 12/24/18

Things are getting a little bit messy in Denver. Throughout a disappointing season, the Broncos are looking at finishing below .500. To make matters worse, they just fired their head coach with two games left in the season. Not to mention the fact that the Broncos are coming off of back-to-back losses against the 49ers and the Browns. For being a mile high, the Broncos are looking pretty low right now.

The Broncos clock in at 25th in total defense, but they’re kept company by the Oakland Raiders who rank 26th. Neither team ranks much better when you look at the offense: Broncos ranked 18th, Raiders ranked 23rd. Denver’s QB, Baker Mayfield is coming off a tough loss against the Browns where he put up two touchdowns and an interception on 18/31 to go along with only 188 yards.

In what will likely be their last home game in Oakland before moving stadiums, the fans of the 3-11 franchise are going to be riled up. The Broncos are in a state of disarray after firing their head coach. Can the Raiders capitalize on that and pull out one last win in Oakland? Watch this Monday on ESPN at 8:15 PM ET.

Game Odds courtesy of Intertops Sports. Betting odds are subject to change.

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