NFL Week 16 lines: 5 best bets on favorites

With only two weeks left in the 2020 NFL regular season, we look at five favorites who are nice bets this weekend.

5. Cleveland Browns (-10) at New York Jets

The Jets got their one win out of the way last weekend. The urgency to avoid history will be gone, and now the Browns get the enviable task of going into MetLife Stadium and facing a one-win team with absolutely nothing to play for. Cleveland is 10-4 and trying to lock up a playoff berth, along with potentially staying alive for the AFC North. The motivation, and talent, belongs to the Browns here.

4. Buffalo Bills (-7) at New England Patriots

On Monday night, the Bills will be trying to either stay in or clinch the No. 2 seed. New England is both 6-8 and one of the least-talented teams in football on both sides of the ball. It’s odd to be picking against the Patriots straight up and/or against the spread in December at Gillette Stadium, but here we are. Buffalo is playing the best football going right now, and Josh Allen should have another big night.

3. Baltimore Ravens (-10) vs. New York Giants

This is a mismatch in all ways. New York is good enough to cause some problems for Lamar Jackson’s inconsistent offense, but the Ravens’ defense might not give up 14 points. New York is getting quarterback Daniel Jones back, but he’s hobbled with hamstring issues and the supporting cast isn’t ideal to face a blitz-happy Baltimore attack.

2. Washington Football Team (-1) vs. Carolina Panthers

The Football Team can put the rest of the NFC East out of its collective misery with a win over the Panthers and a loss by the Giants. While we already laid out our expectations of New York on Sunday, it’s Washington who needs to actually win to finish things off. If Alex Smith is back — as of this piece, he’s questionable — the Football Team is both better and far more motivated to win while playing at home against a four-win Panthers squad.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (-10.5) vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Chiefs are 6-0 in their last six games, and haven’t covered a single spread. And while this one is high, the Falcons are the NFL version of roadkill. Atlanta is 31st in passing yards allowed and ranks bottom five in both yards after catch and air yards surrendered. Not ideal when you’re playing against the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, at Arrowhead, with the No. 1 seed on the lie. Oh, and Julio Jones is out.