AFC West Week 16

There may not be much left to be decided in the AFC West, besides home field for Denver, but there will still be four solid spreads to bet this week as each team in the division takes on a non-AFC West foe today. The Raiders, the Chargers and the Chiefs will all be playing for pride, while the Broncos will look to extend their incredible win streak to 10 games today. Here is a look at each match-up:

Indianapolis Colts 9-5 at Kansas City Chiefs 2-12

The Colts will look to clinch a playoff berth in Andrew Luck’s first season in the league today as they visit the Chiefs, which are in the win-win position of being able to earn a either a prideful victory, or a shot at the first round pick in the draft for next season.

Unless the Chiefs are taking a dive, I actually like them in this game as they match-up well against the Colts. KC’s strength is in the run game (7th in the NFL) and in pass coverage (7th), while Indy does not defend the run well (23rd) and will want to focus on the air attack with the eighth ranked passing game. Still, the Chiefs are a team that finds ways to lose games, so I wouldn’t be super comfortable taking them to win outright, but I like them to at least cover the +7 point spread today.

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San Diego Chargers 5-9 at New York Jets 6-8

Both teams in this one were expected to be playoff contenders, but things didn’t go according to plan for the Chargers or the Jets this season. Although the Chargers have been very sloppy with the football, no team has endured the turnover problems that the Jets have this season. Even in recent wins, the Jets look like a lost team and with rookie quarterback Greg McElroy, who started the season as the third-stringer, under center this week, I wouldn’t be very confident taking the Jets here under any circumstance.

Luckily for us, the line has New York as the slight favorite. Trust me, with all the turmoil going on in New York, this one shouldn’t be that close. Take San Diego to crush the Jets today and easily cover +1 in the win.

Cleveland Browns 5-9 at Denver Broncos 11-3

With the Broncos on a nine-game winning streak and the Browns being…well…the Browns, it should be a no-brainer that Denver wins this one. However, with the Broncos getting such a huge edge on the line (-13 points), a bet for the Browns to cover looks a lot better.

As dominant as Denver has been during their streak, the Browns have showed vast improvement as well in recent weeks, winning three of their last four games. Although five of Denver’s win have come by 13 or more this season, with the Browns on the upswing, I like them to cover, especially with Denver possibly playing a lax, knowing they are already playoff bound.

Oakland should prove formidable against Carolina

Oakland Raiders 4-10 at Carolina Panthers 5-9

Here are two more teams that will be watching the playoffs on TV after the season, but they are also two teams coming off week 15 wins. For what it’s worth, Carolina has stepped up in recent weeks, winning three of of their four, including one against Atlanta, which has only dropped two games all year.

I like Carolina to win, but to cover -10 points? I don’t think so. Neither of these teams is all that good, so expect a fairly sloppy, but close game. Take Oakland to cover +10 based on just the large spread alone.