What a lineup.
The playoff picture is greatly influenced by four beloved NFL teams among West Virginia online sportsbook bettors, namely the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Football Team, and Pittsburgh Steelers. These teams are the main contenders and driving forces in the playoffs.
In Week 16, all the teams will be participating in significant games. Below, you can find the odds for the NFL Week 16 games at WV sportsbooks.
Shall we examine this more closely?
Cleveland rocks
Can you believe that this team, which was winless three years ago, has now achieved 10 victories and has the potential to reach 12 before the year concludes?
In Week 16, they make a visit to the struggling New York Jets, who have only managed to secure one victory so far.
Cleveland aims to secure a consecutive victory at MetLife Stadium, the joint home of the Jets and New York Giants, as they pursue the MetLife Parlay. Last week, the Browns triumphed over the Giants with a 20-6 score.
Over the past two weeks, the Browns have displayed impressive versatility. In the highly anticipated NFL game against the Ravens, they managed to score an impressive 42 points and made a remarkable comeback from a substantial second-half deficit. Unfortunately, they fell short, losing the game with only two seconds left on the clock.
In their game against the Giants, the team achieved a remarkable feat of mounting two 95-yard scoring drives, becoming the first NFL team to do so this season. Cleveland exhibits their ability to win through both aerial attacks, as quarterback Baker Mayfield effectively connects with receivers Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins. Additionally, they possess the league’s top-notch running-back duo, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who excel in their ability to dominate the ground game.
The Browns will be going up against a Jets team that surprised the NFL world by securing a 23-20 victory against the Los Angeles Rams, thus preventing a winless season. The Jets have the potential to have achieved three or four more wins, and they consistently perform better when playing at home.
Ravens flock
Before their crucial game against the New York Giants, the Ravens have scored over 40 points in consecutive weeks. Despite their impressive 9-5 record, there is a chance that they may miss the playoffs even if they reach 11-5. In order to secure a playoff spot, they must win this game and also rely on some outside help. However, their chances of reaching an 11-5 record are quite high, especially with their upcoming match against the Cincinnati Bengals in the following week.
Baltimore possesses a dynamic rushing attack and is set to confront a Giants squad that lacks the ability to mount a comeback. The Ravens hold a significant advantage, thanks to the incredible skills of their quarterback Lamar Jackson and a formidable offensive line. In order to secure a spot in the playoffs, Baltimore must surpass either the Miami Dolphins or Indianapolis Colts.
Steelers reel
Who will Baltimore support this weekend? The Steelers, the team that defeated them twice.
Despite their impressive record of 11-3, the struggling Steelers find themselves as the underdogs at home against the 10-4 Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh is eager to rectify their recent offensive struggles and regain control. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens are hoping for a Steelers victory over the Colts, as it would prevent Indianapolis from clinching the division and potentially place them in a similar record position as Baltimore. The Ravens already hold an advantage over the Colts, having defeated them earlier this season and securing a tiebreaker if necessary.
However, Pittsburgh is currently facing challenges. Despite being an 11-3 team, they are receiving points at home. The team has recently suffered three consecutive losses, causing panic to spread among the fans and in the atmosphere.
Washington closes in
What are your thoughts on the Washington Football Team?
The only team in the NFC East that controls its own destiny is Washington, with a record of 6-8.
By securing a victory against the Carolina Panthers as a slight favorite and with a probable win by the Ravens against the Giants, the first-place Football Team has the opportunity to secure the crown this weekend.
Washington came close to snatching victory from the jaws of defeat last week against the Seattle Seahawks, as they trailed for the entire game before coming agonizingly close to pulling off a win.
After a game where Washington seemed to be outplayed for most of the way, quarterback Dwayne Haskins displayed signs of improvement in the second half. The question remains: will he be able to maintain this momentum?
The decision of a bettor regarding Washington revolves around whether they believe the team has the potential to win a significant game.
Leadership in this division has been constantly changing, with no team being able to maintain a strong grip on the title. Initially, the Philadelphia Eagles had a significant advantage at mid-season. However, they stumbled, allowing the Giants to win four consecutive games and take the lead. Unfortunately, the Giants’ momentum was short-lived as they struggled to score, only managing 13 points in two consecutive losses on their home turf.
Washington seized control by triumphing over both the Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers away from home within a week.
Similar to the Giants, Washington faces significant challenges on offense. In their recent match against San Francisco, Washington secured victory by relying on two defensive scores.
To gain an advantage over Carolina, Washington must prioritize taking an early lead, enabling their formidable defensive unit to dictate the pace of the game.
The Washington-Carolina match is scheduled as an early game, and its outcome will have a significant impact on the later contest between the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. A victory for Washington would eliminate both teams from playoff contention, whereas a loss would give the entire league a chance to enter the playoff picture once again.
If Washington does not emerge victorious, the team that loses between the Eagles and Cowboys will be eliminated. The final week of the season will witness Washington playing against Philadelphia.
Around the NFL: Christmas football
Indeed, in an unprecedented move, the NFL will now feature matches throughout the entire week during this season. This includes an exciting Friday showdown between the highly-favored New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite Minnesota’s underwhelming campaign and their lack of motivation as they approach the end of the season, it is worth noting that they have managed to knock out the Saints from the playoffs on two occasions in the past four years, including last season. Consequently, one must wonder if the Saints are seeking revenge or if they are somehow cursed when facing Minnesota.
On Saturday, three teams with high stakes are set to participate in a thrilling tripleheader. First up, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, boasting a commendable 9-5 record, will make their way to face the Detroit Lions. Simultaneously, the Miami Dolphins, also with a 9-5 record, will embark on a trip to clash against the Las Vegas Raiders. Lastly, the Arizona Cardinals, standing at 8-6, will be eagerly seeking a crucial triumph as they go head-to-head with the San Francisco 49ers.
The carefully spaced out times of 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. ET provide an ideal scenario for both avid readers and enthusiastic gamblers.
Johnny Avello, the director of sportsbook operations for DraftKings, expressed his appreciation for the spread out schedule of these games. He emphasized the value it holds for bookmakers, as it allows bettors to fully engage with each game without any overlapping. In situations where there are 1 o’clock games followed by a 4:05 game, bettors are often still engrossed in the ongoing early game, hindering their ability to place bets on the upcoming game. However, this time around, the timing is perfectly spaced out, enabling optimal opportunities for betting.
He added that he couldn’t emphasize enough how amazing a job the NFL has done in successfully organizing all these games. He expressed gratitude towards the league for ensuring a season and acknowledged that they have had an exceptional year.
The highly anticipated Sunday showdown features a clash between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, both vying for the top spot in the NFC West.