With just three games remaining in the 2018 NFL regular season, you had best believe that teams in both conferences will be going all-out to either improve their playoff positioning or give their postseason hopes a big-time boost. If you’re and NFL betting enthusiast that is looking for excellent betting value late in the regular season, then I’ve highlighted the top three must-bet games on the NFL Week 15 schedule.
Let’s get to them right now.
NFL Week 15 Must Bet Games – 2018 Season
Houston Texans at New York Jets (-1.5)
While Houston went 4-12 last season, the Texans will enter the 2018 season with some legitimate playoff hopes – as long as their star players like gifted quarterback Deshaun Watson and superstar defensive lineman J.J. Watt – can stay healthy.
In six games with Watson as their starter, the Texans averaged 34.7 points, including 39 in his last five starts. Watson was on pace to throw 43 touchdown passes and clearly proved what I kept saying prior to last season’s NFL draft – that he should have been the top overall pick. In addition to Watt, the Texans also get back defensive linemen Christian Covington and D.J. Reader and linebacker Whitney Mercilus after the trio finished the season on injured reserve.
The New York Jets will be looking to improve on their 5-11 record from last season, but they’ve got question marks on both sides of the ball. I like the fact that either, veteran Josh McCown or Teddy Bridgewater will start at quarterback while the team waits on No. 3 overall draft pick Sam Darnold to get ready for the NFL. However, the Jets have some serious question marks along the offensive line, running back and wide receiver. New York finished the 2017 campaign ranked 24th in scoring (18.6 ppg)and 23rd in points allowed (23.9 ppg) and that just won’t get it against Watson and a Texans defense I expect to be elite in 2018.
NFL Week 15 Betting Pick: Houston Texans +1.5
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Chicago Bears
I really like Chicago’s hiring of former Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and I believe the Andy Reid disciple will help second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky reach his full potential as a quarterback over the next few seasons. However, I’m thinking the best the Bears can hope for is an 8-8 mark in 2018, if that.
While the Green Bay Packers will enter 2018 looking to improve on their 7-9 record and unimpressive 21st ranking in scoring (20.0 ppg) and 26th ranking in points allowed (24.0 ppg), the fact of the matter is that the return of superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to solve a lot of their problems – at least on offense.
While the Packers still have question marks at running back and on the defensive side of the ball, you can expect the Packers to put their fair share of points on the board because of the incomparable Rodgers.
With this NFC North divisional battle coming so late in the regular season – I’m expecting Rodgers to be playing at a super high level as he always does down the stretch run portion of the season. The Packers are the pick to get the outright road win and super narrow ATS cover.
NFL Week 15 Betting Pick: Green Bay Packers -3
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers (-1)
The Saints and Panthers both went 11-5 last season in the competitive NFC South but New Orleans won both regular season meetings by taking down Cam Newton and company 34-13 in Carolina in Week 3 and winning 31-21 at home in Week 13. However, I’m going to urge you to keep your pick simple on this Week 15 matchup as I fully expect the Panthers and Saints to split their two regular season meetings in 2018.
The Saints ranked fourth in scoring (28.0 ppg) and an encouraging 10th in points allowed (20.4 ppg) while the Panthers ranked 12th in scoring (22.7 ppg) an 11th in points allowed (20.4 ppg). The home team wins both times when these two longtime rivals meet in 2018.
NFL Week 15 Betting Pick: Carolina Panthers -1
