NFL Week 16 Top Picks on the Total Line

 My NFL total line picks for Week 16 are reprinted through permission of ScoresandStats.com.

Five OVER/UNDER Picks for NFL Week 16

Week 15 game delays thinned the number of actual NFL betting matchups on this past Sunday’s slate. With just 10 games on the adjusted schedule, the total stayed UNDER in seven of those games with scoring at a premium. When Tampa Bay gets shutout, you know it was a strange day for NFL bettors.

Going with the games set for this Sunday’s NFL betting board, here are five more top plays betting the total line.

Sunday, Dec. 26

Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons: UNDER 44

Detroit is coming off its best game of the season after stunning Arizona 30-12. What stood out in this win was an excellent defensive effort. Atlanta only managed to score 13 points in a loss to San Francisco.

Neither of these teams should light up the scoreboard this Sunday in a series where the total has stayed UNDER in seven of the last 10 meetings. The total has also stayed UNDER in nine of Detroit’s last 12 games overall.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals: UNDER 44

This is a huge showdown in the AFC North with both teams tied at 8-6. The winner takes sole possession of first place and the loser risks missing the playoffs altogether. The Bengals won the first meeting on the road 41-17.

The second meeting should be a grinder that remains a low scoring affair. The total has stayed UNDER in four of the Ravens’ last six games. It has also stayed UNDER in five of their last six games on the road. Cincinnati just held Denver to 10 points while winning with 15.

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots: OVER 44

New England’s stunning loss to Indianapolis to slip to 9-5 opened the door for Buffalo (8-6) in the AFC East Division title race. Two weeks ago, New England beat Buffalo 14-10. However, I still see this Sunday’s rematch turning into a higher scoring game than expected.

The total has gone OVER in four of the Bills’ last six games. It has gone OVER in 11 of their last 16 games on the road. The total has also gone OVER in four of the Patriots’ last five home games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers: OVER 47.5

Tampa Bay getting shutout against the rival New Orleans Saints sets the stage for a big turn around this Sunday against another NFC South foe. The only question is how many points will Carolina be able to add to that total?

The trends favor a higher scoring game than the current total line. The total has gone OVER in five of Carolina’s last six games overall and in eight of its last 11 December games. The total has also gone OVER in four of the last six meetings between the two.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs: UNDER 46.5

Pittsburgh continues to find ways to win games it appeared destined to lose. Kansas City is finding its form at the right time of the year with a SU seven-game winning streak. The total has gone OVER in three of the Chiefs’ last five wins.

While the Chiefs should find a way to keep their winning streak going, I have their defense stepping up at home. The total has stayed UNDER in six of the last seven meetings overall and it has stayed UNDER in four of the last five meetings in Kansas City.