Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 12/22/18
Redskins (7-7) @ Titans (8-6)— Tennessee is in 3-way tie for #6 seed in AFC; Redskins are half-game behind Vikings for #6 seed in NFC. Titans won last three games, giving up one TD on 19 drives in last two games; Tennessee is 4-2 SU at home this year; they’re 9-4-2 in last 15 games as HF, 2-1 this season. Skins’ #4 QB Johnson got his first NFL win LW when Washington scored 10 points in last 5:47 to edge Jaguars. Redskins lost four of last five games; they’re 3-3 SU on road this year; under Gruden, they’re 16-17 as road underdogs, 2-3 this year. Teams split 12 meetings, with last three all decided by 3 or fewer points; Redskins won two of three visits here, with last visit in ’10. Over is 3-1 in last four Tennessee games; under is 5-2 in Redskin road games.
Ravens (8-6) @ Chargers (11-3)— Short week for Ravens; LA played last Thursday. Baltimore is holding on to #6 seed by skin of their teeth; they won four of last five games, with loss by 3 at Arrowhead. Ravens converted 37 of 72 third down plays in winning four of Jackson’s five starts at QB. Baltimore is 3-4 SU on road- they’re 6-1-1 in last eight games as road underdogs. Chargers won last four games and 10 of last 11; they’re 4-2 SU at home, 2-4 as home favorites- they’re 5-7 vs spread as HF in two years playing home games in Carson. Teams split last six meetings; Ravens were 3-4 in San Diego, with last visit there in ’12. Three of last four Charger games went over total; under is 4-2 in Baltimore’s last six road games.
Washington Redskins vs. Tennessee Titans Preview and Predictions 2018-12-22
The Tennessee Titans have thrust themselves back in the mix for a postseason berth on the strength of a three-game winning streak. The Titans vie for a clean sweep of the NFC East representatives on Saturday when they host the Washington Redskins at Nissan Stadium.
Bruising running back Derrick Henry followed up a franchise-best 238-yard, four-touchdown performance in Tennessee's 30-9 win over Jacksonville on Dec. 6 by recording a career-high 33 carries for 170 yards and two scores in Sunday's 17-0 victory over the New York Giants (as a -2.5 point favorite at intertops). Henry broke fellow former Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell's previous franchise-best two-game benchmark of 405 yards and has an NFL-best 11 touchdowns in his last eight contests. The Titans defense has permitted its foes to convert 5-of-28 third-down attempts over the last two weeks heading into a tilt with Washington, which has overcome a litany of serious injuries to remain in contention for an NFC postseason berth. "You would think we'd be out of the whole thing the way everything's been going, week in and week out," cornerback Josh Norman said. "Oh my gosh, this is like a circus. But at the same time, all that doesn't matter. We are still in this thing."
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Titans -10 O/U: 37
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (7-7): Making his first NFL start in seven years, journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson engineered a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter to help Washington snap a four-game skid with a 16-13 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. The 32-year-old earned another game under center after passing for 151 yards and a score and scampering for 49 more for the Redskins, who likely will lean on the ageless Adrian Peterson against Tennessee's 12th-ranked rush defense. Jordan Reed's availability is in question after he missed last week's win over the Jaguars due to foot and toe injuries. Fellow tight end Jeremy Sprinkle caught all three passes that came his way -- including a 6-yard toss for a touchdown.
ABOUT THE TITANS (8-6): Henry's success on the ground can be traced to the determined effort of an offensive line that is led by tackle Taylor Lewan, who was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl this week. Marcus Mariota has benefited by extension, and the quarterback admitted that he's pleased with the team's potent ground attack. "I'm the No. 1 fan," the 25-year-old Mariota said. "... For me, I am all about it. We have to continue to do that. I think it really helps us get into situations where we get in a rhythm, we can do different things. So I love it." Mariota's primary target in the passing game continues to be Corey Davis, who has reeled in a touchdown pass in two of his last three home outings.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Washington LB Ryan Kerrigan, who had two of his team-leading 11 sacks last week, joined OT Trent Williams in being selected to the Pro Bowl.
2. Tennessee DT Jurrell Casey is heading to the Pro Bowl after collecting a team-best seven sacks this season.
3. Redskins WR Jamison Crowder led the team with four catches for 46 yards last week.
PREDICTION: Titans 19, Redskins 14
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Baltimore Ravens vs. Los Angeles Chargers Preview and Predictions 2018-12-22
The Los Angeles Chargers have already clinched a spot in the postseason but they have loftier goals in mind -- namely, the chance to secure the top overall seed and earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Chargers still have to overtake division rival Kansas City but cannot afford a misstep against the visiting Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.
Los Angeles punched its ticket to the playoffs in dramatic fashion, erasing a two-touchdown deficit in the final four minutes for a 29-28 road win over the Chiefs (as a +4 point underdog at intertops). Quarterback Philip Rivers, one of an NFL-high seven Pro Bowl selections for the Chargers, said his team faces a "heck of a challenge" against the top-ranked defense of the Ravens, who hold the tiebreaker over two other teams for the second wild card in the AFC. Baltimore has won four of five since rookie Lamar Jackson took over as the starting quarterback -- the only loss coming in overtime at Kansas City -- but the Ravens know what they are up against in Rivers and Co. "Philip is probably one of the smartest, if not -- he's right in the category with the top two or three guys (in terms of) dissecting the defense, playing the chess game," Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said of Rivers. "He really finds the weakness and he's not afraid to take chances."
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Chargers -4.5 O/U: 43.5
ABOUT THE RAVENS (8-6): Jackson has yet to throw for more than 178 yards in either of his five starts but he has double-digit rushes in each one to help Baltimore become the first team since the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976 to rush for at least 190 yards in five consecutive games. Rookie Gus Jackson had 15 carries on the season until Jackson moved into the starting lineup but has led the punishing ground game with three 100-yard performances during the 4-1 run. Willie Snead has emerged as Jackson's favorite target with five catches in three of the past five contests, but the defense will be in the spotlight Sunday. The Ravens lead the league in fewest points (18.1) and fewest overall yards (290.2) and are third against the pass (202.6).
ABOUT THE CHARGERS (11-3): Los Angeles made it four straight wins and 10 of 11 despite an injury to top receiver Keenan Allen and the absence of top running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Gordon, expected to return to the lineup after sitting out the past three games due to a sprained MCL, has rushed for 802 yards and nine touchdowns while snagging 44 receptions for four more scores. Allen is looming as a game-time decision, but 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams scored three touchdowns on a season-high seven receptions against Kansas City to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. While Rivers is having an MVP season with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, the ninth-ranked run defense (103.7) yards will have to contain Jackson.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Rivers has passed for 2,199 yards with 16 TDs in seven home games this season.
2. Jackson has rushed for at least 65 yards in each of his five starts.
3. Chargers Pro Bowl DE Melvin Ingram needs three sacks to reach double digits for the third time in four seasons.
PREDICTION: Chargers 26, Ravens 22
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by Kyle Markus
NFL Preview - Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL, and are now in the mix to finish as the top seed in the AFC if things break right in the past two weeks. The Chargers will likely need to win out to have a chance and that starts with a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Chargers have the home field advantage in this one and also have some extra rest after playing on “Thursday Night Football” last time out. The Ravens, though, are playing well and are battling for a playoff spot. Baltimore badly needs a victory and is listed as a slight underdog in NFL gambling.
This NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers will be held at StubHub Center in Carson, California at 6:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22nd, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on NFL Network.
We'll have NFL football odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NFL season.
Odds Analysis
The Chargers have been listed as the 4-point favorite in this matchup, which is a half-point lower than where this game opened. Los Angeles is a -215 favorite while the Ravens are the +180 underdog. The scoring total is listed at 44 points as the oddsmakers believe this will be a low-scoring duel despite the Chargers’ high-powered offense.
This game has live betting options, which gives gamblers the option to watch some of the early action and then make some determinations and follow with wagers.
Injury Report
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon has missed a few games with a knee injury but he is expected to return for this matchup. It is a big deal as he is one of the more talented running backs in the NFL.
Gordon has carried the ball 153 times for 802 yards while adding 44 catches for 453 yards. Gordon has scored 13 total touchdowns on the season and the stout Baltimore defense will be keying on him to make sure Gordon doesn’t dominate in his return.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen is also hoping to return for this matchup. He is dealing with a hip injury and has been limited in practice early in the week. Allen is the team’s best receiver and the return of him and Gordon would be a huge boost to the Chargers’ chances.
Player To Watch
Lamar Jackson -- The Ravens quarterback has started the past five games and won four of them. Baltimore has improved to 8-6 on the season after the recent surge and is hoping to qualify for the postseason.
If the Ravens are able to pull the upset it figures that Jackson will need to play well. He is a dual threat that is hard to prepare for because he can really hurt defenses with his legs. Jackson rushed for 95 yards last time out and his ability to scramble will play a big role in the outcome.
Free NFL ATS Picks
Jackson is such a wild card that it’s hard to know how this one will go, but he is still a rookie playing against a tough defense. The Chargers have a really talented team and quarterback Philip Rivers is playing at an elite level.
Los Angeles is the choice to win this game but the Ravens are the pick to cover this spread as this one should come down to the wire. The “over” is the pick as there will be more scoring than expected. Don’t forget about the live betting capabilities in this showdown in NFL odds.
NFL ATS Pick: Los Angeles Chargers 27, Baltimore Ravens 24
NFL
Week 16
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Trend Report
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Saturday, December 22
Washington Redskins
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Washington's last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
Washington is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Tennessee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Tennessee
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Tennessee is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Tennessee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Tennessee is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tennessee's last 6 games when playing Washington
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Baltimore's last 12 games
Baltimore is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Baltimore is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games on the road
Baltimore is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Chargers
Baltimore is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing LA Chargers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing LA Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers
LA Chargers is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
LA Chargers is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
LA Chargers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
LA Chargers is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Chargers's last 5 games at home
LA Chargers is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore
LA Chargers is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Chargers's last 6 games when playing Baltimore
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NFL
Long Sheet
Week 16
Saturday, December 22
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WASHINGTON (7 - 7) at TENNESSEE (8 - 6) - 12/22/2018, 4:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENNESSEE is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) against NFC East division opponents since 1992.
TENNESSEE is 53-28 ATS (+22.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1992.
WASHINGTON is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 3 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 31-54 ATS (-28.4 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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BALTIMORE (8 - 6) at LA CHARGERS (11 - 3) - 12/22/2018, 8:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CHARGERS is 18-35 ATS (-20.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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