With just four weeks left to go in the regular season, some teams are starting to make their final push towards the playoffs while others are trying to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Other teams are eliminated from the postseason.
This week, three NFL money lines appeal to me as I look at the NFL odds. Two of the games involve teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today, and one game involves teams that need a win to stay in playoff contention.
What money line bets are the best this week? Here are a few I think you should consider.
Patriots (+110) at Colts
If there’s one team I would not want to bet against in the NFL right now, it would be the New England Patriots.
They have won their last seven games and have the third-best record against the spread in the NFL this year at 9-4. Despite that, bettors have a chance to get them with a positive money line this week.
New England allows the fewest points per game in the NFL (15.4) and the third-fewest total yards (310). However, the Indianapolis Colts will present a tough challenge, ranking third in points per game (28.5) and eleventh in total yards per game (368.1).
The main reason I think the Patriots will win this game is their ability to get the opposing offense off the field. New England only allows opponents to convert on 35.76% of third-down plays. On the road, their defense performs even better on third downs, only allowing a conversion rate of 32.43%.
I think the Patriots’ defense will hold firm on third downs, limiting the Colts’ ability to sustain long drives. As a result, I expect the Patriots to get their tenth win of the season.
Ravens (+180) vs. Packers
Even though the Baltimore Ravens have lost their last two games, I think they are a decent option to take on the money line. Part of the reason I believe that this line is so high is that the status of QB Lamar Jackson is in question.
However, head coach John Harbaugh said in a press conference Monday that Jackson avoided a high ankle sprain and that the team plans on the quarterback playing this Sunday.
Baltimore leads the NFL in time of possession (33:24 per game), so unlike many other teams, they can counter the Green Bay Packers when it comes to controlling the clock. Green Bay ranks second in that category with 32:41 of possession time per game.
When QB Aaron Rodgers plays, the Packers have only lost twice this season. However, he relies on a decent rushing attack to balance the offense.
Their two losses with Rodgers starting have come when they get held to under 100 rushing yards. Baltimore is the league’s top rushing defense allowing just 85.5 rushing yards per game.
I think if the Ravens can contain the Packers’ rushing attack and control the clock, they can pull off the upset.
Bears (+155) vs. Vikings
I would be willing to place a bet on the Chicago Bears here against the Minnesota Vikings because of the Bears’ pass defense.
The Bears are eighth in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (216.5).
Minnesota ranks seventh in passing yards per game (267.4), but when they have less than 260 passing yards, they are just 1-5. Minnesota also only converts on 38.51% of their first downs, which is 19th in the league. If the Bears’ passing defense can force the Vikings into third and long situations, I think they will be able to slow down the Vikings enough to pull out the win.
See More NFL Money Lines
These are just three of the NFL money lines in Week 15 that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Do you agree, or do you think there are better money line odds out there?
You can see those and more here at BetMGM, the safest and most reliable site for all of your online sports betting needs. So, create an account today, and you could receive a risk-free first bet of up to $1,000.
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