Week 15 of the NFL betting season offers a potential Super Bowl preview as the Buffalo Bills visit the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Steelers also visit the Eagles, as both CBS and FOX have late national games and doubleheaders. 

Elsewhere, multiple teams could have their playoff fate determined this week. 

The Bills and Lions grab the national late-afternoon spot on CBS. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. Eastern. The Bills slipped to 2 games behind the Chiefs for home field in the AFC after their loss to the Rams and the Chiefs' "Doink" win over the Chargers in Kansas City. 

The Lions hold a one-game lead in the NFC home-field race over the Eagles and Vikings. Both the Lions (12-1, 9-4 ATS) and Bills (10-3, 8-5) remain underwater on the line when compared to their outright win/loss records. The Steelers are tied with the Broncos for best record in the NFL ATS at 10-3 (76.9%).

RELATED: Super Bowl 59 Odds

Over on FOX, Tom Brady will offer his limited insight on the Steelers-Eagles game in that network’s national late-afternoon spot. Both combatants in the Battle of Pennsylvania are leading their respective divisions. The Eagles are 11-2 SU and 8-5 ATS after barely beating Carolina as 12.5-point favorites. Pittsburgh easily handled Cleveland on Sunday. 

The week begins with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the San Francisco 49ers in what could become a playoff-elimination game for the loser. Especially if that loser is San Francisco. 

The Monday-night doubleheader returns. Chicago plays at Minnesota in the first game at 8 p.m. on ABC. Atlanta visits Las Vegas in the nightcap. That game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN. 

There are no teams on the bye this week. 

2024 NFL Week 15 Best Bets: Odds & Picks

Now it’s on to our Week 15  NFL picks to back on your favorite sports betting app. 

2024 NFL Week 15 Best Bets: Game-By-Game Analysis

Thursday, December 12
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. (Amazon Prime)

Buzz: The post-Super-Bowl-hangover has claimed its latest victim in the San Francisco 49ers. The team never recovered from its 25-22 OT loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58. The 49ers were hit hard with injuries this season, as well. Christian McCaffrey is done for the season after suffering a torn PCL this past week. And his backup, Jordan Mason may not see action until the 2025-26 season. Even fully staffed, opposing coordinators were able to decipher Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers routed the Bears in Week 14. But does that even count? The 49ers have failed to cover in 9 straight games after a win. The Rams put up 44 points on the Bills and barely survived in a 2-point win. The trio of Matthew Stafford, Puca Nacua, and Cooper Kupp are back in top form. The Niners’ 38-13 win over the Bears was more a mirage than a harbinger. The Rams offense can handle San Francisco's defensive front. And no one appears able to cover Kupp and Nacua these days. And stop Kyren Williams at the same time. And Brock Purdy is no Josh Allen.  

Best Bet: Rams +3 (-110) ESPN BET

Sunday, December 15
Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Buzz: The Ravens are in the middle of a fight just to reach the postseason, never mind winning the AFC North. They’ve seen their offense hit a wall against Pittsburgh and Philly over the past 3 weeks. The Ravens will find their footing here against the Giants. Big Blue won’t be able to handle or keep up with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Zay Flowers. The Giants have lost 8 straight but managed to finally cover on the 4-point line in Week 15 after failing to cover in 7 straight games. Can they cover? Well, can they score? The spread is the largest in the NFL of any game this season at 16. It's been moving up all week. The Ravens are 8-5 SU, but just 6-6-1 on the line. Can Drew Lock limit his pick-sixes and Malik Nabers limit the drops? Maybe, but not enough to help these teams hit this total. 

Best Bet: Under 42.5 Points (-110) bet365

Sunday, December 15
Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Buzz: The Jameis Winston Experience comes back to Cleveland after back-to-back road losses at Denver and Pittsburgh. Even if you factor in a pick-six, he’ll post some strong numbers against the Chiefs’ secondary. He'll be on the move all day. Anything can happen. The Chiefs (12-1) won the AFC West for the 9th straight season Sunday after their 19-17 "Doink" win over the Chargers. But they missed on the 4-point number. The Chiefs have won 15 straight one-score games since last season but are just 5-8 ATS and haven't covered since October 20. The Chiefs have won 5 straight against Cleveland but only covered twice. This game has been bet down to 4 points from 6.5 (where we locked it in). It's tempting to bite on this number. But . . . 

Best Bet: Browns +4.5 (-110) bet365

Sunday, December 15
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: The Titans (3-10 and 3-10 ATS)  have the worst record of any NFL against the spread this season. Will Levis appears to be back-sliding as the franchise’s QB of the future. The Bengals (4-8) continue to chase the illusion of a playoff berth. They dropped 3 straight ahead of their Monday night game at Dallas. But the Bengals went 9-3 in the over in their first dozen games. And a respectable 6-6 on the line. The Bengals had the No. 1 passing offense in the NFL, and the Titans had the No. 1 passing defense ahead of Week 14. But both teams allow points. The Titans will give up a few more this time.

Best Bet: Bengals -5 (-110) FanDuel

Sunday, December 15
Washington Commanders at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: The Commanders covered 7 of their first 9 games before oddsmakers finally caught up with Jayden Daniels & Company. They’ve long lost any value. And covered in just 1 of 4 games ahead of their bye – and that was against the worst team in the NFL on the line – Tennessee. The Saints lost 7 straight and fired Dennis Allen before winning 3 of 4 after beating the Giants 14-11 in Week 14 but failing to cover the 4-point number. Neither team can stop the run. They rank 25^th (Saints) and 27^th (Commanders) in rushing yards allowed. This game is a homecoming of sorts for Daniels, who played at and won a Heisman Trophy for LSU. He gives Washington the edge to cover this tight number. We locked in the Commanders last week at -3. But if you missed that one, take the under at 43.5 points (-115 at FanDuel). 

Best Bet: Commanders - 7.5 (-110) DraftKings

Sunday, December 15
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: Bryce Young revitalized his career – or at least his progress in terms of a QB – in the second half of this season. The Panthers have only won twice since September 22. But they covered in 5 straight games after nearly beating Philly 22-16 as 13.5-favorites in Week 14. Carolina still ranks last across the NFL in points allowed (29.8 PPG) and yards rushing allowed (170.1 YPG).  The Cowboys are 30th in points allowed ahead of their Monday night game against Cincinnati. The Cowboys got a jolt from the switch to Cooper Rush – at least on the line – since Dak Prescott got hurt. Rush’s Cowboys won and covered against NFC East foes Washington and the New York Giants. Two opposing weak defenses mean lots of points. Games at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte have gone 5-1 on the over this season (averaging 49.3 PPG). We locked in the Panthers money line at -118. Here, look at the over. 

Best Bet: Over 43 Points (-110) DraftKings

Sunday, December 15
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: Gang Green won't be winning the Super Bowl for the 56th straight season. The Jets (3-10 SU, 4-9 ATS) were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday for the 14th straight season - the longest playoff drought in the NFL. They lost to the Dolphins in overtime Sunday 32-26, but either pushed or covered depending on which book you used. If Jets fans didn’t get enough misery in Week 14 at Miami, they can head up I-95 for more emotional angst against Mac Jones and the Jaguars. The Jets were favored in 9 of their first 12 games but lost 9 of them straight up. Aaron Rodgers continues to alienate everyone around him. He may not bother leaving South Florida. The 3-10 Jags have performed admirably against the spread at 7-6. That's 2 games better than Kansas City on the line. By the way, Jones is 5-0 straight up and ATS against the Jets in his career (all as a member of the Patriots).

Best Bet: Jaguars +3 (-112) FanDuel

Sunday, December 15
Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Buzz: A win here by the Texans and a loss by the Colts at Denver clinches the AFC South. The Dolphins need to win out to earn an AFC wildcard slot. Four of the Texans’ losses came in one-score games and they fell short in 2 of their past 3 home games. The Texans have failed to cover 4 straight times against AFC opponents. Both the Dolphins and Texans only covered 5 times in their first 13 games. The Dolphins’ road struggles are often weather-related. NRG Stadium offers ideal conditions for Tua and the Cheetah. But Miami's defense had issues with the Jets and their elderly QB Aaron Rodgers. C.J. Stroud and Joe Mixon control the clock and the outcome here. 

Best Bet: Texans -3 (-110) bet365

Sunday, December 15
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: The Lions have won a team-record 12 straight, They clinched a playoff berth with their last-second-field-goal 34-31 win over Green Bay on Thursday. But the Lions missed on the 3.5-point line. The Lions are 12-1 straight up and 9-4 ATS. Dan Campbell's team knows how to win. But covering the line is always a different sort of challenge. Here, the Bills' secondary, however, was badly exposed by the Rams Sunday. Buffalo is on the back end of a grueling back-to-back set of games against the high-flying Rams and best-in-the-NFC Lions. The Bills (-5.5) lost 44-42 despite Josh Allen's latest MVP-clinching performance (3 TDs rushing and 3 TDs passing). The Lions will put up more of a fight on that side of the ball. And their offense is almost as varied and skilled as that of the Rams. Especially at home. Detroit has covered every time this season in which they were favored by fewer than 3 points. This number suits them well here. 

Best Bet: Lions -2.5 (-110) bet365

Sunday, December 15
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

Buzz: Both teams are coming off the bye. The Colts need a win here and a loss by the Texans to keep their long-shot hopes alive in the AFC South. The Broncos (8-5) have delivered for bettors all season. Denver is tied with Pittsburgh with an NFL-best 10-3 (76.9%) ATS record. The Broncos have covered in 7 straight games. And they’ve averaged +6.3 points against the line, as well. Defense remains the hidden story with the Broncos. Their defense is No. 3 in points allowed and 6^th against the rush. Both QBs will make their 14th career NFL start in this game. That makes Indy QB Anthony Richardson basically a rookie. Vance Joseph’s defense will be ready for the Colts and Richardson. Broncos “rookie” QB Bo Nix, meanwhile, is 2 years older than Richardson and made 61 starts in college. That's compared to just 24 by Richardson at Florida. 

Best Bet: Broncos -4 (-110) DraftKings

Sunday, December 15
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

Buzz: The Patriots stumbled into their bye after giving up a 19-play, game-winning drive last in their 25-24 loss to the Colts. Despite Drake Maye’s well-earned accolades, the Patriots have the worst passing offense in the NFL at just 171.5 yards per game. And they rank 31^st in scoring at 17 PPG. The Cardinals (6-7, 8-5 ATS) got smoked 30-18 at home by Seattle in Week 14. That loss pushed them 2 games back of the Seahawks in the NFC West. The 3-10 Patriots were eliminated from the playoffs last week. This is the largest number the Cardinals have carried all season. Despite New England’s flaws, Maye can keep it close (assuming he eliminates those interceptions) to deliver a cover. Or perhaps deliver the final win of the season for New England.

Best Bet: Patriots +6.5 (-110) DraftKings

Sunday, December 15
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: Tom Brady will offer his limited insights on the Steelers-Eagles game in FOX’s national late-afternoon spot. Both CBS and FOX have national doubleheaders this week. Both combatants in the Battle of Pennsylvania are leading their respective divisions. The Eagles are 11-2 SU but just 8-5 ATS after a 22-16 win over Carolina (+12.5). The Steelers are tied with the Broncos for the best record in the NFL ATS at 10-3 (76.9%). The Steelers have covered 6 six straight road games against NFC teams. Mike Tomlin’s defense faces its toughest test of the season in trying to stop Saquon Barkley. It held against Derrick Henry and the Ravens. Pittsburgh’s defense is almost evenly stacked against Philly’s rushing game. The Eagles are gaining 190.5 yards per game on the ground, but the Steelers are only allowing 91.5. Barkley's presence has allowed Jalen Hurts to cut the number of interceptions thrown (he had 5 against 15 all last season) while pushing up his completion percentage and average yards per attempt (8.0). Still, Philly has the second-worst passing offense in the NFL (180.6 YPG). Russell Wilson and the Steelers have – surprise – the No. 10 scoring offense in the NFL at 24.8 PPG. This one might come down to an aerial show between Wilson and Hurts. The fewest mistakes win.

Best Bet: Steelers +5.5 (-110) ESPN BET

Sunday, December 15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: Baker Mayfield takes the Buccaneers’ annual “Surge For The NFC South” tour to SoFi Stadium. While the Chargers have a tendency for late-season collapses, the Buccaneers have gained a reputation for winning down the stretch ahead of the playoffs. They’ve won the NFC South 2 years in a row and made the playoffs every year since Tom Brady’s arrival in 2020. The Chargers have covered all 5 times this season when they’ve been favored by 3 or more points. Here, look at the over. The Chargers have been pushed by quality offenses (Kansas City is not one, this time). They gave up 30 points to Lamar Jackson and 27 points to Joe Burrow. Mayfield can put up points with Mike Evans and Cade Otton, especially on a fast track like SoFi.

Best Bet: Over 45.5 Points (-110) DraftKings

Sunday, December 15
Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Buzz: The cold, windy, and possibly wet climes of Seattle won’t be a problem for the Packers and Jordan Love. The Seahawks are first in the NFC West at 8-5. They have covered 4 straight, but all those teams have losing records. And 6 of their 8 wins have come against a depleted AFC East (they lost to Buffalo) and a weak NFC West. Aside from the aforementioned Bills, the Packers will be their toughest test this season. Between Love’s mobility and Josh Jacobs’ stout running game, the Packers win this one with ease (assuming they hold on to the ball). They need to keep winning to keep pace with Detroit and Minnesota in the NFC North, and in the NFC playoff race. They’ll be coming off the mini-bye and have plenty of time to recuperate after their tough 34-31 loss at Detroit. The home team has won the past 10 straight in this series. That ends this time. 

Best Bet: Packers -2.5 (-118) DraftKings

Monday, December 16
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, 8 p.m. (ABC)

Buzz: The Vikings (11-2, 8-5 ATS) entertain their long-time rivals while being in contention for both the NFC North title and the best record in the NFC. Sam Darnold hasn’t gotten much love from oddsmakers in the chase for “Comeback Player Of The Year.” But the Vikings don’t care. His newly discovered steady hand has led the Vikings to unexpected success after the team lost Kirk Cousins to free agency and first-round QB J.J. McCarthy to injury in the preseason. The Bears (4-9, 6-5-2) fired Matt Eberflus 2 weeks ago. Thomas Brown got no bounce Sunday as the Bears got walloped 38-13 by the 49ers in his interim coaching debut. This one here is just another Monday night party in the Twin Cities for the home team. Turnovers will be the difference for the cover here.   

Best Bet: Vikings -6.5  (-110) ESPN BET
 

Monday, December 16
Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Buzz: If Aunt Judy’s eggnog was left out in the sun for a week, it would be this game. Take the under and watch “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” on Freeform.

Best Bet: Under 44 Points (-110) DraftKings