There are only two weeks left in the NFL Regular Season, but we have two main storylines that are going to play out of the next two weeks. There are six playoff spots that are still up for grabs (including four playoff spots in the AFC), and Carolina is still unbeaten heading into the holiday weekend.
Panthers are a perfect 14-0 after holding on to their victory on the road against the Giants last week, and have a good chance at finishing with a perfect regular season record. The online sportsbooks list the Panthers as a big 7-point road favorite in Atlanta against a Falcons team that has fallen apart in the second half of the season, losing six of their last seven games outright and dropping nine of their last ten games against the pointspread.
Panthers will change their pregame routine, no longer carrying baseball bats on the field during warmups. Another factor in Carolina seeking a perfect 16-0 regular season mark is whether or not they will rest starters next week at home vs. Tampa Bay, as some NFL teams prefer to rest starters in the final week.
There are two NFL games played prior to Sunday’s full slate of action. Thursday’s AFC West showdown in Oakland between the Chargers and Raiders does not have any playoff implications, however the Raiders still have a shot for a .500 record overall this season – a huge boost for this franchise that has struggled in recent years.
Oakland is a five-point home favorite and will play with confidence after beating the Chargers by eight points in San Diego earlier this year. Saturday night’s game does have playoff implications and will go a long way in determining a division winner in the NFC East. Currently, Washington leads the pack with a 7-7 record, but Philadelphia can clinch the division by winning each of their last two games. Redskins can clinch the division with a win on Saturday. Eagles are a three-point home favorite.
Three teams are favored by double-digits on Sunday, with the biggest favorite being Seattle at -13.5 points at home against St. Louis. Seattle has won and covered the spread in five consecutive games – including covering the spread as a double-digit favorite the last two weeks.
According to the sportsbook pay per head software, last Sunday, they were listed as 14-point chalk vs. Cleveland and won by 17 points. Cleveland is a double-digit underdog again this Sunday, this time playing at Kansas City where they are getting 12.5 points. The Chiefs are still battling for a playoff spot, whether it’s a Wild Card slot or catching a slumping Denver team in the AFC West.
Pittsburgh is the final team favored by a huge margin, as they continue their push towards the playoffs and have a big revenge spot against a Baltimore team that beat them in overtime this year thanks to awful field goal kicking. Steelers have won three straight and face an easy opponent next week in Cleveland.
We’ll be back next week to preview the final weekend of NFL action from a betting perspective.
