The fight for playoff (and draft) positions
Matt Youmans, host of the Circa Friday Football Invitational, encaptulates the difficulties of Week 16 handicapping with two of the plays in his Best Bets column.
In the Vikings-Seahawks game (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox), you have two teams fighting for playoff positions.
Seattle’s home-field advantage is miniscule at this point. However, the Seahawks, 3-5 at home following a blowout loss to the Packers, did get some positive injury news this week on quarterback Geno Smith and running back Kenneth Walker, who are both expected to start. This is a bounce-back spot and an important game for the Seahawks, who are still in the hunt to win the NFC West. The Vikings should be on upset alert, especially with quarterback Sam Darnold showing some inconsistency. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald had his team trending in the right direction before the flop against Green Bay stopped a four-game winning streak. Best Bet: Seahawks +3.
In the Jaguars-Raiders game, you have two teams fighting for 2025 draft positions.
It’s obvious Las Vegas would be better off dropping this game and improving its chances of getting the No. 1 overall draft pick, so that’s probably not going to happen. The Raiders’ coaches and players have not quit during a 10-game losing streak, and coach Antonio Pierce is giving his team a better shot to win by starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell. In a game each team needs to lose, the Jaguars can count on quarterback Mac Jones to do his part. I’m not actually betting this, but I don’t like many of the options this week and the return of O’Connell is enough to reach on the Raiders as a contest pick.
Matt made this pick when the line was at Raiders -1.5 and there is at least one Vegas book still with that line, although most are at -2.5 or -2 as I write this. Matt definitely doesn’t like this play at -3 if it gets there.
Speaking of the Friday Football Invitational, Seattle +3 was the most popular pick today. Four handicappers were on that side. >>See all the picks.
More Best Bets from:
>Look for Josh Appelbaum‘s Sharp Report later this morning.
More Week 16 resources
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits:Â This chart shows a comparison of the betting splits from DraftKings and Circa Sports. Keep an eye on them this morning for late action.
Everything we do on Week 16 is posted here.
ICYMI Saturday: The Ravens (-7) beat the Steelers 34-17 and the Chiefs (-3.5) posted a 27-19 victory vs. the Texans. Houston WR Tank Dell suffered a dislocated knee cap while catching a TD pass.
Contest Corner
The Packers are the top pick in Circa Survivor with 21 entries out of 50 counting on them to beat the Saints on MNF. The others entries are on the Bengals (9), Falcons (8), Bills (7), Cardinals (4) and Bucs (1).
The top Circa Million picks for Week 16: Bucs -3.5 (1,894), Bengals -7.5 (1,688), Rams -3 (1,476), Lions -6.5 (1,458) and Eagles -3.5 (1,272).
>Go to our Circa contest resources page for current standings and individual picks, plus the updated standings and picks for the Circa Friday Football Invitational and our Average Joe Contest.
>Go to our Circa contest resources page for current standings and individual picks, plus the updated standings and picks for the Circa Friday Football Invitational and our Average Joe Contest.
Today in college basketball
Greg Peterson has posted his Best Bets for today’s menu.
>Adam Burke‘s top plays will be up later today.
Quick Hits
NBA: Zach Cohen will post his Best Bets by mid-morning.
NHL: Look for Jonathan Davis‘ picks by mid-day on our NHL page.
Horse Racing: Check here for picks from “Mr. Ed” Sehon. 1/ST Bet offers wagering on hundreds of races every day from across the country and around the world. Sign up at 1STBET.COM with promo code VSIN200 to claim a 20% rebate for your first 60 days, up to $200.
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