NFL Odds, Lines Week 15: Bettors Packing Panthers’ Bandwagon
It's now clear that the NFC South is wide open, and the once written-off Carolina Panthers are now eying their prey in the hopes of winning the division and earning a playoff berth. Here are our NFL betting odds and lines of the week.
Who knew turfing your head coach and shipping your best player to a Super Bowl contender was the path to the playoffs?
The Carolina Panthers are now in the thick of the NFC South division race, and they’ve been bet from underdog to favorite against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15. Carolina starting quarterback Sam Darnold is 2-0, and all of a sudden, the Black Cat defense resembles the 2015 unit that put the L in Super Bowl L.
Here are the NFL spread and Over/Under lines for Week 15, and how we think they'll move throughout the week (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings Sportsbook, PointsBet, and Caesars Sportsbook).
Check out our NFL Against the Spread Power Rankings for Week 15 and all of our NFL best bets.
NFL Week 15 Odds and Lines: Saturday
Colts at Vikings
Spread: Vikings -4
This spread has settled after it moved from Minnesota Vikings -5.5 to -4 early this week. Public support will probably still weigh in on the Vikings, and it’s worth noting FanDuel has made the move to Minnesota -4.5 as of Thursday afternoon. I don’t anticipate many recreational bettors lining up to back the 4-8-1 Indianapolis Colts to snap their three-game losing streak on the road against the 10-3 Vikings, either.
Total: 48.5
Following early movement and betting support for both sides of this total, it’s settled at 48.5. Because it’s well below the key number of 51 and well above the key range of 43-44, I could see it climbing or dropping slightly, but there shouldn’t be a significant future move.
Ravens at Browns
Spread: Browns -3
While Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (concussion) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, it still hasn’t been announced that he’s cleared the NFL’s concussion protocols. This spread could be impacted by that news, and there has been enough betting support for the Ravens for multiple sportsbooks to move the line across the key number of 3 and list the Cleveland Browns at -2.5. It’s also worth noting that in the battle of Ohio against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, the Browns took an influx of money right before kickoff. That could be the case again in Week 15.
Total: 37.5
Even though this total only dropped by a half-point, it’s notable because the Browns check out as one of the worst statistical defenses in the league. If Huntley is cleared to play Saturday, I could see buyback on the Over and this number climbing above the key range of 36-37.
Dolphins at Bills
Spread: Bills -7
The Miami Dolphins have lost two straight, but there has still been enough betting support for the ‘Fins to move this spread from the opening line of Buffalo Bills -7.5 to -7. Considering this will be the third consecutive road game for Miami, I doubt oddsmakers will move this spread completely across the key number of 7.
Total: 43.5
This total has returned to the opening number after being bet down early this week. The weather forecast isn’t favorable, but there was buyback on the Over when this spread went below the key range of 43-44.
NFL Week 15 Odds and Lines: Sunday
Falcons at Saints
Spread: Saints -4
This spread has been on the move this week. The New Orleans Saints were -3 favorites in look-ahead markets, and the Atlanta Falcons naming Desmond Ridder the starting quarterback moved the line further in the Saints’ direction to -4.5. FanDuel is the only one of our top-rated sportsbooks still hanging New Orleans -4.5, as it appears Saints -4 is the accurate number as of Thursday afternoon.
Total: 43
This will be an interesting total to watch leading into Sunday because there isn’t a consensus number. FanDuel has the lowest offering at 42.5, whereas DraftKings is the highest at 43.5. The betting action has been relatively even as of Thursday afternoon, so I don’t expect this total to move too far from the key range of 43-44.
Eagles at Bears
Spread: Eagles -9
I have the Philadelphia Eagles power ranked as 11-point favorites, so I’m not surprised this number has climbed to a consensus -9. Philly has blown out its opponent in consecutive games, and I don’t think the Chicago Bears have the talent to hang with a top-tier team for 60 minutes. As a result, oddsmakers could be testing this spread at the key number of 10 by Sunday’s kickoff.
Total: 48.5
Early action on the Over moved this total to 48.5, and it’s held true as of Thursday. I expect public support for the Over to continue, but I doubt oddsmakers will move this total above the key number of 51.
Lions at Jets
Spread: No consensus
There hasn’t been a consensus favorite for this game across our top-rated sportsbooks all week. BetMGM and DraftKings have the New York Jets listed at -1, whereas FanDuel has the Detroit Lions trading at -1. Caesars has the game listed as a pick’em. It’s going to be a fun line to track leading into Sunday, but I don’t suspect we’ll see the margin approach a field-goal spread for either team.
Total: 44.5
After opening at 48, this total has dropped considerably to 44.5. Additionally, PointsBet is on an island at 44, which is notable because it’s at the top of the key range of 43-44. While I’m interested to see if other bookmakers follow suit, I ultimately expect this game to close above the noted key range with Over money coming in this weekend from the public.
Steelers at Panthers
Spread: Panthers -3
The betting community is buying into the Panthers, and this spread is the largest mover of the week. The Steelers opened as -2.5 favorites, but they’re now receiving a field-goal head start at four of our five top-rated sportsbooks. FanDuel is the outlier with Carolina -2.5 heavily juiced, which is an indication it will probably also move to -3. I’d suspect there will be buyback on the Steelers, but it might take the hook with them trading as a +3.5 road underdog.
Total: 37.5
The total opened at 40 and has decreased to 37.5. The Steelers quarterback uncertainty is one explanation for the drop. Pittsburgh starter Kenny Pickett is in the NFL’s concussion protocols, and backups Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph split first-team reps during Wednesday's practice. For me, Carolina ranking fourth in defensive DVOA during their active 3-1 stretch carries just as much weight. I anticipate this total to continue to hang between the key ranges of 36-37 and 40-41.
Cowboys at Jaguars
Spread: Cowboys -4
The Dallas Cowboys were as large as a -6.5 favorite in look-ahead markets, so this spread now sitting on the key number of 4 is notable. It’s probably an overreaction, though. Dallas allowed the last-place Houston Texans to hang around in Week 14, whereas the Jacksonville Jaguars steamrolled the Tennessee Titans by 14 points. I don’t expect this spread to cross the key number of 4, as oddsmakers would be vulnerable to significant Cowboys liability. At the same time, the opportunity to invest in Jacksonville +6.5 is probably gone for good.
Total: 48
The majority of early action has been on the Over, and there isn’t a consensus total for this game as of Thursday. There will be buyback on the Under at some point, and I don’t think this total climbs close to the key number of 51. For reference, Caesars and FanDuel have the lowest total (47.5) among our top-rated sportsbooks, whereas DraftKings is listing the game the highest (48.5).
Chiefs at Texans
Spread: Chiefs -14
The Texans covered a 17.5-point spread against the Cowboys in Week 14 and are now catching 14 points at home against the Kansas City Chiefs this week. FanDuel opened the Chiefs as 14.5-point favorites, but the line quickly moved to Chiefs -14 following support for the Texans. There hasn’t been significant line movement since.
Total: 49
This total was quickly bet up from an opening 47 to 49.5, and that number remains as of Thursday. It’s worth noting BetMGM has a rogue 49 available, and I could see this number falling. Just look at the skill-position players on the Houston injury report.
Cardinals at Broncos
Spread: Broncos -2.5
This spread has stabilized this week following the season-ending injury to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) on Monday Night Football. Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (concussion) didn’t practice Wednesday, and he’s questionable to play Sunday. Arizona was a -2.5 favorite before Murray’s injury, and it’s also worth noting DraftKings has the Broncos listed at -3 as of Thursday. This line could move further in Denver’s direction across the board, but I don’t think the Cards will ever receive the hook as a +3.5 road underdog.
Total: 36
This is an accurate total, and I don’t expect it to move out of the key range of 36-37 before kickoff. Prior to Murray’s injury, the number was 38.5, and I’d anticipate there to be buyback on the Over if oddsmakers test 35.5.
Patriots at Raiders
Spread: No consensus
This spread has been on the move all week, and both teams have been listed as the favorite for stints across our top-rated sportsbooks. Admittedly, I don’t have a strong sense for where the line will close, and it’s completely possible we don’t land on a consensus spread by kickoff. However, it’s clear there is ample betting support for both sides, and too much movement in either direction could present opportunities to middle.
Total: 44.5
This total opened at 44.5, and it's stayed true with even betting action on both sides. It’s currently above the key range of 43-44, too, which suggests oddsmakers might be hesitant to drop the number. It’s also worth noting PointsBet is on an island with a 45 total, so it will be interesting to see if other sportsbooks follow its lead.
Titans at Chargers
Spread: Chargers -3
After opening as a -2.5 home favorite, the Los Angeles Chargers were bet up to field-goal chalk. That remains the consensus line, but a number of sportsbooks have the Tennessee Titans +3 trading with an increased vig. I don’t anticipate this line to move too far off the key number of 3, and in particular, I doubt the Titans receive the hook as a +3.5 road underdog.
Total: 46.5
DraftKings is hanging an outlier total of 47, but otherwise, this number has returned to the opening 46.5. The betting action has been balanced, and with only minimal movement as of Thursday, I view it as an accurate total.
Bengals at Buccaneers
Spread: Bengals -3.5
This spread opened with the Cincinnati Bengals trading as -3.5 favorites, and it hasn’t moved. There is also an equal vig on each side at all of our top-rated sportsbooks. I think the betting support will continue to be tilted toward the Bengals, but I’m not convinced bookmakers will move this spread too much further in Cincinnati’s direction. How many points would you be willing to give Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady as a home underdog?
Total: 44
After opening at 42.5, this total immediately dipped to 41.5, and has since been bet up. There is still some disparity, though. FanDuel is listing it at 43.5, whereas PointsBet is the highest at 44.5 – and above the key range of 43-44. With the offensive struggles of the Buccaneers, I don’t think oddsmakers will let this total climb too high above that noted key range.
Giants at Commanders
Spread: Commanders -4.5
I consider this an accurate spread. The Washington Commanders enter with an active 6-1-1 record, and the New York Giants are on a 1-4-1 slide. Additionally, there hasn’t been notable movement to this spread after it was bet up a point from Washington -3.5 at opening.
Total: 40.5
This total opened at 40, and BetMGM has kept it there as of Thursday. The other four of our top-rated sportsbooks have moved the number to 40.5, but not outside the key range of 40-41. Over money could cause this total to climb above the noted key range, but then I would anticipate buyback on the Under to follow. As a result, I’m not anticipating any huge adjustments to this number.
NFL Week 15 Odds and Lines: Monday
Rams at Packers
Spread: Packers -7
Bettors have weighed in on the Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Baker Mayfield this week, and FanDuel has even moved this spread below the key number of 7. The Green Bay Packers opened as a -7.5 favorite, so completely crossing the touchdown margin is notable. I’m not sure there will be enough continued support for Los Angeles to keep this spread moving in the Rams’ direction, though. For what it’s worth, I have the Packers power ranked as -5.5 chalk, but I don’t see enough of an edge with Green Bay at home following their bye week.
Total: 39.5
After opening at 41.5, this total quickly moved to 39.5 and has held steady as of Thursday. I expect there to be recreational money on the Over this weekend and leading into the Monday Night Football matchup, but it's probably a long shot that this number will land above the key range of 40-41 again.
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