Sunday's Top Action
CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-8) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-6)
Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Line and Total: Baltimore -9, Total: 42.5
The Browns look to spoil the Ravens’ playoff hopes and finish with a .500 season when the AFC North rivals meet on Sunday. Cleveland was unable to win in Carolina last week, losing 17-13 as 6-point underdogs, marking its fourth straight SU loss (2-2 ATS). Meanwhile, Baltimore lost 25-13 as a 5-point favorite in Houston last week, dropping the club to 1-3 ATS (2-2 SU) in its past four contests. When these teams met earlier in the season on Sept. 21, the Ravens won 23-21 as 1.5-point road favorites by out-rushing the Browns 160 to 91. Baltimore is 4-1 SU (3-2 ATS) in this series over the past three seasons and has won-and-covered in six of its past seven trips to Cleveland. The Ravens are 28-13 ATS after gaining four or less yards per play in their previous game since 1992, and are also 38-19 ATS after being outgained by their opponent by 100+ total yards in that timeframe.
QB Johnny Manziel (hamstring) has been ruled out for this game, and QB Brian Hoyer (biceps, shoulder) might not be able to play either, which would leave undrafted rookie Connor Shaw as the starting quarterback. Other notable injuries in this game include Browns CB Joe Haden (shoulder) and WR Andrew Hawkins (thumb) who are both questionable. Baltimore also has some major players injured with WR Steve Smith (knee), OT Eugene Monroe (ankle) and OT Rick Wagner (foot) all questionable, while RB Justin Forsett (ankle) has been upgraded to probable.
The Browns defense really missed top CB Joe Haden last week, surrendering 404 total yards against the Panthers in a 17-13 loss. Cleveland allowed Carolina's offense to go 9-of-16 on third downs, and will need to get more timely stops against the Ravens in this one. Offensively, the Browns lost QB Johnny Manziel (175 pass yards, 0 TD, 2 INT) early in the game and Brian Hoyer (3,326 pass yards, 12 TD, 13 INT) came in. Hoyer threw for 134 yards with a touchdown and one interception. He will get the start on Sunday if healthy enough to give it a go. If not, South Carolina product QB Connor Shaw will make his NFL debut.
TE Jordan Cameron (21 rec, 383 yards, 2 TD) caught three passes for 88 yards and a touchdown last week's loss, as Hoyer connected with Cameron on an 81-yard touchdown to give the Browns a 13-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. WR Josh Gordon (24 rec, 303 yards) was held to just four catches for 45 yards in the game. Whoever is under center for Cleveland will need to do a much better job of getting Gordon the ball. He should be seeing double-digit targets, as he is an elite talent that can make any offense better. RB Isaiah Crowell (601 rush yards, 8 TD) will need to run the ball more effectively if this team is going to beat Baltimore. Crowell has rushed for just 72 yards on 23 carries over the past two weeks, but the Ravens defense ranks fourth in the NFL in both rushing yards allowed (86.9 per game) and yards per carry allowed (3.6).
The Ravens are coming off of a brutal defeat, losing 25-13 against a Case Keenum-led Texans team on Sunday. They must now beat the Browns in order to keep their playoff chances alive and it won’t be easy against a division rival. QB Joe Flacco (3,674 pass yards, 25 TD, 12 INT) really struggled in the game, throwing for 195 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. In a win over the Browns earlier in the season, he threw for just 217 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. He’ll need to take care of the football in this game if he is going to give his team a chance of playing postseason football.
RB Justin Forsett (1,147 yards, 8 TD) will also need to be a lot better than he was last week if the Ravens are going to win this game. Forsett rushed for only 19 yards on 10 carries and caught four passes for 13 yards as well. Baltimore will certainly try to pound the rock, as this Browns defense is allowing an NFL-worst 142.4 rushing yards per game. The Ravens rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown as a whole in the last meeting between these teams and they will look to spark that success once again on Sunday.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (9-6) at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-7)
Kickoff: Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET
Line and Total: Kansas City -3, Total: 42
The Chargers look to wrap up the final playoff spot in the AFC when they visit the Chiefs on Sunday.
San Diego outscored the 49ers 28-7 in the second half last Saturday and eventually won 38-35 in overtime. The Chargers can now make the playoffs with a victory over K.C., which lost 20-12 as 2.5-point road underdogs in Pittsburgh last week. The Chiefs still have an outside chance at that final playoff spot, but would need a win plus the Ravens (vs. Browns) and Texans (vs. Jaguars) to both lose. On Oct. 19, Kansas City beat San Diego 23-20 as a 3-point road underdog. Prior to that victory, however, the Chargers had won four straight meetings SU with the Chiefs, including the past two trips to Arrowhead Stadium. Four of the past five meetings in this head-to-head series have finished Over the total.
Kansas City is 0-7 ATS in the past three seasons after having lost four of its past five games, but San Diego is 0-6 ATS after a road game where both teams scored 24+ points in that time. Both rosters are riddled with injuries, including Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (ankle), who is questionable and teammate WR Keenan Allen (ankle), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday. The Chiefs could also be missing top WR Dwayne Bowe, who sprained his shoulder in last week's loss.
The Chargers dug themselves a deep hole against the 49ers last week, but had a miraculous comeback to keep themselves very much alive in the playoff race. San Diego now controls its own destiny after huge performances from both QB Philip Rivers (3,995 pass yards, 31 TD, 16 INT) and TE Antonio Gates (65 rec, 754 yards, 12 TD). Rivers struggled early in the game throwing some costly interceptions, but he ended up tossing two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter which ultimately tied the game up and sent it to overtime. He finished with 356 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Gates looked like his vintage self in this one, catching seven passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. WR Eddie Royal (58 rec, 683 yards, 7 TD) also made some timely plays in this one, catching 10 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, this team is going to need to be a lot better. They allowed 35 points against a 49ers offense that has struggled for the majority of this season, and their 26th-ranked rushing defense will need to be ready to stop Jamaal Charles on Sunday.
The Chiefs have really collapsed down the stretch, losing four of their past five games (SU and ATS). They must now beat the Chargers and hope for a loss by both the Ravens and the Texans if they are going to make the playoffs. RB Jamaal Charles (979 rush yards, 9 TD) is the main player that this offense really relies on in this game. The Chargers are allowing 125.0 rushing yards per game and Charles should be able to find some holes here. He rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown in their last meeting.
QB Alex Smith (3,265 pass yards, 18 TD, 6 INT) will be asked to do what he always does, which is take care of the football and complete high percentage throws. Smith threw for 311 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a loss to the Steelers last week. His 45 passing attempts in that game was extremely high for a quarterback like him, so the Chiefs will definitely try to scale him back in this one. The Chiefs defense is allowing just 200.2 passing yards per game (2nd in NFL) this season. They’ll need to be ready to defend the pass in this one, as Philip Rivers could pick them apart in what is really an elimination game for Kansas City.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-8-1) at ATLANTA FALCONS (6-9)
Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Line and Total: Atlanta -4, Total: 48
The Panthers visit the Falcons on Sunday in a game that will determine which sub-.500 team wins the NFC South.
Carolina hosted the Browns in Week 16 and won 17-13 to for its third straight win (1-2 ATS) and to give itself the opportunity to play for the NFC South crown. Meanwhile, Atlanta went into New Orleans and won 30-14 to set up this winner-take-all matchup. These teams met earlier in the season on Nov. 16, when the Falcons beat the Panthers 19-17 as 2.5-point road favorites. Carolina had won three straight games SU against Atlanta prior to that loss, improving to 3-2 SU (4-1 ATS) in this series since the start of 2012. Before losing at home to the Panthers last season, the Falcons had won five straight meetings at Georgia Dome. They have covered in five of their past six home games in this series.
Carolina is 31-15 ATS after failing to cover the spread in three of its previous four games since 1992, and is also facing an Atlanta team that is 7-19 ATS in home games after a win by 14+ points in that span. RB DeAngelo Williams (hand) and G Amini Silatolu (knee) are both questionable for the Panthers in this game, while teammate LB A.J. Klein (undisclosed) is doubtful. The Falcons just sent SS William Moore (shoulder) to IR, and they could also be missing top RB Steven Jackson (quad) and G Jon Asamoah (back) for Sunday's regular-season finale.
The Panthers hosted the Browns in a must-win game last week, and QB Cam Newton (3,013 pass yards, 17 TD, 12 INT) came through for his team just two weeks after getting into a car accident that caused two fractures in his back. Newton threw for 201 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but he also rushed 12 times for 63 yards and another score. He threw for 292 yards with two touchdowns and two picks in a 19-17 loss to Atlanta on Nov. 16, but he has been much better in recent weeks. In the past two games that Newton has played, he’s thrown for 427 yards with 4 TD and 1 INT. He’s also rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns in those games.
RB Jonathan Stewart (760 rush yards, 3 TD) has really run the ball well for Carolina recently, gaining 122 yards on 24 carries against Cleveland, and has now rushed for at least 75 yards in each of the past four games. This Falcons defense has allowed 25.5 PPG (8th in NFL) this season and Carolina should be able to move the ball effectively in this one. Its 10th-ranked defense (343.3 total YPG allowed) comes into this game hot after having given up only 13.3 PPG over the past three weeks.
The Falcons went into New Orleans last week and their defense was dominant, holding the Saints to just 14 points in a game that both teams needed to win. Atlanta’s defense forced four turnovers in the game, including an 88-yard fumble return touchdown by DE Osi Umenyiora (2.5 sacks) on the game’s final play that capped off an amazing performance. The Falcons will need to be on their game again in Week 17, as it will be tough to stop Cam Newton both through the air and on the ground. For the season, Atlanta ranks last in the NFL in both total defense (404.4 total YPG allowed) and passing defense (291.1 passing YPG allowed).
QB Matt Ryan (4,434 pass yards, 28 TD, 12 INT) threw for 322 yard with a touchdown and no picks in the win over New Orleans, giving him 15 TD with just 5 INT over the past eight games. He is on a tear for Atlanta and will need to have a big game against the Panthers if his team is going to make it to the postseason. Having a healthier WR Julio Jones (100 rec, 1,535 yards, 6 TD) would certainly help Ryan and the Falcons win this game. Jones came back from a hip injury last week and had seven catches for 107 yards. He is an elite receiver and will be a nightmare for the Panthers to defend if his hip is feeling better this week.
DETROIT LIONS (11-4) at GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-4)
Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Line and Total: Green Bay -7.5, Total: 47.5
The Lions and the Packers battle for first place in the NFC North when the teams square off at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Detroit barely got by in a 20-14 victory as 10-point road favorites over the Bears in Chicago last week, but has now won four straight games SU, but has failed to cover in the past two. Meanwhile, Green Bay defeated the Bucs 20-3 as 11-point favorites in Tampa Bay. These NFC North rivals now play for the division crown, but the Packers are 7-0 at home on the season and have beaten the Lions in 23 straight home games, going 16-5 ATS during this longest streak of domination in NFL history.
When these teams met earlier in the year on Sept. 21, Detroit won 19-7 as a 1-point home favorite, marking its second straight win (SU and ATS) in this series, but Green Bay had won-and-covered in five straight in this series before that. The Packers are 7-18 ATS in home games after allowing four or less yards per play in their previous game since 1992, but the Lions are 1-10 ATS in road games after having won six or seven of their previous eight games in that timeframe. Four of the past five games played between these teams have finished Under the total.
The Lions had plenty of trouble with the Bears last week, trailing 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter. RB Joique Bell (800 rush yards, 7 TD) came up huge in that game, rushing 13 times for 74 yards (5.7 YPC) and a touchdown. He has now rushed for at least 62 yards in each of the past four games, and has a total of five touchdowns over the past four weeks as well. RB Reggie Bush (278 yards, 2 TD) was also excellent for Detroit, rushing for 54 yards and a touchdown and also catching six passes for 44 yards. This duo should be effective against a Packers defense that is allowing 120.5 rushing yards per game (22nd in NFL).
QB Matthew Stafford (4,040 pass yards, 19 TD, 12 INT) will need to get himself back on track after throwing for zero touchdowns and two picks against the Bears last week. He threw for just 246 yards with no touchdowns and two picks in the last meeting with the Packers and will need to take care of the ball in this game. WR Calvin Johnson (67 rec, 1,038 yards, 6 TD) had six catches for 82 yards in the last meeting with Green Bay, but he and Stafford will have to be much more effective if this team is going to break this long-lasting losing skid in Green Bay in order to win the NFC North division.
The Packers looked awful in a loss to the Bills two weeks ago, but they righted the ship in a win over the Bucs in Week 16. One reason they won that game was the excellent running of RB Eddie Lacy (1,039 rush yards, 9 TD). Lacy rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown in the win and will need to be just effective against the Lions. He had only 36 yards on 11 carries in their meeting earlier in the year, but his hard-nosed running can really set the tone for this offense. QB Aaron Rodgers (4,155 pass yards, 36 TD, 5 INT) threw for just 162 yards with one touchdown and no picks in the first meeting between these teams. He’ll need to be much better against the Lions this time around. In his past 11 meetings against the Lions, Rodgers has thrown for 247.4 yards per game with 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
WRs Jordy Nelson (92 rec, 1,433 yards, 13 TD) and Randall Cobb (87 rec, 1,207 yards, 10 TD) should be in for big games in this one. Green Bay is going to unleash its passing attack with this game being as important as it is, and Rodgers will look to both of his go-to-guys often. This defense is allowing just 228.1 passing yards per game (10th in NFL) and will need to keep that up with a meeting with Stafford and Calvin Johnson on Sunday.
ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-9) at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-4)
Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Line and Total: Seattle -13, Total: 41.0
The Seahawks try to clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs when they host the Rams on Sunday.
After holding its three previous opponents to a combined 12 points, the St. Louis defense had no answer for the 6.5-point underdog Giants last week, allowing 514 total yards in a 37-27 home loss. Meanwhile, Seattle won its fifth straight game (SU and ATS) in a dominant 35-6 road victory over Arizona. During the win streak, the Seahawks have won each game by double figures with the average score being 23 to 7. But they were on the losing end of this first meeting back in Week 7, falling 28-26 to the 6.5-point underdog Rams. Prior to that defeat, Seattle had won three straight meetings in this series, but St. Louis covered in two of those losses. The Rams have not won at CenturyLink Field since Jan. 8, 2005, as the Seahawks have covered in seven of their nine home victories since that defeat.
There are some important betting trends for this matchup, as St. Louis is 11-3 ATS after a double-digit loss over the past three years, and Seattle is 3-15 ATS off a blowout win by 21+ points over a division rival since 1992. However, the Seahawks are 27-11 ATS when playing with six or less days of rest in that timeframe, and 8-1 ATS after allowing 17 points or less in two straight games over the past two seasons. While no new injuries have popped up for the Rams, Seattle could be without three players on Sunday with WR Jermaine Kearse (hamstring) doubtful and both C Max Unger (knee) and OT Russell Okung (lung) listed as questionable.
The Rams went three straight games without allowing a touchdown until surrendering 37 points in a loss to the Giants last week. Despite that big number, this defense allows only 22.3 PPG (T-14th in NFL) thanks to a top-notch red-zone defense (45% efficiency, 4th in league). St. Louis also allows just 108.9 rushing yards per game (14th in NFL), which should help them against a Seahawks team that loves to run the football. When these teams met earlier in the season, Seattle's running backs were held to 65 yards on 22 carries (3.0 YPC), but QB Russell Wilson ran for 106 yards on just seven attempts. The Rams best player in that Week 7 division win was RB Tre Mason (737 rush yards, 4 TD), who rushed 18 times for 85 yards (4.7 YPC) and a touchdown in that game, and he’ll be heavily featured in this one as well.
QB Shaun Hill (1,414 pass yards, 8 TD, 5 INT) will be under center when these teams play this time around. He threw for 290 yards with two touchdowns and one interception last week against the Giants and will need to take care of the football against this relentless Seattle secondary. WR Kenny Britt (44 rec, 710 yards, 3 TD) will be targeted often on Sunday, as he is coming off of a game against the Giants where he caught nine passes for 103 yards. At 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Britt is a big target that has the size to win battles against the big Seattle cornerbacks.
The Seahawks are still fighting for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and are coming off one of their most dominant offensive performances of the season. QB Russell Wilson (3,236 pass yards, 20 TD, 6 INT; 842 rush yards, 7.5 YPC, 6 TD) threw for 339 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Cardinals last week, while also rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown. In the Oct. 19 between these two teams, Wilson threw for 313 yards (8.7 YPA) with two touchdowns and no picks, and also rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. He’ll need to be on his game again if the Seahawks are going to finish their season strong and give themselves home-field advantage throughout the postseason. WR Doug Baldwin (782 rec yards, 3 TD) has emerged as the go-to receiver in this passing offense, as he compiled 113 receiving yards last week, and also posted a season-high 123 yards in the Week 7 meeting with St. Louis.
RB Marshawn Lynch (1,246 rush yards, 12 TD) rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals last week. Lynch was dealing with stomach issues prior to the game, so he should be much healthier heading Sunday's action. He'll have to do much better than his 2.9 yards per carry (18 rush, 53 yards) that he produced in the Oct. 19 loss in St. Louis. This Seahawks defense has allowed seven points or less in four of the past five games with the exception being a 24-14 win over a solid Philadelphia offense. For the season, Seattle leads the NFL in total defense (268.6 YPG) yards per play (4.7), scoring defense (16.5 PPG), and passing defense (184.5 YPG).
