NFL Week 14 wrapped up on time Monday night, and it's on to NFL Week 15 odds, with several betting factors already in play. That includes the typical injury information, including Washington potentially being without quarterback Alex Smith and running back Antonio Gibson.
This week’s NFL Cheat Sheet serves as one-stop shopping for that information and more. Covers checks in on NFL Week 15 injuries, weather, consensus picks, Pros vs Joes and more. Check back throughout the week for NFL injury updates, popular picks, and notable contrasts between sharp bets and public money.
Week 15 Injuries
Dallas Cowboys: Star running back Ezekiel Elliott was surprisingly ruled inactive for Sunday's game against San Francisco due to a calf injury. Elliott did not practice all week but was expected to suit up. Dallas was a four-point underdog as of Sunday morning.
Miami Dolphins: Wideouts DeVante Parker (leg) and Jakeem Grant (hamstring), and tight end Mike Gesicki (shoulder) all got hurt in Sunday's loss to Kansas City, and all three were ruled inactive Sunday morning for their Week 15 home game against New England. The Dolphins opened -3 and were down to -1.5 by Thursday morning at The SuperBook, where the total moved from 42.5 to 41, then up to 41.5 by Tuesday.
New Orleans Saints: Star quarterback Drew Brees, who missed four games due to broken ribs and a punctured lung, was cleared by doctors and is expected to start on Sunday against Kansas City, according to multiple reports Friday. However, his favorite target, wide receiver Michael Thomas, was placed on IR and will be out for the remainder of the regular season. The SuperBook barely adjusted off that news, moving from New Orleans +3 (even) to +3 (-110). The total edged up from 51.5, where it had been all week, to 52.
Washington Football Team: Quarterback Alex Smith suffered a strained calf in the first half of Washington's win over San Francisco and sat out the second half. On Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Smith will not play Sunday's home game against Seattle, so Dwayne Haskins will get the start. The SuperBook quickly adjusted from 49ers +6 to +6.5, after opening Washington +3.5 Sunday night. The total is down to 43, after opening at 43.5 and peaking at 44.5. The status of running back Antonio Gibson (turf toe) is also uncertain after he missed the 49ers game and sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday.
New York Giants: Quarterback Daniel Jones, who returned in Week 14 from a hamstring injury, now has a sprained ankle and on Friday was listed as questionable for the flexed-in Sunday night game against visiting Cleveland. The SuperBook opened the Giants +3.5, and as the Jones news evolved, this line reached +4.5 Wednesday and to got to +6 Thursday. The total opened at 45 and hit 45.5, then dropped to 44 by Thursday morning.
Detroit Lions: Quarterback Matthew Stafford hurt his ribs late in a Week 14 home loss to Green Bay, and on Friday, he was listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tennessee. On Sunday morning, however, there were reports that Stafford was going to play. The SuperBook opened the game Tuesday at Lions +10.5, then moved to +11 Wednesday and +11.5 Friday. On Saturday, the number backtracked to Lions +9.5 at The SuperBook, while the total moved from 51.5 to 52.5.
New England Patriots: Running back Damien Harris (ankle) is out Sunday at Miami, but The SuperBook apparently expected that, as the line remained Patriots +1.5 Saturday.
Las Vegas Raiders: Rookie wideout Henry Ruggs III went on the reserve/COVID list Tuesday and is out for Thursday night's home game against the Chargers. However, there wasn't much of an adjustment at The SuperBook. The Raiders were at -3 (-120) before the Ruggs news, and for about 40 minutes Tuesday afternoon, that moved to -3 (-110), but then went back to -3 (-120). The total didn't move off the news either, sticking at 53, though that's down from Sunday's opening number of 55.
Philadelphia Eagles: Philly has a cluster of injuries in the defensive backfield. Safety Rodney McLeod (torn ACL) is done for the year, cornerback Darius Slay (concussion protocol) was ruled out Saturday, and cornerback Avonte Maddox (knee) went on injured reserve Friday. The Eagles opened +5.5 at The SuperBook and spent most of the week at +6.5.
Atlanta Falcons: Wideout Julio Jones (hamstring) will miss a second straight week, sitting out Sunday against Tampa Bay. That didn't prompt The SuperBook on Friday to move off of Falcons +6, but the total moved from 49.5 to 48 to 48.5.
Cincinnati Bengals: Quarterback Brandon Allen (knee) was ruled out Saturday, so Ryan Finley will start Monday night against visiting Pittsburgh. The SuperBook, less than impressed with Finley, responded by moving the Bengals from +13 to +14.5.
Los Angeles Chargers: Wideouts Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (back) were both questionable earlier Thursday, but an hour before kickoff at Las Vegas, it appears both are a go. And The SuperBook moved the Chargers from +3.5 to +3.
Carolina Panthers: Running back Christian McCaffrey couldn't make Week 14, and as of Tuesday, it looks as if his return won't be in Week 15 either, for a Saturday game at Green Bay. McCaffrey was set to return from a shoulder injury last week, then suffered a thigh injury in practice. Carolina opened +9 at The SuperBook on Sunday evening and moved to +8.5 Monday morning.
Week 15 Weather
Cleveland Browns at New York Giants: The updated forecast calls for occasional snow showers during the day at MetLife Stadium, but just a 16 percent chance of snow for the Sunday night game, with temperatures in the high 30s/low 20s. The SuperBook opened the total at 45 and got to 45.5 early in the week, but by Thursday morning, the number was down to 44.
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Football Team: The Sunday forecast projected a 43 percent chance of showers in D.C., but the rain is expected earlier in the day. The total went from 43 to 44.5 early in the week, and it's now back down to 43, but that's more due to the aforementioned quarterback situation with Washington.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens: Much like the Seahawks-Washington game, there's still a 50 percent chance of rain in Baltimore on Sunday, but Saturday's forecast suggested precipitation is expected to be pregame. The total opened at 46 and reached 48 by Friday at The SuperBook.
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers: There's a 30 percent chance of snow early in the day, ahead of this Saturday night contest. The main issue noted will simply be that it's chilly during the game, with temperatures in the upper 20s and light winds of 5-10 mph.
Week 15 Consensus
Week 15 Pros vs Joes
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: Miami opened -2.5 at PointsBet USA and dipped to -1 Thursday morning, with respected money showing on New England. The Dolphins then inched to -1.5 and have the public behind them, with tickets and money running more than 4/1 on Miami as of Thursday night.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: PointsBet USA on Thursday pointed to this contest as pitting sharps against squares. The Bills dipped from -6.5 to -6, but definitely have public backing in attracting 86 percent of spread bets. But that's translating into just 63 percent of spread dollars, as the Broncos land a little respected cash.
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