We’re two weeks and counting from Christmas Day, which means holiday shopping is in overdrive. And while you’re searching for the perfect gift, you might as well do yourself a favor and shop around for the best NFL odds for your Week 15 bets.
I run down the opening spreads and totals for the next slate of NFL betting action and tell you which lines you may want to bet now, and which ones you could stand to bet later.
Week 15 bet now, bet later picks
- Cincinnati Bengals (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bet Now
- Dallas Cowboys (-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars: Bet Later
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (Under 39.5): Bet Now
- Detroit Lions at New York Jets (Over 47): Bet Later
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Cincinnati Bengals (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bet Now
The Cincinnati Bengals are on a roll, winning five straight heading into a Week 15 trip to Tampa. Cincinnati actually opened as low as -2.5 at some shops, but a field goal spread seems to be the consensus starting point. And that -3 is drying up quickly.
The Bengals are jumping to -3.5 and it wouldn’t surprise me to see this one goes to -4 and flirt with -4.5, considering these teams sit on opposite ends of the public perception. Cincy is the hottest team in the AFC and has also covered in each of those five games. The Buccaneers have burned bankrolls all year and while they’re 3-2 straight up in their last five, producing a 1-3-1 against the spread mark in that span.
In what really feels like a changing of the guard in terms of top QBs, Joe Burrow’s offensive attack is the best offense this Buccaneers' defense has faced since getting blown away for 41 points against Kansas City back in Week 4. Tom Brady’s crew pooped out another turd of a game against the Niners on Sunday and have cracked 20 points only once in the last five outings.
If you’re buying the Bengals, buy them now at -3.
Dallas Cowboys (-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars: Bet Later
The Dallas Cowboys burned a lot of bridges in Week 14, not only failing to cover as monster 17.5-point home chalk vs. Houston, but needing a goal-line stand and a last-minute miracle drive to avoid becoming one of the biggest favorites to lose outright in NFL history.
Dallas hits the road in Week 15, heading to Duval County to play the Jaguars. Jacksonville has been a sharp darling in the second half of the schedule, with pros playing on Doug Pederson’s crew the past few weeks. On top of that, Jacksonville will likely turn heads with public players as well after hanging 36 points on the rival Titans this Sunday.
Early play is once again on the Jags in Week 15, knocking this spread from as high as Dallas -6.5 to as low as -5.5 in the hour since opening. And if the public was put off by the Cowboys’ trouble with the Texans and Jacksonville’s triumph in Tennessee, this one could shrink further.
If you’re not down on Dallas, wait this one out and get the shorter spread with the road fave.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (Under 39.5): Bet Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense had looked pretty good the past few weeks with rookie QB Kenny Pickett coming into his own. Then, Pickett was knocked out of Week 14 with a concussion and Pittsburgh’s playbook went to shit. Mitchell Trubisky threw three interceptions and leaves this offense in doubt heading to Carolina in Week 15.
The Carolina Panthers picked up another win behind their run-heavy, clock-eating attack, rumbling over Seattle. Carolina scored 30 points for just the second time all year against a rotten Seahawks defense, but faces a much stiffer test in the Steelers stop unit Sunday.
You have two sound defenses and two offenses that will likely be running the ball a lot, especially if Pickett is out of action. That means a lot of short gains with the clock ticking: the trademark recipe for Unders.
This Over/Under opened as big as 39.5 points but has already slimmed to 39, and even as low as 38.5 in the hour since hitting the board. Go shop for the tallest total you can and go Under now.
Detroit Lions at New York Jets (Over 47): Bet Later
The total for this non-conference clash is dropping after opening at 48 points, leaning into the New York Jets’ defensive prowess and the fact that the Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense will be playing outside in the December elements for the first time in almost a month.
But while New York and the East Rutherford cold may be able to slow up Detroit a bit, let’s not sell Gang Green’s offense short. The Jets outgained the Bills 309 yards to 232 yards and looked much better in the second half after a slow start Sunday. This offense is more dangerous since making the switch to Mike White at QB and takes on a Lions defense ranked 31st in EPA allowed per play.
And let’s not sell Detroit’s offense short either. The Lions’ attack is scorching since November, owning the No. 5 EPA per play since Week 9. Dan Campbell’s guys are aggressive with the football and have gone Over in four of their last five games and own a 9-4 Over/Under record on the season.
With the total trending downward, sitting as low as 46.5 points on Sunday night, see how low it will go before buying back the Over.
