NFL Week 16 Tips: Breece Hall can find the endzone for beleaguered Jets offence

Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator and play caller Tim Kelly has questions to answer after his team spurned numerous opportunities to eventually lose in overtime last Sunday. 

Perhaps I’m talking through my pocket given the Titans were the only team to lose in our Week 15 accumulator, but the decision to continue to run the ball was nonsensical when Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears were having to work to just get back to the line of scrimmage. Put the ball in Will Levis’ hands on crucial downs and a win would have been the result. Can you tell I’m not over that loss yet? 

Fortunately, the National Football League train continues apace and we have an excellent Christmas slate coming up this week, which includes three games on the big day itself. I have listed three bets below that interest me the most.

Buffalo Bills (-12) @ Los Angeles Chargers (+12)

Kick-off: 1am Christmas Eve GMT

Just like that, the Buffalo Bills are suddenly one of the hottest teams in the league. After a tumultuous first 12 weeks of the season, Josh Allen and Co have stepped up their game and posted back-to-back wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. Now they head to LA to face an injury-hit Chargers side that conceded 63 points to the Raiders last Thursday.

While Buffalo’s offence is beginning to shine, particularly brightly in the case of running back James Cook, the opposite can be said for the Chargers unit. Justin Herbert is done for the year, Keenan Allen is hurt, Quentin Johnston can’t catch a cold, and Austin Ekeler seems to have slowed down dramatically. Take the Bills to cover the spread in a blowout win.

Prediction: Bills -12 @ 5/6

Washington Commanders (+3) @ New York Jets (-3)

Kick-off: 6pm Christmas Eve GMT

These teams have 19 losses between them this year, but their failings have come about due to contrasting reasons. The fault lies with the defence for Washington, a unit that ranks worst in the league in points conceded and total yards per game. Parting like the Red Sea for opponents to march down the field on a regular basis has left rookie quarterback Sam Howell in dire straits at times.

Meanwhile the Jets have struggled to put points on the board with an array of frankly average quarterbacks at their disposal - they have scored 13 or fewer points in nine games this season. Despite being officially knocked out of the playoff race, they will want to get a win on the board in their home stadium this week and I like Breece Hall to find the endzone for Gang Green. 

The Commanders have conceded seven rushing touchdowns in their last six games, and Hall has been the trustworthy face on the Jets O lately.

Prediction: Breece Hall anytime touchdown @ 7/4

Dallas Cowboys (+1.0) @ Miami Dolphins (-1.0)

Kick-off: 9.25pm Christmas Eve GMT

Hopefully all of your presents are wrapped by this point as the Cowboys and Dolphins are sure to produce an exhilarating match-up late on Christmas Eve. Dallas, fresh off an embarrassing defeat, will want to prove themselves against a Miami side that is electric on both sides of the ball and shut out the Jets last week.

On talent, these two rosters are hard to split. However, the benefit of playing in your home stadium and the return of arguably the best player in the league this season in Tyreek Hill gives the Miami Dolphins an edge. I expect them to run the ball more than usual before trying to hit the aforementioned Hill and Jaylen Waddle on deep crossers on third downs. That is a recipe for success in a game that shouldn’t be missed.

Prediction: Dolphins to win @ 10/11

NFL Week 16 Tips

Bills @ Chargers: Bills -12 @ 5/6
Commanders @ Jets: Breece Hall anytime touchdown @ 7/4
Cowboys @ Dolphins: Dolphins to win @ 10/11