Weekly Taste: John Venezia’s best NFL Week 16 bets and tips

Week 16. Who could have thought this year was going to fly by like this? Well, in all fairness it usually does. Nevertheless we are staring down the barrel at the near conclusion of the 2020 regular season. A meh Week 15 lineup left us out of the win column, but still gives us a winning outlook on the season.

Heading into the new week, we have only a few viable options to throw some money on for a Christmas week profit. As usual though, the slate shall stay light and trim.

Check out the full Weekly Taste Sunday Morning on @JohnnyVTV FYI. I have been monitoring the lines and injury reports all week… Time for the best NFL week 16 bets and tips. LET’S GOOOOOO!

Best NFL Week 16 Bets and Tips:

Carolina Panthers @ Washington Football Team (-1) | Is Washington playoff legit?

One of the most intriguing teams in the NFL right now resides in the Capital city. The uncreative Football Team was narrowly defeated at home last Sunday to the Seahawks, halting a four-game win streak. Sans starting QB Alex Smith and RB Antonio Gibson, Washington lost on basically the last possession 20-15, tightening the whacky NFC East division race even further. At 6-8, WFT is leading their crap division, and to secure that crown, a win this weekend would go a long way. Back to near full health, this team is one that surely most teams would not want to face come playoff time with the tenacity of their top 5 defense.

The Carolina Panthers have faded away like fairy dust in a hurricane lately, losing 3 straight contests. For the team that jumped out to a solid 3-2 start to the year, it’s been a disaster without star back Christian McCaffrey, who is unlikely to return this season. While they have provided a lot of close final outcomes this year, the reality is this team is a glaring rebuild franchise at the moment. Even with a lineup of playmakers, this organization needs a lot more help. With a trip to Washington on the schedule, the offense could very well be pushed around all day.

This game has a 1-point line for a reason; it’s a tossup. Could obviously go either way, but with so much on the line, I think Washington takes care of business with the prospect of getting their staring QB and RB back for the final stretch.

PREDICTION: Washington wins and covers.



Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (O/U49.5) | Will either defense show up in this NFC East crapshoot?

I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. When Philly drafted QB Jalen Hurts in the second round this year, I was dumbfounded. Could not believe it. While the sample size has been small and it’s early on, Hurts has looked sensational; a true spark that this Eagles team desperately team needed. He’s been able to have this offense scoring, giving them a chance in the past few games. Against a suspect Dallas defense, I don’t see why this offense can’t continue to put points on the board as they try to strive towards an NFC East round robin crown.

Dallas fought hard for that win against the Niners a week ago. Andy Dalton has looked okay in some outings, enough to provide some wins for this Cowboys organization who is also looking to make their way to the playoffs. They’ll need to be on their game to stop a hot Eagles offense.

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually excited to watch Hurts on Sunday. With two offenses that can score, I expect to see a lot of points in this one.

PREDICTION: Both teams combine to hit over 49.5 points.

Tennessee Titans (+3.5) @ Green Bay Packers | Which Titans team will stroll into the Frozen Tundra?

The Titans were my preseason prediction as the AFC representative in the Super Bowl for 2020. I’ve written about them somewhat extensively this season. And I will repeat myself again…. This Titans team is very good, but they have a horrible habit of just not showing up on any given week throughout the year. Facing maybe the biggest game and toughest test of the season in Week 16, they absolutely cannot afford to come out flat. With the one true King of the NFL approaching 2,000 rushing yards, it will be instrumental for Derrick Henry to have a monster game and workload against a soft Green Bay interior defense to set the tone early and often. With 321 yards away from the coveted 2K mark, everybody and their mother knows December in the cold weather is KING HENRY TIME.

The Packers are another team that has been mentioned at nauseum this season. For the most part, they have been butter. They’re good for almost 30 points every single week. Aaron Rodgers has looked like the MVP this year, Davante Adams has looked like Sir Bronn of the Blackwater, slaughtering any defense in his path. The repeatedly mentioned knock on them though, is they are soft. The Pack have not faced a runner even close to Henry in 2020, so people will see what they are made of Sunday night.

Can’t even explain how excited I am about this game on SNF. Despite how bad this Titans defense is, I think their offense will shoulder the burden for them to keep Rodgers and company on the sidelines, allowing for a tremendous road upset to inch closer towards an AFC South crown.

PREDICTION: Titans win and cover the road 3.5.



Week 16 NFL Teaser Play (+6):

Tennesee Titans +9.5 (originally 3.5): See Analysis.

Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys O43.5 (originally 49.5): See Analysis.

JohnnyVTV currently sits 60-58 on the season. For all NFL betting plays, follow @JohnnyVTV and @InTheZoneIO on Instagram.