Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The Week 16 Thursday Night Football contest features critical playoff implications. We’ve got some picks for what should be a close game.
The New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams are set to face off in what promises to be an intense, must win game for both sides on Thursday Night Football. With both teams entering the matchup with a record of 7-7, the stakes are high as they compete for a playoff spot. As usual, the game will broadcast on Amazon Prime TV at 8:15 pm ET, and should be the first of several great games over the course of week 16s matchups.
The Rams opened as four point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the over/under total set at 44.5. The moneyline opened at +164 for the Saints and -198 for the Rams, indicating the confidence that oddsmakers have in the Rams’ ability to come out on top in this matchup.
The Rams are coming off a solid 28-20 win against the Washington Commanders, with QB Matt Stafford leading the charge with 258 yards passing and two touchdowns. The return of Cooper Kupp from injury has bolstered the Rams’ offense, and the emergence of Kyren Williams as a formidable running threat has added another dimension to their game. The Saints, who rank 25th against the run this season, will have their work cut out for them in containing Williams and the Rams’ potent ground game. On the defensive side, the Saints have been more successful against the pass, ranking 6th in the league in opponent passing yards per game, and they will look to capitalize on this strength in their matchup against the Rams.
On the other hand, the Saints are fresh off a dominating 24-6 win against the New York Giants, with Derek Carr shining with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. With Alvin Kamara making an impact as both a runner and receiver, the Saints’ offense displayed versatility and potency. Going up against a Rams defense that ranks in the middle of the pack or near the bottom of the league in key defensive metrics, the Saints will look to exploit these weaknesses and make the most of their offensive opportunities.
Predicting the outcome of this game isn’t easy seeing that both of these teams are deficient in so many ways, but I am inclined to give the advantage to the Rams. The team has shown marked improvement in the second half of the season and has benefited from improved health and performance. Aaron Donald, widely regarded as the best defender in the NFL, is expected to make a significant impact on the game, bolstering the Rams’ defense and giving their offense the chance to secure a victory. With this in mind, I predict a win for the Rams, with a final score of 31-27. Additionally, I expect the Rams to cover the -4 spread, reflecting their overall strength and favorable odds in this matchup.
Now for the fun stuff. Let’s talk parlays!! In the world of sports betting, a parlay refers to combining multiple bets into a single wager. To win a parlay bet, all the individual wagers within the parlay must be successful. This type of bet offers higher potential payouts compared to individual bets if all the selected outcomes are correct. However, if even one of the bets loses, the entire parlay bet is lost. It’s a high-risk, high-reward betting strategy that can add excitement to football games by amplifying the potential winnings.
So let’s check out my suggestion for a good parlay tonight:
Cooper Kupp 50+ receiving yards – Kupp is healthy and is once again proving that he belongs in the conversation as a top wideout in the game. Had he been healthy all season the Rams would probably be battling the 49ers for the division and also have their sights set on the conference. But that doesn’t change the fact that Kupp is playing well now and hopes to help the Rams push for a wild card spot. A big game from him today would go a long way in those efforts, 50 yards won’t be too difficult for him to get if he plays anything like he has in recent weeks.
Alvin Kamara Anytime TD – Kamara has been and should be the focal point to the Saints offense without question. He is a star in the passing game and the run game. LAst week against the Giants he had 5 receptions to add to his 16 carries. That’s really a typical game for him and tonight won’t be any different. Look for Kamara to find paydirt somehow.
Rams to win by 1-6 points – I predicted a final score of a final score of 31-27 and that falls right in line with this final leg of my parlay. Neither team is explosive enough to run away with this game, but I think the Rams are better and have more pieces available on the offensive side of the ball to pull the win out. The Saints have a solid defense and can make this difficult, but I fully expect the Rams to gut this win out and make some noise in the NFC playoff picture.
This Parlay is +525. When a parlay is indicated as +525, it means that the potential payout for a winning bet is $525 for every $100 wagered. The plus sign indicates that it is the underdog or less likely outcome in the bet, while the number indicates the profit that would be made on a $100 bet. Therefore, if you were to place a $100 bet on a parlay with +525 odds and it wins, you would receive a total payout of $625 ($525 profit + $100 initial bet).
Betting can be an exciting and entertaining activity, but it is crucial to approach it with responsibility and caution. It is important to set limits for yourself before engaging in any form of gambling. Only bet an amount of money that you can comfortably afford to lose without impacting your well-being or financial stability. Bet responsibly and prioritize your overall well-being.
