NFL Week 16 Predictions: New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens

New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 12/22/13, 4:25 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Baltimore -2
Current Betting Line: Baltimore -2.5
Opening Total: 45
Current Total: 44.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Patriots vs. Dolphins NFL Preview — New England Patriots QB Tom Brady has thrown for 4,049 yards and 23 touchdowns

New England had its three-game winning streak snapped last time out, as it suffered a 24-20 setback to the Miami Dolphins as 2.5-point road underdogs, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in four contests. The Patriots rank eighth in the league in averaging 390.7 yards per game, with quarterback Tom Brady leading a passing attack that sits behind just five other teams. He has completed 352 of 578 passes for 4,049 yards and 23 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. New England is 2-0 SUATS off a loss against a division rival the last two-plus seasons.

The Patriots have lost four of their last five road games, while posting a 7-0 home record, which is important to consider when making your NFL betting predictions in Week 16. New England hasn’t lost consecutive games since Week 3 of the 2012 campaign, as it attempts to gain revenge from last year’s loss in the AFC Championship game. Brady is searching for his 11th division title by picking up a victory in this spot.

Baltimore is fighting to make the AFC playoffs for a sixth consecutive season, as it comes in riding a four-game winning streak, including a 18-16 victory over the Detroit Lions as 4.5-point road underdogs on Monday Night Football. The defending Super Bowl champions are the league’s only team to earn a postseason berth in each of the last five seasons, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting lines. This will be the seventh meeting between these two franchises since 2009, with each side picking up three victories. Baltimore is 5-5 SU and 2-8 ATS in December the last two-plus seasons.

The Ravens are just two victories behind the Patriots for the most wins in the NFL since the start of the 2008 campaign. Baltimore has also played a league-high nine games decided by three or fewer points—posting a 5-4 record in that situation. In the team’s last four victories, placekicker Justin Tucker has been the story, as he’s accounted for 50 of the squad’s 88 points.