NFL Picks Week 15 Against the Spread: Which Underdogs Will Cover?

The National Football League continues to demonstrate that it's the toughest game to beat in Las Vegas, as many teams that held comfortable fourth-quarter leads fell by the wayside.

Underdogs tallied a 10-5 against-the-spread mark heading into Monday night's contest between the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks, giving them a 101-98-8 ATS record for the entire season.

Let's take a closer look at Week 15 from a betting perspective.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons

I'm a little concerned that the Atlanta Falcons may peek ahead to their Week 16 contest against the New Orleans Saints, but playing on Thursday night changes the situation.

Jacksonville will be playing just its third game without head coach Jack Del Rio, which is a major disadvantage when preparing for a football game on short rest.

The Jaguars are also averaging just 14.8 points per game this season, failing to score more than 17 points away from home.

Handicapper Line: Atlanta Falcons (-13)

Pick: Atlanta Falcons (-10.5)

Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Dallas Cowboys have suffered back-to-back heartbreaking losses to the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, causing them to be tied in the NFC East division with three games to be played.

Tampa Bay is one of the worst home underdogs in all of football, going 2-12 ATS in that situation during the Raheem Morris era.

It won't be easy—I can promise you that.

Handicapper Line: Dallas Cowboys (-7)

Pick: Dallas Cowboys (-6.5)

Washington Redskins at New York Giants

The New York Giants are coming off a huge emotional win over the Dallas Cowboys, but that doesn't mean they'll keep the momentum after snapping a four-game win streak.

Washington is an always-dangerous 33-15 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to seven points.

I'd wait until kickoff and make sure that the Giants don't go above that magic number.

Handicapper Line: New York Giants (-6)

Pick: Washington Redskins (+7)

Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs

I've actually adjusted by handicapper line down for this contest after hearing that Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley has been fired.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Cornell is auditioning for a potential head coaching job in 2012.

Green Bay simply needs to win to keep its perfect season alive.

From a betting perspective, I believe the value is in playing the game "under" 46.5 points.

Handicapper Line: Green Bay Packers (-11.5)

Pick: Kansas City Chiefs (+14)

New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings

No betting odds will be established in this contest until the health of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is determined.

The New Orleans Saints lead the NFL in total yards per game and quarterback Drew Brees will look forward to facing one of the worst secondary units in the league.

A line near double digits is not out of the question.

Handicapper Line: New Orleans Saints (-7)

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

The Miami Dolphins are not going to be very motivated to play in 30-degree weather Sunday afternoon in Buffalo, especially with head coach Tony Sparano being fired.

It's also important to note that the team faces the New England Patriots and New York Jets to close out the 2011-12 campaign.

Buffalo has gone straight into the tank after posting a 5-2 record in its first seven games, as it looks to snap a six-game losing streak.

Wagering on this game is the only reason to watch.

Handicapper Line: Buffalo Bills (-2.5)

Pick: Buffalo Bills (+1.5)

Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans

The Houston Texans picked up a 20-19 come-from-behind win over the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, capturing the franchise's first AFC South division title in the process.

There's certainly more to play for during the regular season, but a letdown is likely in the cards.

The Carolina Panthers let one get away in dropping a 31-23 decision to the Atlanta Falcons in front of their home fans, as rookie quarterback Cam Newton threw two costly interceptions in the second half.

It's very difficult to fade the Texans in this particular spot, ranking second in the league in rushing facing a Panthers defense that allows 128.9 rushing yards per game.

Handicapper Line: Houston Texans (-6.5)

Pick: Houston Texans (-6.5)

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have three more opportunities to avoid a winless season and will look to avoid being swept by the Tennessee Titans this year.

Tennessee registered a 27-10 win in the first meeting as nine-point home favorites, while the game fell below the total of 43.5.

I'm going to play the Colts in hopes that they improve to 10-1 ATS when playing with revenge in December against an opponent that is off a straight-up and ATS loss.

Handicapper Line: Tennessee Titans (-4.5)

Pick: Indianapolis Colts (+7)

Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have been home underdogs against the New York Jets and New England Patriots—something tells me that the erratic Detroit Lions shouldn't be favored in this contest.

Detroit's 1-8 ATS mark as a road favorite of a field goal or less cements that notion.

Handicapper Line: Oakland Raiders (-2)

Pick: Oakland Raiders (+1.5)

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

The New England Patriots remember their last trip to the Mile High City and will look to make a statement in the most anticipated game of Week 15.

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow will need to earn the AFC West division crown in the final two weeks, as he's not beating a motivated Tom Brady.

Handicapper Line: New England Patriots (-7.5)

Pick: New England Patriots (-4.5)

New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles haven't won two consecutive games all season, coming off a 26-10 win over the Miami Dolphins as three-point home underdogs.

New York lands in a money spot, posting a 14-6 ATS record the last two-plus seasons when playing in a game with the line within three points on either side.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan gets the cash.

Handicapper Line: Philadelphia Eagles (PK)

Pick: New York Jets (+3)

Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals haven't been favored in more than a month, but have still managed to rattle of wins in four of five games as an underdog.

This is by far my favorite betting situation of the week, as the Cleveland Browns are likely to start backup quarterback Seneca Wallace.

A few extra days of preparation will be very valuable for Wallace, while he's also familiar with the system due to playing under Mike Holmgren during his days in Seattle.

Handicapper Line: Arizona Cardinals (-5)

Pick: Cleveland Browns (+7.5)

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers have no room for error and need plenty of help in order to make a run into the playoffs, but pushed their record to 22-2 in their last 24 December games.

Baltimore is tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North division and fighting for home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Oddsmakers sent out an extremely sharp line in this contest.

Handicapper Line: Baltimore Ravens (-1)

Pick: San Diego Chargers (+2.5)

Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers

Both teams have lost to the Baltimore Ravens this year—with Pittsburgh losing twice due to playing in the same division.

Don't put too much stock in San Francisco's 16-6 defeat at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night, as it was a terrible situation.

I'm laying anything under three points in backing the No. 1 rush defense in the league.

Handicapper Line: San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)

Pick: San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)