NFL Week 15 Picks: New England Patriots and More Perplexing Betting Lines

The NFL and the world of sports-betting haven't always gotten along so well. The league itself is often far too unpredictable for gamblers to make money with much certainty, though surely Las Vegas doesn't mind that they keep trying.

The 2011 season has been particularly wonky, though these three Week 15 lines (courtesy of sportsbook.com) in particular should reasonably raise more than a few eyebrows among those looking to plunk down some cash on Sunday.

New England Patriots -7.5 vs. Denver Broncos

So how is it, exactly, that the Patriots are getting 7.5 points this weekend? Tom Brady and company have eked out their last two games against bad teams (the Colts and the Redskins) by a touchdown apiece.

And they're supposed to go into Denver and beat the Broncos, winners of their last six in a row, by more than a trip to the end zone?

In what universe would Tim Tebow ever allow that to happen? I expect nothing less than full-fledged, high-scoring mayhem, with Tebowmania overwhelming New England's atrocious secondary with passes, both accurate and errant, that his receivers don't catch until the fourth quarter, at which point they pull another Mile High miracle out of their collective jock.

Chicago Bears -3.5 vs. Seattle Seahawks

I'm all for cutting the Bears some slack for playing at home, but I can't imagine them actually beating the Seahawks on Sunday. Chicago has dropped each of its last three games since losing Jay Cutler for the season, all to AFC West foes.

At some point, Lovie Smith's squad is really going to fall apart, especially after last week's game, in which running back and Matt Forte fill-in Marion Barber basically cost the team a shot at victory in Denver.

Meanwhile, Seattle has quietly won four of its last five to move within shouting distance of a wild-card berth in the NFC. Throw a few bags of Skittles in Marshawn Lynch's helmet and the 'Hawks will most certainly be ready to go "Beast Mode" on the battered Bears.

Detroit Lions -1 vs. Oakland Raiders

Elsewhere in the NFC North, the Lions are once again lurking around the wild-card crowd and should be heavily favored against a Raiders team that has dropped its last two games by a combined score of 80-30.

Wait...what's that? Detroit's only getting a point in Oakland? Okay then, folks, time to make it rain on the Motor City Kitties.

Granted, the Lions haven't exactly set the world ablaze of late, with a six-point win over the 2-11 Vikings in Week 14 coming on the heels of a stretch during which they dropped five of seven.

Still, the Raiders haven't stopped much of anyone this season, and will be just as hard-pressed to keep pace with Matthew Stafford and his staff of receivers.

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