The road dogs are looking rather appetizing in Week 16. Here are three shoo-in’s to beat the spread and provide you with some holiday cheer:

(Spreads courtesy of Covers.com)

 

Minnesota Vikings +6.5 at Washington Redskins

The Redskins are coming off a highly emotional victory over a division-rival and are ripe for a letdown. The more they win, the less of an opportunity they have to score a high draft pick to get a quarterback.

Rex Grossman is wildly inconsistent and after a few good outings, he’s due for another horrific one, especially with Jared Allen breathing down his neck.

Sure the Vikings are nothing special, but they did win the head-to-head matchup last year despite being decimated by injuries.

Adrian Peterson is healthy again and Christian Ponder is making strides. This Vikings team has a lot more talent than their 2-12 record suggest.

Key Trends:

Redskins are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.

Redskins are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games as a home favorite.

Vikings are 4-1-2 ATS in their last seven games following a ATS loss.

Prediction: Redskins 23, Vikings 21

 

St. Louis Rams +15.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers

With a one-legged quarterback, this is simply too many points to give any team.

Did you watch Ben Roethlisberger on Monday? He was hobbling around the entire game and that lead to two early interceptions that really set the tone for the rest of the game.

Now you expect him to be magically healed five days later against a Rams team that just played surprisingly strong against a desperate Bengals team?

Take the points.

Key Trends:

Steelers are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games on grass.

Prediction: Steelers 21, Rams 10

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +9 at Carolina Panthers

Do the Bus care about Raheem Morris?

If they lay another egg in the remaining two games of the season, there is no way Morris returns as head coach. An eight game losing streak can be forgotten with a strong finish and it’s not like the Panthers are any better than the five wins they currently possess.

The Bucs have more overall talent and should win this game if they actually make an effort. Getting nine points is an early Christmas gift.

Key Trends:

Buccaneers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.

Panthers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight vs. NFC South.

Prediction: Bucs 27, Panthers 26

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