NFL Week 16 parlay: Let's make some money

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

Last week got off to a decent start as the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) took care of the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) on Saturday to get the 3-team parlay off on the right foot. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans in Charlotte, and the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) were unable to push past the Carolina Panthers (2-12).

The 3rd leg of the parlay came through, as the Los Angeles Rams (7-7) held off the Washington Commanders (4-10). And if you used the Cleveland Browns (9-5), and had them laying the 2.5 points, rather than a flat 3, you might have cobbled together a winning parlay based on this piece. Officially, we'll call last week 2-1-1 against the spread (ATS), though, as we had the Browns -3, and they won 20-17.

Let's do better as we head into the elongated holiday weekend.

Now, it's time to focus on the new week. After looking at FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL Week 16 odds, here is a "Let's make some money" NFL parlay bet to cash in on among SportbookWire's NFL expert picks and predictions.

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NFL Week 16: Let's make some money parlay

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.

Leg 1: BENGALS -1.5 (-110) at Steelers – Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (NBC)

We'll hear, ad nauseum in the coming days, about how Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. And, it is an admirable and borderline amazing fact.

The Steelers sit at .500 with 3 games left to play, and the Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) have been quite the story themselves. When QB Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending injury, it looked like curtains in the Queen City. But QB Jake Browning has emerged as a star, leading the Bengals to 3 straight wins over playoff contenders Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Minnesota, and Cincinnati is 2-0-1 ATS in the streak.

It can be argued that this Bengals team is playing the best offensive football of the season, as Burrow started slow after it seemed he never got over a calf injury suffered in training camp. Cincinnati has scored 27 or more points in a season-high 3 straight games. Its last loss was 16-10 in Week 12 against the Steelers, Browning's 1st NFL start.

QB Mason Rudolph makes his 1st start of 2023, as the black and gold try to save their season. But this poor Rudolph won't lead his team to a win on Christmas Eve weekend, and it will be Bengals bettors shouting out with glee.

Leg 2: BROWNS -2.5 (-120) at Texans – 1 p.m. (CBS)

The Browns received an early holiday gift, when they learned Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud will be sidelined for this important game on Sunday at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Cleveland fans likely didn't want to have to cheer against the former Buckeyes star, who is considered the favorite for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. Instead, it will likely be former Browns signal caller Case Keenum trying to put a little coal in Cleveland's collective stocking.

The Browns have posted a 6-2 ATS mark in the past 8 games overall, but it dropped the past 2 road games, and Cleveland failed to cover in this outings, as well. However, the Browns should be in good cheer facing a Texans team which lost playmaker WR Tank Dell a couple of weeks ago, and they might have to go without WR Nico Collins (calf) again this week, too.

Leg 3: BRONCOS -6.5 (-110) vs. Patriots – 8:15 p.m. (CBS)

The Broncos (7-7) are right in the mix for a playoff spot, which is rather miraculous considering where this team started. Remember, this is a defense which had a 70-burger dropped on it against the Miami Dolphins back in September.

The Patriots (3-11) know a little bit about defense, but unfortunately for that unit, the offense hasn't been able to provide much, if any, support. New England's defense actually ranks 8th in the NFL in total yards allowed (308.3), while checking in 2nd in rushing yards allowed (84.9). But the offense is toothless, although it has shown some signs of improvement in the past 2 games.

Denver is at home under the lights, and lately that has been a good combination. The Broncos have covered the past 3 prime-time games, and Denver is 6-2 SU/5-3 ATS across the past 8 outings overall. It has also won 4 in a row at home, while covering 3 of those outings. It won't be easy, but the Broncos will push past the Patriots by at least a TD.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $56.82 (payout = $66.82).

Try out the Paste BN Parlay Calculator.

Leg 4-*: LIONS (-3) at Vikings – 1 p.m. (FOX)

*-If you want to add a 4th play to this parlay.

The home team has won each of the past 4 meetings in this series over the past 2 seasons. However, the Vikings (7-7) had Kirk Cousins under center for those meetings, not QB Nick Mullens.

The Lions (10-4) restored their roar with a 42-17 thumping of the Broncos at Ford Field last weekend. Detroit has won 2 of the past 3 games on the road, while also going 2-1 ATS during the span.

The Vikings were doing it with mirrors after Cousins went down with a season-ending injury, and WR Justin Jefferson was out with a hamstring. Coach Kevin O'Connell did a great job keeping things together, and keeping the team on track, even if there is a lunatic fringe on X calling for him to be fired.

However, the Lions find themselves in the mix for the top spot in the NFC, and Detroit gets a wounded Minnesota team twice in the next 3 weekends. Look for the Lions to grab their 3rd cover in the past 4 road games in the Twin Cities.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $112.50 (payout = $122.50).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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