Free NFL betting tips, picks and predictions: Week 15 handicap betting and touchdown scorers

NFL betting tips: Week 15

2pts Chicago Bears (+3.5) to beat the Minnesota Vikings at 5/6

1pt Miami Dolphins (-2.5) to beat the New England Patriots at 21/20

1pt Kansas City Chiefs (-3) to beat the New Orleans Saints at 21/20

1pt Jonathan Taylor (Colts) 100+ rushing yards and a TD at 3/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins betting tips

• When: Sunday at 18:00 GMT
• TV: NFL Redzone on Sky Sports Mix/Free to watch on Sky Bet

You just know Miami head coach Brian Flores has had this game in the back of his mind, ever since the 2020 schedule was released.

On Sunday, the former Patriots assistant gets the opportunity to host his former employers and effectively end New England’s long, established run of post-season appearances. Their chances of a play-off berth are slim anyway, but Miami will relish the opportunity to put an exclamation point on the fact.

They shouldn’t face all that much resistance, either.

The Patriots were shambolic in their Thursday night clash with the Rams last time out. Although they were never expected to beat their high-flying Los Angeles opposition, their performance was pitiful, and particularly that of Cam Newton.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins put up one of the bravest displays of the season on Sunday, albeit in defeat to the reigning world champions.

The Miami defence was sublime, forcing the first ever three-interception game of Patrick Mahomes’ career, and Tua Tagovailoa’s comeback effort in the second half was commendable to say the least.

New England may have won the first clash between these two sides back in week one, but we have come a long way since.

The Patriots have regressed to the point where they look a shadow of the team that took to the field in September, whereas the Flores-led Dolphins have simply improved and grown in confidence week-on-week, and they will have all the motivation to plant a dagger in New England hearts on Sunday.

Best Bet: Miami Dolphins (-2.5) to beat the New England Patriots at 21/20

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings betting tips

• When: Sunday at 18:00 GMT
• TV: NFL Redzone on Sky Sports Mix/Free to watch on Sky Bet

I’m going a little against the grain on this one, but I feel good about my chances.

Although Minnesota are favoured in this NFC North clash, I really like what the Bears were able to do last week, in what was probably their performance of the season.

Chicago snapped their six-game losing streak on Sunday with a dominant win over the Texans, and they’ll be looking to take that momentum into Minneapolis.

Mitch Trubisky took most of the limelight, and understandably so, but it was the Bears’ defence led by the monstrous Khalil Mack that impressed me.

I feel Chicago can have similar success defensively this week, and they’ve already proved this season that they are capable of stemming the effectiveness of Dalvin Cook, who averaged just 3.2 yards per carry in the reverse fixture.

Back in November, Chicago managed to hold the Vikings to 19 points, but they just didn’t have the offence to capitalise on that and get the win.

A few weeks on, the Bears run game looks healthier, Trubisky is at quarterback instead of Nick Foles and Allen Robinson is catching everything within a 10-yard radius of his hands.

This time, I think Chicago capitalise, and with a three-point safety blanket I’m more than happy to throw my weight behind them.

Best Bet: Chicago Bears (+3.5) to beat the Minnesota Vikings at 4/5

Kansas City Chiefs @ New Orleans Saints betting tips

• When: Sunday at 21:25 GMT
• TV: Sky Sports NFL

It appears Drew Brees is back for the Saints this week, and he’s ready to lead his side at the quarterback position, but that doesn’t really change my opinion on how I think this one plays out.

The Saints are good, but the Chiefs are better.

In a game billed as a potential Super Bowl dress rehearsal, there is certainly shootout potential, and in shootouts involving Patrick Mahomes, I back him 100% of the time. The MVP contender can score points from almost anywhere on the field, and that’s what sets him apart from his much older counterpart here.

Brees is still one of the all-time greats, but the arm strength simply isn’t what it was anymore, and that could play a big factor if the Saints and Chiefs begin playing touchdown tennis.

As for weapons, the Saints have two great assets in Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, but their 2020 seasons pale in comparison to the years that Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill of the Chiefs are having.

It’s a great game on paper, but everything in my eyes points to a statement win for the Kansas City Chiefs in the Superdome.

Best Bet: Kansas City Chiefs (-3) to beat the New Orleans Saints at 21/20

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts betting tips

• When: Sunday at 18:00 GMT
• TV: NFL Redzone on Sky Sports Mix/Free to watch on Sky Bet

As always, I’ll end this week’s preview with a selection at a slightly bigger price – and here’s hoping we can land a hat-trick this week.

In the last fortnight, I’ve correctly opted for Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce to pick up 100+ yards and a touchdown, and this week’s selection is along the same lines. However, we look to a running back this week, rather than a receiver.

Jonathan Taylor had the performance of his young career last week, rushing for 150 yards and picking up two scores in the Colts’ win over Las Vegas.

On Sunday, the rookie gets the opportunity to rack up the numbers once again as the second-worst run defence in the NFL comes to town.

Here’s the facts:

Against the Texans (just two weeks ago) Taylor picked up 91 yards on 13 rushes, averaging an impressive seven yards per carry.

On Sunday, he carried the ball 20 times, on his way to becoming the player of the game for Indianapolis.

The Colts would be foolish to not feed Taylor again while he’s hot, and even an advance of just two carries on the measly 13 he was given a fortnight ago should take him over the 100-yard threshold. As for the required touchdown, the 62-yard effort he managed against the Raiders on Sunday provides plenty of encouragement that points are not an issue for the man wearing number 28 in Indiana.

Best Bet: Jonathan Taylor (Colts) 100+ rushing yards and a TD at 3/1

Odds correct as of 1830 GMT on 18/12/20

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