Nat Coombs' NFL Tips For Week 16, Including Eagles @ Commanders
Nat Coombs is an NFL writer and broadcaster who has been anchoring TV and radio coverage in the UK for over 15 years, working with a range of networks including BBC, TalkSPORT, FIVE, ESPN and Channel 4.
He writes a column for The Times and also hosts his own NFL podcast The Nat Coombs Show, which has been nominated for the best American Football podcast in the Sports Podcast Awards.
Nat has joined The Panel to share his three best tips for the weekend’s NFL action using the best prices from the leading NFL betting sites.
This week's treble pays out around 6/1 with Betway.
Nat Coombs' NFL Week 16 Predictions:
Lions @ Bears Prediction: Lions To Bounce Back In Chicago
The Lions' defensive front is so banged up that, despite their 12-2 record and the number one seed in the NFC, there’s a growing feeling that they may not be able to overcome the injury issues in the deep water of the playoffs.
However, against the Bears, who admittedly ran Detroit close on Thanksgiving Thursday, the loss of most of the starting front seven that suited up Week One is less of a factor.
The Bears' offensive-line is horrendous and has given up the most sacks this season (56). They are on a par with New England and Cleveland as the worst in the league.
Sure, not every sack is on the line, but rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has had to deal with outrageously porous protection which has dimmed his shine in year one.
Defensively, the Bears struggle to stop the run.
So this feels like a get-right game for the Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs, who was highly effective out of the backfield against the Bills, picking up 96 yards on six catches, including a score.
Critics of Lions quarterback Jared Goff point to a decline when playing in cold weather and tough conditions.
However, he silenced his haters with a composed performance in such circumstances against Green Bay. Under a touchdown, I’m backing Detroit for the bounce-back win.
Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Lions -6.5 To Beat The Bears - 20/23 With Betway
Eagles @ Commanders Preview: Hurts To Hurt Commanders
Philly appeared to have weathered the hysteria surrounding the apparent dysfunction in the camp, notably around their underwhelming passing game.
Should they go on to win Super Bowl LIX and record an America's Game documentary celebrating the champions as is custom, they may well look back to Week 15.
With all the negativity and media frenzy parlaying into a comfortable win over a tough Steelers last time out, that may be the catalyst for ultimate success.
That’s not to say the passing game is intrinsically fixed.
However, with DeVonta Smith back from injury to tag team with a seemingly placated AJ Brown (both had 100+ receiving yards against the Steelers last weekend) and Hurts laying down a marker with his best performance of the season, the upside is apparent.
The improvement is already in motion. Fuse that with one of the most potent ground games in the business. Hurts works as a dual threat and the mighty Saquon Barkley leads all rushers.
Against a Commanders defense that has allowed 1,850 rushing yards and 4.8 per carry, which ranks 25th and 28th in the league, this feels like another solid offensive spot for the Eagles.
Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Eagles -3.5 To Beat The Commanders - 10/11 With Betway
Browns @ Bengals Tips: Burrow To Fire Cincy To Victory
I was three out of four in my picks last week, with a Cincy double - to cover and the over against the Titans and I’m going back to the Bengals well once again.
The Browns have tired of the Jameis Winston rollercoaster and benched the wildly erratic quarterback in favour or Dorian Thompson-Robinson, or DTR.
DTR is an intriguing prospect, who came out of UCLA last season and has had a few cameos as a rookie that flashed some potential.
Cleveland are clearly looking at what they’ve got, hoping they may have a future starter given the disastrous Deshaun Watson saga.
However, Cincy will dial up the usual high-wire offense, exploiting the Browns propensity to allow big passing plays.
The Browns rank 29th in pass plays of 20 yards or more and I can’t see the Browns offense, which will be without Nick Chubb who’s on IR, keeping up.
Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 3: Bengals -7.5 To Beat The Browns - 10/11 With Betway
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