NFL Saturday Week 16 preview & top picks | December 21, 2024

Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season features a rare Saturday slate in the lead-up to Christmas. Below are our free football betting picks for the Texans’ trip to Kansas City and the Steelers’ visit to Baltimore.

Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs

Saturday, December 21 – 12pm CST – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

The Houston Texans head to Kansas City for a tough matchup between two of the top teams in the AFC.

With the AFC South title already locked up, the Texans are now competing to see which of the top four seeds they will earn. While they have won their last two games, their 4-4 record since Week 7 leaves a lot to be desired. The Houston offense has struggled at times, but the defense ranks inside the top 10 for points conceded, and they excel at limiting the opposition’s passing game.

At 13-1 and two games clear at the top of the AFC, the Chiefs could clinch the No.1 seed this week if other results go their way. Their defense has been exceptional all season long, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to do enough to secure the win each week.

With Mahomes hampered by an ankle injury, however, Kansas City look more vulnerable than ever. Also, they have only covered the line once in their last eight games. With three of the Chiefs’ last four games decided by less than three points, take the Texans with the start of +3.5 points at -111.11 with top NFL sportsbooks.



Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

Saturday, December 21 – 4:30pm EST – M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

With the AFC North title on the line, the Baltimore Ravens will be looking to break a run of four straight losses against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

At 10-4, the Steelers have a game in hand and the tiebreaker over the Ravens, meaning a win will secure the divisional title. However, with a record of 2-2 over the last four weeks, leading online bookmakers have the visitors as 6.5-point underdogs. Last Sunday, quarterback Russell Wilson was held to a season-low 128 passing yards, while star receiver George Pickens remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Ravens have also dealt with inconsistent form recently, alternating wins and losses over the last five weeks. However, quarterback Lamar Jackson continues to impress, sitting second in the NFL MVP odds at +600 with top sports betting sites. Baltimore have the third-most points per game, but the concerns are on the defensive end, where they allow the second-most passing yards in the NFL.

With Jackson in such stellar form, along with Pittsburgh’s injury concerns, it is hard to look past the Ravens. Take the home side to cover the spread.

Sports betting picks