Saturday TV Schedule, Odds And Prediction For Titans-Redskins And Chargers-Ravens

The 2018 NFL season is roaring towards an exciting finish, with Week 16 beginning with a pair of exciting, nationally televised Saturday matchups that each have heavy postseason implications riding on their outcomes. 

The opening contest of Week 16 will feature the Tennessee Titans taking on the Washington Redskins. Both squads are in contention for a postseason berth, with the Titans currently battling with the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts—all 8-6 at this juncture—for the final Wild Card position in the AFC. Tennessee is still afloat in the AFC South race, but would have to win out and hope that the 10-4 Houston Texans drop both of their remaining games. Washington also kept it’s slim playoff hopes alive with a win last week, moving back to .500 in time for this nationally televised bout. The ‘Skins are just behind the 7-6-1 Minnesota Vikings for the last Wild Card spot in the NFC and are still within reach of the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys, who are 8-5 at this juncture. Tennessee is projected to win this clash in a big way, however, with oddsmakers installing the Titans as a 10-point favorite. 

Saturday’s finale involves the Los Angeles Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens, two teams that would both be in if the playoffs started today. The Bolts are already assured a postseason berth regardless of how their last two contests play out, but they still have plenty to suit up for. This 11-3 squad is neck-and-neck with the Kansas City Chiefs for not only the AFC West title, but also a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. There is a massive difference in a team’s chances of making a Super Bowl run starting as the AFC’s No. 1 seed at home in the Divisional Round in comparison to being a No. 5 seed playing a road game on Wild Card weekend, which is why Los Angeles can’t afford to lose tonight. Baltimore certainly can’t either, as the 4.5-point road underdog might find itself on the cusp of missing the playoffs entirely should it drop to 8-7 on the season. Oddsmakers are already slightly favoring the Titans (+115, compared to the Ravens at +120) to secure the No. 6 seed in the AFC and the Dolphins, Browns and Colts are all still in the hunt as well.  

With so much at stake on Saturday, perhaps the only way to get more excited about these contests is to have a wager on the outcome. It’s never fun to make a losing bet, however, which is why Jon Price of SportsInformationTraders.com was asked for his take on both these key clashes. Before seeing who the pro handicapper is taking against the spread, have a look at the complete schedule, start times, viewing information, updated odds, betting trends and more for not only the Titans-Redskins and Chargers-Ravens, but every other Week 16 game as well: 

NFL Week 16 Updated Odds and Viewing Guide 

NFL Odds courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook    

NFL Week 16 Saturday Betting Trends 

Tennessee Titans vs. Washington Redskins 

• The Titans are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine home games. 
• The Redskins are 1-2 ATS against AFC South opponents in 2018. 
• Washington is 3-1 SU in its last four meetings with Tennessee.  
• The Titans are 2-3 ATS as a favorite this season, while the Redskins are 7-4 ATS as an underdog. 

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens 

• The Ravens are 3-0 against the spread against AFC West opponents in 2018. 
• The Chargers are 2-4 ATS at home in 2018. 
• Baltimore is 2-1 SU across the last three meetings between these teams. 
• Los Angeles is 4-5 ATS as a favorite this season, while the Ravens are 3-1 ATS as an underdog.  

NFL Week 16 Saturday Media 

Tennessee Titans vs. Washington Redskins 

Allan Bell noted that the sportsbooks are favoring Tennessee over Baltimore for the final AFC Wild Card spot: 

Odds suggest that the Titans (+115) will finish ahead of the Ravens (+120) for the final playoff spot.

Tennessee will be favored in its final two games (barring injury to Marcus Mariota) while Baltimore is a 4.5-point underdog this week at L.A, per @BetDSI. #TitanUp

— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) December 18, 2018

Covers pointed out that both these teams have the same record against the spread in 2018: 

NFL’s Top ATS Teams (based on cover %):

t1. #DaBears 10-4 ATS
t1. #GoSaints 10-4 ATS
3. #Seahawks 8-4-2 ATS
4. #Browns 9-5 ATS
5. #ChiefsKingdom 8-5-1 ATS
t6. 7 teams tied at 8-6 ATS (Chargers, Pats, Cowboys, Titans, Dolphins, Redskins, Lions) https://t.co/KDOJjI1o5x pic.twitter.com/7BgfKXI7Ff

— Covers (@Covers) December 18, 2018

Jim Wyatt reported that the Titans will be wearing their white jerseys for this nationally televised spotlight game: 

Wardrobe check: The @Titans will be decked out in white jerseys with light blue britches in Saturday’s game vs the @Redskins. pic.twitter.com/Lzj2d4MAfn

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 18, 2018

Ed Sheahin tweeted that the Redskins will be facing a familiar player on Saturday night in former linebacker Brian Orakpo: 

Redskins face a familiar foe when visiting the Titans. Former 1st Rd pick, OLB Brian Orakpo. Orakpo, the poster child for the Redskins injury epidemic. In his final 3 seasons with the Skins he missed 24 gms. Now in his 4th yr w/ Tenn, he is about to play his 61st straight game. pic.twitter.com/mBmFZfCLol

— Ed Sheahin (@NFLPhotoGuy) December 18, 2018

Washington says that the key to picking up a victory in Week 16 will be stopping Tennessee’s ground attack: 

For the Redskins to limit the Titans’ run game, the entire front seven will need to stay gap-disciplined and make tackles on first contact.

More in this week’s Know Your Opponent » https://t.co/Qt3jyNtF0w pic.twitter.com/wXdWbj9vJg

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) December 21, 2018

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens 

Sports Insights found that almost two-thirds of the action on this game is backing the Chargers to cover the spread: 

#NFL Saturday Spreads

53% on Redskins (+10) at Titans

63% on Chargers (-4.5) vs. Ravens

— Sports Insights (@SportsInsights) December 22, 2018

Tony Dungy doesn’t think the scheduling of this contest favors Baltimore: 

The Ravens visit the LA Chargers on Saturday in a game with huge playoff ramifications for both teams. Chargers playing at home with 8 days rest. Ravens are traveling across country on 5 days rest. Ravens won’t complain but who in NFL Scheduling Dept thought this was fair???? pic.twitter.com/bqsYUkCce6

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) December 17, 2018

Brian Baldinger highlighted how Baltimore rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson is 4-1 as a starter and seems to be baffling every opponent than the Ravens come up against: 

.@Ravens @Lj_era8 is 4-1 as a starter and through 5 games no team has been able derail the most different offense in the @NFL @Chargers now have 5 games of TAPE to study to try to stop this formidable opponent. Tune in to @nflnetwork this Saturday to watch. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/YRwV3nANOF

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 18, 2018

Kimberley A. Martin reported that Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has been using backup quarterback Geno Smith to prepare his team’s defense for Lamar Jackson: 

At #Chargers today… Anthony Lynn said Geno Smith simulated #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in practice pic.twitter.com/a02FTx4sNq

— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) December 18, 2018

Ryan Mink believes the Ravens simply need to beat L.A. to have a realistic chance at making the 2018 NFL Playoffs: 

I’ll sum up the Ravens’ playoff picture for you in three words.

Beat. The. Chargers.

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 17, 2018

NFL Week 16 Saturday Pro Picks

Tennessee Titans vs. Washington Redskins 

Pick: Redskins +10 

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens 

Pick: Chargers -4.5