5 betting tips for Week 16 of the NFL season

Need a cheat sheet or some help spotting situational edges with a new slate of NFL action fast approaching? We've got you covered.

Here are five tips to consider as you do your homework for Week 16.

Cardinals offense especially struggling at home

An Arizona Cardinals offense that ranks last in the league in total yards and points per game - among a bevy of other categories - hasn't had much home cooking this season. The Cardinals are averaging a paltry 12.7 points per game at home, seeing their team total go under in all seven games at State Farm Stadium. On the road, they're averaging 14.7 points per contest, with their team total 4-3 to the over. Arizona is back at home in Week 16 to face the Los Angeles Rams, who shut the Cardinals out back in Week 2.

Bengals first-half overs on the road still running hot

The Cincinnati Bengals own the No. 31 scoring defense and rank in the top half of the NFL in scoring offense. That's a pretty nice recipe for high-scoring games, as the Bengals are 8-5 to the over this season. One specific spot that's been extremely profitable is playing to the first-half over when the Bengals are on the road. Cincinnati is 12-1-1 to the over the previous 14 road games, which have seen an average of 28.2 points in the first half.

A bounce-back spot for New England?

Losers in back-to-back games, the New England Patriots will likely get back on track in Week 16, as they're favored by 12.5 points against the visiting Buffalo Bills. The Patriots have been lethal as double-digit favorites, covering 11 of their previous 12 games when laying 10 or more points, including all three this season. New England covered easily as a 13.5-point favorite over Buffalo back in Week 8 with a 25-6 margin.

The tale of two Giants

It appears there's been a formula on when to play or fade the New York Giants. The franchise this season is 5-0 against the spread when getting four points or more, and 1-6-1 as an underdog of 3.5 or fewer, or as a favorite. The Giants would fit the former category on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts (-9), who will be the biggest favorite over the Giants of any team this season. New York is also 6-1 against the number on the road this year and is currently on a 6-0 run.

Plenty of angles scream Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been a bounce-back savant. Following games in which he's posted a quarterback rating worse than 80.0, the Saints are 30-4 against the spread. Brees posted a 69.1 rating in a win against the Carolina Panthers on Monday, meaning the Saints (-6) will be in play in Week 16 when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers. New Orleans has also avoided the prime-time letdown, covering eight of the previous 10 following a Monday Night Football game.

Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.