It still seems strange for old-timers like myself, brought up on the Vince Lombardi power sweep, to see NFL totals in the 50's.
There have been totals of 50 points or higher in all but two of the weeks this NFL season. This Week 15 is no exception with an over/under of 51 in the Detroit-New Orleans Monday night game and 50.5 in the Arizona-Philadelphia matchup.
The Saints have been involved in nine of the 22 matchups featuring a total of at least 50 points, which is 41 percent of the games. It's not surprising since the Saints are 11th in scoring while giving up the most per game. The Saints have surrendered 36 touchdowns through the air. The single season record is 40.
New Orleans is minus three against Detroit, while the Cardinals are 3.5-point road favorites versus the Eagles. The under, by the way, is 12-9-1 (57 percent) in games closing with a total of 50 and above this season.
Ravens Big Home Underdogs Against the Chiefs
Injury-racked Baltimore is enduring its first losing year since John Harbaugh became coach in 2008. The Ravens are 7.5-point home underdogs to Kansas City.
Baltimore closed as 10.5 home 'dogs to Seattle this past Sunday. Prior to that, the last time the Ravens received so many points at home was taking 18.5 against New England in 2007. That was the year the Patriots went unbeaten during the regular seasons. Baltimore nearly pulled the monster upset losing 27-24.
Denver hasn't been more than a field goal underdog all season - until now. The Broncos are plus six at Pittsburgh. The last time Denver received this many points was when it was plus six at New England in 2012.
Pats Laying Two Touchdowns Against the Titans
The Patriots are minus 14 hosting Tennessee. Just two weeks ago, the Patriots were upset at home by Philadelphia as 10-point favorites. That was only New England's fifth loss in its last 55 home games. The Patriots, however, are 4-9 against the spread laying double-digits the past four seasons.
Seattle holds the biggest spread margin on the Week 15 board laying 14.5 to Cleveland at home.
