Vikings at Giants, Chargers at Cowboys: Week 16 NFL odds and picks
Minnesota seeks to extend its winning streak against New York as Los Angeles pursues momentum in Dallas
Two NFL Week 16 matchups headline the betting market, with the Vikings at the Giants and the Chargers at the Cowboys. Minnesota is a 3-point underdog against New York, while Los Angeles is a 2.5-point underdog at Dallas. The Vikings have won two straight with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback and are trying to keep the surge going, leaning on Justin Jefferson as a focal point of the passing game. The Giants, meanwhile, stalled in a recent outing at MetLife Stadium, a performance that drew questions about the team’s fight as it navigates late-season adversity and potential draft implications.
New York’s run defense has been a talking point in recent weeks, complicating any attempt to slow Minnesota’s offense. McCarthy’s connection with Jefferson could become decisive if the Vikings establish the run and force the Giants into third-down situations they have struggled to convert. Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has seen his play dip since returning from a concussion, and he faces Brian Flores’ exotic defensive schemes, which have given opponents fits this season. If Minnesota can control the tempo on the ground, the Vikings believe they can keep this game within reach or even pull off an upset on the road. A loss would keep the Giants in a precarious position for the draft order, leaving them as the heavy favorites to secure the No. 1 pick in the next draft depending on how the rest of the season unfolds.
The Chargers, 10-4, have won three straight entering Week 16 and have shown the capability to topple top competition, including playoff participants from the previous season and the Raiders. Dallas, meanwhile, could be eliminated from playoff contention by kickoff, and even if not, their path to the postseason remains narrow. Los Angeles is playing with urgency, looking to maintain pace in the AFC West and perhaps overtake the division-leading Broncos. The Chargers have executed at a high level in recent weeks, with Herbert continuing to elevate the offense and a defense that is showing signs of improvement. Dallas’s defense has regressed in several recent games, and last time out the unit allowed a strong performance by the opposing quarterback, underscoring the challenge of containing a dynamic passing attack on a short-week trip.
The betting guidance for Week 16 comes from Matt Ehalt, a post sports betting editor who has long tracked NFL wagers and other college picks. Ehalt has built a following by providing patient, data-driven analysis and a history of returning reliable results against the spread. His outlooks for these two games reflect the hunger of teams trying to finish strong in a crowded playoff race, as well as the strategic adjustments coaches are making heading into the final stretch of the season.
In addition to the on-field stakes, the Week 16 slate carries implications for draft positioning and long-term planning for both teams. Minnesota’s two-game win streak has offered fresh momentum to a squad that has shown flashes of high-end potential, particularly when Jefferson is involved. For New York, the challenge is translating sparse recent performance into a more consistent effort against a versatile Vikings defense that can pressure the passer and defend the run in multiple looks. On the other side, Los Angeles is balancing the drive to win now with the need to preserve young players and build confidence that can carry into the postseason picture.
As fans prepare for kickoff, bettors are weighing line movements, injury reports, and how these teams might approach the final weeks of a demanding schedule. The Vikings-and-Giants game represents a clash of styles, with Minnesota likely leaning on McCarthy to maximize big-play opportunities in the passing game while keeping enough balance to keep New York honest. The Chargers-and-Cowboys matchup offers a contrasting scenario in which a hot road team aims to capitalize on a short week and an opponent facing pressure to secure a postseason berth. Both games feature coaching staffs that have demonstrated the capacity to adapt under pressure, a hallmark of late-season football in the NFL.
