In Week 15, there were four games with double-digit spreads, and 44-year-old Philip Rivers helped lead his team to the only cover among those underdogs. He's already a betting spread legend.

The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 16 on a 52-37 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.

2. New England Patriots (11-3), AFC East leaders: Their 10-game heater snapped, they failed to clinch the division Sunday and lost valuable ground in their bid for the No.1 seed. But the Pats are still in driver's seat to win AFC East and can wrap up a playoff spot with a win at Baltimore. Remaining schedule: at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins.

The league is built on competitive balance that makes sustained success hard. Plus, Joe Burrow isn’t going anywhere and thoughts on Philip Rivers.

Deebo Samuel Receptions

Nine more teams have playoff-clinching scenarios in Week 16 -- four in the AFC and five in the NFC.