Drew Brees’ Return Highlights Only Big Game of NFL Week 15

In the NFL world, all eyes will be on the Big Easy this weekend. The most-bet game of the week at sportsbooks is between the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans. Not only is it a potential Super Bowl preview, but it’s the only game this weekend between teams with winning records.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who suffered 11 broken ribs during the Week 9 game against Tampa Bay, will be back in the lineup for Sunday’s showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Image: Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports)

“Out of all the slates in the NFL this year, this week is probably the worst. The games may turn out to be entertaining.  But when you look at the matchups, there’s only a couple games where the matchups are intriguing,” said Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations, to Casino.org.

Drew Brees Returns

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be in the lineup after missing four games with 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung. Coach Sean Payton made the announcement on Friday. But it was news sportsbooks expected all along.

It was baked into the line already,” Avello said. “We knew he could have played last week, but they held him out to play in this game, so he was healthy for the big game. They’re fighting for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, so this is a big game for them.”

The Chiefs, who won the Super Bowl last year, are 12-1 and in charge of the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. , are 10-3 and tied with the Green Bay Packers for the No. 1 spot in the NFC. The top seed gets a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

Two interesting notes on the line. First, while Kansas City has gone from 4-point favorites to 3-point favorites, it has nothing to do with betting trends. In fact, the Chiefs are getting 92 percent of the money at FanDuel, and it’s the most-lopsided game at BetMGM.

Second, this game gives a hint to a potential Super Bowl line. If there’s a Saints-Chiefs rematch for the championship, the Chiefs would be 5- to 6-point favorites, Avello said.

There are two games on Saturday. In the first, it’s the Buffalo Bills (10-3) at Denver Broncos (5-8). Denver is looking for a four-game sweep of the AFC East, and is 8-5 against the spread.

“The public doesn’t care. Buffalo is getting all the money,” Avello said. “They just think the Bills at 10-3 are on their way to winning the AFC East and going on to better things.”

In the big mismatch, it’s the New York Jets (0-13) at the Los Angeles Rams (9-4). The Rams, who are in the mix for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, are 17.5-point favorites over the Jets, .

Week 15 Schedule

Here is this weekend’s slate of games, with the lines from DraftKings. All times are Eastern.

Saturday’s Games

Buffalo at Denver (+5), 4:30 p.m.Carolina at Green Bay (-8), 8:15 p.m.

Sunday’s Games

Tampa Bay at Atlanta (+6), 1 p.m.Jacksonville at Baltimore (-12), 1 p.m.San Francisco at Dallas (+3), 1 p.m.Houston at Indianapolis (-7.5), 1 p.m.New England at Miami (-1), 1 p.m.Chicago at Minnesota (-2.5), 1 p.m.Detroit at Tennessee (-11.5), 1 p.m.Seattle at Washington (+6.5), 1 p.m.Philadelphia at Arizona, 4:05 (-6.5) p.m.New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams (-17.5), 4:05 p.m.Kansas City at New Orleans (+3), 4:25 p.m.Cleveland at New York Giants (+6), 8:20 p.m.

Monday’s Game

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (+13), 8:15 p.m.