NFL 'TNF' Week 16: Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints betting picks, preview

The Week 16 NFL slate kicks off on "Thursday Night Football" when the New Orleans Saints visit the Los Angeles Rams for an NFC showdown. Both teams picked up much-needed wins in Week 15, but the loser on "TNF" will be faced with an uphill battle to make the playoffs. 

Let's break down the crucial matchup and find some winning bets along the way. 

Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints betting odds, preview

Spread: Rams -4, Over/under: 44.5, Moneyline: Rams -205 | Saints +170 

The Rams are starting to peak at the right time. Since bringing Kyren Williams back from IR, Los Angeles is 3-1 while averaging 33.0 points per game. Williams has racked up 584 total yards and four touchdowns over that span. Cooper Kupp, after a lengthy midseason lull, has also come back to life with 16 catches, 226 receiving yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks. 

This offense is humming right now, but it won't be that easy to put up points against a Saints defense that hasn't given up a touchdown in two straight games. Granted, those games came against the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants, but this unit will enter "TNF" with a ton of confidence either way.

New Orleans ranks fifth in the NFL in yards allowed per pass attempt, but it ranks 27th in yards allowed per rush attempt. The Rams will gladly ride Williams on the ground as they have for the last month. 

'Thursday Night Football' betting picks

Rams -4 (-110 DraftKings)

The Rams are on fire right now, and that's nothing new for Sean McVay. According to Joe Osborne of Covers, the Rams are 17-4-1 against the spread in their last 22 December games. We trust McVay and Stafford at this time of year infinitely more than we trust Dennis Allen and Derek Carr, so we have no problem laying the four points here. 

Kyren Williams 100 + rushing yards (+125 DK)

It's been the Williams show in L.A. for four weeks, and that won't stop on "Thursday Night Football." The Saints defense is much better against the pass than it is against the run. New Orleans gave up 204 rushing yards to the Panthers two weeks ago, and Carolina is a one-dimensional offense. The Rams have Matthew Stafford and two dangerous wide receivers, which will only open up more running room for a red-hot Williams who's gone over 100 rushing yards in three of his last four starts.