NFL Predictions Week 15: Picks and Odds Advice for Latest Schedule

Adrian Peterson is scheduled to return to action for the Minnesota Vikings Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, and he is sure to provide a boost for a team that has struggled on the offensive side of the ball since the start of the season.

The Vikings rank 31st in overall yardage gained and 32nd running the football, so it's obvious the powerful Peterson (torn meniscus) will help them.

However, what's not obvious is just how much of an advantage the Vikings can gain with Peterson back in action. Minnesota has had major problems on its offensive line and that unit has shown no sign of improving. Peterson is certainly capable of running over tacklers from time to time, but even the best running back in the game needs help from his offensive line.

Peterson is picking the right time to come back, as the Vikings are kicking off at home against the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis ranks 29th in yardage allowed and the Colts regularly get knocked backwards at the point of attack.

The Vikings are five-point favorites, according to OddsShark. Both the Vikings and Colts are alive in the race for a spot in the playoffs, but they are currently on the outside looking in. If either or both teams will make it into the playoffs, they will need a strong finish in their next three games and losses from the teams ahead of them.

The Colts had control of their own destiny in last week's home game against the Houston Texans, but they fell short in that game and now quarterback Andrew Luck must lead an improved performance on the road.

The Vikings are coming off a win at Jacksonville, and they will depend on middle linebacker Eric Kendricks their second-ranked defense.

It won't be easy for the Vikings because they won't have free safety Harrison Smith, as the team's leading tackler will miss the game due to an ankle injury.

Nevertheless, the return of Peterson, the home field and the overpowering defense should lead the Vikings to the win and the point spread cover in this matchup.

Matchup	Point Spread	Over/Under	Prediction
Jacksonville at Houston	Houston -4	39.5	Houston; Over
Tennessee at Kansas City	Kansas City -5	41.5	Tennessee; Under
Green Bay at Chicago	Green Bay -5.5	38.5	Green Bay; Under
Indianapolis at Minnesota	Minnesota -5	46	Minnesota; Under
Detroit at N.Y. Giants	N.Y. Giants -3.5	40	Detroit; Under
Cleveland at Buffalo	Buffalo -10	41	Cleveland; Over
Philadelphia at Baltimore	Baltimore -6	41	Philadelphia; Under
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati	Pittsburgh -3	44.5	Pittsburgh; Over
New Orleans at Arizona	Arizona -3	50.5	Arizona; Over
San Francisco at Atlanta	Atlanta -13	50.5	Atlanta; Over
Oakland at San Diego	Oakland -2.5	49	Oakland; Under
New England at Denver	New England -3	43	New England; Under
Tampa Bay at Dallas	Dallas -7	46.5	Tampa Bay; Over
Carolina at Washington	Washington -6.5	51	Washington; Over

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

At the start of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like one of the most dangerous and productive offensive teams in the league.

With superstars including Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, the Steelers appeared to have the best QB-RB-WR trio in the NFL. However, when this dominating team suffered through a four-game losing streak earlier in the season, many observers were no longer impressed.

Now that the season has reached its final games, the Steelers have hit their stride. They have won four games in a row and the offense is hitting its stride. The Steelers are averaging 26.3 points over that winning streak and all three of their stars are producing.

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

In their Week 14 27-20 win at Buffalo, Bell ran for 236 yards and scored three touchdowns. The Steelers go to Cincinnati to take on the disappointing Bengals, who will not be operating at peak efficiency.

Wideout A.J. Green suffered a hamstring injury last month, and he has missed his last three games. He is listed as doubtful for this game but even if he plays, he will be limited.

The Steelers are three-point favorites in this game and even though they are playing in Cincinnati, they are a good bet.

The offense is too powerful and the Bengals have rarely played inspired football this season. There's little doubt about the talent level on the Bengals roster, but there is at least as much on the Pittsburgh side.

The first-place Steelers are the far more motivated team. They will win the game and cover the three-point impost.

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

Oakland at San Diego

The Oakland Raiders have been toppled from their first-place perch in the AFC West.

When they lost their Week 14 game at Kansas City, that left both teams with 10-3 records. However, since the Chiefs won both meetings between the two teams, the Chiefs have the tiebreaker and first place in the division.

However, the Raiders have shown remarkable growth and poise this year, and there's no reason to expect any kind of downturn or letdown from Jack Del Rio's team when the Raiders face the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

The Raiders have excelled when playing on the road this season, and their loss at Kansas City is their only defeat away from home this season.

The Chargers are not going to give this game away or make it easy for the visitors. Quarterback Philip Rivers is one of the league's toughest competitors, and he will leave everything he has on the field.

The problem is that the Chargers are limited in terms of overall talent, and they can rarely hold it together for 60 minutes. They tend to struggle in the final quarter, and that can be a huge issue against a talented and resourceful team like the Raiders.

Oakland has been installed as a 2.5-point favorite, and this will be a tight game for three quarters. But the Raiders' depth and the Chargers' lack of it will spell the difference in this game in the final quarter. The Raiders get the win and the cover in this important AFC West game.