NFL Picks Week 15: Can Peyton Manning Put The Indianapolis Colts Back On Track?
NFL Week 15 is upon us and there are several games with major playoff implications. The most important game has to be the Jacksonville Jaguars visiting the Indianapolis Colts.
Last week, Peyton Manning got back on track and Reggie Wayne continued his recent dominant play, but the Colts could only beat the Titans by two points. The running game is ranked dead last in the NFL averaging less than 80 yards per game on the ground. The defense has been absolutely horrific allowing nearly 34 points per game over the last four games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, on the other hand, have been on a tear winning five of the last six games. Maurice Jones-Drew has had 100 yards rushing or more in each of the last six games.
The game has important divisional implications. With a victory, the Jaguars could clinch the AFC South and guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs. A loss would likely end Indianapolis's season as nine wins will not be enough to win a wild card spot this year.
Here are predictions for the Colts-Jaguars game and the other week 15 games:
Kansas City at St. Louis
1 of 15
Kansas City is looking to hold off the San Diego Chargers in the race for the AFC West as the season begins to wrap up. The Chiefs have won three of the last four, sorely missing Matt Cassel last week as Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko combined for just 48 passing yards last week in a blowout loss against the Chargers.
This game also has playoff implications for the Rams who must win to keep pace with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. While St. Louis is tied for the for the division lead, the Rams have not been a terrific team this year and have not won a single game against a team over .500 this season.
With Matt Cassel likely back and the Chiefs top ranked running game, Kansas City should be able to take this game on the road. St. Louis has four of their six wins at home this season so the game should be tight.
Kansas City 23, St. Louis 17
Arizona at Carolina
2 of 15
Possibly the worst game of the week, the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will meet at Bank of America Stadium in a match-up that features teams with a combined five wins.
The Cardinals have lost seven of their last eight games, while the Panthers have lost seven in a row. The two teams have the worst and second worst passing offenses in the NFL respectively.
Give the Cardinals the advantage because of home field and the fact that they are still playing for a playoff spot.
Arizona 21, Carolina 10
Philadelphia at New York Giants
3 of 15
Since losing to Philadelphia four weeks ago, the Giants have turned around winning their last three games and maintained a share of the NFC East lead. With Hakeem Nicks fully back from injury and Ahmad Bradshaw's fumbling problems solved, the Giants appear to be clicking on all cylinders.
The Eagles, on the other hand, of won five of their last six mostly because of the MVP-caliber play of Michael Vick. While the defense has been suspect, Philadelphia has managed to score 26 or more points in each of the last six games.
The Giants' defense seems to be back on track, and Eli Manning will have a fully healthy Hakeem Nicks splitting out wide.
New York 34, Philadelphia 30
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Detroit at Tampa Bay
4 of 15
The Detroit Lions surprised the Green Bay Packers last week after knocking Aaron Rodgers out of the game and holding the Packers offense to just three points. The Lions have lost several games by small margins this season and have been more impressive than their 3-10 record would suggest.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fighting for their playoff life as the NFC South appears to be out of the question for the Bucs. Tampa Bay has struggled over their last three games losing to both Baltimore and Atlanta before beating the Washington Redskins because of a botched extra point.
Tampa Bay is the better team and has more motivation to win at this point in the season, but the Lions will keep it close.
Tampa Bay 16, Detroit 13
Cleveland at Cincinnati
5 of 15
Another game with absolutely no playoff implications, the Cleveland Browns make the short trip to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals on Sunday. The Bengals have been one of the worst teams in the NFL this season and have lost ten straight games. Carson Palmer has 18 interceptions on the year and has not allowed less than 22 points over the 10 game losing streak.
The Browns have not been completely terrible, but Cleveland is still not a playoff team this season. The passing game is ranked amongst the bottom five in the NFL. Recently, the Browns became just the third team to lose to Buffalo this season managing just six points last week.
The Browns should be able to pull this one out in a meaningless game.
Cleveland 13, Cincinnati 9
Buffalo at Miami
6 of 15
The Miami Dolphins enter week 15 with their slim playoff hopes on the line. The Dolphins will have to win out and need some help from the Baltimore Ravens or New York Jets just to get a chance at a wild card spot. Miami has alternated wins and losses over the last ten games, and after a win last week against the Jets, the Dolphins could be in line for a disappointment against the Bills.
The Bills have quietly made their season a little less embarrassing winning three of the last five games after starting the season win-less through eight games. The running game and pass defense have been solid, although teams have been running all over Buffalo's last ranked pass defense.
Miami has just one home win this season, but it is tough to pick Buffalo who has just one road win at Cincinnati this year.
Miami 20, Buffalo 9
Washington at Dallas
7 of 15
The Redskins have reached a rough patch in their already disappointing season. Losers of three in a row, Washington reached a new low last week with a blown extra point that cost them the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, Albert Haynesworth has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and Donovan McNabb has been demoted behind Rex Grossman.
The Cowboys seem to have fixed their problems under Jason Garrett. Dallas has won three of their last five with the two losses coming by a total margin of six points to the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles. The offense is clicking on all cylinders and Jon Kitna has played well as Tony Romo's replacement.
The Redskins are incredibly dysfunctional right now and have little chance to steal one on the road.
Dallas 34, Washington 14
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
8 of 15
The Jacksonville Jaguars will travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Sunday in a game that will likely decide the fate of the AFC South. The Jaguars have won five of their last six to take sole possession of first place in the division. This game is particularly important to Jacksonville because a victory would ensure that the Jaguars win the tie breaker against the Colts. Therefore, would give the Jaguars nine wins and allow them to clinch the division and a playoff spot.
The Colts will need to win this game just to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne have again made the Colts the best passing offense in the NFL this season, but the running game ranks dead last in rushing yards per game. The defense has also been poor with opposing teams scoring 28 points or more in each of the last four games.
The Colts have not looked good as of late, even in their victory against the Titans last week; however, it is tough to bet against Peyton Manning in a big game.
Indianapolis 30, Jacksonville 24
New Orleans at Baltimore
9 of 15
In another game with playoff implications, the New Orleans Saints will visit the Baltimore Ravens this week. Both teams seem to have a good hold on playoff spots, so this game will more likely be fought over positioning as a wild card or division winner.
New Orleans has won six games in a row using a rejuvenated offense which has scored 30 or more points over the last five games. Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush are now both fully healthy and the Saints offensive unit is essentially the same team that won the Superbowl last year. The defense has been somewhat inconsistent, but the offense has been able to hide what holes the defense has.
The Baltimore Ravens survived a scare from the Houston Texans last week to remain just a game back of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. The Ravens have demonstrated an ability to beat the elite teams in the league this season with victories over the Steelers, Jets, and Buccaneers. The Ravens have been especially terrific at home this year with a 5-1 record.
The Ravens defense somehow will slow down the New Orleans offense and will show that Baltimore is not only about defense anymore.
Baltimore 27, New Orleans 24
Houston at Tennessee
10 of 15
The Tennessee Titans have completely collapsed after a promising 5-2 start to their season. The Titans have lost six in a row knocking them out of playoff contention. Neither Vince Young nor Kerry Collins have been consistently effective at quarterback and the defense took a major step back this season. However, with Chris Johnson in the backfield, the Titans always have a chance to win.
The Texans were another team off to a promising start that declined as the season went on. Despite starting 4-2, Houston lost six of their last seven games proving that they do not belong in the same class as other contenders. The losses have often been heartbreakers. The Texans offense powered by the seventh ranked passing game as well as Arian Foster has been solid, and the defense has also been good against the run; however, too many teams have exposed the weakness in the Texans secondary.
Both teams are on losing slides, but the Texans appear to be less dysfunctional.
Houston 28, Tennessee 20
Atlanta at Seattle
11 of 15
Atlanta's season has been one of the best in franchise history with 11 wins in the first 13 games. The offense has been spectacular featuring Matt Ryan, Roddy White, and Michael Turner. The defense has been strong, albeit inconsistent, but good enough to allow the Falcons offense to take over. The Falcons have won seven games in a row, and at 11-5 seem relatively assured of a playoff spot. On the other hand, Atlanta will need to continue winning in order to stay a game ahead of the charging New Orleans Saints.
Despite a 6-7 record, Seattle remains in the playoff hunt because of the tremendously incompetent NFC West. The Seahawks are tied for first with the Rams in the division. The Seahawks as a team do not do anything particularly well and have one of the worst rushing offenses and pass defenses in the NFL. Seattle has lived off of facing poor opposition and have struggled against the top teams such as the Saints, Giants and Chiefs.
This game should be over by the end of the first half.
Atlanta 41, Seattle 13
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
12 of 15
The Jets will venture into Heinz Field to take on the Steelers who have won their last four games. The AFC North leading Steelers will look to maintain control of the division and lock up their 11th win of the season. The signature of this Pittsburgh Steelers team has not changed in recent years. Pittsburgh establishes dominance in the run game and stifles the opposing rushing game. The Jets could have trouble moving the ball as Mark Sanchez has been awful lately, and the Steelers are the best in the NFL against the run.
New York has lost two in a row against divisional foes and fallen out of contention for the AFC East title. Mark Sanchez has displayed his inexperience as a young quarterback averaging less than 200 yards and throwing four interceptions and zero touchdowns over the last two games. It will not help that the Jets play a tough Steelers defense in a harsh environment.
The Steelers will continue their momentum and the Jets will find themselves in trouble as losers of three in a row.
Pittsburgh 24, New York 13
Denver at Oakland
13 of 15
The most intriguing aspect of the Denver Broncos game against the Oakland Raiders may not have to do with the outcome but whether Tim Tebow gets his first start as an NFL player. Kyle Orton is questionable with a ribs injury and the Broncos are already looking forward towards next season. The Broncos should become a more run-oriented team now that Josh McDaniels is gone, and Tebow should be given expanded playing time to prove that he can be a full-time quarterback in the NFL.
The Oakland Raiders still have an outside shot of winning the AFC West and will be looking to secure their seventh win on the season. Darren McFadden has finally broken out as a top tier running back and Jason Campbell has proved to be a definitive improvement over the departed JaMarcus Russell. The defense has been inconsistent giving up more than 30 points in three of the last four games.
The Raiders dominated the Broncos in the first game at Denver. The game should be closer, but Oakland will still take it.
Oakland 23, Denver 10
Green Bay at New England
14 of 15
The Packers may be in some serious trouble. Already hindered by a tough remaining schedule, the Packers are unsure of the status of Aaron Rodgers who is yet to practice this week. Green Bay is currently out of the playoff picture and may have to go the route of division title in order to get into the playoffs this year. The defense has demonstrated overwhelming improvement since the beginning of the season, but it may not be enough without Rodgers as quarterback.
The Patriots are back to being one of the most dominant teams in the league. New England has won 10 of their last 11 games including victories over the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots are undefeated at home this season, and there is no reason to suggest that their dominance will not continue against a Packers team that may not have Aaron Rodgers.
New England 27, Green Bay 10 (Green Bay will score more if Rodgers plays)
Chicago at Minnesota
15 of 15
After the roof collapse at the Metrodome, this game will be played outside at the University of Minnesota field on Monday Night Football. The Vikings will be in trouble offensively. Minnesota is starting rookie sixth round pick Joe Webb and Adrian Peterson was limited in practice this week with a sore knee. It will be tough to move the ball against a stingy Bears defense. On the other side, the Minnesota defense has been solid under interim coach Leslie Frazier allowing just 16 points a game.
The Chicago Bears are still reeling from an embarrassment in Foxboro last week. Coming into the game on a five game winning streak, Chicago was demolished by New England by a score of 36-7. The fate of the Bears will be tied to which version of Jay Cutler shows up. Focusing more on the run game should also help the Bears control the game better and set up the pass.
The Bears have more on the line and thoroughly beat the Vikings just over a month ago. The same kind of outcome is expected.
Chicago 26, Minnesota 6
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