Last-Minute Odds, Picks Against the Spread for NFL Week 15

Week 15 spoils us with a plethora of big games fulfilled with playoff implications. And that only intensifies when making picks by using the spread.

Take Tom Brady and the New England Patriots as a prime example.

The Pats host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. It's a game that is reasonably expected to be a matchup in less than two months when Super Bowl XLVII kicks off.

Each are still fighting for the No. 1 seed in their respective conference and victory on Sunday only helps. Not to mention the amount of added confidence as well.

So, because we're offered plenty this weekend, let's factor in the spread for each prediction.

Note: All spreads courtesy of FootballLocks.com

Green Bay Packers (-2.5) at Chicago Bears

For a while now, the Green Bay Packers have had the Chicago Bears' number.

That said, don't expect much to change this week.

Green Bay fields the more explosive offense and continues to improve its ground game. Chicago has arguably worse pass protection and its rushing attack hasn't been enough to carry the team.

Don't expect turnovers either, because Aaron Rodgers rarely provides opponents with additional possessions.

Packers 24, Bears 14

Packers against the spread

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons (-1)

The Atlanta Falcons have yet to really dominate a team in 2012.

And that's because the Falcons remain suspect at controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides.

Well, the New York Giants are improving in the trenches as they typically do in December. Also, Eli Manning is capable of keeping pace with Matt Ryan courtesy of a solid receiving corps and pocket protection.

So, unless Atlanta gets more from its running game and stuffs New York, the Giants win on the road.

Giants 23, Falcons 20

Giants and the points

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-3.5)

Anticipate another high-scoring affair between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.

The offenses can be explosive when needed and the defenses continue to fail at defending the pass.

Although the Bucs are impressive at getting interceptions, New Orleans has improved against the pass—albeit minimal improvement.

Still, Drew Brees is the difference as Josh Freeman isn't quite as effective when dropping back.

Saints 38, Buccaneers 34

Saints against the spread

Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams (-3)

Neither offense in this matchup presents consistency with the passing game.

On the contrary, the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams can rush the passer and play solid coverage defensively.

Therefore, the end result comes from the rushing attacks to maintain ball control and win the field position battle. Adrian Peterson then becomes Minnesota's competitive advantage, because the Vikings are the better running team.

Vikings 17, Rams 14

Vikings and the points

Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns (-3.5)

The Washington Redskins will start a rookie quarterback on Sunday.

It just won't be Robert Griffin III. According to the Redskins' official Twitter feed on Saturday:

"

#Redskins announce that the team is expected to start Kirk Cousins at quarterback on Sunday vs. Cleveland. #HTTR

— Redskins (@Redskins) December 16, 2012"

This, however, doesn't make it easier on the Cleveland Browns. Kirk Cousins is perfectly capable of moving the rock and keeping Washington balanced. The Browns defense has been stellar of recent, but that was also against non-explosive offenses.

Redskins 31, Browns 27

Redskins and the points

Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (-8)

A new bowl game is being played in December.

The Chad Henne Bowl will kickoff between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins.

Miami definitely presents the stronger run defense and pass rush to control the line of scrimmage. However, the Dolphins are also suspect in coverage and Henne has proven Jacksonville's high-powered potential.

Ryan Tannehill and Co. has scored over 21 points just once in their past six games, so the Jags are capable of keeping the Dolphins in check.

Jaguars 21, Dolphins 17

Jaguars and the points

Denver Broncos (-3) at Baltimore Ravens

The Denver Broncos face their toughest challenge before the postseason in the Baltimore Ravens.

On the flip side the Broncos are arguably just that for Baltimore as well.

Here, we also see Baltimore with Terrell Suggs, but without Ray Lewis per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com:

"

While Ravens LB Ray Lewis will not play today, Baltimore LB Terrell Suggs will play against Denver despite his torn bicep.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2012"

Switch to Denver's defense and the Ravens will struggle moving the ball. Baltimore lacks big play consistency and the Broncos' front seven will control the line of scrimmage.

Broncos 23, Ravens 16

Broncos against the spread

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-10)

Although the Indianapolis Colts aren't the Patriots, don't expect the Houston Texans to simply obliterate Andrew Luck's team.

If anything, the Colts play with confidence and present the offensive efficiency to win the possession battle.

Houston is suspect against the pass and Indy can set up the ground attack as the game progresses. Obviously, the Colts defense is a concern since they allow an average of 25.3 points per contest.

The Texans will move the ball and score, but Luck keeps it respectably close on the road.

Texans 30, Colts 21

Colts and the points

Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers (-3)

The Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers each got a big win in Week 14.

As a result, each enters Week 15 with added confidence.

It's an interesting matchup as well, because the Bolts turn the ball over more and the Panthers field balance despite lacking at consistent scoring. Defensively, Carolina gets more pressure yet the Chargers force more turnovers.

Neither, however, possesses the ability to dominate against the pass.

In short, expect a high-scoring affair with Cam Newton's dual-threat ability creating problems for San Diego's defense: Just like he did to the Falcons.

Panthers 34, Chargers 30

Panthers and the points

Seattle Seahawks (-5) at Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills fell to the Rams in Week 14 and the Seattle Seahawks visit in Week 15.

Unfortunately for Buffalo, Seattle is virtually an exact replica of St. Louis, but an upgraded version by comparison.

Seattle runs the rock impressively well and has an effective quarterback in Russell Wilson. The Seahawks also play suffocating defense and are physical across the board.

Since the Bills were barely ousted by the Rams, Seattle will echo that performance to another level.

Seahawks 26, Bills 10

Seahawks against the spread

Detroit Lions (-6.5) at Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals don't stand a chance against anyone with their lack of quarterback protection and non-existent ground game.

Factor in turnover after turnover and the Detroit Lions will crush the Cards in Week 15.

The Lions at least provide Matthew Stafford with some pocket safety and Detroit has displayed improvements on the ground. Defensively, Detroit may have vulnerabilities, but Arizona's ineffective offense won't exploit anything.

Lions 35, Cardinals 6

Lions against the spread

Pittsburgh Steelers (Even) at Dallas Cowboys

Don't fall asleep on the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboys in 2012.

Both have undoubtedly underachieved, but are capable of finding a rhythm because of their defenses and quarterback play.

Without question, Ben Roethlisberger is more reliable in crunch time; however, Tony Romo has the Cowboys at 4-1 over their past five games. As for Pittsburgh, it fell at home to the lowly Chargers and still lacks a pass rush and at forcing turnovers.

Dallas can score consistency when it's confident, and the Cowboys are playing with more confidence than Pittsburgh right now.

Cowboys 20, Steelers 16

Cowboys over Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders (-4)

For as intense as this rivalry can be, the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders don't possess anything other than bragging rights in Week 15.

Jamaal Charles is also K.C.'s competitive edge, because his ability to run the ball despite an unreliable passing game is impressive.

Oakland also fails miserably against the run and gives up an average of 4.5 yards per rush. The Raiders may also have a sound passing game, but defending the pass is also the Chiefs' strength. 

Someone has to win and the Chiefs have a ground game to control the tempo.

Chiefs 23, Raiders 20

Chiefs and the points

San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots (-4.5)

Unlike Monday night, Sunday night this week will be a close battle for the New England Patriots.

The San Francisco 49ers are unbelievable in every defensive aspect, so Tom Brady must play with extreme precision.

Because of that colossal matchup when Brady is on the field, though, the 'Niners and Pats' deciding factor resides when San Francisco's offense takes the field. Frank Gore keeps the 49ers balanced, and the passing game is a threat to move the ball.

The concern is whether the Pats can stuff the run and get quarterback pressure. San Francisco doesn't turn the ball over much, so Brady will have to match that efficiency when given opportunities. Well, he's done it before and New England is San Francisco's toughest test yet in 2012.

Patriots 20, 49ers 14

Patriots against the spread

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (-1.5)

We could rightfully choose to ignore it, but the reality is the New York Jets are still alive for the postseason.

Taking on the Tennessee Titans this week, Gang Green faces one of the worst defenses this season.

The Titans have also yet to prove any sort of consistent offensive balance and ball control. One thing about the Jets, New York hasn't lost to any inferior opponents this season.

Six of Rex Ryan's seven losses are to opponents who entered Week 15 with a winning record. So, New York wins ugly just as it has the past two weeks.

Jets 13, Titans 10

Jets and the points

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