NFL Picks Week 15: Predicting Winners for Every Game
NFL Picks Week 15 version is here, and with many critical matchups across the league, we've got much to look forward to as football fans.
The schedule was purposely back-loaded with divisional games to really add to the excitement, and I'm ready to take it all in.
Aren't you?
Here are my picks for this week's match-ups across the National Football League.
San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers (Thursday Night)
1 of 16
The 49ers head south for a critical matchup with the mysterious San Diego Chargers.
Both teams are coming off blowout victories and need another win to stay in playoff contention.
The intensity should be turned up for this game and could be won in the final minutes.
If the 'Niners can withstand the Chargers' early ambush, I think Brian Westbrook could be a big factor in this one and lead the 49ers to a huge upset victory.
49ers 27 Chargers 24
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
2 of 16
Who will be watching this game outside of the state of Ohio?
Not many.
If Colt McCoy can return, the Browns should have no problem pounding the rock with Peyton Hillis while McCoy manages the game.
Their defense should be able to make a few plays against Carson Palmer, and the Browns will leave Cincy with a win.
The Bengals are in shambles right now, and it looks like many of their players have quit on the season.
Browns 31 Bengals 14
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
3 of 16
A late NFC East battle that lacks its usual sizzle.
The Redskins are losers of three straight, and although the Cowboys haven't been able to put a respectable win streak together, they are playing much better under Jason Garrett.
Jon Kitna is finding Jason Witten often, and the running game has received a nice boost from Tashard Choice.
Teams going in opposite directions.
Cowboys 17 Redskins 10
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Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
4 of 16
You've got to feel for the Texans after another late-game collapse that led to another agonizing defeat.
Both teams sit at 5-8 and will be kicking themselves at the end of a year in which the Colts did not dominate the division.
I still see fight in Houston.
I don't in Tennessee.
Texans 31 Titans 20
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
5 of 16
Who knew this matchup would carry so much weight in Week 15, with the Jaguars clinching the division with a win.
I can't imagine the Colts losing again at home, but they have their troubles stopping the run, and no one's been hotter than Maurice Jones-Drew of late.
Peyton Manning will get his stats, but I don't think it'll be enough when all is said and done.
Jaguars 24 Colts 21
Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams
6 of 16
I've been enamored with the play of this youthful Rams team all season. Sam Bradford has performed well beyond his years and no one runs with a more physical nature than Steven Jackson.
The Chiefs should get Matt Cassel back, and in the end, the rushing duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones will be too much for St. Louis' defense.
Don't sleep on KC's defense, either.
Chiefs 17 Rams 9
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
7 of 16
This is the NFC East showdown we're used to in the latter stages of the season.
Both teams sit at 9-4, so this game could essentially wrap up the division.
They've won two straight, but I just don't see the Giants creating enough offense to stay with the ever-dangerous Eagles attack, especially if Asante Samuel returns.
Eagles 31 Giants 23
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8 of 16
A favorable matchup for the Buccaneers, who are still scraping and clawing for one of those final playoff spots.
With the Lions' issues at quarterback and an iffy secondary along with what should be a boisterous home crowd in the Big Sombrero, the Bucs keep their postseason hopes alive.
Buccaneers 24 Lions 10
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
9 of 16
One of the few stinkers in Week 15.
The Cardinals should be riding high after their huge home victory over the Broncos last week.
Could it be possible that the Panthers are tanking for Andrew Luck?
Cardinals 20 Panthers 14
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
10 of 16
Both teams are coming off ugly victories last week, in games that their defense held strong throughout.
The Dolphins are on playoff life-support and need to take care of business against a resilient but inconsistent Bills squad.
This could be a defensive struggle, and that's something I never thought I'd write about in a game that included the Bills.
Buffalo finally wins a close one, late.
Bills 14 Dolphins 13
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
11 of 16
All eyes will be on the Ravens Nest for this one.
Baltimore's defense has struggled late in games this season, and with the Saints finally clicking, I'm not sure the Ravens can pull out another tight one.
Brees and Co. prevail in a highly competitive contest.
Saints 34 Baltimore 28
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
12 of 16
Remember when Qwest Field was one of the toughest places to play in the NFL?
The Seahawks still play better as a host, but they haven't been able to rekindle their home magic of the early-to-mid 2000s.
The Falcons can beat you in so many different ways, and they run away with this one.
Falcons 27 Seahawks 14
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
13 of 16
The Raiders were a few plays away from being above .500 after last week's game in Jacksonville, but their defense and special teams betrayed them.
The Broncos are lost and have been wandering through the last half of the year.
Run DMC and Jason Campbell are too much for a Broncos team in shambles.
Raiders 24 Broncos 7
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
14 of 16
What a difference two weeks can make.
The Jets were 9-2 and were primed for a deep run in the playoffs.
After consecutive humiliating losses, now we're not so sure.
On the other hand, the Steelers defense is carrying them to victory each and every week.
They have a field day with a timid Mark Sanchez en route to their 11th win.
Steelers 20 Jets 10
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
15 of 16
This game lost some of its hype when Aaron Rodgers went down with his second concussion of the season last week.
It's doubtful the Packers starting signal caller will go, and if Matt Flynn's the guy for Green Bay, it'll be a long night in New England.
Will Tom Brady ever throw another interception?
Patriots 38 Packers 20
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
16 of 16
Brett Favre's season and career look to be over, and with their odd week that saw them look completely out of sorts during their "home game" in Detroit on Monday, the Vikings could be packing it in at this point.
Tarvaris Jackson will look to rebound against a stout Bears D, but ultimately, Julius Peppers will prove to be too much.
Bears 20 Vikings 13
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