NFL Picks Week 15: Top 10 Teams That Are on Upset Alert This Week
NFL Week 15 is almost upon us, and there are a lot of big games on the slate.
The NFL scheduled a lot of key divisional matchups, and some of these games will determine division winners and the fate of teams' postseason hopes.
Upsets are likely to happen this week with teams desperate for a win. So which teams are on upset alert?
10. Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
1 of 10
Favorite: Raiders by 6.5
Denver has been horrible this season, and it culminated in head coach Josh McDaniels getting the boot.
It doesn't help that their once prolific passing attack has stalled, and Kyle Orton is having yet another late-season meltdown.
The Raiders absolutely crushed the Broncos 59-14 earlier in the season, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was a similar outcome here.
Jason Campbell has led the Raiders offense, and they're actually playing fairly well. The Broncos won't pose much of a threat to him.
While both sides are playing for nothing more than pride, this is still a divisional matchup, and the two teams will be gunning for one another.
The Raiders have been playing much better, and they will likely come out on top.
Chances of an upset: 25 percent
9. Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
2 of 10
Favorite: Dolphins by 5.5
The Miami Dolphins are riding high after taking down the New York Jets.
However, it was an ugly game, and the Dolphins barely had any semblance of an offense.
Luckily, the Bills defense is horrible and nowhere near the level of the Jets.
The Dolphins as a whole have been a sack machine, racking up 17 sacks over the last six games, and Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely see Cameron Wake in his face all game long.
The Bills lost a close game in Week 2 against Miami, 15-10, but that was without Fitzpatrick at the helm. There's a small chance that he can actually lead the team to a victory, but I don't see it happening after the Dolphins' big win last week.
Chances of an upset: 35 percent
8. New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
3 of 10
Favorite: Steelers by six
The New York Jets have been horrible over the past two weeks. They got stomped by the New England Patriots and then followed that up with an ugly loss against the Miami Dolphins.
The Jets cannot find anything even close to resembling an offense, and it doesn't help that the best defense in the league will be waiting for them in Pittsburgh.
However, the Steelers' offensive line is in shambles, and the Jets will be blitzing a lot.
Not to mention Mike Wallace will probably get shut down by Darrelle Revis.
In the end, I believe Ben Roethlisberger's scrambling ability will be the winning edge here.
Chances of an upset: 40 percent
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7. Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
4 of 10
Favorite: Giants 2.5
This is a huge divisional game between the two rivals.
Both teams are tied with 9-4 records, but the Eagles hold the advantage in the tiebreaker after winning the first matchup between the two teams.
Steve Smith was just put on season-ending injured reserve, so the Giants' receiving corps will be hurting, but Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham should be able to step up in his absence.
However, the Eagles are hurting even worse, and they're facing more injuries than the Giants are.
The Giants set the blueprint for limiting Michael Vick, and they'll build upon their limited success against him in their last matchup.
Giants edge the Eagles in a close game.
Chances of an upset: 45 percent
6. Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
5 of 10
Favorite: Dallas by six
While both teams aren't really playing for much other than pride at this point, expect it to be a heated game with two hated division rivals facing up.
Six of the last eight matchups between the two teams have been decided by six points or less. I wouldn't expect anything different here.
Ryan Torain is coming off a 172-yard rushing performance, and he gets the Cowboys 21st-ranked rushing defense.
Dallas' secondary is also ranked 30th in terms of yards per attempt, so Donovan McNabb—should he play instead of Rex Grossman—won't have a whole lot of trouble throwing.
On the flip side, Washington's defense is ranked lower in both categories, so the Cowboys will have no trouble scoring either, especially after they came close to beating the Philadelphia Eagles last week.
While the Cowboys have been bad for most of the year, the Redskins will still be no match for them in the end.
Chance of an upset: 50 percent
5. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
6 of 10
Favorite: Colts by five
Jacksonville not only leads the division but also owns the tiebreaker against the Indianapolis Colts after beating them in Week 4, 31-28.
Maurice Jones-Drew is on a hot streak right now, having broken the century mark in five straight games and posting a career-high 186 rushing yards last week. Chances are he will extend that streak to six against the Colts' poor rush defense.
On the other side, Peyton Manning will be going up against the beatable Jaguars secondary.
Jacksonville has been playing well above expectations, but I believe Manning gets it together and leads the team to a victory playing at home.
Chances of an upset: 45 percent
4. New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
7 of 10
Favorite: Ravens by 1.5
These two powerhouse teams will be meeting in what should amount to an exciting game. Both squads are fighting for a playoff position, and they'll be putting everything on the line here.
Baltimore's defense has been vulnerable this season, and they'll get a true test with Drew Brees.
However, the Saints offense is not as prolific as it was last season, so the Ravens will have some breathing room.
Even so, the Saints are rolling right now on a five-game winning streak.
I see this game coming down to the wire, but Brees will overwhelm the Ravens.
Chances of an upset: 55 percent
3. Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
8 of 10
Favorite: Titans by 1.5
The two teams faced off in Week 12 with the Titans visiting Houston.
It was an ugly outcome with Chris Johnson being held to five rushing yards on seven attempts and the Titans offense only gaining 162 yards of total offense.
Kerry Collins is likely starting in place of Rusty Smith, so there will be some semblance of a passing attack for Tennessee, especially against the Texans' inept secondary. You can also bet on Johnson coming out strong against the Texans in what should serve as a revenge game for him.
Mario Williams just landed on season-ending injured reserve, so that helps open up some space on the edge for Johnson and gives Collins some breathing room.
Of course, even with all of these factors, the Texans still have a lot going for them. Arian Foster ran for 143 yards and caught nine passes for 75 more yards in the teams' first meeting. Andre Johnson will be looking to burn Cortland Finnegan after their brawl too.
This will be a close divisional game, but I believe the Texans will come out with a victory.
Chance of an upset: 65 percent
2. Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams
9 of 10
Favorite: Rams by 1
Both teams have played well above expectations, and it's quite impressive the strides they've taken this season.
Sam Bradford appears to be a lock to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he'll look to cement that here against Kansas City.
If Matt Cassel suits up and is ready to go, then the Chiefs walk away with a victory.
If Cassel can't go against the Rams, the tide immediately turns in favor of St. Louis.
Chances of an upset: 60 percent
1. Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
10 of 10
Favorite: Bengals by 1.5
The Cincinnati Bengals have actually won nine of the last 12 matchups between the two teams.
While the Bengals have been particularly bad this season, sporting a 2-11 record, they do have some talent on this team.
However, there are too many factors going against them aside from the team being awful.
The Browns' rookie cornerback, Joe Haden, has been playing well lately, and he could have some success against Terrell Owens. It also helps that Owens is back to his diva ways and criticizing the Bengals coaching staff.
Cleveland may have trouble stopping the run, but Cedric Benson hasn't been all that great this season. As long as Jake Delhomme doesn't start, Cleveland will avoid costly turnovers, and that should give the Browns the edge.
Cincinnati will put up an admirable fight, but I think the Browns will edge them out here.
Chance of an upset: 70 percent
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