NFL Week 15 Spread Picks and Predictions
The season is coming to a close soon. With three weeks left, the division and playoff races are as hot as ever. We are treated to a few huge matchups this weekend.
The class games of the week include the New York Giants hosting Michael Vick’s Philadelphia Eagles for sole possession of the NFC East lead. A loss is huge in this game as a further losing streak could potentially land the team outside of the playoffs.
Another monster division match up pits the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags already upset the Colts at home earlier in the season. If they manage to do so again, they’ll have the AFC South locked up.
The Jets travel to Pittsburgh to avenge their embarrassing losses to the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in their past two games.
We are also treated to two big inter-conference match ups. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens who just beat the Houston Texans in walk-off pick-six fashion. This is a big game for both teams as they look to prove they are Super Bowl contenders.
Finally, Tom Brady’s New England Patriots host the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers may be out of this game but if he plays, it will be an exciting Sunday Night game.
Note: Spreads are taken from Yahoo! Spreads as of December 15.
San Francisco 49ers @ San Diego Chargers (-9)
1 of 17
Despite both teams playing poorly a majority of the season, they are each still in their division race. Both are coming off impressive wins in Week 14. The good thing for San Francisco on this short week is that they don’t have to travel far, which is usually a determining factor for teams on short rest.
Antonio Gates is unlikely to play for the Chargers. Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are banged up. The Chargers will have to rely on their rushing attack, but San Francisco has enough fire power to keep up with the Chargers. The spread is just too high not to take.
Pick: San Francisco (+9)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (-2)
2 of 17
It took longer than expected, but Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco have finally started to blame their coaching staff and management for the team's disappointing and abysmal play this season.
The Browns have been hot all season, beating two Super Bowl contenders and playing the Jets tough as well. They even played the Pittsburgh Steelers fairly well in Colt McCoy’s first start.
Although Owens and Ochocinco could abuse the Browns secondary, there is no telling where their heads are at. With three games left, have they already called it quits?
Peyton Hillis will dominate this game.
Pick: Cleveland (+2)
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (-6)
3 of 17
Prior to reports that Rex Grossman could start, the Redskins seemed like the pick because Jason Garrett’s Cowboys have been in close games since he became the interim head coach.
Mike Shanahan’s ‘Skins are just in total disarray and their extra point blunder against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which would have tied the game, is a prime example of how embarrassing their season has been.
Ryan Torain brought the running game back to Washington, but Miles Austin and Jason Witten should demolish this declining secondary.
The Cowboys are playing with far more life and intensity than the ‘Skins.
Pick: Dallas (-6)
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Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans (-1.5)
4 of 17
Who else is hoping for Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan Round 2?
Just let them go at it, NFL.
After the amazing comeback on Monday Night against the Baltimore Ravens, it’ll be interesting to see just how much life these Texans have. I think they’ll be able to carry some of that momentum over.
The Titans should be heavily prepared and rested, coming in with 10 days rest. The Titans played their best game in a while against the Colts, almost well enough to win.
Chris Johnson should shred this defense and I expected the Titans to finally see a return on their Randy Moss investment.
Pick: Tennessee (-1.5)
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts (-5)
5 of 17
One of the biggest matchups of the weekend.
This may come as a shocker but I like the Jaguars in this game. They almost lost to the Raiders, but they may have been looking ahead to this game. They can control the division with a victory. Maurice Jones-Drew will be more than ready for this contest and has the skills to completely gut this Colts defense.
Peyton Manning got back on the right track, but was awful for three straight weeks. It’s still possible for him to throw a few more picks.
David Garrard has been effective and efficient. The Colts are starting to get healthy finally, but they aren’t just yet.
Pick: Jacksonville (+5)
Kansas City Chiefs @ St. Louis Rams (Pick ‘Em)
6 of 17
The Chiefs suffered mightily without Matt Cassel who underwent an appendectomy last week. There is no guarantee he will play this week, but I would expect Brodie Croyle to be a bit more comfortable this week.
The Rams have been up and down this season. I expect a rough day for both NFC West division leaders, so at least they won’t feel too bad when they lose this game.
Sam Bradford has regressed a bit. The Chiefs’ secondary was abused by Malcom Floyd but they’ll rebound this week against the rook.
Steven Jackson and Jamaal Charles had rough Week 14 outings, but I expect both of them to pick up the pace. Charles on the turf will be able to do more though.
Pick: Kansas City (Pick ‘Em)
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins (-5.5)
7 of 17
The Bills lost Lee Evans to injury Week 14; this just takes away one more threat the Dolphins will have to worry about. The Bills travel to Miami after a rough loss with Lee Evans to injury but still beating the Browns while the Dolphins return home after a huge win against the Jets, which was basically won by their defense.
With the defense playing so well, it doesn’t seem like the Bills will stand a chance in this game.
The Dolphins offense has struggled all season. Now that superstar Brandon Marshall has a game under his belt since returning from injury, he should be ready to dominate the Bills’ suspect secondary.
Pick: Miami (-5.5)
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (-3)
8 of 17
Arguably the biggest matchup of the weekend. Whichever team wins this game will be the sole leader of the NFC East division.
The Giants seemed to lay the blue print on how to “contain” Michael Vick last month. Now with extra game footage from that game, the Bears’ victory and the Cowboys game last week, this defense should be licking its chops to put the MVP talk to rest.
The Giants will be without Steve Smith but at least they have Hakeem Nicks back with a game under his belt. Most importantly for the Giants, the running game has taken off behind the two-headed monster of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.
The game rests on their shoulders but could be ultimately lost on Eli Manning’s arm and decision making.
Michael Vick has been fantastic this season and this game will rest on his arm and legs. LeSean McCoy sealed the victory in the first meeting and he’ll play a major role in this game with all of the attention on Vick.
In such a tight division game, it’s best to go with the points.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6)
9 of 17
Both teams are coming off hard fought battles. While their record doesn’t show it, the Lions have played great football. They could be getting Shaun Hill back this week, which would be a major upgrade for the entire Lions offense.
The Buccaneers have been just as great as the Lions and their record actually does show it. The offense is suffering at the moment though with Mike Williams bothered by a knee injury and LeGarrette Blount may be waning in these final weeks as a rookie.
Their defense has taken a major hit with three players on injured reserve, including top pick Gerald McCoy.
Ronde Barber is no match for Calvin Johnson, who will keep this game close.
Pick: Detroit (+6)
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
10 of 17
The Cardinals dominated the Denver Broncos off the legs of kicker Jay Feely. This won’t happen again, but I like the momentum they should be bringing to Carolina and the points they’re spotted.
Carolina’s rushing attack behind Mike Goodson and Jonathan Stewart has been great. The main problem is that the Panthers have no aerial attack whatsoever. Despite being able to line up one of the best football players in the league in Steve Smith, they simply cannot get the ball to him.
Although I hate the Cardinals flying to Carolina for a 1:00 pm game, they’ve just shown more promise than the Panthers.
Pick: Arizona (+2.5)
New Orleans Saints @ Baltimore Ravens (-1.5)
11 of 17
The Ravens return home after just barely escaping Houston with a win. The Ravens gave up 21 straight points and their defense surprisingly looked beat late in the fourth quarter. After being shredded by Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones, Josh Wilson picked off Schaub for the much needed win in overtime.
In comes the deadly Drew Brees and his red hot offense. Will the Ravens defense have enough this week to contend with Brees’ dynamic passing attack? The gut feeling is no. The Ravens defense, while great, is not what it was. Although the defense sealed the win in Houston, they were the reason the game went to overtime in the first place.
This game is a great test for both, but an even bigger test for the Saints. If they can go in and topple one of the AFC Super Bowl contenders, they’ll feel far better about their chances to defend their Super Bowl Championship.
Pick: New Orleans (+1.5)
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks (+6)
12 of 17
The Falcons are one of the hottest teams in the league and sit atop the NFC with an 11-2 record. The Seattle Seahawks are on their way down. Matt Hasselbeck has been terrible in recent weeks and just threw four picks to the San Francisco 49ers. The Seattle play-calling has been poor and inconsistent.
Expect the Falcons to abuse the Seahawks defense despite flying to Seattle. Michael Turner should demolish the Seattle rush defense and Roddy White should have a monster outing.
Seattle doesn’t stand a chance as their playoff hopes begin to fade.
Pick: Atlanta (-6)
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders (-6.5)
13 of 17
The Broncos are playing without any heart at the moment. Last time these two teams played, Darren McFadden embarrassed them. He’ll do so again.
McFadden just went off on the Jaguars for three touchdowns and will carry that momentum into this game and stiff arm his way to another huge day against this lifeless defense.
The Raiders need this game to stay alive in the playoff race after suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Jaguars last week.
Raiders win big.
Pick: Oakland (-6.5)
New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5)
14 of 17
The Steelers defense is soaring after two pick-sixes against Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Roethlisberger and the offense didn’t do much against a suspect Bengals defense, but didn’t have to. They’ll face a far superior defense this week.
Santonio Holmes will be extra motivated to play his former team that traded him away. He’ll also be looking to make up for his dropped touchdown in last week’s horrible loss to the Miami Dolphins that ultimately cost his team a much needed win.
Jets may not win the game, but they’ll keep it close as they desperately need to gain some sort of moral victory after their past two embarrassing losses.
Pick: New York (+6.5)
Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots (Pick ‘Em)
15 of 17
Aaron Rodgers could miss this important game against the Patriots. The Packers need this game to keep pace with the Bears in the NFC North division. Even if Rodgers plays, the Packers are no match for the scorching hot Patriots.
Tom Brady is on fire over the past month and should continue his torrid pace.
Expect another blow out from Bill Belichick’s.
Pick: New England (Pick ‘Em)
Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings (Pick ‘Em)
16 of 17
Brett Favre missed his first start in 321 consecutive games including the playoffs.
Adrian Peterson is banged up after bumping knees with Tarvaris Jackson.
Tarvaris Jackson is suffering from turf toe.
Rookie Joe Webb is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Percy Harvin is still suffering from migraines.
The team just brought in Patrick Dempsey to perhaps start for them against the ferocious Chicago Bears defense, although the safer bet is Webb if he is healthy.
The Bears just got obliterated by Tom Brady at home and will be out for blood Monday night.
This game just spells disaster for the Minnesota Vikings. Regardless the spread, Chicago is the way to go.
Pick: Chicago (Pick ‘Em)
Picks:
17 of 17
San Francisco 49ers (+9) @ San Diego Chargers
Cleveland Browns (+2) @ Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (-6)
Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans (-1.5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (-5) @ Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs (Pick ‘Em) @ St. Louis Rams
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins (-5.5)
Philadelphia Eagles (+3) @ New York Giants
Detroit Lions (+6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) @ Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints (+1.5) @ Baltimore Ravens
Atlanta Falcons (-6) @ Seattle Seahawks
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders (-6.5)
New York Jets (+6) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots (Pick ‘Em)
Chicago Bears (Pick ‘Em) @ Minnesota Vikings
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