Week 15 NFL Predictions: Can the Jets Get Back on Track?
Week 15 is highlighted by four big games: Saints at Ravens, Jaguars at Colts, Eagles at Giants, and Jets at Steelers.
Who will rise up?
Will it be the Jets who have looked so bad the past two weeks?
Will the Eagles or Giants take control of the NFC East?
Are the Jaguars going to prove they are the best team in the AFC South?
Will the Saints win streak continue?
All of these questions will be answered in week 15. Enjoy.
San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers
1 of 16
Week 15 kicks off in San Diego in a battle of California teams between the 49ers and Chargers. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives and can't afford another loss. Unfortunately one of these teams has to lose, and it's going to the 49ers.
Alex Smith gave the offense a spark last week as he threw for three touchdowns in the Niners rout of the Seahawks. The Chargers are a different team than the Seahawks though, a better team who knows how to win games late in the season.
The Chargers are in striking distance of winning the AFC West, and have any easy schedule the rest of the way. The Chargers win as the Niners playoff hopes end.
Fearless Forecast: Chargers 27, 49ers 17
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
2 of 16
Last week, I finally got a Dolphins game right as I picked them to beat the Jets on the road. Now, a week later, I'm picking them to lose to the Bills in Miami. Why, you might ask? I'll tell you why.
The Dolphins somehow are just 1-5 at home, and 6-1 on the road. They are simply a team you cannot trust. Chad Henne has struggled to move the offense, and the Dolphins just look like a different team at home.
The Bills come into this one at 3-10, and are a team you cannot take lightly. They will compete every week. Don't be surprised if the Bills win this one.
Fearless Forecast: Bills 20, Dolphins 16
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
3 of 16
Last week, on Monday Night Football, the Ravens blew a 28-10 lead, but were able to hold in overtime thanks to an interception for a touchdown. The defense made a huge play, at the biggest time in the game when the Texans had all the momentum.
The Saints come to Baltimore this week having won their last six games. They are quietly 10-3 and you cannot forget about the defending champions.
For the Ravens to be taken as serious contenders, these are the games they need to win. The Saints a very good football team, and the Ravens defense will be pushed to the limit.
I like the Ravens here in a close one.
Fearless Forecast: Ravens 27, Saints 24
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Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
4 of 16
Is this the worst game of the 2010 NFL season? Both teams have struggled offensively this season and are in dire need of a quarterback. I really don't feel like analyzing this game but it is my duty to do each game.
The Cardinals last week had an offensive outburst, scoring 43 points against the Broncos. John Skelton, in his first career start, played well, and controlled the game. Now he gets the first road game of his career.
Wins will not benefit the Panthers at this point, but that won't stop them here. This is a game they should win. Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson will lead a balanced rushing attack as the Panthers win.
Fearless Forecast: Panthers 24, Cardinals 14
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
5 of 16
This week, the Browns and Bengals collide in an AFC North clash between the two worst teams in the division. The Bengals have lost 2-11, and have lost ten straight games while the Browns are 5-8 and will get back Colt McCoy this week.
What left do the Bengals have to play for? Their coach? No. Even if they finish strong, there is no way Marvin Lewis survives this. He has been there for 8 years with just two playoff appearances and no wins. The Bengals have quit on him this season, and a change must happen.
I like the Bengals in this game to snap their ten game losing streak.
Fearless Forecast: Bengals 20, Browns 17
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
6 of 16
If you're reading this, you are probably thinking to yourself, "here is another pointless game." Well, I'm not going to dispute with you, it really is. This game has no implications whatsoever, that is, unless you are Jason Garrett.
Under Garrett, the Cowboys are 3-2 and look like a different team. The point of the rest of this season is to win the job, and so far I believe he has done enough to do that. His success should continue against a Redskins team who is in disarray.
The Redskins have lost their last three games, and last week highlighted their struggles when Hunter Smith's bad snap on the extra point sealed the Redskins fate in a 17-16 loss. That play about sums up their season, and it has just been a disaster between the Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth sagas.
The Cowboys will easily win this one and even the season series with the Redskins.
Fearless Forecast: Cowboys 31, Redskins 14
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
7 of 16
Ah finally, a game with meaning, and a good one also.
The first time these two teams met, the Jaguars won thanks to a 60 yard field goal from the leg of Josh Scobee. The Jaguars have played above expectations this season and with a win in Indianapolis the AFC South is theirs. Peyton Manning will not let that happen though, this is still his division.
After throwing 11 interceptions the last three games, Peyton Manning got back on track last week as he threw for 316 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Colts are getting healthier, just in time for the final playoff push.
The Jaguars will use a heavy dose of Maurice Jones Drew and Rashad Jennings as the Colts rank among one of the worst teams in the league in stopping the run. In addition, the Colts are also one of the worst teams at running the football. They badly miss Joseph Addai.
I'm rooting for the Jaguars in this game, but my mind tells me the Colts won't let this one slip away.
Fearless Forecast: Colts 27, Jaguars 20
Kansas City Chiefs at St.Louis Rams
8 of 16
If you told me in the beginning of the season that the Chiefs and Rams would be playing a meaningful game in week 15 I would have laughed in your face. However, with this unexpected NFL season, both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. Who needs it more?
The Chiefs do. With the Chargers right on their tails and Matt Cassel banged up with an appendectomy, the Chiefs need this win, bad. If Cassel is unable to start again, Brodie Croyle would get the nod and he is a career 0-10 as a starter. Uh oh.
Meanwhile, the Rams, at 6-7, are sitting at first place in the NFC West. They are 4-2 at home, and need all the wins they can get.
Sam Bradford has the Rams on the move, and they will win this one.
Fearless Forecast: Rams 23, Chiefs 16
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
9 of 16
The game of the week in this week is deja vu back from week 11, but this time it's in New York. The Eagles and the Giants square off for first place in the NFC East, and the Giants will be looking for revenge.
The first time around the Eagles won 27-17, and Eli Manning remembers that game perfectly when he dropped the ball before being touched, costing the Giants the game. When Eli makes mistakes, they are bad ones, very bad. You wonder to yourself, "what is he thinking?"
For the Eagles to win this game, they will need to play their best football, because the Giants aren't messing around. While the Eagles are a pass happy team, when they need to run the ball, they can ice the game as LeSean McCoy has done so brilliantly this year.
This game will go down to the end, with the Eagles taking it for the second time this year.
Fearless Forecast: Eagles 27, Giants 21
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10 of 16
You've gotta give Raheem Morris all the credit in the world for the job he's done this year. Nobody expected this Bucs team to be competing for a playoff berth this late into the season, and it isn't a fantasy, the Bucs can actually make the playoffs.
Right now they are 8-5, and will likely have to win out if they want to get in. Where the Bucs have struggled is winning games against the top two teams in the NFC South: The Falcons, and Saints. They will get one more shot at the Saints though, the final week of the season.
The Lions come into this game having won an ugly 7-3 game over the Packers in which they're defense was dominant. Can they get two in a row? Don't count on it, the Lions haven't won a road game in two years, and it won't start now with the Bucs fighting for their playoff lives.
Fearless Forecast: Buccaneers 30, Lions 17
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
11 of 16
Ah, here is another game that has no meaning. This is a battle between two disappointing teams this season, and expect a shootout with both defenses struggling.
Last week was the story of the Texans franchise, and season. As I like to put it, it was simply a classic Texans loss. Trailing 28-10, the Texans came all the way back to tie it at 28 and force overtime. Then in overtime, after stopping the Ravens, Matt Schaub threw an interception for a touchdown to end the game and the Texans season. You've gotta feel for the Texans, they lose in the worst ways.
On the other side, the Titans have quit on Jeff Fisher. You probably never thought you'd hear that, right? Fisher throughout his career in Tennessee has been known as a guy who gets the most out of his players. That's not the case this season, as the Titans are in a free fall, losers of their last six games.
As I mentioned above, expect a shootout, and the Titans will end up on top.
Fearless Forecast: Titans 34, Texans 31
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
12 of 16
At 11-2, the Falcons have their sights set on securing home field advantage for the playoffs where Matt Ryan has just one loss. To do that though, they must secure the NFC South, where the Saints are just a game back.
The Falcons will have no problem with the Seahawks this week, and I don't even care if it's in Seattle. Home field advantage won't benefit the Seahawks, they are that bad of a team. If they win the NFC West and make the playoffs it will be a complete outrage. That's my rant on the Seahawks, just thought I should let everyone know.
We are a week away from the Saints-Falcons battle on Monday Night Football, and the Falcons shouldn't overlook the Seahawks, even if they are as bad as I make them out to be.
Fearless Forecast: Falcons 34, Seahawks 17
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
13 of 16
What do you think that conversation between Troy Polamalu and Chad Ochocinco consisted of? I bet it was something along the lines of Ochocinco saying, "Damn Troy, how do you always make the big play? You shut down Batman and Robin!" Then, Troy probably said something like, "Maybe if Carson Palmer wasn't so obsessed with throwing to your friend Batman, then maybe you guys would be better."
Anyway, now to the Jets-Steelers game this week.
The Jets are coming into this game losers of their last two games, and Mark Sanchez has regressed. He has played like a rookie in their two losses, and for the Jets to be where they want to be, it's all on Sanchez. Their offense looks non-existent and will struggle against the Steelers.
At 10-3, the Steelers are on the way to a AFC North crown and a first round bye. As I mentioned above, Troy Polamalu has been the best defensive player this season, and good things seem to happen when he's around the football.
The Jets will lose their third straight game as they drop to 9-5.
Fearless Forecast: Steelers 20, Jets 10
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
14 of 16
Remember the first time these two teams squared off? If you don't, let me just refresh your memory. It was in Denver, and the Raiders won 59-14. Ouch. Let's hope it's not the same thing this time around.
Last week, in Eric Studeville's debut as an NFL head coach, the Broncos looked even worse than they did with Josh McDaniels, surrendering 43 points to the John Skelton led Cardinals. This team is a mess, and has so many problems. I've been saying it for weeks now, and it's time to start Tim Tebow. Kyle Orton has fell apart the past few weeks, and you drafted Tebow in the first round for a reason, so use him.
As for the Raiders, they are still alive in the AFC West. Surprisingly, they are 4-0 in the division, and that is always a recipe for success. Darren McFadden had a career day last time these two teams met, will he have another one on Sunday?
The Raiders roll. Just win, baby.
Fearless Forecast: Raiders 34, Broncos 6
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
15 of 16
Try and stop Tom Brady, I dare you. In his last six games, Brady has thrown for 19 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, and that's against defenses such as the Steelers, Jets, and Bears. Nobody looks more comfortable in the pocket than Brady does, and no quarterback has as much patience. This game could get ugly, folks.
With Aaron Rodgers status in doubt with a concussion, the Packers are in more trouble than they already were. Matt Flynn will have a tall order ahead of him in Foxborough against the best team in the league.
The last two games, the Patriots have outscored their opponents 79-13. This one will be ugly.
Fearless Forecast: Patriots 37, Packers 10
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
16 of 16
In a game to prove they belong in the NFL elite, the Bears got rocked in the snow, 36-7 against the Patriots. Still, they are are 9-4 and in first place in the NFC North. To win the division they need to win games like this.
Due to snow at the Metrodome, this game will be played at the University of Minnesota Football stadium, where it will be freezing. The Bears are used to cold weather though, but are the Vikings? The Vikings will start rookie Joe Webb at quarterback due to injuries to Brett Favre and Tavaris Jackson. So Brett Favre misses one game in 297 starts, and Tavaris Jackson is out for the season with turf toe? Something tells me Favre would be playing through that injury.
I expect the Bears to rebound here and sweep the season series with the Vikings as they improve to 10-4.
Fearless Forecast: Bears 23, Vikings 14
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