NFL Picks Week 15: Can Jets Put Aside Distractions vs. the Steelers?
We are now down to the final three weeks of the season, and the most important games of the regular season will be played. Teams will be fighting for their playoff lives, while others will be fighting to clinch a playoff spot, and others still will be fighting for respect, as they're already eliminated.
The games this week will start with a Thursday night matchup that will seal the fate of one, or possibly both teams, and will end on Monday night with a team looking to clinch a playoff spot and stay in the running for a bye. Beyond that, which teams will win their games as we enter the final weeks of the season?
San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers
1 of 16
The Thursday night game features the 7-6 Chargers, who still have a chance at taking over the AFC West, against the 5-8 49ers, who would be eliminated in any other conference but still have a shot to win the NFC West.
Why San Diego Will Win: The Chargers have one of the best offenses in the league, thanks to Philip Rivers' near-4,000 yards. He could still break Dan Marino's passing record, though if he throws for that many yards it may put San Diego at a disadvantage. Antonio Gates remains an elite tight end option that Rivers can go to in a tough situation.
Why San Francisco Will Win: Much like the Chargers, the 49ers have a great tight end in Vernon Davis, and Gates is doubtful for tonight's game, so that gives San Francisco an advantage there. Alex Smith should be formidable, as he knows these three games are do or die.
Prediction: Chargers 27, 49ers 10
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
2 of 16
The Saints and Ravens face off in one of the top games of the season, as both will likely be in the playoffs.
Why New Orleans Will Win: Drew Brees is as good as he ever was, and they have gotten hot, winning their last six games. Chris Ivory has been a pleasant surprise at running back, and can hold onto games without a problem.
Why Baltimore Will Win: New Orleans has a great offense, while Baltimore's defense has always been tough. Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed will give any team a run for their money, and you can't discount the offense this team has, led by Joe Flacco and Ray Rice.
Prediction: Ravens 31, Saints 28
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
3 of 16
Carolina can get closer to the first overall pick with a win here, while the Cardinals are stuck either way.
Why Arizona Will Win: John Skelton is finally a quarterback the team can work with, and Tim Hightower has been effective enough this season with his 5.2 yards per carry. Kerry Rhodes and company should be able to feast on the passing attack.
Why Carolina Will Win: Their rushing attack is still good even without DeAngelo Williams. If they run the ball every single play maybe they'll have a shot.
Prediction: Cardinals 14, Panthers 3
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Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
4 of 16
This AFC North matchup faces the two teams clearly not in the playoffs as the Bengals are looking towards possibly acquiring the top pick.
Why Cleveland Will Win: Peyton Hillis is over 1,000 yards and shows no signs of slowing down. Joe Haden has been a key piece of the secondary now that he's in there full time. The Bengals have lost 10 straight.
Why Cincinnati Will Win: Terrell Owens has been effective this season, and will pass the 1,000 yard mark in this game. The losing streak started with Cleveland, why not end it there?
Prediction: Cleveland 21, Cincinnati 17
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
5 of 16
This rivalry game is just that; nothing more, nothing less.
Why Washington Will Win: The Redskins have already beaten the Cowboys once and would love to do so again. If Ryan Torain can play like he did last week, it would be their game to lose. DeAngelo Hall can make a big play at any time.
Why Dallas Will Win: The Cowboys are a completely different team under Jason Garrett. Jon Kitna has played well at quarterback for the Cowboys, and when they have lost, it's been hard fought.
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Redskins 7
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
6 of 16
Who thought coming into this week that this game would decide both teams' fates? The Colts will probably be eliminated with a loss and the Jaguars will be int the playoffs with a win.
Why Jacksonville Will Win: Somehow they find a way to win games. They beat the Colts earlier, and Maurice Jones-Drew remains one of the game's elite running backs; he can easily trample over the Colts defense and win the game himself.
Why Indianapolis Will Win: The Colts have the talent to win games, that's not the issue. Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne are having career years, and should be able to translate that into wins sooner or later. Ideally, Dwight Freeney won't let Garrard scramble much.
Prediction: Jaguars 21, Colts 17
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
7 of 16
The Dolphins still have a very thin chance at making the playoffs and are fighting for that, while the 3-10 Bills are ready to play spoiler.
Why Buffalo Will Win: Due to injuries, the Bills have the quarterback advantage. Ryan Fitzpatrick has kept the Bills in games even if they haven't won them, and they are finally winning lately. Besides that, Miami still struggles to win at home.
Why Miami Will Win: Ryan Fitzpatrick gets sacked too much as it is, and that's not going to change with Cameron Wake on the field. His 14 sacks make for one of football's best under-reported stories. The running back duo of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown is not as effective as in the past, but it can keep teams guessing.
Prediction: Miami 17, Buffalo 16
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
8 of 16
This game likely decides the division winner; the winner could get a bye in the playoffs, while the loser could very well end out of the playoff picture.
Why Philadelphia Will Win: Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson. Need I say more? They can torch any team on their own, yet they also have LeSean McCoy and Asante Samuel to cause more trouble for Eli Manning and his league-leading interceptions.
Why New York Will Win: They have a great rushing attack in Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, and you can't discount the lineman core of Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora. If anyone can contain Vick, it's probably those two.
Prediction: Philadelphia 35, New York 28
Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams
9 of 16
Both teams are pretty much playing for their playoff lives with this game.
Why Kansas City Will Win: Kansas City winning or losing is dependent on Matt Cassel returning. Whoever is quarterback, having Dwayne Bowe as a target is a huge plus, as is having the league's best rushing attack with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.
Why St. Louis Will Win: The Rams have been surprisingly good considering where they were last year. Sam Bradford isn't about to stop now. Stephen Jackson can run alongside Charles and Jones, and they could squeeze out a win just so they don't get into the playoffs with an 8-8 record.
Prediction: Chiefs 21, Rams 17 with Cassel, Rams 17, Chiefs 14 with Croyle.
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10 of 16
This is a must-win game for Tampa Bay's playoff hopes, and a must-win for the Lions to show that they don't suck as bad as some may think.
Why Detroit Will Win: Calvin Johnson can make big plays happen no matter who's the quarterback, and Ndamukong Suh is a beast. Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow are both out for the Bucs, which helps.
Why Tampa Bay Will Win: LeGarrette Blount has been a joy to watch, and his moves should be on the highlight reel more often. Josh Freeman is looking like a longtime quarterback, and they play dependant on the other team's record, it seems.
Prediction: Detroit 17, Tampa Bay 7 (calling an upset here)
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
11 of 16
The Titans and Texans are both 5-8 and underachieving, and are now just playing not to be last.
Why Houston Will Win: If the offense clicks and scores enough, they can win. There's dissension in the Titans' ranks, and Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan will feed off each other. Also, Arian Foster's one of the few that can run with Chris Johnson
Why Tennessee Will Win: Kerry Collins is playing well enough that Chris Johnson can run like wildfire. Houston's weakness is defense, and Johnson can exploit that. Jason Babin has quietly been very productive with 10 sacks.
Prediction: Houston 38, Tennessee 31
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
12 of 16
Atlanta is looking for home field advantage in the playoffs, while Seattle still has a shot at winning the NFC West.
Why Atlanta Will Win: The Falcons are red-hot, they have one of the best receivers in the game in Roddy White and Michael Turner and Matt Ryan have both been clicking.
Why Seattle Will Win: Well, they did beat the Bears earlier this season.
Prediction: Falcons 28, Seahawks 0
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
13 of 16
Despite the win-loss records, this has the potential to be an exciting matchup.
Why Denver Will Win: The Vikings suddenly got better when they fired Brad Childress and the Cowboys suddenly got better when they fired Wade Phillips. As a result, you know the Broncos are going to get better with Josh McDaniels gone (one can hope anyway). Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd aren't that bad a duo.
Why Oakland Will Win: The Broncos have pretty much given the season up, so now the Raiders can capitalize. Darren McFadden is finally emerging as a great back, and they can find a way to win games.
Prediction: Oakland 27, Denver 10
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
14 of 16
The final three games of the week are great ones. A win clinches a spot for either team.
Why New York Will Win: The Jets have a fairly balanced attack, with LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene attacking with the run, and Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards attacking with the pass. You can never count out Darrelle Revis in the corner.
Why Pittsburgh Will Win: The Jets have lost two straight, and the Steelers can rough up Mark Sanchez without much difficulty. Rashard Mendenhall can dominate on offense, and James Harrison and Troy Polamalu can dominate on defense.
Prediction: Steelers 17, Jets 7
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
15 of 16
The Patriots could clinch home field advantage with a win, while the Packers would be hanging by a thread for the playoffs with a loss.
Why Green Bay Will Win: Presuming Rodgers plays, Greg Jennings has played very well this year and can catch whatever's thrown to him. Clay Matthews can cause trouble on the defensive end to give Green Bay an opening.
Why New England Will Win: If Aaron Rodgers sits out, there's your answer. Even if he plays, Tom Brady has been dominant enough that he can work around that.
Prediction: Patriots 35, Packers 13
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
16 of 16
The Bears can clinch the division with a win, while the Vikings are just preparing for 2011.
Why Chicago Will Win: The Vikings are defeated after the Metrodome collapse and having to move around, and no matter who their quarterback is they're struggling. Julius Peppers can still play and make things happen. If Joe Webb ends up starting, there's your answer.
Why Minnesota Will Win: If Adrian Peterson breaks free and has a career game, they may be able to pull it off. If they can get Jay Cutler out of the game and get Todd Collins in, they might have a shot.
Prediction: Bears 13, Vikings 3
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