
NFL Picks Week 15: Packers, Vikings, and The 5 Most Likely Upsets This Weekend
The San Diego Chargers would have none of the San Francisco 49ers' upset attempt Thursday night in Southern California. The Chargers throttled the 49ers 34-7 and all but eliminated San Francisco from playoff contention.
However, this weekend's schedule of games looks upset-filled. Many league powerhouses are either on the road this week or up against an opponent more than capable of pulling out the win.
Here five upsets that are bound to happen in Week 15.
Packers Over Patriots
1 of 5
The Green Bay Packers come into Sunday night's game at Foxborro pretty banged up. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is likely out for the game after suffering his second concussion of the season last Sunday at Detroit.
Though, the one thing the Packers can feel good about is their offensive style. Back up Matt Flynn should be able to find some success in Green Bay's short passing game. It's the accuracy and big play threat the Pack will miss without Rodgers Sunday night.
The Patriots enter the game as hot as any team in the league and sporting the AFC's best record. New England is at home and firing on all cylinders. With everything going the Patriots' way I'm inclined to think the Packers pull off the upset no one sees coming.
Bills Over Dolphins
2 of 5
This match-up is very interesting. The Bills take their talents to south beach to battle division-rival Miami. Buffalo is 1-5 on the road this season while the Dolphins are just 1-5 at home. Something has to give.
I predict the Bills' road struggles will give first and they upset the Dolphins on Sunday. Bills' quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been solid this season for Buffalo, throwing for 21 touchdowns with a passer rating of 85.0.
Miami has also been incredibly inconsistent this season. The Dolphins haven't won two straight games since Week Two, yet are 7-6.
Lions Over Buccaneers
3 of 5
The Lions are riding a wave of emotion into Sunday's match up with the Bucs in Tampa Bay. Detroit got a rare win over the Packers last Sunday and at 3-10 are playing for nothing more than pride and respect.
The Buccaneers hung tough with the Redskins for four quarters last weekend and ultimately it was a botched snap on an extra point that saw Tampa Bay through to the victory.
Now, the Bucs have playoffs on their brains. Unfortunately for Bucs fans, the Lions will bring their much improved defense on the road with them and get their first away win of the season.
Seahawks Over Falcons
4 of 5
Perhaps the most unlikely upsets of all the likely upsets, the Seahawks and Falcons match up seems to have a predictable feel. Regardless, I will stick with my pick, the Seahawks.
Seattle is in the thick of the things in the NFC West and a home game against the NFC's best might be enough to jump start them to a playoff appearance.
The Falcons however are rolling through their schedule and on their way to home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The Falcons seven-game winning streak comes to an end on Sunday in Seattle as the 12th man proves too much for Atlanta to overcome.
Vikings Over Bears
5 of 5
The Chicago Bears looked extremely vulnerable last weekend in a blowout home loss to New England. The Bears will likely be in similar conditions this Monday night when they meet up with division-rival Minnesota.
The Vikings struggled immensely in last Monday night's loss to the Giants, and now have even more concerns after quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was forced to go on IR after the game. Now Minnesota must start rookie Joe Webb at quarterback.
Also, Adrian Peterson is slightly dinged up for the Vikings. Peterson is nursing a sore knee and ankle but is expected to go Monday night.
I'm giving the Vikings the nod because of the stadium-uncertainty advantage along with the hope that Adrian Peterson plays big in the absence of Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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