NFL Predictions Week 15: Raiders and Desperate Teams Destined to Stay Alive

Things change in the NFL at the speed of light, and the Oakland Raiders are the perfect example.

They went from 4-2 in a weak division to 4-3 with a QB in Jason Campbell that was lost for the year. They acquire Carson Palmer for a small fortune and proceed to win three of his first four starts to be sitting pretty at 7-4.

Two blowouts later, they find themselves in a must-win situation at home against the Lions.

Palmer has thrown nine TDs to 13 INTs, which is a concern, but he may have stud running back Darren McFadden back from injury. Palmer has yet to play with Run DMC, and that would really help open up the down field passing game with Darius Heyward-Bay. The speed on the Raiders offense is special, and they should be able to rack up the yards against a Lions team that is all but finished in the NFC.

The Lions are a missed facemask call away from losing six of their last eight. They are 27th against the rush and have absolutely no running game of their own to speak of.

Both teams are struggling, but I think the long road trip for the Lions, coupled with a more balanced Oakland team, is enough for the Raiders to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Prediction: Raiders 27 Lions 23

Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Cowboys are coming off an absolutely devastating loss to the Giants and have to win this game to keep their playoffs hope alive.

Good thing they get the Bucs.

Tampa is a clear example of a team that’s officially waved the white flag. Every single phase of the team has regressed, and they rank 27th against the pass allowing almost 250 yards a game and 28th against the rush, allowing 140 YPG. They are currently riding a seven-game losing streak and have been outscored by a combined 46 points to the Panthers and Jaguars in the last two weeks.

Wow.

Tony Romo looked very sharp on Sunday, and now, he has Miles Austin back to go along with Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson. No way the Bucs contain that pass offense.

Prediction: Cowboys 33 Buccaneers 14

Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals, at 6-7, still have a faint hope of reaching the playoffs. John Skelton is 3-1 as the starter, and the Cards are suddenly really tough to beat at home. They are 4-2, with wins over the Cowboys and 49ers in consecutive weeks.

The defense has allowed over 21 points a grand total of once in the last six games, and Patrick Peterson is turning into the second-most dangerous punt returner in the league behind Devin Hester.

The Browns QB didn’t even remember the end of last week’s loss, as the status of Colt McCoy is very much in doubt for this week. With a group of horrific receivers that are among the league leaders in drops, the Browns are just playing out the string at this point. Don’t forget their only road win of the year has been against the Colts.

Prediction: Cardinals 23 Browns 12

Eric Ball's Week 15 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (13-0)

2. Baltimore Ravens (10-3)

3. New Orleans Saints (10-3)

4. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

6. New England Patriots (10-3)

7. Houston Texans (10-3)

8. Denver Broncos (8-5)

9. New York Jets (8-5)

10. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

11. Detroit Lions (8-5)

12. New York Giants (7-6)

13. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)

14. Oakland Raiders (7-6)

15. Chicago Bears (7-6)

16. Dallas Cowboys (7-6)

17. Tennessee Titans (7-6)

18. Philadelphia Eagles (5-8)

19. San Diego Chargers (6-7)

20. Seattle Seahawks (6-7)

21. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)

22. Buffalo Bills (5-8)

23. Kansas City Chiefs (5-8)

24. Carolina Panthers (4-9)

25. Miami Dolphins (4-9)

26. Washington Redskins (4-9)

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9)

28. Cleveland Browns (4-9)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)

30. Minnesota Vikings (2-11)

31. St. Louis Rams (2-11)

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-13)