NFL Week 15 Picks: Predicting Winners for Every Key Game

Let's take a crack at predicting the winners for each key game on the NFL's Week 15 schedule: 

Detroit Lions (8-5) at Oakland Raiders (7-6)

These are two teams that both need wins to keep pace in their respective division races.

The Lions currently hold a spot as an NFC Wild Card, but one loss could mean they are back on the outside looking in.

Meanwhile, thanks to two consecutive blowout losses, the Raiders are staring up at Tim Tebow and the Broncos in the AFC West. As poorly as they've played, I think Oakland gives Detroit a game.

The Lions will win, but it won't be the Raiders' third blowout in a row.

Lions 27, Raiders 24 

New England Patriots (10-3) at Denver Broncos (8-5)

This is one of those games where you really want to pick the Broncos to pull off the upset. They are 7-1 over their last eight games, play good defense and can pound the football on the ground.

Of course, that Tebow guy is pretty good in the fourth quarter, too.

While it will probably come back to bite me, I'm taking the Patriots in this one. Tom Brady is playing too well right now to lose a game against a guy who couldn't complete a pass for two quarters in a row.

Not a blowout, but a good win for New England. 

Patriots 30, Broncos 20

New York Jets (8-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-8)

The Jets have won three consecutive games, but a road game in Philadelphia is far from a sure thing. To hold on to the final AFC Wild Card spot, the Jets need to win at least two of their last three contests. This is one they need.

Don't underestimate the loss of safety Jim Leonard. New York's defense has really struggled in past years replacing him at the back end.

Without Leonard in the secondary, the Eagles offense will wake up in a big way. 

Eagles 34, Jets 24 

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at San Francisco 49ers (10-3)

Monday night could be one of the hardest hitting games of 2011, much like the 49ers' Thanksgiving game with the Ravens. However, it's possible that both Patrick Willis (hamstring) and James Harrison (suspension) could be out.

Ultimately, the potential loss of Willis is far more important for the 49ers. In a low-scoring game, Ben Roethlisberger makes a couple more plays than a struggling Alex Smith.

Steelers 17, 49ers 9