NFL Week 15 Picks: Predicting Teams That Will Narrowly Escape with Wins

We are bound to see a few closely contested games in the NFL's Week 15. 

Yes, I'm one of the many who believe the Patriots-Broncos marquee matchup will go down to the final minutes. 

Not a surprise with Tim Tebow, right? 

Let's look at the teams that will narrowly escape with victories this weekend.

Chicago Bears over Seattle Seahawks

These are two clubs moving in opposite directions. 

The injury-ravaged Bears have lost three straight, while the resurgent Seahawks are winners of four of their last five. 

I've got Chicago in this one because of their defense. 

Take away Marion Barber running out of bounds in the final minutes and his fumble late in overtime, and the Bears beat the Broncos. 

Chicago's got a top-10 run defense that's allowing a shade over 100 yards on the ground per game. 

They'll load the box on Marshawn Lynch, making Seattle's offense one-dimensional and ultimately, not a dangerous one. 

Caleb Hanie will manage the game, and after their defense, special teams will be the biggest factor in their win. 

Bears 20, Seahawks 17

New England Patriots over Denver Broncos

The game everybody's talking about. 

With good reason. 

The Tim Tebow story has been a fantastic one, mainly because of how improbable his success has been. The guy does have a knack for proving the masses wrong, that's for sure. 

His offense shouldn't have much trouble against a pathetic Patriots secondary, and Denver's defense has the pass-rush to fluster Tom Brady. 

In the end, I've got Brady over Tebow.

The Broncos defense is good, but nothing No. 12 hasn't shredded before.  

It's that simple. 

Brady isn't exactly bad in the fourth quarter himself. 

Patriots 27, Broncos 24

Detroit Lions over Oakland Raiders

I went back and forth on this game, which is one of the reasons why I picked it for this list. 

Both clubs are wildly inconsistent, but have the overall talent to look extremely impressive if things are going their way. 

The Raiders have lost the intimidation in their running game, as Michael Bush hasn't eclipsed 78 yards on the ground in three weeks. 

Also, Carson Palmer has regressed in his last three starts, throwing three touchdowns to six interceptions. 

For Detroit, they almost blew a lead at home against the Vikings last week, but got their big-play offense back on track. 

I expect them to limit Oakland's rushing attack and hit a few long passes to Calvin Johnson or Titus Young and sneak out of the Bay Area with a critical win.

Lions 30, Raiders 27