NFL Picks Week 15: New Orleans Saints and Every Team That Will Cover the Spread

With the regular season nearly over, there aren’t many surprises likely to arrive in the NFL. The Packers aren’t suddenly going to implode, and the Colts aren’t going to start winning, but one area can keep fans guessing right up to the end: the point spread.

New Orleans has been one of the few teams that’s been nearly as good against the spread as they’ve been in reality, winning nine times (as compared to their 1-3 record in the standings). That trend looks to continue this week, as the Saints get a modest seven-point margin to cover against the Minnesota Vikings and their appalling pass defense.

Read on for a further look at the Saints and the rest of the favorites who will be able to beat the spread (as posted at footballlocks.com) for Week 15.

Baltimore Ravens

It’s an irresistible force vs. an immovable object as “Mr. December” Philip Rivers (22-2 in the month in his career) leads the Charger offense against Baltimore.

After bashing a pair of vulnerable defenses, however, Rivers will come back to earth against the aggressive Ravens.

Baltimore has the fourth-best pass defense in the NFL, and its attacking front seven will exploit a banged-up San Diego line with little running game to support it.

Baltimore won’t need to win by much with a spread of just 2.5 points, and Ray Rice should be able to provide plenty of scoring against the Chargers’ No. 23 run defense.

Buffalo Bills

With the spread at PK, all it will take is a win to cover. Even after six straight losses, the Bills will eke out that victory on their home field.

The Dolphins have won just once all year on the road, and Ryan Fitzpatrick still has enough weapons to keep that trend going. Look for Buffalo to shred Miami’s 25th-ranked pass defense in a shootout victory.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals may have dropped four of their last five, but they get a much-needed breather on Sunday. Cincinnati visits a god-awful Rams team that’s averaging 10 points a game over its last four outings.

With that kind of offense on the other side, Cedric Benson and company won’t need much against the league’s worst run defense. A 6.5-point spread would usually be too much for the conservative Cincinnati attack, but not in this mismatch.

Detroit Lions

The Lions haven’t exactly looked like the sharpest tools in the shed the last few weeks, but Ndamukong Suh’s suspension is over, and even while playing a mediocre game they came out on top against Minnesota.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they managed the same result (even with the same subpar performance) against Oakland.

The Raiders’ offense will likely again be without star RB Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush—though a capable backup—isn’t going to scare the Lions’ defense.

Look for Matthew Stafford to throw another three TDs as Detroit comfortably beats both the Raiders and the surprisingly paltry one-point spread.

Houston Texans

In spite of the implosion of their quarterback position, the Texans have now won seven straight. At home against inconsistent Carolina, they should have no trouble making it eight.

Houston’s outstanding pass defense (ranked third in the league) is sure to rack up a few turnovers against rookie QB Cam Newton.

With Houston’s own offense getting to run Arian Foster against the Panthers’ No. 24 rushing D, a six-point spread should be little problem for the home team.

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans has been ringing up big offensive numbers all season, and Minnesota has been giving up similarly inflated stats. Even at Mall of America Field, the Vikings have little chance to keep up with Drew Brees’ offense.

Mark Ingram’s injury will do little to slow down the Saints, while Adrian Peterson (unlikely to be 100 percent with a bum ankle, though he’ll probably play) will have a tough time finding holes against New Orleans.

This game has all the makings of a blowout, and a seven-point spread isn’t going to be nearly enough for the Saints’ margin of victory.

New York Giants

Eli Manning and company haven’t exactly been the league’s most reliable team in 2011, but coming off a hard-earned 37-34 win in Dallas, the Giants appear to be on their games offensively.

That’s bad news for the equally inconsistent Redskins as they come into MetLife Stadium.

Washington’s turnover-prone passing game will be target practice for the sack-happy Giants, giving Manning short fields to exploit with his big-play receivers. Expect New York to cruise past the 6.5-point spread here.

Tennessee Titans

After narrowly missing an upset against New Orleans, the Titans draw a far easier foe in Week 15. Winless Indianapolis has lost by double-digits in seven of its last eight games.

Even at home, the Colts aren’t going to pose much of a challenge to Tennessee. Indy’s 30th-ranked run defense should let Chris Johnson get on track and hand the Titans a win by even more than the 6.5-point spread.

San Francisco 49ers

Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger may be out for San Fran’s Monday night showdown with the Steelers, in which case longtime reserve Charlie Batch would get the start. Even with Big Ben on the field, though, the Steelers will have a tough time in this matchup.

San Francisco has been lethal at home, and the Niners’ D has been almost as tough as Pittsburgh’s this year. With only a two-point spread, even Frank Gore and the limited 49er offense will be able to produce enough points to cover.