NFL Picks: Every Game, Week 15
A quick preview of every game on the NFL schedule for Week 15, along with the consensus picks of Athlon Sports editors Mitchell Light, Rob Doster, Nathan Rush, Patrick Snow and Steven Lassan:
Jaguars (4-9) at Falcons (8-5)
The Dirty Birds have not been great closers, but they have won the games they were expected to win at home — with only defeats to the Packers and Saints (in overtime) in the friendly confines of the Georgia Dome this season.
Falcons by 7
Cowboys (7-6) at Buccaneers (4-9)
The first Saturday night game of the season pits two teams licking their wounds. The Boys have lost back-to-back games on painful missed potential game-winning field goals — both of which came after timeouts that “iced” kicker Dan Bailey. The Bucs have simply lost seven straight games and are desperate to win.
Cowboys by 7
Bengals (7-6) at Rams (2-11)
St. Louis is the Gateway to the second-Worst team in the NFL (and No. 2 pick in the draft); Cincy is still eyeing a longshot playoff berth.
Bengals by 6
Dolphins (4-9) at Bills (5-8)
Miami crushed Buffalo, 35–8, in Week 11. That was the Bills’ third straight loss in a streak that has since grown to six consecutive defeats.
Bills by 1
Titans (7-6) at Colts (0-13)
Rookie Jake Locker could make his first start of the season, following a left calf injury to old man Matt Hasselbeck. But Tennessee is just hoping to avoid handing Indy its first win of the year. The Titans still have an outside shot at a Wild Card berth, but must win their last three.
Titans by 13
Redskins (4-9) at Giants (7-6)
Comeback king of New York, Eli Manning, will be looking to avenge a 28–14 Week 1 loss at Washington when the G-Men host the Skins.
Giants by 7
Saints (10-3) at Vikings (2-11)
Drew Brees loves playing indoors. N’Awlins is 3–2 in the elements this season and 7–1 under a roof in a temperature-controlled dome.
Saints by 10
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Packers (13-0) at Chiefs (5-8)
Expect to hear plenty of great quotes from Vince Lombardi and Hank Stram prior to this rematch of Super Bowl I, which the Packers won 35–10 on Jan. 15, 1967 in Los Angeles.
Packers by 16
Panthers (4-9) at Texans (10-3)
Cam Newton hits Houston looking to win his third straight road game, after taking victories in Indy and Tampa Bay in Weeks 12 and 13.
Texans by 2
Seahawks (6-7) at Bears (7-6)
Chicago has gone 0–3 since Jay Cutler’s thumb injury; the Hawks are 4–1 the past five weeks.
Bears by 2
Lions (8-5) at Raiders (7-6)
Ndamukong Suh returns just in time to show the Black Hole what a real scary, dirty player looks and acts like on and off the field.
Raiders by 1
Jets (8-5) at Eagles (5-8)
This meeting would have been a quote-board bonanza earlier this season. As it stands, Philly’s only role is that of Jets spoiler.
Eagles by 2
Browns (4-9) at Cardinals (6-7)
Phoenix is rising, having won five of its last six games following a 1–6 start to the season.
Cardinals by 5
Patriots (10-3) at Broncos (8-5)
Tom Brady and Tim Tebow are carrying a combined 10–0 record, with 18 TDs and two INTs over the past five weeks. This week, however, either Tom or Tim Terrific will suffer a loss.
Patriots by 4
Ravens (10-3) at Chargers (6-7)
San Diego needs to win out and have Denver and Oakland fall apart in order to contend for the AFC West title. Meanwhile, Baltimore is jockeying for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Both teams badly need this win.
Ravens by 1
Steelers (10-3) at 49ers (10-3)
Both of Pittsburgh’s top two offensive players — quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey — have been diagnosed with high-ankle sprains and are questionable heading into this Monday night matchup with the fifth-ranked overall defense (305.1 ypg) and No. 1 rush defense (70.5 ypg). The Niners could use a win, however, having lost two of their last three after a 9–1 start to the season.
Steelers by 1
Last week: 11-5 // Season: 144-64
