The playoff picture got a little more interesting after last week's finishes, especially in the NFC wildcard race where the Detroit Lions asserted themselves in the conversation. This week, there are some big divisional showdowns and a few teams fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. Let's dive into the Week 15 matchups.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Dec. 15)
San Francisco 49ers (9-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
The 49ers can put their stamp on the division with a win over the Seahawks here. And, if there were any concerns about Brock Purdy taking over as the starting quarterback, those were put to bed last week in a convincing win over the Bucs. The 49ers defense is the straw that stirs the drink and will be relied on to suffocate Geno Smith in that backfield. Pick: 49ers, 23-16.
Line: 49ers -3
ML: 49ers
Spread: 49ers
Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
The Vikings' secondary was exposed defensively last week by the Lions. We've seen the numbers about this team struggling against the pass and offensively they couldn't keep pace with the Lions, begging the question of how far can this team go in the playoffs? Pick: Vikings, 27-20.
Line: Vikings -4
ML: Vikings
Spread: Vikings
Baltimore Ravens (9-4) @ Cleveland Browns (5-8)
It looks like Tyler Huntley will be cleared for this game despite going through the concussion protocol this week. The story of this game will be if the Browns loosen up the reigns on Deshaun Watson against this Ravens secondary that is allowing 249.2 PYDS/G (26th). The Ravens narrowly escaped with a road win over the Steelers last week and I think the Browns pull off the upset here. Pick: Browns, 20-17.
Line: Browns -2.5
ML: Browns
Spread: Browns
Miami Dolphins (8-5) @ Buffalo Bills (10-3)
The Dolphins have hit a rut over the last two weeks, failing to score 20 points in both contests with the 49ers and Chargers. I think their struggles continue here against the Bills in the potential cold Buffalo air. Josh Allen seems to be trending upward every week as he continues to work through the elbow injury and his legs continue to be a threat for opposing defenses. Pick: Bills, 27-20.
Line: Bills -7.5
ML: Bills
Spread: Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons (5-8) @ New Orleans Saints (4-9)
The Falcons announced that Marcus Mariota will undergo season-ending knee surgery, which paves the way for Desmond Ridder making his first career start coming out of the bye week. I'm going to lean with the home side here as this Saints defense could force the rookie into some mistakes. Pick: Saints, 24-21.
Line: Saints -4
ML: Saints
Spread: Falcons
Dallas Cowboys (10-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
The Cowboys were nearly shocked by the Texans last week and will now head on the road to play a Jags team that has been scrappy this season. Trevor Lawrence is starting to look like the top pick he was drafted to be and we've seen this Cowboys defense start slow in recent weeks. Pick: Cowboys, 24-21.
Line: Cowboys -4.5
ML: Cowboys
Spread: Jaguars
Detroit Lions (6-7) @ New York Jets (7-6)
If Mike White can't play in this game or needs to come out due to his rib injury, the Jets will turn to Zach Wilson as his backup. Either way, this is a Lions secondary that is giving up 263.4 PYDS/G (30th) to opposing offenses and even if Wilson plays he has a chance to prove the doubters wrong. I think Robert Saleh's defense comes up big for him in this game and the Jets sneak away with a win. Pick: Jets, 23-21.
Line: Lions -1
ML: Jets
Spread: Jets
Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) @ Houston Texans (1-11-1)
The Texans gave a scare to the Cowboys last week, losing on a late touchdown and will now be without Dameon Pierce in this matchup with the Chiefs. Again, I think this is a big spread that has the potential for the Texans to do a backdoor cover and the Chiefs could be a bit complacent like they showed against the Broncos last week. Pick: Chiefs, 30-17.
Line: Chiefs -14
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Texans
Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) @ Chicago Bears (3-10)
The Eagles have gone through the season relatively unscathed and came away with a dominating win over the Giants last week. Some might think of this as a look ahead game considering they travel to Dallas next week for a big showdown with the Cowboys, but the Bears have been playing some uninspiring football. Pick: Eagles, 24-16.
Line: Eagles -9
ML: Eagles
Spread: Bears
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) @ Carolina Panthers (5-8)
There is a lot of uncertainty in this Steelers offense ahead of this game as Kenny Pickett sounds like he's 50/50 to play and both Pat Freiermuth and Najee Harris have yet to practice. I think this game will be a defensive struggle and I'm going to lean towards Mike Tomlin's squad to gut out a win. Pick: Steelers, 19-16.
Line: Panthers -2.5
ML: Steelers
Spread: Steelers
Arizona Cardinals (4-9) @ Denver Broncos (3-10)
Colt McCoy will get the start for the Cardinals and in 10 of his last 13 starts the offense has scored at least 20 points -- all of the games have been on the road. This Broncos defense is tough and McCoy will have to be a lot more crisp on his reads than he was against the Patriots on Monday night. Pick: Cardinals, 20-17.
Line: Broncos -3
ML: Cardinals
Spread: Cardinals
New England Patriots (7-6) @ Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
This game comes down to Bill Belichick likely out coaching Josh McDaniels in crucial spots. The key here is slowing down Josh Jacobs, who leads the NFL with 1,402 rushing yards. I think Belichick can chalk up a plan to force Derek Carr to be beat him through the air. Pick: Patriots, 23-20.
Line: Patriots -1
ML: Patriots
Spread: Patriots
Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
The Buccaneers look completely lost offensively and last week they had a long touchdown to Mike Evans called back in the first quarter, which seemed to lead the way for things to spiral downward from there. Now, they host a red Bengals squad and the problem for me here is the Bucs are struggling to get an offensive rhythm going. Pick: Bengals, 24-17.
Line: Bengals -3.5
ML: Bengals
Spread: Bengals
Tennessee Titans (7-6) @ Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)
Derrick Henry is the straw that stirs the drink for this Titans' offense and he will be leaned on in this game against a Chargers defense giving up 147 RYDS/G (28th). I think the Chargers benefited from having Mike Williams back in the lineup last week and as long as he and Keenan Allen can stay on the field, this offense will be tough to slow down. Pick: Chargers, 24-17.
Line: Chargers -3
ML: Chargers
Spread: Chargers
New York Giants (7-5-1) @ Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
This is the second meeting in the last three weeks between these two NFC East division rivals with the last one ending in a tie. This game will have big NFC wildcard implications as a win will likely vault one of these teams into a playoff spot. Can the Commanders defense force Daniel Jones into some key turnovers? Pick: Commanders, 20-17.
Line: Commanders -4.5
ML: Commanders
Spread: Giants
Los Angeles Rams (4-9) @ Green Bay Packers (5-8)
Baker Mayfield looked impressive, rallying the Rams to a late win over the Raiders last Thursday and it was a welcomed sight for the journeyman quarterback after being cut by the Panthers just days before. However, despite the Packers' inconsistencies on offense this year, I'll lean with Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau here. Pick: Packers, 24-16.
Line: Packers -7
ML: Packers
Spread: Packers
Results
Week 14
ML: 9-4
ATS: 8-5
Overall
ML: 133-75
ATS: 110-92-6
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