Last week’s picks: 12-4
Season total: 140-68
The Texans, Packers, 49ers and Saints have all clinched playoff berths with the former three clinching their divisions. Which teams will join them? We may have a better answer after this week. With that said, here are the picks for week 15:
Thursday, December 15
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) @ Atlanta Falcons (8-5) – Jaguars may put up a fight since they tend to always compete but the Falcons are simply a better team. My pick: Atlanta Falcons
Saturday, December 17
Dallas Cowboys (7-6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9) – The Bucs have mailed in the season and the Cowboys obviously need to win. My pick: Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, December 18
Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) @ St. Louis Rams (2-11) – The clock is ticking on Steve Spagnuolo. My pick: Cincinnati Bengals
Green Bay Packers (13-0) @ Kansas City Chiefs (5-8) – The Chiefs might put up a fight for interim coach Romeo Crennel. They’re facing the Packers, though. My pick: Green Bay Packers
Carolina Panthers (4-9) @ Houston Texans (10-3) – It will be interesting to see how the Texans play down the stretch now that they have clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history. They have a fairly easy rest of the way so they should be going for the #1 seed. My pick: Houston Texans
New Orleans Saints (10-3) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-11) – Drew Brees in a dome this season: 23 TDs, 5 INTs. My pick: New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks (6-7) @ Chicago Bears (7-6) – The Bears have to win this. No ifs, ands or buts. The Seahawks are tough but do not have the offense that can run away with the game. That may mean Robbie Gould strikes late. My pick: Chicago Bears
Washington Redskins (4-9) @ New York Giants (7-6) – After Sunday night’s huge victory, the Giants cannot afford to lose to a below-average Redskins team. Washington blew them out in week 1 but will be without the suspended Fred Davis this week. Look for the Giants to get revenge. My pick: New York Giants
Tennessee Titans (7-6) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-13) – My pick: Tennessee Titans
Miami Dolphins (4-9) @ Buffalo Bills (5-8) – Buffalo will be looking for revenge after getting destroyed by Miami in week 11. The Dolphins will go with Todd Bowles at head coach after firing Tony Sparano after getting blown out by the Eagles. It is a tough game to get a feel for so you take the home team. My pick: Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions (8-5) @ Oakland Raiders (7-6) – The Raiders need to win this game to stay in the AFC West hunt. The Lions need to win this to stay in the NFC wild card picture. You never know what you are getting out of these two teams. Take the home team. My pick: Oakland Raiders
New York Jets (8-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) – The Eagles showed a lot of life last week with Michael Vick back at quarterback. Will it carry over this week? The Jets never seem to make it easy for themselves and have never beaten the Eagles in their history. My pick: Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Browns (4-9) @ Arizona Cardinals (6-7) – The Browns have had a lot of issues this season and this Colt McCoy concussion problem is just another one to add to the list. How can Pat Shurmur possibly be safe? Arizona has shown a lot of fight. My pick: Arizona Cardinals
New England Patriots (10-3) @ Denver Broncos (8-5) – This is a really intriguing game. Can Bill Belichick find a way to finally stop Tim Tebow? Denver should be able to run all over a bad Pats D. My pick: Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens (10-3) @ San Diego Chargers (6-7) – Can Baltimore finally put the Chargers away for good or does San Diego survive for another week? The Ravens are both mentally and physically tougher and are going for the #1 seed. My pick: Baltimore Ravens
Monday, December 19
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (10-3) – This is San Francisco’s first playoff game in a sense. I think the Steelers are better but they have injuries and may be without Roethlisberger. My pick: San Francisco 49ers
Thanks for reading! See you again next week.
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