NFL Draft, Week 15 predictions: Rams beat Lions in Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff matchup, Chiefs bounce back against Chargers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The NFL’s Week 15 schedule is filled with exciting games.
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Buffalo takes on New England in the AFC East. Green Bay travels to Denver. These are games between teams firmly entrenched in the playoffs.
What is the most interesting game for us? Lions vs. Rams. Matthew Stafford leads the Rams to sit atop the NFC. The Lions are competing for a playoff spot with Jared Goff. That quarterback swap.
Stafford is 1-2 against his former team, including the playoffs. In three games against Detroit, he averaged 339.3 yards per game with six touchdowns and one interception. In those games, Goff averaged 254 yards per game with three touchdowns and four interceptions. The home team has yet to lose, which puts some pressure on the Lions in their playoff pursuit. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is looking to get closer to home-field advantage in the NFC.
It could also move Stafford closer to a second Super Bowl. The Buffalo-New England game will also be a huge one, with the Packers facing a tough challenge from the Broncos. That’s all for Week 15.
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Just say: 135-72-1 (9-5 in Week 14)
Confrontation spread: 102-103-3 (9-5 in Week 14)
Here are our picks straight from Week 15. Odds are based on Caesars.
Strength ranking: Packers, Steelers jump, while Chiefs, Colts fall again in Week 15
NFL Draft, Week 15 Predictions
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Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.5)
Thursdays, 8:15pm, Prime Video
Will the Buccaneers lose three straight at home? Baker Mayfield has a completion rate of 55.2 percent in two games since a shoulder injury, but the Falcons have allowed an average of 32 points per game in their last two losses. This was the recovery game Tampa Bay needed.
Pick: Pirates 27, Falcon 20
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Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
It’s a sandwich game for the Bears, who will face the Packers again in Week 16. Cleveland has allowed an average of 28.5 points per game in its past two losses, and Shedeur Sanders finished with a 364-yard, three-touchdown performance. Sanders and Caleb Williams put on an offensive performance when facing off in college. It won’t be exactly like this. Chicago is 3-1 ATS favorite.
Pick: Bears 21, Browns 17
More: Ben Johnson’s questionable clock management dooms Bears
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Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Since returning from a toe injury, Joe Burrow is averaging 272.5 passing yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Can the Bengals sweep the Ravens? Baltimore ranks 26th in pass defense. Cincinnati ranked 31st. Burrow and Lamar Jackson will put in big performances, but Baltimore will get a win to keep its playoff hopes alive.
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Pick: Crow 32, Tiger 29
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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
We keep picking the Chiefs in these games — and now their playoff fate may be in jeopardy. The Chargers have just one week left to play, and Patrick Mahomes is in despair. The Chiefs have won the final three home games of the series. Kansas City is 5-2 S/U at home, but have the Texans taken away that aura? Or will Travis Kelce have a bounce-back game?
Pick: Chiefs 23, Lightning 17
More Chiefs news:
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New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Patriots’ 23-20 victory over the Bills in Week 5 changed the nature of the AFC East race. Now, Buffalo has a chance to tie the game. Josh Allen continues to perform at an MVP level, as does Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. In the first game, the Bills committed 11 penalties for 90 yards. This can’t happen again, right?
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Pick: Bills 27, Patriots 24
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New York Giants Washington Commanders (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Commanders’ nightmare season continues. Washington has lost eight straight games, six of which have featured two or more turnovers. The Giants have lost seven straight, but both of their wins this season have come at home. Washington won the first game on September 7, 21-6. That feels like a long time ago.
Pick: Giant 19, Commander 13
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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-12.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Raiders couldn’t score. Vegas has averaged 12.8 points per game over its past five games with Kenny Pickett replacing Geno Smith (shoulder) in Week 14. Pickett will get a chance to start against one of his former teams, but the Eagles won’t be able to adjust in just one week. The Eagles are 0-3 ATS when leading by seven points or more — but they get it here.
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Pick: Eagles 30, Raiders 16
More: 6. Eagles’ offensive struggles are to blame
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New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (-11.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Jets are 1-4 S/U on the road this season, so this is another tough game. Jacksonville has won four straight games, and the Jaguars have allowed fewer than 300 yards in three of those games. It doesn’t help New York — which could turn to Brady Cook if Tyrod Taylor (groin) can’t start.
Pick: Jaguars 33, Jets 14
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Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans (-9.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Texans are making their mark in the AFC, and defense has been a key factor. Houston is on a five-game winning streak and has a +6 turnover margin, while Arizona is on a five-game losing streak. The Cardinals are 5-1 on the road this season.
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Pick: Texans 22, Cardinals 16
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Green Bay Packers (-2) vs. Denver Broncos
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Can the Packers prove it on the road? Green Bay is 1-7 S/U all-time in Denver, with its only win coming on a Brett Favre overtime special in 2007, which Green Bay won 19-13 in overtime. We expect a similar defense-first environment here. Is this a Super Bowl preview? Both teams’ pass rushes will be in play, but the Broncos will hold a 6-0 S/U record at home.
Pick: Broncos 21, Packers 18
NFL Rankings: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures after Week 14
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Indianapolis Colts vs. Seattle Seahawks (-11.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard stepped up in the absence of Daniel Jones (Achilles). Leonard (18-for-29, 145 yards, one score) will have a full week to prepare for the Seahawks, but it won’t be easy. The Seahawks outscored opponents 63-9 in their final two games and forced eight turnovers. Can Leonard avoid making costly mistakes on the road?
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Pick: Seahawks 27, Colts 14
More: How Colts’ Super Bowl chances took a huge hit after Daniel Jones injury
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Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams (-5.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
The key for both teams will be the running game. Jameer Gibbs (5.7 yards per carry) and Kyren Williams (4.9 yards per carry) can control such a high-stakes game. The turnover will also be huge. The Rams are 4-1 at home this season, winning three of those games by one point.
Pick: Ram 28, Lion 24
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Carolina Panthers (-2.5) vs. New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
The Panthers had a bye week to prepare for a road trip to New Orleans — and they’ve improved with the help of their rookie pairing in Tyler Shaw and Devin Neal. Shough and Neal combined for 125 yards and three touchdowns last week. That will challenge a Panthers defense that has struggled against the run. Should Carolina be wary of this?
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Pick: Panthers 27, Saints 20
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Tennessee vs. San Francisco 49ers (-12.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
The 49ers are the road favorite. The Titans have shown signs of improvement. Cam Ward has just one interception in the past four games, and the run defense has allowed just 80 rushing yards per game over that span. San Francisco could have easily turned this game into a blowout — they’re 2-0 ATS after leading by five or more points — but this was another touchdown. Take Tennessee, for example.
Pick: 49ers 24, Titans 13
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Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys (-6)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC Peacock
The Cowboys have extra time to prepare for the Vikings. JJ McCarthy threw three touchdowns for the Vikings in Week 15 against the Commanders, but he also had four sacks. Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb is being treated for a concussion. Dallas needs this team to stay in a tight playoff race, and the Cowboys are 4-2 ATS at home.
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Pick: Cowboys 28, Vikings 20
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Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
The Steelers lead the AFC North with Aaron Rodgers passing for a season-high 284 yards in Week 14. The Dolphins have a +7 turnover margin in their four-game winning streak. Miami is a tempting underdog here, but early forecasts predict snow. Will Tua Tagovailoa continue to upend that narrative? Pittsburgh is 1-3 ATS when leading by 5 points or less.
Pick: Steelers 22, Dolphins 19