Week 15 picks
Tags: Football, NFL

Total: 7–6–3

Cumulative total: 30–29–4

Last week was challenging. My first tie of the year, in addition to a record 6–9–1 that seems like it merits some sort of redemption from this week — 16 games, I’m gonna call it right now as a winning record: I will edit this on Tuesday to see if it panned out. (Got it by one! Nice!)

Chargers @ Raiders 8:15 Est.Thu.

After a hot start, the Raiders have lost three of the last four and had it not been for Greg Williams’ inconceivable play calling, they would be on a four game skid. Meanwhile, if the Chargers could get over Anthony Lin’s coaching and leverage Justin Herbert’s obvious talent, they might have put themselves into contention for second place in the AFC West. However, it seems like the Chargers are going in the right direction, winning their last two games — making me think they can keep this one close, especially in a divisional game.

Pick: Chargers + 3.5 ✅

Bills @ Broncos 4:30 Est. Sat.

The Bills will win this game. The question is, can they put a touchdown between themselves and Denver at Mile High. I think that it ultimately comes down to the quarterback matchup, and no matter who the Broncos start Josh Allen will be the better passer by a large margin, and the Bills defense can significantly smother the Broncos.

Pick: Bills -5.5 ✅

Panthers @ Packers 8:15 Est. Sat.

Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau field against a week Panthers team doesn’t seem like it’s going to be close. Especially when Carolina has almost nothing to lose, and the Packers are vying for a first round bye, I think Green Bay wins in a blowout.

Pick: Packers -8 =

Texans @ Colts 1:00 Est. Sun.

The Texans let me down last week, but I do still think that their record does not represent their full quality as a team. Meanwhile, the Colts simply don’t have any convincing wins this year and I do think that in a divisional game, Houston keeps it close.

Pick: Texans +7 =

Buccaneers @ Falcons 1:00 Est. Sun.

After a tough loss to the Chiefs, Tampa Bay bounced back with a win against the Vikings, and I do think that trend continuous against the Falcons, who can’t seem to ever put together a string of wins or beat the good teams. At the end of the day, I trust Tom Brady to get it done in a game that means a lot more for Tampa than Atlanta.

Pick: Buccaneers -5.5 🅇

Patriots @ Dolphins 1:00 Est. Sun.

Bill Belichick against a rookie quarterback in a divisional rivalry game. I think all of that, along with the Patriots season riding on this game, is enough to overcome New England’s traditional struggles in Miami. Moreover, Cam Newton did play very well against the Dolphins in week one, so I think that factors in as well.

Pick: Patriots +1.5 🅇

Seahawks @ Football Team 1:00 Est. Sun.

The Seahawks were embarrassed by the Giants two weeks ago in a game that I thought would be a blow out. However, they destroyed the Jets in their next game and I’m still confident that their second week in a row on the East coast will result in a win of similar proportions when they’re in a tight race for the divisional crown.

Pick: Seahawks -6 🅇

Bears @ Vikings 1:00 Est. Sun.

Chicago and Minnesota actually seem relatively equally matched in this game, and I expect it to be very close. However, the line is only a field goal and I think that the Vikings superior coaching and better quarterback play can cover that at home.

Pick: Vikings -3 🅇

Jaguars @ Ravens 1:00 Est. Sun.

The Ravens have a playoff spot to play for, while Jaguars fans (if there are any) likely have to root for a loss. I think that Lamar Jackson tears through a bad Jaguars defense, and the Ravens are able to limit the awful Jaguars offense to somewhere around 10 points.

Pick: Ravens -13 ✅

49ers @ Cowboys 1:00 Est. Sun.

The 49ers and Cowboys are great examples of teams that had incredible aspirations at the start of the season and then were derailed by injuries. After the way the 49ers have been playing over the past few weeks, I don’t really have a reason to be more confident in them than Dallas, so I think that picking the home team plus the spread is the best bet.

Pick: Cowboys +3 ✅

Lions @ Titans 1:00 Est. Sun.

Derrick Henry alone should be enough to win this game for the Titans, and I think that he probably can cover the spread too against a Detroit team whose boost from a new coach should be wearing off. Especially in Nashville Tennessee in this one.

Pick: Titans -9 ✅

Jets @ Rams 4:00 Est. Sun.

The Jets are perhaps one of the worst teams in history. Meanwhile, the Rams are quietly one of the most complete teams in the league, and they’re playing at home, and they’re coming off an dominant win against the Patriots. Did I mention that their opponent is the Jets?

Pick: Rams -17 🅇

Eagles @ Cardinals 4:00 Est. Sun.

I think that both teams have a legitimate shot to win this game, especially with the Eagles starting Jalen Hurts and having just beat the Saints. I do like Kyler Murray and think that Arizona will be a threat for years to come, but a touchdown is too big of a spread for this one.

Pick: Eagles + 6.5 ✅

Chiefs @ Saints 4:25 Est. Sun.

As mentioned above, New Orleans took the L vs. Philly last week, and should be motivated in this game that will gauge how legitimate their claim as a Super Bowl Contender is, I think that they keep it close at the Super Dome and maybe even upset the KC.

Pick: Saints +3 =

Browns @ Giants 8:15 Est. Sun.

I have to admit, I did not believe in the Browns for a very long time. Ironically, a loss against the Ravens made me see the Browns in a completely new light, and the Giants’ one impressive win seems like a fluke to me. I think that Baker Mayfield outplays Colt McCoy, and the Browns cover.

Pick: Browns -6.5 ✅

Steelers @ Bengals 8:15 Est. Sun.

A Steelers team on a two game skid seems vulnerable, but with a coach like Mike Tomlin I think that this is a bounceback, statement win for Pittsburgh. Expect the Steelers pass rush to get to the Bengals’ backup quarterback and a large margin of victory.

Pick: Steelers -14 🅇