NFL Week 15 Picks

Not wanting to beat around the bush this week, I’m going to just get right to it. I finished last week with an improved 12-4 record that brought my season total to 126-82 (.606). Time is running out for my 16-0 week. So lets give it another shot. Week 15:

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Denver Broncos(6-7) at Houston Texans(6-7) 8:15PM

After four touchdown passes by Jay Cutler and 156 rushing yards by Selvin Young last week, the Broncos will travel to Houston in hopes of continuing their momentum. Here Mike Shanahan will face off against his former offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, Gary Kubiak. With Houston coming off a big win as well, both of these teams are holding on to hopes of a playoff position, but can only get there by winning out and a little help.

Broncos try to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Cincinnati Bengals(5-8) at San Francisco 49ers(3-10) 8:15

The 49ers are out of the playoff race. They have been officially eliminated, but so have the Bengals. So without any team being given the role of spoiler, this is a prime game to play on the NFL Network, where many fans won’t be able to watch and only the team fans will care.

Bengals win in this meaningless matchup

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Arizona Cardinals(6-7) at New Orleans Saints(6-7) 1:00PM

Two teams knocking on the door for an NFC wild card slot. With only one game between both these teams and Minnesota, who is currently holding that last slot, this game could have the result of leaving one of these teams on the outside looking in. Granted they would need some assistance to get there, neither of these teams can afford to risk a loss. I think this match up will fall into the hands of Drew Brees and Marques Colston.

Saints keep marching just behind the Wild Card slot

Atlanta Falcons(3-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers(8-5) 1:00PM

After last week’s loss, the Falcons are out. It was an expected finish for a team in the middle of a PR nightmare. How happy will the Falcons be to begin a new year without the drama surrounding Michael Vick surrounding them…as much? This week they will travel to Tampa in hopes of filling the role of the spoiler. A role New Orleans would like to see them fulfill. Sorry, I don’t see it.

Buccaneers hold off the Falcons to maintain their two game divisional lead

Baltimore Ravens(4-9) at Miami Dolphins(0-13) 1:00PM

The Ravens are out, and the Dolphins are WAY OUT!!! The Dolphins have absolutely nothing to lose by laying it all out on the line. It will be up to the Ravens to defend there season from possibly fielding the only win by a winless Miami Dolphins team. So many games have slipped from the finger tips of both these teams just as they thought a win was there’s for the taking. Who will manage to hold on for a little bit of pride this week?

Ravens escape giving the Dolphins a win

Buffalo Bills(7-6) at Cleveland Browns(8-5) 1:00PM

The Browns currently hold the last slot in the AFC Wild Card, but the Bills are only one game behind. This week Buffalo will make the trip to Cleveland with hopes of a win and move into that last Wild Card spot. Browns defense has been had some problems keeping their opponents out of the end zone, but the Browns offense has been enjoying some scoring success of their own. I expect this to be a hard hitting match up full of hard hits and high emotions. In the end…

Bills steal the win to cause more mischief in the AFC Wild Card race

Green Bay Packers(11-2) at St. Louis Rams(3-10) 1:00PM

The Packers have their division wrapped up and will be looking to claim a first round bye this week with hopes of home-field advantage before the season is up. The Rams on the other hand will hope to find themselves in the spoiler role regardless of the injuries that still plague this team. Unfortunately, I think this is a task that proves to be too great of a challenge for St. Louis.

Packers continue to finish strong

Jacksonville Jaguars(9-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers(9-4) 1:00PM

The Steelers have a good team, they have a lot of talent, they have a decent record, but yet they still find ways to lose games they shouldn’t. Then last week, they failed to find a way in what could very well have been the last opportunity to end a perfect season for New England. Jacksonville has lost their four games to only three teams because of two losses to 11-2 Indy. Both teams have high hopes of a post season and control their own destiny at this point. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.

Jaguars continue to sink their claws into a playoff berth

New York Jets(3-10) at New England Patriots(13-0) 1:00PM

The Patriots have already wrapped up their division, the first round bye, and will look to clinch home-field before this day is out. The only thing that stands in their way is the eliminated Jets, who are second worst only to Miami in the AFC. If this game were to be an upset, it would be a big one, but I wouldn’t put any bets on it.

Patriots wrap up their playoff scenario, do they sit starters now?

Seattle Seahawks(9-4) at Carolina Panthers(5-8) 1:00PM

The Seahawks are in the playoffs. As division winners, they can at least take one quick breath. However, a few more wins and a couple Green Bay losses would move them into the first round bye. Somehow I don’t see it happening, but the Seahawks will play to win and keep their fingers crossed as they travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. Surprisingly the Panthers have only won one home game this season and are still considered in the hunt for the wild card at this point. That won’t last long.

Seahawks relieve Panthers of any hopes of a playoff berth

Tennessee Titans(7-6) at Kansas City Chiefs(4-9) 1:00PM

Titans will be looking to Vince Young this week for leadership as they find themselves holding on to playoff hopes, but facing yet another AFC West team. After squeaking by Oakland, falling to Denver, and then getting upset in overtime by San Diego, the Titans can’t feel comfortable about this match up regardless of how unbalanced the AFC West has been this year. The Chiefs are out, and no longer have anything to lose. As much as Denver would love to benefit from a Titans loss during the Wild Card race…

Titans pull off the victory at Arrowhead

Indianapolis Colts(11-2) at Oakland Raiders(4-9) 4:05PM

The Colts have clinched a playoff berth, but thanks to the pursuit of Jacksonville, they have yet to wrap up the division. The Colts should be thankful to have what should be an easy match up for them this week. However, they shouldn’t go into this game to lightly, parity loves the playing field.

Colts win to take their division

Detroit Lions(6-7) at San Diego Chargers(8-5) 4:15PM

Jon Kitna won’t be getting his 10+ wins this season, but the Lions aren’t ready to go quietly into the night. They remain among the teams that are one game out of the Wild Card spot. After a disappointing loss last week where they let Dallas sneak back for the win in the fourth quarter, the Lions will look to try and not replay Week 14 for both these teams, as San Diego found themselves on the winning side of last weeks comeback.

Lions find a way to hold onto win

Philadelphia Eagles(5-8) at Dallas Cowboys(12-1) 4:15PM

The Cowboys came close to letting a game slip away last week as they found themselves down in the fourth with a desperate need for a comeback. Of course, Tony Romo delivered and the Boys were victorious. They are already the division winners in the NFC East and will be looking to hold on for a first round bye and home-field advantage. At this point, they want a second shot at New England in the Super Bowl.

Cowboys win and move one step closer to that match up

Sunday, December 16, 2007 Sunday Night Football

*Note: Sunday Night games in Week 11-17 subject to change

Washington Redskins(6-7) at New York Giants(9-4) 8:15PM

With the Giants holding onto a Wild Card slot and the Redskins still alive in the hunt, both teams should bring a passion for victory into this divisional rivalry. It’s going to be a question of which version of Eli Manning will we be expected to see and can Todd Collins lead his team to another victory? Giants may have the better record on the season, but I would have to call this game a toss up. So when in doubt, pick the home team.

Giants preserve the home field win

Monday, December 17, 2007 Monday Night Football

Chicago Bears(5-8) at Minnesota Vikings(7-6) 8:30PM

Adrian Peterson or Devin Hester…which playmaker will lead his team to victory? Although they are still alive in the Wild Card hunt the Bears are not likely to make the playoffs this year while the hot Minnesota Vikings are running a win streak into the post season. I expect to momentum to remain on the side of Minnesota. Add the home field advantage and I’ve got my pick.

Vikings continue to remain hot and hold their playoff slot.

So there you have it. Only two more regular season weeks to go after this and then it’s on to the playoffs. Who will stay and who will go? Some teams have a playoff berth in the bag, others are still struggling. Should make for some interesting games, and as the Miami Dolphins will probably join the 1976 Buccaneers at 0-14 after this week I think it’s only fitting to quote the Bucs first coach John McKay when he said, “Well, we’ve determined that we can’t win at home and we can’t win on the road. What we need is a neutral site.”