December 14, 2005
NFL Week 15 Predictions
December 14, 2005, 8:56 PM | 0 Comments
Note: Predictions for week 15 of the 2008 NFL season can be found here: NFL Week 15 Predictions.
Week 15 is here, bringing with it 3 Saturday games and several key match-ups that will determine who makes the playoffs and who will be watching the playoffs.
Last week I had a great week of predictions and finished 14-2 in what was a very exciting week of football. This week will be just as exciting, and I’m really hoping the Colts make it to 14-0 against a good San Diego team.
ESPN Expert Picks: Last Week | This Week.
Now, here are my picks for week 15!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4) at New England Patriots (8-5) - Last week the Buccaneers really needed to win, and the did just that. For the Bucs to stay in the division race, they’ll need to win this week against the Patriots. Tom Brady is injured, and listed as questionable for this game, but I don’t really think it matters. The Patriots are not the team they have been over the past 4 years, and they’ve already won their division. The Buccaneers simply need this win more than the Pats do. Pick: Buccaneers.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) at New York Giants (9-4) - This is going to be a big game. If the Chiefs lose this game, they probably will not make the playoffs, and they know it. The Giants can guarantee a playoff spot with a win this week, and a strangle-hold on their division. Really, this game could go either way, and it’s a tough game to pick, so I’ll go with the home team in front of a national audience. Pick: Giants.
Denver Broncos (10-3) at Buffalo Bills (4-9) - Denver good, Buffalo bad. Enough said. Pick: Broncos.
San Francisco 49ers (2-11) at Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) - Last week Jacksonville was more or less embarrassed by the Colts, even though the score wasn’t a blowout. They’ve got an inside track to the playoffs though because of their remaining schedule. This week I expect a big win over the Niners. Pick: Jaguars.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) at St. Louis Rams (5-8) - This is going to be another close game. It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Ryan Fitzpatrick after he had that amazing comeback victory over the Texans. I’m pulling for him to bounce back this week and get the Rams a victory at home. Pick: Rams.
San Diego Chargers (8-5) at Indianapolis Colts (13-0) - The Colts are 13-0, and almost everyone (with a few exceptions including anyone involved with the ‘72 Dolphins) wants them to go undefeated this season. I certainly hope they pull it off, and if they can get through the next 2 games their last game is against Arizona, which gives them a great chance to complete the feat. Indy has already clinched everything they wanted to do when they set out at the start of the year, so the question is, will they decide to play their starters, or give them a rest? I think they should go for it. San Diego presents a big challenge, especially since they’re fighting for their playoff lives. Pick: Colts.
Arizona Cardinals (4-9) at Houston Texans (1-12) - I think there are a lot of Houston Texans fans who really could care less about what happens for the rest of this season. The rest that do care are probably hoping that Houston will lose enough games to guarantee them the #1 pick in next year’s draft. Pick: Cardinals.
Carolina Panthers (9-4) at New Orleans Saints (3-10) - Carolina needs this game. Period. Pick: Panthers.
Seattle Seahawks (11-2) at Tennessee Titans (4-9) - The Seahawks can clinch a first round bye this week with a win and they’re playing the Titans. The Titans are not a bad team, but they aren’t good enough to stop the ‘Hawks from achieving their goal. Also, if the Bears lose and the Seahawks win, Seattle will have clinched home-field advantage, so the Seahawks have every reason to win this weekend. Pick: Seahawks.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) at Minnesota Vikings (8-5) - Although the Vikings have been on a roll for the last 6 weeks, I think their streak will come to an end against the Steelers this weekend. The simple fact is that the Steelers need to win this game to make the playoffs. I think Minnesota will lose this week, and win at least 1 of their final 2 games to make the playoffs with a wild card spot. Pick: Steelers.
New York Jets (3-10) at Miami Dolphins (6-7) - I can’t believe the Jets beat the Raiders last week. Oakland is a mess right now. On a better note, Nick Saban has done an incredible job in Miami bringing the Dolphins back to have a respectable season. At the start of this season, I never would have thought that the Fins had any shot at a .500 record, or even a winning record. Pick: Dolphins.
Cleveland Browns (4-9) at Oakland Raiders (4-9) - I was going to pick the Raiders, but last week they lost to the Jets, and they’re going through QB shuffles again this week. The Raiders ship is very unstable right now, and it’s hard to win like that. Pick: Browns.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) at Detroit Lions (4-9) - Expect a big shakeup in Detroit this off season. Things just aren’t good in Motown. Cincinnati should win easily. Pick: Bengals.
Dallas Cowboys (8-5) at Washington Redskins (7-6) - This will be a great game. First, it’s one of the best rivalries in professional sports. Second, both of these teams are still in the playoff hunt, although Dallas has a better shot. I think the Cowboys have the advantage, as long as they play smart. Pick: Cowboys.
Atlanta Falcons (9-4) at Chicago Bears (9-4) - The Falcons had a great game against the Saints on Monday night, but Michael Vick got injured. While it’s not serious and he is expected to play this weekend, it’s still scary for a team that without Vick doesn’t have much chance. Close game, Falcons win. Pick: Falcons.
Green Bay Packers (3-10) at Baltimore Ravens (4-9) - It was nice to watch the Packers actually win a close game last week. It’s been a disappointing time for us Packer fans all year this year, and getting that win was nice to see. Story line for this week: Will this be Brett Favre’s last appearance on Monday Night Football? I don’t think so, and I certainly hope not. I think the Packers will get another win this week, but it’ll probably be another close game. Pick: Packers.
Picks Summary
AWAY - HOME - PREDICTION - RESULT
Buccaneers - Patriots - Buccaneers - Patriots Χ
Chiefs - Giants - Giants - Giants √
Broncos - Bills - Broncos - Broncos √
49ers - Jaguars - Jaguars - Jaguars √
Eagles - Rams - Rams - Eagles Χ
Chargers - Colts - Colts - Chargers Χ
Cardinals - Texans - Cardinals - Texans Χ
Panthers - Saints - Panthers - Panthers √
Seahawks - Titans - Seahawks - Seahawks √
Steelers - Vikings - Steelers - Steelers √
Jets - Dolphins - Dolphins - Dolphins √
Browns - Raiders - Browns - Browns √
Bengals - Lions - Bengals - Bengals √
Cowboys - Redskins - Cowboys - Redskins Χ
Falcons - Bears - Falcons - Bears Χ
Packers - Ravens - Packers - Ravens Χ
UPDATE: Ouch, after a brutal Monday Night game, my record for this week is a terrible 9-7.
Running total: 144-80.
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