Let's get to the picks!
Week 15 Picks
Seattle (-14.5) vs. Los Angeles
Seattle has looked extremely sluggish lately, and got their brains beaten in by Green Bay. Los Angeles is full of life and full of hope fresh off the Jeff Fisher firing, and now everything will be clicking on all cylinders. At least that's what they're trying to get us to believe with this insanely high line. Don't fall for it, this one is blowout city.
Pick: Seahawks
Miami (-2.5) at New York Jets
One of the toughest games of the week, mostly because we know almost nothing of these Dolphins minus Ryan Tannehill. I'm not laying points on the road in a cold weather climate with Miami's backup QB, and I think the Jets are much better than their record.
Pick: Jets
Minnesota (-4.5) vs. Indianapolis
So how many weeks ago would Minnesota have clinched the division if they had the good fortune of playing in the AFC South?
Pick: Vikings
Pittsburgh (-3.5) at Cincinnati
Feels like a three point game to me, in either direction. Thanks for the extra hook, Vegas! (kiss of death)
Pick: Bengals
Houston (-5.5) vs. Jacksonville
I know Houston is still in a position to make the playoffs and all, but I honestly feel bad for anyone who cares about this game even a little bit.
Pick: Jaguars
Kansas City (-5.5) vs. Tennessee
I don't put a lot of faith in Mariota being able to move the ball much against the stout KC defense. Meanwhile, the Chiefs offense will wake up in a big way here and knock the Titans down a peg or two. There's no way this team is actually good, I refuse to believe it.
Pick: Chiefs
Buffalo (-10.5) vs. Cleveland
How about this one - the Bills shouldn't be favored by double digits against anybody.
Pick: Browns
Baltimore (-5.5) vs. Philadelphia
Fresh off a tough primetime loss, Baltimore welcomes the perfect guest. Remember when radio hosts were saying Carson Wentz was being compared to Peyton Manning in terms of his preparation, and then that caused people to make actual comparisons between them after three games. Ah, the good old days.
Pick: Ravens
New York Giants (-4.5) vs. Detroit
We don't know how Matt Stafford's injury will affect him, if at all. But what we DO know is that the Lions aren't a "real" first place team. Sorry Lions fans, but even you guys know it's true. The Giants are at least a field goal better on a neutral field, so this line is a point or two low.
Pick: Giants
Green Bay (-6.5) at Chicago
The Bears are still playing hard, I'll give them that. They just aren't very good. And I'm riding this Aaron Rodgers hot streak for all it's worth - no reason not to.
Pick: Packers
Arizona (-2.5) vs. New Orleans
If you know what to make of either of these teams at this point, you're a better man than I am.
Pick: Cardinals
Atlanta (-13.5) vs. San Francisco
The Niners blew a big lead at home against the Jets last week. I almost don't even need to write anything else, right?
Pick: Falcons
Oakland (-2.5) at San Diego
Here we have a Raider team fresh off a tough loss to a divisional rival, knocking them from first place and making them hungry to get that win back. And on the other side, we have a team who invents new ways to lose each week. Whose franchise quarterback looks beaten down by life. Whose fan base couldn't care less if they move, which is why the Raider fans have already promised a hostile takeover this weekend. Yes, it's all shaping up for a big Raiders victory. Which is why.....
Pick: Chargers
New England (-3.5) at Denver
The Pats are fresh off a big victory that really helped them secure that home field advantage they crave, so this game is bigger for the fans than it is for real life. Meanwhile Denver is fighting for its playoff lives. A struggling but talented team that needs a victory, at home, and getting the points? Tough to go against that - especially with that hook.
Pick: Broncos
Dallas (-7.5) vs. Tampa Bay
This is where it all starts coming together. See, I'm the biggest Tony Romo fan in the history of people (at least amongst those who aren't fans of the Cowboys). I've been dying for him to win a Super Bowl, or at least get there. Once and for all, I'd love for him to just shut everyone up about his lack of "clutch" ability. The guy is an off the charts stud QB. Meanwhile, Dak is doing a good job of not making mistakes. But it's not like Dallas has some insane defense that he can fall back on. At some point, "not making mistakes" ain't winning you a Super Bowl. And when the Cowboys struggle again this week against Tampa, the cries for Romo will become louder. Until finally, his Ali-like return to the ring culminates with him hoisting the Lombardi Trophy high above his shoulder that he probably just separated in the final quarter of the big game.
Pick: Bucs
Washington (-4.5) vs. Carolina
For weeks, I've said the Panthers had one more big game left in them. So are you sitting down? Ok, get this...it came against the Chargers. GASP! I know, I was so shocked too...seriously though, how did I not see that coming?
Pick: Washington
BEST BETS: Seahawks, Ravens, Giants, Packers
LOCK: Seattle Seahawks
LAST WEEK
Overall: 9-7
Best Bets: 2-2
Lock of the Week: 0-1
YEAR TO DATE
Overall: 107-101 (51%)
Best Bets: 26-30 (46%)
Lock of the Week: 6-8 (42%)
POWER RANKINGS
Team Name W/L (Prv)
1. Patriots 11-2 (2)
2. Cowboys 11-2 (1)
3. Chiefs 10-3 (5)
4. Raiders 10-3 (3)
5. Giants 9-4 (9)
6. Falcons 8-5 (6)
7. Steelers 8-5 (7)
8. Lions 9-4 (11)
9. Packers 7-6 (13)
10. Seahawks 8-4-1 (4)
11. Redskins 7-5-1 (12)
12. Broncos 8-5 (8)
13. Ravens 7-6 (10)
14. Dolphins 8-5 (14)
15. Vikings 7-6 (15)
16. Bucs 8-5 (16)
17. Bengals 5-7-1 (18)
18. Cardinals 5-7-1 (17)
19. Titans 7-6 (26)
20. Panthers 5-8 (25)
21. Saints 5-8 (19)
22. Chargers 5-8 (20)
23. Texans 7-6 (21)
24. Bills 6-7 (22)
25. Eagles 5-8 (23)
26. Colts 6-7 (24)
27. Rams 4-9 (27)
28. Bears 3-10 (28)
29. Jets 4-9 (29)
30. Jaguars 2-11 (30)
31. 49ers 1-12 (31)
32. Browns 0-13 (32)