Week 15 means we’ll have football four days a week on the NFL schedule, and each day offers a must-watch game.
The Thursday Night Football matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks is and a chance for the nation to get a look at 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy – who has made the rise from Mr. Irrelevant to starter for a Super Bowl contender in a hurry.
There are three games on Saturday, including a prime-time showdown between the Dolphins and Bills in the AFC East. Buffalo has a two-game lead in the division.
On Sunday, the Jets and Giants will come into focus. Can the Jets hold off the Lions – who are making a late playoff charge? The Giants and Commanders are in a key wild-card tilt in prime time on Sunday Night Football.
On Monday, Baker Mayfield will lead the defending Super Bowl champion Rams against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay is clinging on to its playoff hopes and needs to win out for Aaron Rodgers to have a chance. Nobody had that prediction in August.
Record: 127-79-2
With that in mind, a look at our track record heading into Week 15 (odds courtesy BetMGM):
POWER RANKINGS: Cowboys, Vikings, Giants get exposed; 49ers, Chargers, Lions make playoff noise for Week 15
NFL picks, predictions for Week 15
- San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at Seattle Seahawks
Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
Purdy hype is alive and well. He will make his first road start against Seattle, which is coming off a dud in the loss to Carolina. Seattle has averaged just 60 rushing yards per game the last four weeks – a 1-3 stretch that will get worse if they are one-dimensional against the 49ers – who are 2-3 S/U on the road. Which trend wins out on a short week?
Pick: 49ers 24, Seahawks 20
Result: 49ers 21, Seahawks 13
- Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings (-4)
Saturday, 1 p.m., NFL Network
The Colts had a bye week, and they will be looking to break a three-game losing streak under interim coach Jeff Saturday. Minnesota is coming off a divisional loss to the Lions. The Vikings are 6-1 S/U at home – and they get back on track against the Colts after a close first half.
Pick: Vikings 30, Colts 21
- Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (-2.5)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., NFL Network
The Browns are favored; a sign that Lamar Jackson might not be ready to go. Baltimore also lost Tyler Huntley to a concussion. Rookie Anthony Brown could get the start here. It’s also Deshaun Watson’s first home start for Cleveland. He offers hope for the future, and the Browns pull off a home sweep of AFC North opponents with the victory.
Pick: Browns 20, Ravens 17
- Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-7.5)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m., NFL Network
How healthy will Tyreek Hill be for this game? Miami’s offense sputtered in Week 14 and struggled in the running game, and Buffalo is going to be looking for payback from the Week 3 loss. The forecast also calls for snow showers. Josh Allen is 4-0 with 10 TDs and two interceptions against the Dolphins at home.
Pick: Buffalo 31, Dolphins 24
- Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-4)
Sunday 1 p.m., FOX
Believe it or not, these teams remain in the NFC South playoff hunt. The Falcons are turning to Desmond Ridder at quarterback after the bye week. The Saints, for all their wrongs this season, are still 3-4 at home. Andy Dalton has nine TDs and just two interceptions at home. New Orleans holds on at the Superdome.
Pick: Saints 27, Falcons 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Kenny Pickett’s status is uncertain after being put in concussion protocol, and the Steelers could turn to Mason Rudolph. Carolina is trying to get back in the NFC playoff hunt. Sam Darnold is shooting for a third straight victory. This will be a field-goal game either way.
Pick: Steelers 21, Panthers 18
- Philadelphia Eagles (-9) at Chicago Bears
Sunday 1 p.m., FOX
The Bears had a bye week to prepare for what will be a huge challenge against the Eagles’ high-powered offense. The Eagles are 1-2 ATS when favored by seven points or more, and the quarterback duel between Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields should produce more than enough highlight-reel plays. Chicago has allowed 33.5 points per game through a six-game losing streak.
Pick: Eagles 34, Bears 26
- Kansas City Chiefs (-14) at Houston Texans
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The Texans led for most of the game against the Cowboys in Week 14. Kansas City will not be as generous on the road. Patrick Mahomes II will bounce back from a three-interception performance. About the spread? Kansas is 1-1 ATS when favored by 14 points or more this season. How much fight do the Texans have left?
Pick: Chiefs 38, Texans 17
- Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 1 p.m., FOX
Doug Pederson was 4-7 against the Cowboys as the head coach for the Eagles from 2016-20. This Dallas team is trending toward another high seed in the NFC playoffs, and they have averaged 419.3 yards per game through a four-game winning streak. Dak Prescott keeps finding multiple ways to win.
Pick: Cowboys 31, Jaguars 23
- Detroit Lions at New York Jets (-1)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The Jets have a winning record, and the Lions need a victory to stay in the NFC playoff hunt. It’s a nod to the direction both teams are headed, and Detroit won its last two games before the home-stand. Stick with the hot team here; the one that can score in bunches.
Pick: Lions 31, Jets 28
- Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos (pick ’em)
Sunday 4:05 p.m., FOX
With Russell Wilson (concussion) uncertain, the Broncos will turn to Brett Rypien in what has become an increasingly messy season. It hasn’t been pretty for the Cardinals either, but they are 3-2 S/U on the road. With Kyler Murray out, it’s Colt McCoy’s turn.
Pick: Cardinals 23, Broncos 21
- New England Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders (pick ’em)
Sunday 4:05 p.m., FOX
Josh McDaniels will get a shot at mentor Bill Belichick. The Raiders have the rest advantage, and the loser of this game likely is out of the AFC playoff hunt. We’re going to take New England – who needs this one knowing Cincinnati comes to Gillette Stadium next week. Belichick gets the best of his former assistant coach.
Pick: Patriots 27, Raiders 24
- Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Chargers (-3)
Sunday 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Chargers are starting to click now that receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are healthy, and that’s going to stress a Tennessee pass defense that ranks 31st in the NFL at 283.7 points per game. The Titans are on a three-game losing streak and have not forced a turnover in four games. Will desperation kick in? Derrick Henry helps Tennessee control the clock, and they pull out a shocker on the road.
Pick: Titans 26, Chargers 23
- Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday 4:25 p.m., CBS
This is the first head-to-head matchup between Joe Burrow and Tom Brady, and that’s going to grab the headlines. The real story, however, is a Bengals’ defense that has allowed 16.7 points the last three weeks against the Titans, Chiefs and Browns. That is the key for Cincinnati as it keeps pace with Buffalo and Kansas City at the the top of the AFC playoff hunt.
Pick: Bengals 27, Buccaneers 22
- New York Giants at Washington Commanders (-4.5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
These teams tied two weeks ago. The Commanders are coming off a bye week, and the Giants are fading after three losses the last four weeks. New York has allowed an average of 426 yards the last three weeks. The defense needs to figure it out fast if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.
Pick: Commanders 28, Giants 24
- Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Baker Mayfield likely will get the start for the Rams. He threw four interceptions in his last visit to Lambeau Field. The Packers are coming off a bye week, and they have won the last four home meetings against the Rams. Aaron Rodgers keeps Green Bay’s fleeting playoff hopes alive. The Packers are 2-3 ATS as home this season.
Pick: Packers 26, Rams 21
