College Football

Sunday, December 17, 2017

NFL Week 15 Preview/Predictions




*Disclaimer* Patriots will be talked about in a seperate preview. 

Dolphins (6-7) at Bills (7-6)
Line: BUF -3.0

Miami played a hell of a football game Monday night, knocking off the mighty Patriots. But that was in Florid, not upstate New York. No disrespect to you, Jay Cutler, but no South Florida team is coming into Buffalo in December and getting a W. No, sir. Bills win, beat the spread and move one step closer to their first playoff berth since 2000 and the "Music City Miracle."

Bills 17, Dolphins 10




Ravens (7-6) at Browns (LMFAO)
God, I hope the Browns win this game. But they won't.

Bengals (5-8) at Vikings (10-3) 
Line: MIN -11.0
Photo creds to Heavy.com

Last Sunday, the Bengals got embarrassed by the NFC North's worst team at home. Now, they face off against the NFC North's best team on the road. Yikes. I'm not sold on Case Keenum at all, but I think he can handle these guys. Can Andy Dalton deal with Linval Joseph, Everson Griffen and the rest of the Vikings elite defense? I don't believe he can.
Vikings 31, Bengals 13

Jets (5-8) at Saints (9-4)
Line: NO -16.4
Photo creds to football nation

Yeah, there's a reason the Jets are two-touchdown underdogs. I will go out on a limb, however, and say there's a good chance that the Jets offense takes a giant leap forward and doesn't get shutout. I'll go out on another limb and predict that Bryce Petty won't outplay Drew Brees.
Saints 35, Jets 10. 


Eagles (11-2) at Giants (2-11)
Line: PHI -7.5
Photo creds to Daily Shark

A quarterback is vital to a football team. Until last Sunday, Philly had one of the best in Carson Wentz. So Wentz being out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL makes the Eagles worse off.

The fact that Philly is favored by over a touchdown in its first game without Wentz should say something about its opponent. Besides how horrible the New York Football Giants are, I have faith in Nick Foles. The man has been a stud in the past and on the surface, fits Doug Pederson's system. The Eagles might not win a Super Bowl without Carson Wentz, but they are still capable of making noise in the NFC, and certainly worthy of taking out the freaking Giants.


Eagles 27, Giants 10. 

Cardinals (6-7) at Redskins (5-8)

Neither of these teams will make the playoffs, but of these two, only the Cardinals are playing like they give a crap.


Packers (7-6) at Panthers (9-4)
Line: Car -3.0
Photo creds to USA Today's FTW

Like everybody else, I'm excited to see Aaron Rodgers healthy. But I can't feel comfortable picking a guy who hasn't played a down in over two months to go on the road and beat a team that's won five of its past six games, with a quarterback who is capable of matching a fresh Rodgers, let alone one coming off an injury. I expect number 12 to give it his all, and I don't think he'll make life easy on Carolina's defense. But Cam Newton is hot, and he's still fighting for an NFC South title. It will be a tight football game and a fun one to watch, but it's hard for me to trust a rusty QB against a hot one, even if that rusty QB is Aaron Rodgers.

Panthers 27, Packers 24. 



Texans (4-9) at Jags (9-4)
Line: JAX -11.0
Marqise Lee has a lot to smile about (Photo creds to RotoViz)

It looks as if Jacksonville won't have Leonard Fournette for this AFC South matchup. But the still have Blake Bortles, Marqise Lee and one of, it not the best defense in the NFL. Houston hasn't had DeShaun Watson for the past six games and is 1-5 since. Which team is worse off because of a key injury?

Jags 20, Texans 10. 

4:05
Rams (9-4) at Seahawks (8-5) 
Line: Sea -1.0
Cooper Kupp is making a big play. Just you wait. (Photo creds to Bleacher Report)

The fact that the loser of this game could well miss out on the postseason shows how loaded the NFC is. This Western Division showdown has enormous implications, and also serves as a measuring stick for how far Sean McVay and LA have come over the past year. 

Winning in Seattle is never easy, and neither is containing Russell Wilson. But my gut tells me that after getting torched by Carson Wentz last week, Wade Phillips' defense will be ready for revenge. Wilson will make his fair share of plays, and Seattle's defense will make its a few big stops. But the Rams are ready. Spurred on by Todd Gurley's running and a late touchdown pass from Jarred Goff to Cooper Kupp, LA will pull off the most miniature of upsets and itself in position to make the playoffs. 

Rams 21, Seahawks 17

4:25
Titans (8-5) at 49ers (3-10)
Line: Ten -1.0
Jimmy G, Baby (photo creds to Yahoo Sports)

Jimmy G can play. Oh, yes he can. Tennessee isn't as good as its record. Oh, no it's not. Garapollo will lead San Fran to its fourth win in five games. Oh, yes he will. The 49ers are trending upwards. Oh, yes they are.

49ers 23, Titans 20. 

Sunday Night 
Cowboys (7-6) at Raiders (6-7) 
Line: DAL -3.0
Photo creds to USA Today

Dez Bryant is a well known wide receiver. T.J. Carrie isn't a big name defensive back. According to Pro Football Focus, when Carrie is targeted, opposing quarterbacks have a 109.5 rating. That's pretty good. If Dak Prescott throws to his main man, I have faith that Bryant will earn his pay. If Bryant delivers, the Cowboys offense will be much better off. We know the Cowboys' offensive line will give Prescott the time he needs. It's up to him to use it wisely.  I think he will, and that keep Dallas alive in the NFC. 

Cowboys 20, Raiders 17. 

Monday Night 
Falcons (8-5) at Bucs (4-9) 
Line: ATL -6.5
Tampa Sucks. 



No comments:

Post a Comment