Blogging Dirty gifts you NFL Week 15 picks and predictions
Blogging Dirty gives you the NFL Week 15 match-ups, odds, and winners. Just make sure you send us a Christmas card when you win that office pool.
Dec 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks (93) during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Thursday Night Football
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
We didn’t get the pick in time but it really didn’t matter. Did anyone think the Rams had a chance in hell to win at Seattle? Who fires their head coach on a Monday…with their next game on Thursday?
Absolutely nothing changed with the Rams other than Jeff Fisher is now gone. More bone-headed shenanigans may have cost Los Angeles their prized, 1st overall quarterback for next week.
Seattle won while their uniforms caused damage to my retinas.
Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore (8) looks on before a game against San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday Night Football
Miami Dolphins (-2.5) vs. New York Jets
I’m part of the group that doesn’t think the Dolphins are too different without Ryan Tannehill. Miami has won 7 of their last 8 games with a rushing attack and a defense that strengthens as games roll on. Matt Moore is a capable quarterback that knows how to manage games and not turn the ball over.
The Jets needed the 49ers to botch last week’s game in order to win. Matt Forte should play but will likely be limited. The Jets are a disaster this season and drop a close, NFL Week 15 game.
Miami wins, 17-10
Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WS, USA; Green Bay Packers player Micah Hyde is tackled by Seattle Seahawks player George Fant following a fourth quarter interception at Lambeau Field. Mandatory credit: William Glasheen/Post-Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
FOX – 1 PM Games
Green Bay Packers (-5.5) vs. Chicago Bears
The Bears stand a slim chance to win if Aaron Rodgers can’t manage his calf pain and sees an early exit. Either way, something has clicked with the Green Bay defense as of late; as evidenced by last week’s drubbing of Seattle. The Bears will attempt to win in NFL Week 15 by running the ball, but the Packers haven’t played a game with a 100-yard rusher since Week 11.
Chicago is a franchise in disarray. John Fox’s term is reportedly over after this season and Cutler probably goes too. There’s one more loss to Green Bay before the Bears rebuild begins.
Packers win, 19-0
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens (-6)
The Eagles are riding a 4-game losing streak and playing extremely pedestrian against some so-so defenses. Baltimore packs the top-ranked defense in the league and is playing at home. The Ravens are 5-2 at home and feeling confident after taking New England to the wire last week.
Philadelphia has never beaten the Ravens in Baltimore. That doesn’t change this week. Expect a big day from Joe Flacco as Baltimore looks to stay in the hunt for the 6th seed.
Ravens win big, 32-9
Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants (-4)
Not flexing this NFL Week 15 game to Monday Night Football is a shame. Detroit have been the kings of comeback football, but their luck runs out this week. Too much rides on Matthew Stafford’s finger and honestly, the Giants are the last team I’d want to play right now.
The Giants come off a big win vs. the Cowboys and are proven capable of shutting down opposing passing attacks. Detroit is better moving the ball through the air than Dallas, but the Giants have too much momentum. Detroit is on the road…it will be cold…
NY Giants win, 17-3
Dec 11, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs with the ball during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at New Era Field. The Steelers beat the Bills 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
CBS – 1 PM Games
Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills (-10)
Cleveland has to win a game at some point, right? Take it from a guy who grew up 75 miles outside Buffalo, there’s a lot of Browns fans in Western, New York. The Dawg Pound will be well-represented at New Era Field on Sunday. This is a very winnable, game for Cleveland in NFL Week 15.
The Browns will lose. Buffalo is another clunky team headed for coaching changes but they aren’t as bad as Cleveland. Buffalo will put the game on LeSean McCoy’s back and watch him put up big yards against a defense allowing 146 rushing yards per game.
Bills win, 26-13
Tennessee Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
I like the Chiefs to win but the Titans to cover. Kansas City is 2-3-1 covering the spread this season and face a Tennessee team that has the NFL’s 3rd best rushing game. The Chiefs are the better team with the better defense, but the Titans can win without turning over the ball. Look at the Chiefs big games and turnovers were the key to victory.
The Titans will try to ground and pound in some cold weather. Expect a signature game from Alex Smith as he exploits a bad Titans secondary.
Chiefs win, 23-19
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Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals actually aren’t a bad team playing as the home underdog. These AFC North game can always go either way, but I’m thinking Pittsburgh is just too much for the Bengals. Cincinnati comes off a pair of wins, but hasn’t beat a quality teams since Week 4 vs. Miami.
It’s almost unfair the Steelers have Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown on their roster. Bell comes off a monster Week 14 and will have more fun running against a defense giving up 4.5 yards per carry. Cincinnati needs a lot of snow and a big day from Jeremy Hill.
Steelers win, 22-13
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans (-5.5)
This is the most uninteresting game of the day for me. The Jaguars aren’t the worst team in the league but are the worst franchise. So much talent in Jacksonville and yet the team continues to regress.
The Texans don’t dominate but they are finding ways to win games within their division. Houston is riding a 5-game win streak vs. the Jaguars. Brock Osweiler is a complete let-down but Lamar Miller makes is 6-straight on Sunday.
Texans win, 17-10
Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings (-5)
This became a more interesting game after Adrian Peterson announced his return from a Week 2 meniscus injury. The reality is AP wasn’t productive in Minnesota’s first two games, but it’s a nice pick-me-up for a team devastated by key injuries. Fantasy owners still shouldn’t expect a big day from Peterson as the Vikings will roll with their 7th different offensive line configuration.
The Colts have essentially limped to 6 wins and don’t do anything really well. Chuck Pagano is likely out of a job after this season, but not before losing to Minnesota on the road.
Vikings win an ugly game, 16-13
Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
FOX – 4:05 PM Games
New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals (-3)
This is a tough game to call as both teams aren’t particularly good. The Saints are extremely boom or bust and have been pretty bad on the road this season. It’s no secret that New Orleans generally wins games with big passing days. They’ll need a lot of luck lining up against Arizona’s 3rd-ranked passing defense.
The Cardinals have David Johnson, enough said.
Cardinals win, 27-17
San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons (-13.5)
The 49ers win this game if all 22 of Atlanta’s starters end up violently ill before kickoff. That’s a bold statement but in reality, San Francisco just doesn’t have the quality personnel. The 49ers can pound the ball, but the strength of Atlanta’s defense has been stuffing the run.
The Falcons spread the ball around to obliterate the Rams last week. San Francisco’s defense offers less talent. I like Atlanta to use this game to get Devonta Freeman chugging again.
Falcons win, 38-7
Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
CBS – 4:25 PM Games
New England Patriots (-3) vs. Denver Broncos
Denver takes a defensive hit with Brandon Marshall sidelined due to injury. Todd Davis is also questionable with a rib injury, thus allowing the Patriots to pay more attention to Von Miller. It will take a huge game from Von Miller and some turnovers to give the Broncos a chance at victory.
New England’s defense is overwhelming but the quarterback play from Denver has been very weak. This is a game to be won on the ground, of which the Patriots have a big advantage. Tom Brady won’t see a big fantasy day but he will make some key throws on third downs. Expect the Patriots to control the clock and win another close game.
Patriots win, 28-16
Oakland Raiders (-3) vs. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers upset the Football Gods before the season and continue to lose key players to injury with each game. Melvin Gordon went down with a knee injury last week and will not play on Sunday. There’s more pressure on Phillip Rivers to deliver, but the task is complicated by a solid Oakland defense.
The Raiders dropped a big game Kansas City last week and will come out motivated. There’s a big day ahead for Derek Carr up against the NFL’s 25-ranked pass defense.
Raiders win, 37-13
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) runs with the ball in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday Night Football
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys (-7)
Only the delusional members of Dallas’s fan base though they’d head into the playoffs with a single loss. For the rest of us, an ugly December that would be littered with quarterback controversy was inevitable. Dallas is struggling to move the ball through the air and isn’t getting the big plays late in games.
Going back to October 9th, Dallas has only won by a 10+ point margin twice. Those were games vs. Cincinnati and at Cleveland. This fact bodes well for the Buccaneers, a team that seems to own the 4th quarter as of late. Tampa Bay enters Dallas with a 5-game win streak and a ton of momentum.
Giving the Bucs 7 points is ludicrous. Tampa Bay has 3 wins against current division leaders, 2 of which came on the road. This game has all the makings of another Dallas let-down and the media hammering out “should Tony Romo start” articles all week long.
Buccaneers edge the Cowboys, 23-21
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Monday Night Football
Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Redskins (-6.5)
The Redskins are 9-4 against the spread this season and welcome a bad Panthers’ secondary to DC. Jordan Reed is expected to play and will be heavily targeted as the Redskins look to stay in the Wildcard hunt. Washington’s pass offense ranks 2nd in the NFL and Rob Kelley has emerged as a legit rushing threat.
Carolina’s season is in complete disarray. Cam Newton will always give his team a chance to win, but it’s never good when his fashion garners more attention than his play. The Panthers can win if Luke Keuchly is cleared to play, but the Redskins will win the battle inside the trenches.
Redskins win, 32-17
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