Week 15 Game Picks cont.
15 DEC 2019. 4:05 PM ET GAME 🔒
Vikings @ Chargers
The first of the late-window games features a lopsided matchup in Southern California. Although the Vikes have a record of 3-4 on the road this season, it’s the Chargers! The Vikings two-dimesnional attack is going to be too much for the Chargers to handle. On top of that an already consistent Minnesota offense adds to their firepower as wideout, Adam Thielen is back and healthy for the first time in a little over a month! I expect Minnesota to improve to .500 on the road as Captain Kirk airs it out with both Thielen & Diggs. SKOL in LA!
Score: 27-20, Vikings Win.
Jaguars @ Raiders
Another great matchup that is yet another game lock! Quite frankly, this game is EXACTLY what the Raiders needed! After begining the season 6-4 their only .500 opponent (at the time) was the Kansas City Chiefs. Prior to that loss, they got blown out by the Jets. In a game that they thought they could control last week ended up being yet another blowout to the Titans. The Raiders have been outscored by 83 points over the last 3 losses! This week bodes well for them as they should not only get Josh Jacobs back, but they play the Jaguars… at home. Derek Carr has a record of 6-2 in his last 8 home games. I still believe in this Raider team that is competing for a playoff spot. I say they keep their hopes alive & hand the Jags their 6th consecutive loss of the season.
Score: 31-17, Raiders Win.
Browns @ Cardinals
This is the first time since 1950 that Heisman-winning QBs from the same college are starting against each other in the NFL. Baker Mayfield & Kyler Murray battle in the desert & with the Browns fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, I’m going to go with them to take the road W. The Cards defense has allowed 20+ points in EVERY SINGLE GAME this season! The Browns offense has a chance to go nuclear & best believe that they will.
Score: 30-21, Browns Win.
15 DEC 2019. 4:25 PM ET GAME🔒
Falcons @ 49ers
Photo: via @thefanalyst.live instagram
We’ve got a good one in the Bay. Kyle Shanahan is set to meet against a familiar foe. Matty ICE & his former Falcon squad. Matt Ryan fly’s into San Francisco this week to upset his former offensive coordinator. The two had a stellar 2016 season that led to an MVP award for Matt Ryan & a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss for Atlanta. Clearly a lot has changed 3 years down the road. Now Kyle Shanahan is doing something special with his 49er offense as they sit atop the league tied for the best record in the NFL just like the 2016 Falcons. With a win the 49ers will clinch a playoff berth for the first time since the 2013 season, so rejoice 49er faithful because you are headed to the playoffs! That’s right Matt Ryan & the Falcons are bound to come up short in the bay despite his career record of 4-0 against #1 ranked pass defenses… he has to lose one eventually right?
Score: 30-17, 49ers Win.
Rams @ Cowboys
A divisional round playoff rematch in the NFC is set to kickoff in Dallas. Last week I went bold & picked the Rams at home against Seattle so why not keep the trend going? The Cowboys have been atrocious against teams above .500! The Rams defense has been phenomenal since trading for Jalen Ramsey allowing a mere 15.7 PPG (2nd-fewest in league). Not good news for Dak Prescott who has a record of 0-4 this season against top-10 defenses. On top of that, Sean McVay has a record of 5-0 with the Rams vs. teams that are on a losing streak of 3+ games (entering that week). I’m taking the Rams in this road matchup as they have proven themselves time & time again. Meanwhile Dallas has a lot of explaining to do going into next week’s make or break game vs. Philadelphia…
Score: 28-23, Rams Win.
Sunday Night Football
Bills @ Steelers
We love playoff implications! It’s a primetime matchup in Pittsburgh between the bottom two seeds of the playoff picture (#5 seed, Bills/ #6 seed, Steelers). The Bills are taking the primetime stage for the first time since 2007 & they have not beat the Steelers since 1999! Both teams have formidable defenses, each allowing fewer than 19 PPG this season. The Steelers defense especially has been stellar. After starting the season 1-4, the Steelers have flipped the switch & won 7 of their last 8 allowing a mere 16 PPG during that stretch. On the contrary, the Bills defense has quietly been elite. They allow the 3rd-fewest pass YPG & the 2nd-fewest PPG to opposing teams this season.
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Clearly, this matchup is going to be a very defensive battle & quite frankly, the team with the better offense is going to come out on top. That team is going to be the Bills. The Steelers offense has been able to produce however, the offense really relies on the defense for keeping games close. That leads to an unproductive Steeler offense. However, it’s expected with a banged up James Conner & JuJu Smith-Schuster. Point is that the Steelers simply won’t have the firepower to give the Bills defense on their toes. The Bills are headed to the playoffs!
Score: 21-13, Bills Win.
Monday Night Football
Colts @ Saints
The Monday night games simply get easier to pick down the stretch. The Saints have this Super Bowl 44 rematch on a LOCK! About a month ago the Colts sat atop the AFC South. Now they have lost 5 of their last 6 games & are #3 in their division. A road matchup against the Saints is the last thing they need. The Saints have gone 43 consecutive games without losing back to back games in a single season! On top of that a Brees & Michael Thomas connection could hit an all-time high Monday night as the Colts defense has allowed 300.7 pass YPG (most pass YPG allowed in league) since week 12! Offensively for the Colts, their rush attack should be taken out early as the Saints have not allowed a 100 yard rusher in 35 consecutive games. Limiting the Colts to an aerial attack led by Jacoby Brissett will be favorable for the Saints secondary as Brissett has a mere 4 TDs & 3 INTs from weeks 9-14. It’s all Saints at home to conclude week 15!
Score: 31-20, Saints Win.
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