NFL Week 15 Predictions

!Upset
*Big Game
**Game of the Week


Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) v.s. Atlanta Falcons (9-5) (ATL -11, O/U 40.5)

Tony Romo

     The Falcons have really been well of late and I don't see the Jaguars coming into Atlanta and upsetting the Falcons. The Jaguars defense keeps them in it for a little while, but as long as Matt Ryan protects the ball the Falcons will move to 10-5 with ease.
Atlanta 27-10
Spread: Atlanta
O/U: Under


Dallas Cowboys (7-6) v.s. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9) (DAL -7, O/U 42) 
     The Cowboys need to win this game if they want to make the playoffs, it's that simple. Like I didn't see Jacksonville pulling it together and beating Atlanta, I don't see Tampa Bay pulling it together to beat Dallas. Many people have neglected the fact that Tony Romo has been playing at a very high level this year and I think he will have a big day against a weak Tampa defense.
Dallas 31-17
Spread: Dallas
O/U: Over


Miami Dolphins (4-9) v.s. Buffalo Bills (5-8) (BUF -2, O/U 40.5)

Marcell Dareus

     J.P. Losman will probably be under center for the Dolphins in their first game in the post-Tony Sporano era. The Bills are probably the NFL's saddest demise, as they have lost six in a row. But I see them getting the win today because they will put up just enough points to beat what should be an anemic Miami offense with J.P. Losman under center.
Buffalo 17-10
Spread: Buffalo
O/U: Under


*Seattle Seahawks (6-7) v.s. Chicago Bears (7-6) (CHI -4, O/U 35.5)
     I think the formula to victory today for the Bears is relatively simple: stop Marshawn Lynch and you win. Well they're two factors. One is that the Bears without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte have had big time problems scoring and two, no team has stopped Marshawn Lynch in the last two months, I'll take the Seahawks in Chicago.
Seattle 24-9
Spread: Seattle 
O/U: Under


Tennessee Titans (7-6) v.s. Indianapolis Colts (0-13) (TEN -7, O/U 41.5)
     Jake Locker makes his debut against winless Indianapolis today. This game should be closer than the experts indicate because the Colts have been playing better defense in the last couple of weeks and their offense, led by Dan Orlovsky seems to be taking smaller steps. That being said, the Titans will have success running the ball and Jake Locker will have a very good first start in leading the Titans to the victory.

Ryan Grant

Tennessee 20-16
Spread: Indianapolis
O/U: Under


Green Bay Packers (13-0) v.s. Kansas City Chiefs (5-8) (GB -13, O/U 46)
     Simply put, Tyler Palko is not beating Aaron Rodgers. The Packers move to 14-0.
Green Bay 35-0
Spread: Green Bay
O/U: Under


Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) v.s. St. Louis Rams (2-11) (CIN -8, O/U 39)
     The Bengals had a devastating loss last week against the Texans. We'll see what kind of team this Bengals team is when they play the Rams today. If they show up today, then we'll know that the Bengals are for real not only this year but in the near future. If they don't show up and play well, then they aren't quite for real yet. The one thing that will help the Bengals today is that the Rams will be without Sam Bradford and A.J. Feely will also be out, so the Rams will turn to Kellen Clemens, who was signed last week. I'll put my money on Cincinnati.
Cincinnati 19-12

Drew Brees

Spread: St. Louis
O/U: Under


New Orleans Saints (10-3) v.s. Minnesota Vikings (2-11) (NO -8, O/U 54)
     Remember when these two teams played for the NFC Championship a mere two years ago? Well I'm sure the Vikings wish those days were still happening. That being said, the Vikings have played some quality teams competitively of late including the Lions last week. The problem is that the Saints are indoors at the Metrodome and they should score quickly and score in bunches. The Saints will move to 11-3.
New Orleans 41-21
Spread: New Orleans
O/U: Over


*Washington Redskins (4-9) v.s. New York Giants (7-6) (NYG -7, O/U 47)

Steve Smith

     The Redskins could pull the upset here. But one thing about the Giants is that they are very balanced offensively. Eli Manning will protect the ball today and have a good game while the Giants defense bends a little bit, but doesn't break. The Giants move to 8-6.
New York 27-17
Spread: New York
O/U: Under


Carolina Panthers (4-9) v.s. Houston Texans (10-3) (HOU -6, O/U 45)
     Cam Newton and the Panthers will have their hands full today going up against one of the NFL's best defenses today in Houston. The good news for Carolina is that T.J. Yates is at quarterback for Houston, and I know he has done a good job the last couple of weeks, but it gives Carolina a chance. I think Carolina will finally close out a game they deserve to win, with their defense stepping up late in the fourth quarter to pull the upset in Houston today.
Carolina 27-24!
Spread: Carolina
O/U: Over


*Detroit Lions (8-5) v.s. Oakland Raiders (7-6) (DET -2, O/U 47.5)
     The Raiders, once at 7-4, have dropped to 7-6 after two miserable weeks. Carson Palmer is turning the ball over, the Raiders can't stop anyone on defense, etc. But I don't think the Lions have been playing quality football of late either. They are only 3-5 since their 5-0 start, which only included a couple of quality wins. Which team am I more inclined to take? The team that is less likely to turn the football over, and I think, I think that is the Lions.

Jerod Mayo and the Patriots

Detroit 24-23
Spread: Oakland
O/U: Under


*New England Patriots (10-3) v.s. Denver Broncos (8-5) (NE -8, O/U 47.5)
     Boy is this game intriguing. The Patriots have never played well historically in Denver, but I don't think that is too much of a factor today. The important thing will be whether Tim Tebow plays well enough to keep the Broncos around in the first three quarters. I don't see him doing that because Bill Belichick, the great defensive mind that he is, will have Jerod Mayo spy Tebow, limiting him like the Bears limited him for 55 minutes of last weeks game. Tom Brady and the New England offense will take care of the rest.
New England 30-14
Spread: New England
O/U: Under

New York Jets (8-5) v.s. Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) (PHI -3, O/U 44)

DeSean Jackson

     The Eagles are getting healthy and just the right time, right? Michael Vick is back, DeSean Jackson looks to be playing like the receiver he is capable of being and all things are sailing smooth. It' too bad the Eagles are 5-8, but that doesn't mean they won't play spoiler to the Jets today. The Eagles defense had one of its best performances last week against Miami and that will continue today as the Jets are limited in the ground game and forced to pass more. Philly outscores the Jets to send the Jets to 8-6.
Philadelphia 31-21
Spread: Philadelphia 
O/U: Over

Cleveland Browns (4-9) v.s. Arizona Cardinals (6-7) (ARZ -7, O/U 37)
     The Cardinals are in the playoff hunt? Yeah, I don't know but they are. John Skelton has helped revive the Cardinals, but the true credits goes to the defense, who has held offenses like Dallas to under 20 points. If they play like they've been playing, they'll not only win today, but they could finish 9-7 and be knocking on the playoff door.
Arizona 23-3
Spread: Arizona
O/U: Under


*Baltimore Ravens (10-3) v.s. San Diego Chargers (6-7) (BAL -3, O/U 44.5)

Ryan Matthews

     I don't know what is with my tendency to pick San Diego. I hate Phillip Rivers and I just don't like the Chargers in general yet I have been screwed over by having so much confidence in them. But I think I figured it out. Never have confidence in San Diego any time before December. Once we're in December, San Diego somehow just seems to turn it on. This game will be very close, and it will come down to whether San Diego can protect the football. With Ray Lewis not being 100 percent and the Ravens offense not exactly clicking on all cylinders, I'll take the Chargers.
San Diego 25-23!
Spread: San Diego
O/U: Over

Justin Smith

**Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) v.s. San Francisco 49ers (10-3) (SF -3, O/U 39)
     Hey, we finally have a decent Monday Night game to watch. Both teams will be without one of if not the most important player on their defense with Patrick Willis out for the Niners and James Harrison suspended for the Steelers. This game will obviously come down to which offense will be able to muster more field goals than the other offense. San Francisco has a stingy run defense that will put the pressure on injured Ben Roethlisberger to make plays. I like San Francisco at home, playing their typical inspired and hard nosed football that we have seen them play this year under coach Jim Harbaugh.
San Francisco 24-17
Spread: San Francisco 
O/U: Over


Last Week: 10-6
Season: 139-69
Last Week Against Spread: 6-10
Season: 115-93 
Last Week Upsets: 1-2
Season: 21-26
Last Week Over/Under: 7-9
Season: 64-68
Last Week Big Games: 2-3
Season: 45-25
Last Week Big Games Against Spread: 1-4
Season: 41-29
Last Week Game of the Week: 0-1
Season: 8-6
Last Week Game of the Week Against Spread: 1-0
Season: 8-6