Dallas(-7) @ Tampa Bay
This is a huge game for America's Team, especially after 2 straight heartbreaking losses to the Cardinals and division rival Giants. I think the 'Boys bounce back from those defeats and wallop the pitiful Bucs on the road. On a related note, what happened to last year's 10 win Tampa Bay team? Serious Josh Freeman regression can't help.
Miami @ Buffalo
There wasn't a line for this game, but I don't think it would have mattered to me. The Dolphins, despite a big loss last week to the Dream Team, are still a pretty decent team. Buffalo has been in a downward spiral since starting 5-2, and I don't think home cooking will help them this time. The Fins will win by a field goal, minimum.
Seattle @ Chicago(-3.5)
Although the Bears are suffering through serious injuries to their two best offensive players, Matt Forte & Jay Cutler, they still have one of the league's best defenses. Seattle's dynamic QB duo of Charlie Whitehurst & Tarvaris Jackson don't stand a chance against Urlacher, Briggs, & my personal favorite Julius Peppers. Chicago is playing at home, and I think the crowd will help will the team to victory. Keeping the ball out of Caleb Hanie's hands might help too.
Tennessee(-6.5) @ Indianapolis
Indy is going 0-16, and nobody can convince me otherwise.
Green Bay(-14) @ Kansas City
Just as I think Indy is bound to go 0-fer on the season, I think the Packers will win out and become the second team in NFL history to go 16-0. Tyler Palko is not good, and Aaron Rodgers will be the MVP this season. Enough said.
Cincinnati(-6) @ St. Louis
I'm a Rams fan, and this game will be a blowout. The squad seems to have quit on Steve Spagnuolo and the Bengals are fighting for their playoff lives. I think Dalton & AJ Green run roughshod on the Rams poor defense, and win by at least a TD.
New Orleans(-7) @ Minnesota
I don't understand how this line is so low; the Vikes play in a dome. The Saints are impossible to beat in a dome, unless your QB's name is Rodgers or Brady. The Vikings have a QB named Ponder....I don't think they win the game. New Orleans will bounce back from a poor showing at Tennessee and demolish the Vikings on the way to a 2 seed in the NFC.
Washington(+7) @ New York Giants
As much as I like the Giants, especially after their gutsy win last Sunday night in Big D, they have proven this year that they play to the level of their competition. The Redskins are coming off of a close game against the Patriots, in which they played hard and hung in with the Pats for the whole game. I think the Giants will find a way to win this game at home, but it'll be by less than a TD.
Carolina(+6.5) @ Houston
I know, I know; Houston is a good team and Carolina basically sucks. However, I see Texans rookie QB TJ Yates having a mediocre game compared to his previous performances. Carolina has been a sneaky cover team this year, and have been known to put up some serious garbage time points. I think Carolina covers, but the Texans win.
Detroit(-1) @ Oakland
Carson Palmer will get eaten alive by Ndamukong Suh in his first game back from suspension. He wants to show the world that he is still a great player, and he will definitely do that against a pretty crappy Raiders offense. Look for more than one Stafford-Megatron TD hookup in this one.
New England(-6.5) @ Denver
This is definitely the game of the week. Denver is a popular pick in this game, since the 'magic' of Tim Tebow has helped them pull out so many close games in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for Timmy Terrific, I see the Patriots pulling away from the Broncos earlier in the game. The last time the Broncos fantastic defense played a great offense, they lost 45-3 to the Lions. Tebow will get his yards in the last few minutes, but the points won't be enough to beat Tom Brady and his Frankenstein-like monster TE, Rob Gronkowski.
New York Jets(+3) @ Philadelphia
The Dream Team has been a nightmare this season for Eagles fans, yet they are still somehow alive in the divisional race. I think the Jets will put them out of their misery on Sunday and outright win the game. I like what I've seen from the Jets recently; it seems like they are getting back to the type of hard-nosed football that got them to consecutive AFC championship games. I think the Jets win this game behind a great defensive performance and just enough from Sanchize & the running game.
Cleveland @ Arizona(-7)
The Browns suck. Arizona is mediocre. Therefore, Arizona > Cleveland.
Baltimore(-2.5) @ San Diego
The Chargers have proven to me this season that they are frauds and aren't a legitimate contender in the AFC. Even though they have been better in the past few games, I think the stout Ravens D, behind newly returned LB Ray Lewis, will contain the Chargers offense. Ray Rice will rush for his customary 150 yards, and Flacco will hit one bomb to Torrey Smith in the passing game. That will be enough for a team that I think can seriously contend for the right to represent the AFC in the Superbowl.
Pittsburgh @ San Francisco
Both of these teams have seriously scary defenses, but the difference is that Pittsburgh's offense is much better than San Fran's. This game will be very similar to the Thanksgiving night game between the Ravens and 49ers, and have a similar result: the AFC North team will win in a closely fought contest. Big Ben is too good, even when hobbled, to not score more than 14 points for his team. With the great Steelers defense and the average 49ers offense, I think 2 TDs will be enough to take this one for Pittsburgh.
So those are my week 15 NFL picks, be sure to check back on Tuesday to see how poorly I did! Cheers.
-Cote
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