Week 14 yielded some solid results with our NFL game picks and predictions against the spread. That doesn’t mean much though, unless we move on to another fine list in week 15.
The bye weeks have concluded when the final month of the 2021 regular season begins. The marathon is even longer this season with a Week 18 on the line before entering the playoffs towards Super Bowl 56.
With each team back in action and a few more massive and smaller spreads to navigate, here’s Sporting News’ latest intrepid forecast on pigskin forecasts:
(Game odds reflect opening odds for week 15, courtesy of FanDuel)
NFL POWER RATINGS:
49ers, bosses, cowboys climb; Bills, Ravens and Steelers fall in week 15
NFL Picks vs. Spread for Week 15
Sunday 4:25 pm ET, Fox
The Packers have a break here against a frazzled pass defense for Aaron Rodgers to attack and Aaron Jones can have some good all-round hit off the backfield as well. Ravens like to bomb, but they know they’ll cook themselves up trying that. Rodgers and creating many one-on-one rallies. Baltimore’s offense may not have Lamar Jackson on the other side to battle an active Green Bay defense. Tyler Huntley can get the Ravens competitive again, but defense is becoming a bigger problem than offense.
To choose: Packers win 27-20 and cover the spread.
Thursday 8:20 pm ET, Fox, NFL Network and Amazon Prime Video
The Chiefs lost a home game 30-24 to the Chargers in Week 3, making this the last game they need against the team a game back to help secure another AFC West title. Justin Herbert has been on fire with Los Angeles’ passing game, but his rushing attack could be off the Austin Ekeler dynamo in a short week. Herbert will play well again, but Patrick Mahomes has made money on the road and will outmatch him in a duel, with the help of better all-round defense and more traditional rushing success.
To choose: The Chiefs win 30-27 but can’t make up the difference.
- Block of the week: 49ers (-8.5, 46 o / u) over Falcons
Sunday 4:05 pm ET, CBS
The 49ers are moving offensively with Jimmy Garoppolo feeling it with dynamic triplets George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. The Falcons can’t cover either of them in any way. The 49ers’ running defense can also contain Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Davis, and have a breather with his passing career that can go after Matt Ryan while his secondary doesn’t need to worry about more than two receivers.
To choose: The 49ers win 34-17 and cover the spread.
- Madness of the week: Texans over Jaguars (-3, 41 o / u)
Sunday 1 pm ET, CBS
The Texans defeated the Jaguars in Week 1 and will complete a season sweep on the road. Something must give in here given the nature of anemic crime and often porous defenses. Houston seems to be playing more inspired with Davis Mills and David Culley, while the Jaguars are going through the motions with Trevor Lawrence and the rest of his teammates needing to support Urban Meyer.
To choose: Texans win 17-13.
- Raiders at Browns (-5.5, 42.5 o / u)
Saturday, 4:30 pm ET, NFL Network
The Raiders are in free fall as Derek Carr is playing poorly in a limited passing game. They also can’t run the ball steadily and their defense against the run has gone to the tank. The Browns will make the most of all those convenient weaknesses that play to their strengths from the rushing attack and minimal D pressure backed by a deep secondary.
To choose: Browns win 24-14 and cover the spread.
Saturday 8:15 pm ET, NFL Network
The Patriots have a tough matchup after a break as the Colts will host the game after their break. Frank Reich does well in these situations, countering what Bill Belichick’s team tends to do. The Colts will eliminate the Patriots with their run attack with Jonathan Taylor, avoiding his strength in passing defense. They can also win in advance to contain the help of Mac Jones. Indianapolis makes a soft statement in pushing for its own return to the playoffs.
To choose: The Colts win 23-20 and cover the spread.
- Washington soccer team at Eagles (-4.5, 43.5 o / u)
Sunday 1 pm ET, Fox
WFT had a WTF game against the Cowboys when Taylor Heinicke became ineffective and injured to drag the entire offense, squandering another solid performance from the improved defense. The Eagles will try to resume their career focus to support Jalen Hurts after the break, with just a few more passes downfield. That’s the key to beating Washington, which will play better against a limited receiving corps.
To choose: Eagles win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.
- Panthers at Bills (-10.5, 43.5 o / u)
Sunday 1 pm ET, Fox
The Bills should come home angry and excited and ready to crush an NFC opponent. Why not the team from which they modeled their success? Josh Allen will play through his toe injury to destroy the Panthers defense, while Cam Newton / PJ Walker face the wrath of the defense of Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier at all levels.
To choose: Tickets win 34-17 and cover the margin.
- Jets at Dolphins (-8.5, 43 o / u)
Sunday 1 pm ET, CBS
Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins ‘passing game will come out more confident after the break, but their inconsistency in running the ball to go after the Jets’ greatest defensive weakness will keep the visitors in a game of divisional rivalry. Look for Zach Wilson to respond well against the Dolphins blitz a time or two late to keep this game on touchdown margin.
To choose: The dolphins win 20-13 but fail to cover the difference.
Sunday 1 pm ET, Fox
The Cowboys offense is in a funk due to no reliable running game, a shaky line and Dak Prescott pushing to try to do too much and force things that aren’t there for his explosive wide receivers. This screaming game to rally for everything Dallas wants to do to move the ball with Kellen Moore. The unstable situation of the New York quarterback with nothing but Saquon Barkley leads to another loss.
To choose: The Cowboys win 30-13 and cover the difference.
Sunday 1 pm ET, CBS
The Titans are going to love this game because they can be more physical for former Steelers linebacker Mike Vrabel and beat their hosts with their ideal playing style. Tennessee is still a strong running team when needed without Derrick Henry and Pittsburgh’s running defense is a total disaster. The Titans are playing more confident defensively and will shake Ben Roethlisberger enough as he tries to blow up his secondary.
To choose: The Titans win 20-17 and cover the spread.
- Cardinals (-14, 47 o / u) in the Lions
Sunday 1 pm ET, Fox
The Cardinals won’t take the Lions lightly given the way they’ve crushed some minor teams this season with relentless offensive diversity and overwhelming defense. The Lions’ viable offensive options are dwindling at the wrong time with Jared Goff. Dan Campbell’s team got their only home win out of the way. Detroit won’t stand in the way of Arizona moving further into the NFC’s top playoff seed.
To choose: The Cardinals win 38-17 and cover the spread.
- Bengals at Broncos (-1, 43.5 o / u)
Sunday 4:05 pm ET, CBS
The Bengals have a tough road assignment as they try to bounce back from a heartbreaking home loss in overtime to the NFC 49ers. The Broncos have the same record, but their resume is less impressive overall. Cincinnati will fully rely on Joe Burrow to let him go early on, while Denver will try to get away with a light game plan with Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams hiding Teddy Bridgewater. It won’t work if Burrow bravely overtakes it at a key spot on the road.
To choose: The Bengals win 24-20.
- Seahawks at Rams (-6.5, 47.5 o / u)
Sunday 4:25 pm ET, Fox
The Rams will try to avoid this cheat game in a short week after playing a much more difficult divisional game on the road against the Cardinals. They will do so by maintaining their strong run to ease the pressure on Matthew Stafford. Russell Wilson will not receive the same support from the ground and has limited options to attack Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and LA on the field.
To choose: The Rams win 30-20 and cover the spread.
- Santos in Bucaneros (-10.5, 46.5 o / u)
Sunday 8:20 pm ET, NBC
The Buccaneers and Saints have two of the best running defenses in the league for several seasons in a row. The Saints will try to win again with a heavy dose of Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill on the ground, while the Bucs will be fine not to force trouble with New Orleans native Leonard Fournette. Tom Brady will eliminate the many holes in the Saints’ pass coverage away from Marshon Lattimore.
To choose: The Buccaneers win 31-20 and cover the spread.
- Vikings (-4, 43.5 o / u) at Bears
Sunday 8:15 pm ET, ESPN
The Vikings earned a much-needed win over the Steelers in Week 13 and are well rested after Thursday night. The Bears don’t have many answers for Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson, but Kirk Cousins ’problems in primetime will leave the door ajar for Justin Fields to keep things closed by working aggressively against the Vikings’ weak secondary and also using well. his legs.
To choose: The Vikings win 26-23 but fail to cover the spread.
Vinnie Iyer 2021 Picks:
- Week 14 record against the spread: 9-4
- Week 14 log directly: 10-3
- ATS season: 115-90
- Straight season: 137-69
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.