NFL football becomes a four-day-a-week affair starting in week 15.
All 32 teams are in action and a couple of games on Saturday are very interesting. The Raiders face the Browns in a showdown of teams struggling to break out of the AFC playoff margin, and the Patriots face the Colts in a classic primetime rivalry.
Those come after what should be a thrilling showdown Thursday night between AFC rivals West Kansas City and Los Angeles. The Packers and Ravens also meet Sunday, but Aaron Rodgers (toe) and Lamar Jackson (ankle) are suffering injuries.
Every week, Sporting News picks the NFL games directly. A look at our history so far:
- Week 14: 8-5
- Total: 127-78-1
NFL picks, predictions for week 15
- Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) against Los Angeles Chargers
Thursday, 8:20 pm, FOX / NFL Network
Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes II are in the top five quarterbacks in terms of yards, and will revisit the 30-24 thriller of Week 3. The Chiefs, however, are doing it on defense. They have allowed 17 points or less through a six-game winning streak. That’s good enough to travel and get another big AFC West win.
To choose: Heads 31, Chargers 24
- Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns (-5.5)
Saturday, 4:30 pm, NFL Network
Suddenly, the Browns are back in pursuit of the AFC playoffs, but now is the time to show consistency. The Raiders won in Cleveland last year, but this Las Vegas team is on the verge of five losses in its last six games. Myles Garrett adds a couple of sacks and Baker Mayfield keeps him moving in the right direction.
To choose: Browns 24, Raiders 20
- New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
Saturday, 8:15 pm, NFL Network
It’s no longer Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning. Mac Jones and Carson Wentz will have to do it, and the Patriots will look to slow down Jonathan Taylor after a bye week. The Colts are hung in the AFC playoff race, but New England has won the last eight games. Make it nine in a row.
To choose: Patriots 29, Colts 27
- Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills (-10.5)
Sunday, 1 pm, FOX
The Bills need this one to come out of a funk in which they have lost four of their last six games. The Panthers offer the opportunity to get the game right knowing they have a turnover rate of -8 and are struggling to get the ball rolling. Josh Allen gets Buffalo back on track with a monster game.
To choose: Bills 30, Panthers 22
- Arizona Cardinals (-14) at Detroit Lions
Sunday, 1 pm, FOX
The Cardinals are coming off a short week, but are looking to keep up with the top seed in the NFC North. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins are healthy too. It is still a large area to cover on the road. The Lions are 1-5 at home, but three of those losses are by eight points or less.
To choose: Cardinals 34, Lions 21
- New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-7)
Sunday, 1 pm, CBS
The Dolphins can take their winning streak to six games, and Tua Tagovailoa has a passer rating of more than 100 with just one interception in his last three starts. New York has allowed more than 30 points in each of its last two losses. The Jets haven’t won in Miami since 2015.
To choose: Dolphins 28, Jets 17
- Dallas Cowboys (-10.5) vs. New York Giants
Sunday, 1 pm, FOX
The Cowboys are big favorites against the giants of the rival division, and they have a chance to win for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings. New York is 3-3 at home and rivalry rules are always a factor, but the Cowboys are in too much trouble.
To choose: Cowboys 32, Giants 21
- Washington soccer team at Philadelphia Eagles (-4)
Sunday, 1 pm, FOX
Taylor Heinicke (knee) was another quarterback injured in Week 14, but is expected to play. Jalen Hurts (ankle) should be under the Philadelphia center after a week off. These teams play twice in the next three weeks, and the winner of this one goes back to .500.
To choose: Aguilas 24, Washington 20
- Tennessee Titans (-2.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 1 pm, CBS
The Steelers are on the brink, and that’s the kind of week they are surprised to stay in the playoff race. Tennessee won’t quit the race against a weak Pittsburgh defense, and the Titans will clamp down on Najee Harris with their second-ranked career defense. Pittsburgh has won the last three games, so there is still an unexpected opportunity. We only accept the safe bet.
To choose: Titans 28, Steelers 24
- Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3)
Sunday, 1 pm, CBS
The underdog in this 2-11 team matchup will be in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Will current coaches Urban Meyer and David Culley be there to make it happen? Houston won the first game in Week 1. Texans quarterback Davis Mills will lead the march late to complete the Jaguars sweep.
To choose: Texans 24, Jaguars 21
- Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos (-1)
Sunday, 4:05 pm, CBS
The Bengals have been one of the most unpredictable teams this season. Cincinnati, however, is 4-2 on the road this season with some surprising victories. The Bengals also have a top-five running defense, which will force the Broncos into some awkward situations. Joe Burrow does the rest and keeps Cincinnati’s playoff hopes alive.
To choose: Bengals 24, Broncos 23
- Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers (-8)
Sunday, 4:05 pm, CBS
The 49ers have quietly won four of their last five to return to the NFC playoff race, and Eli Mitchell could return this week. The Falcons can also go .500 with a win. Atlanta is 5-2 on the road this season. San Francisco wins, but is close.
To choose: 49ers 31, Falcons 26
- Seattle Seahawks against Los Angeles Rams (-6.5)
Sunday, 4:25 pm, FOX
The Rams are working on a short week and the Seahawks are playing better with an offense that has hit more than 30 points in the past two weeks under Russell Wilson. The Rams posted a 26-17 victory in the first game, and Los Angeles won four of the last five. That trend continues.
To choose: Rams 30, Seahawks 22
- Green Bay Packers (-6.5) at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 4:25 pm, FOX
Jackson (ankle) and Rodgers (toe) are dealing with injuries that affect their mobility, and that means both teams could increase the pressure on defense. The Packers are 4-3 on the road this season, but those wins are averaging 4.5 points per game. This will be close, but the Packers will take advantage of a late rotation to shut it down.
To choose: Packers 27, Ravens 24
- New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10.5)
Sunday, 8:20 pm, NBC
The Buccaneers will look to stop the tandem of Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara, who amassed 193 rushing yards together in Week 14. Tom Brady is 0-3 in the regular season against the Saints since arriving in Tampa Bay, and New Orleans is averaging. 36 points per game in those wins. The Buccaneers get revenge.
To choose: Buccaneers 33, Santos 21
- Minnesota Vikings (-4) at Chicago Bears
Sunday, 8:15 pm, ESPN
Kirk Cousins is 1-5 as a starter against the Bears since coming to Minnesota, but four of those games have been nail-biting scoring. Neither team can stop the race, so this is a chance for Dalvin Cook and perhaps David Montgomery to get big. It’s another tight; and Justin Fields surprises by playing the hero in MNF.
To choose: Bears 26, Vikings 24
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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.