NFL Week 15 Predictions

Well Week 14 ended in a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting a shootout between Seattle and Minnesota, but both teams had an issue on the offense, as Wilson only had 72 passing yards. Game of the week has to go to the Dolphins victory over New England. That finish was amazing! Like the Dolphins, some teams picked up some clutch wins, while others such as the Panthers lost games they couldn't. Mayfield and the Browns look like they have a team to beat in future seasons. They even still have a chance to catch the struggling Steelers this year for AFC North title. As we get into the final weeks, we are getting into really important games for teams trying to stay int he hunt. I look forward to the Dolphins vs Vikings matchup, as both of them look to grab a wildcard seat. Also the Cowboys vs Colts game, as we see which one of those teams can keep up the dominance they have been showing on both sides of the ball. And but of course, the big Thursday night game as the AFC West is still up for grabs between the Chargers and Chiefs. The Competition plays on, with Lindsey stepping in as our guest this week.
Week 14 Records
Tommy 9-7
Lauren 10-6
Marcus 10-6
Arturo (Guest) 6-10
Chargers (10-3) vs Chiefs (11-2)
Tommy - The Chargers did not play as well as I thought they would, while the Chiefs beat the number one defense. Hmmmm...in KC and dealing with dinged up Gordon and Ekeler makes it tough to take the Chargers. Mahomes will face another tough defense, but he is starving for the AFC West title, a bye, and that MVP award. KC 30-23

Lauren - They picked a good one to be the last Thursday night game of the year. The battle for home-field advantage. The Chargers beat the Bengals, but not nearly by as much as we all thought they would. The Chiefs won a good game against the NFL's top defense. This game should be a shootout and I believe Mahomes and the Chiefs will come out on top. KC 36-31 
Marcus - This is a great AFC West matchup on Thursday night! Mahomes has been playing out of his mind, and the Chargers seem like they are for real this season. San Diego has played really well on the road as well. (5-1 straight up), I'll take the Chargers. LAC 27-24
Lindsey (Guest) - The Chargers haven't beat the Chiefs since 2013, and overall, the Chiefs hold the advantage in this rivalry. Also, Phillip Rivers is extremely overrated, and I wouldn't bet on Rivers against Mahomes and the ridiculous numbers the KC offense have put up throughout the season. KC 30-24
Texans (9-4) vs Jets (4-9)
Tommy - Well the Texans streak finally came to an end. But that is ok, they already got more than 8 1/2 wins so I have won my money. Darnold is back in action, but he will have a tough time avoiding turnovers against Houston. They may be on the road, but I bet Watson finds Hopkins for some big plays as the Texans run off with an win by double digits. HOU 30-17
Lauren - The Jets offense looks a lot better when Darnold is the one throwing the ball. They did really well against a good Bills defense, but Houston's D is on another level. The Texans did lose last week, but Andrew Luck is a better QB than Darnold. I think the Texans will get back to the win column. HOU 27-23
Marcus - The Texans get a mulligan for last weeks loss to the Colts. The Texans get their act together and win big agaisnt the J E T S, Jets. HOU 28-14
Lindsey - The Texans ended a 9 game winning streak against the Colts last week, but I don't expect the Jets to hand them their second loss in a row. The Jets don't have a lot to brag about whne it comes to offensive numbers and their defense isn't much better. Playing in the bitter cold on the road could make for a closer game than expected, but I think the Texans will figure out and eke out a win at MetLife Stadium. HOU 21-17
Browns (5-7-1) vs Broncos (6-7)

Tommy - The Broncos sure let me down agains the 49ers. But now they will be back up in their mountains where they seem to always have a good game. Mayfield and the Browns have been pulling their name out of the gutter and will provide Denver with a good challenge this weekend. We know Lindsey and Chubb will have good games, this one will be decided by the strength of the pass game. Though they will be visiting Denver's interesting environment, I have to take the Browns with their healthy receivers, as Keenum misses Sanders. CLE 24-23
Lauren - The Broncos defense got torn up by the 49ers big tight end Kittle last week. Luckily, for them, Cleveland doesn't rely on their TE as much. The Browns beat a really good Panthers team last week, but going to Mile High is another adventure. DEN 23-20
Marcus - The Broncos are coming of a tough loss and the Browns played well last week. But things change weekly in the NFL, I'll take the Broncos to win a close match with the Browns. DEN 26-24
Lindsey - The Browns will have a tough game on the road in Denver. The Broncos are coming off an embarrassing loss to the 49ers. This game seems pretty even to me, so I'm going to go with my own personal bias and root for the Browns because the Broncos can go pound sand. CLE 16-13
Packers (5-7-1) vs  Bears (9-4)
Tommy - The Packers look to have gotten back on their feet with their win after tossing coach McCarthy. But they can't get to excited. Playoff hopes are already very slim and they will have a tough time against Mack and that Bear's defense. Rodgers may make it a competition in the first half, but Trubisky and his defense will take this game allowing very little offense late in the game just like against the Rams last Sunday night. CHI 27-21
Lauren - The Packers got a good win against a really terrible Atlanta team. Maybe that gave them a confidence boost. Unfortunately, confidence or not, beating the Bears at Solider Field is looking impossible for Rodgers and the Pack. The Bears defense is too good and will get the win. CHI 27-20
Marcus - Da Bears played one great game last week against the Rams, and they look like they could go toe toe with anyone in the NFC. I'll take the new monsters of the Midway this week against the Pack. CHI 31-17
Lindsey - DA BEARS!! The Packers suuuuuuck. We winning the division this year. Khalil Mack!!! Read it and weep, Tommy. CHI 30-14
Cardinals (3-10) vs Falcons (4-9)
Tommy - The Falcons the worst team against the spread on the year, sitting with only 3 games they have covered as the favorite or underdog. As the Cardinals sit tied with the worst record in the NFL, only in front of their division rival 49ers, also at 3-10 due to the fact the Cardinals have beat them twice. I have to take the home team, but don't expect the Falcons to dominate, as this will be a back and forth game. ATL 23-21
Lauren - I would normally go for the Falcons here, but they seem to be in a free-fall. Rosen ad the Cardinals may able to put something together to beat the Falcons. Arizona didn't look that great against Detroit, but they've shown themselves to be decent in some games this year. Give me the Cardinals. ARI 17-13
Marcus - Both teams have been playing subpar all season long, and with a toss of a coin I'll take the Dirty Birds to win against the Cardinals. ATL 21-14
Lindsey - i don't have high hopes of this being an entertaining and/or high-scoring game. he Cardinals are in rebuild mode, and the Falcons, previously considered a playoff contender this season, have been an epic disappointment. However, the Falcons are at home and have a slightly more potent offense than the Cardinals. ATL 20-13
Lions (5-8) vs Bills (4-9)
Tommy - I like Buffalo at home in this one. I bet Allen turns the ball over a couple times, but Detroit

just doesn't seem to have much life on offense anymore. That Bills defense will give us a good show at home and be the key to Buffalo's win. BUF 23-14
Lauren - I thought Detroit still had a decent offense until I saw them play the Cardinals. Their defense looked stronger, but the Cardinals offense doesn't normally put up a huge fight. The Buffalo defense should put the Lions to shame, and Allen should carve up the Lion's defense. BUF 28-21
Marcus - oh gosh another snooze fest of a game between another pair of mediocre teams. I'll take Bills Mafia, just solely based on that the game will be played outside in the elements in Buffalo. BUF 24-14
Lindsey - If you're excited for a game that could potentially impact draft order in 2019, this is the game for you. Two of the hottest messes in the NFL square up this weekend. I wouldn't actually bet on this game if possible, but if I had to, I'd take the under. I have no faith of these teams so I'm going to take *spins the wheel*... the Bills at *throws dart at the board*. BUF 21-16
Raiders (3-10) vs Bengals (5-8)
Tommy - Those Raiders came away on top against the AFC North leading Steelers. Now they get to face the team at the bottom of the division. On the road however, my faith in this sudden Raiders strength on defense thins. The Bengals put on a better show than many expected against the Chargers, but still missing Dalton, Green, etc. I have to go with the Raiders with how they have been playing. OAK 24-20
Lauren - The Bengals put up a much better fight last week than I was expecting. Driskell is a big guy and can plow through people when he wants. The Raiders kept the streak of 23 years of Pitt not winning in the Black Hole and I think they may have a mini winning streak in their sights. OAK 24-15
Marcus - The Riaders play poorly n the Eastern time zone and here is a stat for Cincy, the Bengals are 5-0 against the spread in their past 5 home games against the Raiders. CIN 27-21
Lindsey - Ooof, both these teams have been painful to watch. that being said, Cincinnati has the more favorable record at home against Oakland. I had faith in Oakland against the faltering Steelers, but I feel like CIN pulls out a win here, in a less stellar game against the Raiders. CIN 24-21 
Cowboys (8-5) vs Colts (7-6)
Tommy - These two teams are amazing at home, but are a much different story on the road. It is going to come down to who makes the least mistakes at QB and I will take Luck over Dak. It will be a close one, but Indy is still fighting for the playoffs, while the Cowboys have created some breathing space. IND 27-24

Lauren - Indy's defense is good when the right people are healthy. Their offense is the same which they proved against a really great Houston defense. Dallas looks better every week and just beat the reigning champs. I think the Cowboys keep up their win streak. DAL 28-27
Marcus - The Cowboys are on a roll, the acquisition of Amari Cooper has paid dividends for America's team. Dallas wins a close one against Indy. DAL 24-23 
Lindsey - This is actually an interesting game. The Cowboys have turned their season around in the last few weeks, as the Colts aren't looking half bad either. I don't think either teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. However, I do think the Cowboys are at least a half step above the Colts. This game is a toss up to me, but I'll go ahead and take DAL 27-24
Dolphins (7-6) vs Vikings (6-6-1)
Tommy - The Dolphins finished off New England with an amazing lateral tossing performance and Gronk failing finish. The Vikings looked rather bad, especially in their run game. Both of these teams are desperate for a win to try to make the playoffs. I bet Cousins gives us a better performance and Tannenhill won't be able to escape for the big plays against the Minnesota defense like Wilson did. Going Vikings here. MIN 23-16
Lauren - The Dolphins are coming down from a high after last week's Miracle in Miami. Beating the Patriots must feel so much better when they do it unexpectedly. The Vikings played kind of a strange game against the Seahawks where they couldn't find their offense. I think Minnesota and their offense will show up at this one for the win. MIN 28-24
Marcus - Here is a stat for you, the Dolphins are 3-0 straight up in their last 3 games versus the Vikings. That being said, I'll take Miami. MIA 25-21
Lindsey - Both of these teams are in desperate win mode in order to sneak into the playoffs. Ryan Tannehill ad the Dolphins have not looked bad the last two games, but I'm not sure they have what it takes to pull out a win in Minnesota. On the other hand, I'm not so sure Minnesota has what it takes to pull out a win in Minnesota. Despite the magic Miami was able to conjure last week, I'm going to take the Vikings at home. MIN 28-15
Titans (7-6) vs Giants (5-8)
Tommy - The Titans seem to be a completely different team at home than they are on the road. The

Giants have looked really good recently, though Odell was apparently to dinged up to play last week, I bet he is fine for Sunday's game. Though the Titans are still in a fight for the playoffs, they will take a stab to their hopes this weekend. Barkley will dig Manning out of his many sacks, as the Giants take home a close one. NYG 26-24
Lauren - These two teams put a hurt on their opponents last week. The Giants whomped on the quarterback-less Redskins and the Titans beat up the Jags. Derek henry and Saquon Barkley may have to battle for the win in this one. I think the Titans have the better defense and come out with the win. TEN 27-24
Marcus - The Titans have played really well against the NFC this year and are 2-0 both straight up and against the spread against the NFC East. My boy Marcus Mariota leads the Titans to a victory over the G-Men. TEN 24-20
Lindsey - New York come into this game on something of a hot streak. The Titans come into this game with a couple of key injuries. I don't see either of these teams being contenders this season...so they're somewhat irrelevant. That being said, I feel the Giants are at home and more desperate (and slightly more healthy) and better able to achieve a win. NYG 24-18
Redskins (6-7) vs Jaguars (4-9)
Tommy - It is tough to take either of these teams. But with Fournette I can take the Jaguars over the dinged up Redskins easily. A low scoring game, but we will see if Johnson gets another shot and can do anything against Ramsey and the Jags secondary. JAX 14-12
Lauren - Two teams that are at a desperation point in their quarterback search. Josh Johnson vs Cody Kessler. Jacksonville has the better defense, but will that matter if they can't score points? I'm taking the Jags since they will have home field. JAX 13-10
Marcus - The Skins have been playing poorly as of late and the Jags have played well at home. Can't take Mark Sanchez. JAX 30-14
Lindsey - Both of these teams suck. Washington's main QB is out. What has Jacksonville been able to accomplish in the last few weeks? Nothinnnnnggggg. Who's gonna win? Who knows?? Who cares??? I guess I'll take WSH 21-13
Buccaneers (5-8) vs Ravens (7-6)
Tommy - The Bucs have been playing well the last few weeks. Maybe not always getting the W, but have been showing us a defense we don't usually expect. I am interested in Jackson's health, coach Harbaugh already said he plans to play him, but will it only take another quick hit to knock him back out? The Ravens needs this win though and will fight hard for it at home. BAL 26-16
Lauren - The Bucs worried Saints fans in that first half, but then fell apart. They have a good team, but they don't always show up. Baltimore is looking to bounce back after losing a heartbreaker to KC last week. I think Tampa will have a hard time containing Lamar Jackson. BAL 21-17
Marcus - The Ravens are fighting of their playoff lives right now while the Bucs are playing for a draft positioning. I'll take the Ravens in a close one. BAL 31-28
Lindsey - It's been a while since the Bucs have won a road game. Which isn't surprising considering their lack of a number 1 quarterback. I feel the Ravens have a defense that can overcome the Buc's offense. Both Winston and Fitzpatrick are pathetic excuses of quarterbacks. BAL 31-24
Seahawks (8-5) vs 49ers (3-10)
Tommy - The 49ers impressed us beating that supposed strong Denver defense. But they won't be able to contain Wilson and the Seahawks run game. Those guys blast through the Vikings D-line and will make quick work of the 49er's as well. I hope to see more fun plays from Kittle, but I don't think he will be able to carry his team this time. A close one, but still a Seattle win. SEA 24-21

Lauren - George Kittle is legit my new favorite person. 210 yards in the first half and five short of the record. Too bad the Seattle defense will now know to cover him well. But Seattle had a hard time finding their offense too and made silly mistakes. Still I think the Seahawks will come away with the win. SEA 23-17 
Marcus - Didn't these two teams just play each other? Any who, hands down Seattle wins! SEA 28-21
Lindsey - The Niners season was doomed the second Garropolo tore his ACL. Things are not looking great this season for the Seahawks, but I fully expect them to pull out a win against the drowning Niners. SEA 21-7
Patriots (9-4) vs Steelers (7-5-1)
Tommy - Dinged up Big Ben, a Steelers team that can't close games out taking on a pissed New England Patriots team. Brady looked good against Miami, their defense just could not hold off Tannehill and that Dolphins offense. Especially there on that last amazing play. Though this game is in Pittsburgh, I have to take the Patriots due to health issues and the fact the Steelers look to be lacking the ability to stop teams in those late fourth quarter drives. Not that New England was any good at that in Week 14, but I doubt they let that happen back-to-back weeks. NE 34-27
Lauren - For some reason the Steelers can't seem to finish a game. They don't look like they're playing bad, but just cannot get their shit together. New England will be looking for a revenge win after losing a walk-off to Miami, and they'll be in their element, cold weather again. Pats should take this one. NE 31-27
Marcus - Can the Pats really lose 2 games in a row? I mean the Steelers are battling with Baltimore for a playoff spot and I feel that they will battle hard this week against New England. PIT 26-24
Lindsey - Two of the biggest douchecanoes in QB history square up in this game. Can I root for both teams to lose? Well, if I have to choose, I'll take the Steelers I guess. I think this is a toss up between two declining teams. Steelers win by three. PIT 24-21
Eagles (6-7) vs Rams (11-2)
Tommy - The Rams just took a loss against an amazing defense. Now they get to face another one, but one that won't bring nearly as much pressure. The question is, will Gurley get his game going this time? The cold of Chicago really seemed to slow the Ram offense down. Now they get to go home and enjoy So-Cal type weather. The Eagles just can't seem to put their offense together for quick plays and first downs. They seem to go for long bombs a lot and plays that don't end up being all that productive. Now they get to face Donald and Suh and will have a lot on their hands. LAR 34-23
Lauren - Philly's playoff hopes are falling apart. The Super Bowl hangover is real. The Rams are coming off a loss to the Bears, but they won't find near as much fight in the Eagles as they did the Bears. Rams will get another win here. LAR 33-28
Marcus - The Rams will be looking to bounce back this week at home, they are also 6-0 straight so far this season at the LA Coliseum. LAR 30-21
Lindsey - DA BEARS beat the Rams last week. If defense can't win games, no one told DA BEARS!!! Eagles are suffering from a severe SB hangover. Both teams are lacking defensively. I'll take the Rams. LAR 30-15
Saints (11-2) vs Panthers (6-7)
Tommy - The big difference between these to teams right now is one can finish and the other can't. The Saints were trailing for a bit but made their comeback and shut down the Bucs to win the game.

For the last month Carolina can't seem to finish anything. They should be sitting 9-4 right if they could have figured out a way to close things out instead of letting the game slip away. Ron Rivera must be pissed and that will continue, as Newton will turn it over a couple times while Brees finds the endzone 2-3 times for the win. NO 28-20
Lauren - The Panthers have the same fault as the Steelers. They look really good during the games, but cannot finish. The Saints defense is so good. Sure, they lost to the Cowboys, but maybe it was a fluke. Saints should not have a hard time getting a win. NO 29-21
Marcus - The Panthers have the talent but they have been free falling over the last 5 weeks. The Saints win an exciting Monday Night game. NO 31-24
Lindsey - The Panthers playoff dreams have already been dashed. I hate Drew Bress, but I'll take the Saints over the slumping Panthers. NO 40-27
Season Records 
Marcus 131-75
Lauren 129-77
Tommy 127-79
Guest 107-72