Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is soon upon us yet again. The week features some intriguing matchups that will sure to please any casual fan. I'll be keeping a close eye on the Seahawks-Football Team, Chiefs-Saints, and Browns-Giants games this week. In this post, I'll talk about the latest playoff picture and my picks for the week's games. Let's get to work!
Playoff Picture:
Let's start with the AFC...
Seedings:
1st seed: Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) (clinched AFC West)
2nd seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2) (clinched playoff spot)
3rd seed: Buffalo Bills (10-3)
4th seed: Tennessee Titans (9-4)
5th seed: Cleveland Browns (9-4)
6th seed: Indianapolis Colts (9-4)
7th seed: Miami Dolphins (8-5)
Wild card matchups:
Miami @ Pittsburgh
Indianapolis @ Buffalo
Cleveland @ Tennessee
Cleveland is ahead of the Colts in terms of head-to-head (1-0 advantage to the Browns). Tennessee is ahead of the Colts based off of division record.
To the NFC...
Seedings:
1st seed: Green Bay Packers (10-3) (clinched NFC North)
2nd seed: New Orleans Saints (10-3) (clinched playoff spot)
3rd seed: Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
4th seed: Washington Football Team (6-7)
5th seed: Seattle Seahawks (9-4)
6th seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)
7th seed: Arizona Cardinals (7-6)
Wild card matchups:
Arizona @ New Orleans
Tampa Bay @ LA Rams
Seattle @ Washington
Green Bay is ahead of New Orleans based off of head-to-head record. LA Rams are ahead of Seattle based off of head-to-head record as well.
Week 15 Picks
The 15th week of the National Football League's regular season starts in Paradise, Nevada and finishes in Cincinnati, Ohio. The week features a 16-game slate. It features a Thursday night game, two Saturday games, eight early games, three late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS will have the double-header while FOX will have the single, regional game. No teams are on a bye this week. Let's get to the picks!
Note: TW is me, and CV is Cardinal Viking my former roommate.
LA Chargers (4-9) @ Las Vegas (7-6) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Chargers beat the Falcons and the Raiders lost to the Colts last week. Las Vegas has been grinding to a halt and has been on a downward spiral lately. Justin Herbert has been a nice story for the Chargers and while I think they could use some help on defense with a decent draft pick, I like the matchup in that Herbert and Austin Ekeler can run over the Raiders defense. I'll play the upset card in this one.
Buffalo (10-3) @ Denver (5-8) (NFL Network): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
Both teams got wins as the Bills beat the Steelers and the Broncos beat the Panthers last week. Definitely hard pressed to pick the Broncos despite them playing probably their best game last week against Carolina. I think the Bills are riding on a high getting a huge win against Pittsburgh, arguably the best team in the AFC. I'd take the Bills.
Carolina (4-9) @ Green Bay (10-3) (NFL Network): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The Panthers lost to the Broncos and the Packers beat the Lions last week. Not likely for Carolina to see Christian McCaffrey back in action. At least until next week. Mike Davis has been a nice substitute for the Panthers and he will need to have a great game and beat out the Packers rush defense to win. Aaron Rodgers is having one of his best seasons ever and has a great running game to help him out. Safe to say, I'll take the Pack.
New England (6-7) @ Miami (8-5) (CBS): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins
Both teams lost last week as the Patriots lost to the Rams and the Dolphins lost to the Chiefs. You have to remember that both of these teams last met in Week 1. A lot has changed since then. New England is possibly on the verge of not having a 9+ win season since 2000. Granted that 2000 Patriots team finished with a 5-11 record. Miami might not have the great running game of the Rams but Tua Tagovailoa has proven to play well in his young career. I feel Miami in this one.
Seattle (9-4) @ Washington (6-7) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Both teams won last week as the Seahawks beat the Jets and the Football Team beat the 49ers. Jet lag might be a factor in this one as the Seahawks haven't played spectacular but reasonable on the East coast. If the Seahawks offense gets hot, it'll be tough for the Football Team to keep up. Chase Young is a nice story but I don't know if they have enough weapons to keep up with Seattle.
San Francisco (5-8) @ Dallas (4-9) (CBS): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers lost to the Football Team and the Cowboys beat the Bengals last week. Classic NFC matchup on CBS. San Francisco would like nothing more to have this season behind them. Injuries ravaged them, Santa Clara County forcing them to play elsewhere, and a Super Bowl hangover. Nick Mullens doesn't necessarily have to play superb but if he can protect the football and make wise reads while getting his running game going. Dallas going into this game is running on a somewhat high after a win against the Bungles. I'll take the 49ers.
Tampa Bay (8-5) @ Atlanta (4-9) (FOX): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers beat the Vikings and the Falcons lost to the Chargers last week. Tampa got a much needed win against Minnesota and they look poised to try and make a run in January football. Tom Brady and company look to be too much for the Falcons defense. Matt Ryan might try to make this a duel and a shootout but I tend to like the Bucs defense in the matchup.
Jacksonville (1-12) @ Baltimore (8-5) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Jaguars lost to the Titans and the Ravens beat the Browns last week. A bit of a shorter week for the Ravens who won a slugfest against their rival Cleveland. Fortunately for them, they play a Jaguars team that isn't stellar on defense but okay on offense at times. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, if they want to beat Baltimore, they would have to play great on defense so much that they would have to pull Lamar Jackson for Robert Griffin III. Likely not going to happen.
Houston (4-9) @ Indianapolis (9-4) (CBS): TW: Colts; CV: Colts
The Texans lost to the Bears and the Colts beat the Raiders last week. Tough loss against the Bears last week for Houston. They were outplayed in every way possible. The Colts finally look like the team that everyone expected coming into this season. Jonathan Taylor could possibly have a huge game in this one if the Texans defense laxes like it did in Chicago. No brainer in taking the Colts.
Chicago (6-7) @ Minnesota (6-7) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Bears
The Bears beat the Texans and the Vikings lost to the Buccaneers. One would hope that Dan Bailey figures himself out in this one. In spite of the kicking woes, the Vikings played pretty well against the Buccaneers. With Mitch Trubisky playing better, the Vikings defense will have a big test against him, and David Montgomery. I'll take the home team.
Detroit (5-8) @ Tennessee (9-4) (CBS): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Lions lost to the Packers and the Titans beat the Jaguars last week. Detroit played fairly well against the Packers in spite of the refs. What they face against is Derrick Henry who had more rushing yards than what the entire Jaguars offense had at one point last week. Its a tall task for the Lions but I think the Titans will get a win. They'll need to keep off of the Colts out of the division race.
NY Jets (0-13) @ LA Rams (9-4) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Jets lost to the Seahawks and the Rams beat the Patriots last week. Jared Goff and company would have to fall to the winless Jets. Sure the Jets running game and overall offense has been terrible but this could be an opportunity to shock the world. Or they could just fall to earth and go 0-14.
Philadelphia (4-8-1) @ Arizona (7-6) (FOX): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
The Eagles beat the Saints and the Cardinals beat the Giants last week. Jalen Hurts has given the Eagles offense some new life. Miles Sanders has been a nice story as well has he had a great game against New Orleans. Any chance of the Eagles to make a playoff run is somewhat unlikely as they face off against a Cardinals squad that won a huge game against the Giants. If the Cards defense can keep the Eagles at bay enough to give their offense some looks, I like the Cardinals in this one.
Kansas City (12-1) @ New Orleans (10-3) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Chiefs beat the Dolphins and the Saints lost to the Eagles last week. Marquee game of the week. The first and probably only time you'll see Patrick Mahomes vs Drew Brees. That'll be assuming that Drew Brees plays. He was designated to return but he did experience pain in throwing today. If he isn't good to go, then its Taysom Hill's time to usurp the defending champs. I'll take the Chiefs if that's the case.
Cleveland (9-4) @ NY Giants (5-8) (NBC): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The Browns lost to the Ravens and the Giants lost to the Cardinals last week. Cleveland almost pulled off a win against their rival Baltimore. The game proved that they are legit playoff contenders and they can certainly do it against an average Giants team. New York could make it an interesting game but I don't think they have the ability to sustain drives enough to keep the Browns off the field.
Pittsburgh (11-2) @ Cincinnati (2-10-1) (ESPN): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Steelers lost to the Bills and the Bengals lost to the Cowboys. Seems like a mismatch but the Steelers did have hit a slump this late in the season. If Joe Burrow was still around I think this game could be a bit closer than possible but Brandon Allen isn't exactly Joe Burrow. I think the Steelers get back on track in this one.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, check local listings):
CBS Early:
San Francisco @ Dallas
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
CBS Late:
Kansas City @ New Orleans
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Single:
Chicago @ Minnesota
Chris Myers, Greg Jennings
For more information on what's being shown in your area check out: NFL Maps: Week 15
2020 Week by Week Record:
TW's record:
Week 1: 8-8
Week 2: 15-1
Week 3: 9-6-1
Week 4: 11-4
Week 5: 9-5
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 12-2
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 10-4
Week 10: 10-4
Week 11: 7-7
Week 12: 11-5
Week 13: 10-5
Week 14: 7-9
Total: 133-74-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 8-7-1
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 8-6
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 11-3
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 9-5
Week 10: 11-3
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 11-4
Week 14: 11-5
Total: 130-77-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
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