The NFL playoff race is heating up! The Pittsburgh Steelers stole first place within the AFC North from the Baltimore Ravens, the Chicago Bears fell from the No. 1 seed within the NFC to the No. 7 seed following their loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, and the Buffalo Payments registered a powerful fourth-quarter comeback towards Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. That loss secured Burrow’s first shedding season since his rookie yr again in 2020.
This week within the NFL, we get a rematch of Payments vs. New England Patriots, Jordan Love travels to tackle the most effective defenses within the NFL within the Denver Broncos, whereas the “Matthew Stafford Bowl” takes place in Los Angeles. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs even have a tricky matchup towards the Los Angeles Chargers. Following their loss to the Houston Texans, SportsLine says Kansas Metropolis has only a 6% probability to make the playoffs.
Which groups do you have to decide in Week 15, and which do you have to fade? CBS Sports activities writers Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin are right here to interrupt down the most important video games of the weekend. For readability, strains for these picks have been taken on Dec. 10 over at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Dajani (Buccaneers -4.5): The Falcons regarded like a catastrophe final Sunday. They’re 1-7 of their final eight video games, and are permitting nearly 27 factors per contest over that span. I do discover it worrisome that the Buccaneers have dropped 4 out of their previous 5 since beginning 6-2, however with this recreation being at house, I’ve to lean in direction of the crew nonetheless in playoff rivalry. Plus, Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan could possibly be on the sector collectively for the primary time all yr. The Bucs have not coated the unfold in 5 straight video games, however this can be a matchup the place they will snap the streak … Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Falcons 20
Dubin (Buccaneers -4.5): Tampa is not precisely lighting the world on hearth of late, however the Falcons appear to be useless within the water. Tampa ought to be capable of transfer the ball on Thursday evening, particularly if Mike Evans and/or Jalen McMillan could make their returns from harm. The Falcons, in the meantime, seemingly can’t transfer the ball with any diploma of consistency with Kirk Cousins underneath middle. The Bucs have a great run protection and are weaker towards the go, which performs towards what the Falcons want to do given the present state of their roster. … Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Falcons 13
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) at Cincinnati Bengals
Dajani (Bengals +2.5): The Ravens have misplaced two straight, and given the division lead again to Pittsburgh. The Bengals would have defeated the Payments final week if it weren’t for that mind-blowing fourth-quarter collapse, however that is Joe Burrow’s first recreation again enjoying in entrance of his house followers, and Lamar Jackson has not regarded like himself lately. For these causes, give me the Bengals in a wildly entertaining affair … Prediction: Bengals 35, Ravens 33
Dubin (Ravens -2.5): I am happening with the ship right here. I’ve already gone down with the ship choosing the Chiefs each week, so I’d as nicely do it with the Ravens as nicely. … Prediction: Ravens 27, Bengals 24
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (-5.5)
Dajani (Chargers +5.5): I am not so certain that Justin Herbert did not mess up his left hand for all times. After present process surgical procedure final Monday, he determined to play every week later, and was sacked a career-high seven occasions whereas speeding 10 occasions for 66 yards. As for the unfold, this quantity is a bit giant to me. Think about the Chargers protection ranks prime 10 in yards allowed per recreation (282.2), factors allowed per recreation (20.8), third-down proportion (34.4%), purple zone landing proportion (52.5%), takeaways (18) and sacks (35). Patrick Mahomes and Co. have been shut out within the first half at HOME final week for the primary time since 2018, and whereas this Chargers protection shouldn’t be precisely the Texans protection, I nonetheless consider they’re going to give the Chiefs’ backup offensive linemen bother. Chiefs win this recreation, however I do not wish to lay 5.5 factors … Prediction: Chiefs 20, Chargers 17
Dubin (Chargers +5.5): The Chargers didn’t look notably good offensively on Monday evening towards the Eagles. Justin Herbert struggled to finish passes and regarded considerably uncomfortable within the pocket. However they nonetheless managed to win the sport because of some stable speeding and an unbelievable defensive efficiency. I do not see Kansas Metropolis’s offense exploding right here, so I just like the Chargers to no less than preserve the sport shut, even when Kansas Metropolis wins the sport. … Prediction: Chiefs 23, Chargers 20
Upset alert in Week 15? Why these favorites might fall, together with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs
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Buffalo Payments (-1.5) at New England Patriots
Dajani (Payments -1.5): I’ve a tough time imagining the Patriots sweeping the season collection with the Payments — even when Josh Allen has to win in New England this week. The Patriots have gained 10 straight video games, so it is in all probability time for an “L,” proper? Clearly this can be a good crew, however how assured are we that New England is a reliable Tremendous Bowl contender? The Patriots have had the simplest schedule within the NFL, and their season-defining win might be … the Payments. Vegas agrees with me that revenge is coming for Foxborough… Prediction: Payments 23, Patriots 21
Dubin (Payments -1.5): It took a trio of uncharacteristic turnovers for the Patriots to beat the Payments by three within the first matchup between these two groups. The guess right here is that Buffalo takes higher care of the ball this time round and is ready to pull out a win behind Josh Allen and a protection that has compelled a number of turnovers itself in 5 of seven video games because the bye. … Prediction: Payments 24, Patriots 21
Inexperienced Bay Packers (-2.5) at Denver Broncos
Dajani (Broncos +2.5): “Fraud Bowl?” No, I like each of those groups, however I feel I just like the Broncos extra. This Denver protection leads the NFL in yards per play (4.5), third down proportion (31%) and purple zone proportion (40%). I actually suppose Jordan Love goes to must have his finest recreation of the season to get previous the Broncos in Denver. And even when the Broncos get off to a gradual begin on Sunday, they seemingly at all times rebound. Denver has a +50-point differential within the fourth quarter this season, which ranks second within the league … Prediction: Broncos 24, Packers 20
Dubin (Packers -2.5): Inexperienced Bay has gained 4 in a row and appears to be hitting its stride on each side of the ball. The passing recreation has seemingly gotten on monitor over the previous couple of weeks, and we all know what they will do defensively. The Broncos can attain as excessive a ceiling defensively as any crew within the NFL, however additionally they have a low flooring offensively, and I am not as assured in Bo Nix towards the Inexperienced Bay go rush as I’m in Jordan Love towards Denver’s. … Prediction: Pacers 23, Broncos 20
NFL Week 15 picks and rating predictions: Patriots and Broncos each lose, Dolphins shock Steelers
John Breech
Dajani (Rams -5.5): Speak about a get-right recreation for L.A. final week. The Rams thumped the hapless Arizona Cardinals, 45-17, following their stunning loss to the Carolina Panthers. Now, Matthew Stafford will get his former crew — who he really has a shedding file towards. Most bettors in all probability suppose this line is simply too giant, however this Lions protection is down a number of starters — together with the Professional Bowler Brian Department, who simply tore his Achilles. The Lions are 7-6 ATS in comparison with the Rams’ 9-4 ATS file. It could be a sweat within the fourth quarter, however I am going to really lay the factors with the favorites … Prediction: Rams 28, Lions 21
Dubin (Lions +5.5): The Lions are as soon as once more battered by accidents on protection, having simply misplaced Brian Department for the season final Thursday along with the assorted different gamers they already had on injured reserve. However their offense is sweet sufficient to maintain them in any recreation with any crew — even one pretty much as good because the Rams. Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are so explosive that they will overcome among the points Detroit may need up entrance with L.A.’s line of defense. So long as the safety would not completely implode, I like Detroit to maintain this shut. … Prediction: Rams 30, Lions 26
Dajani (Cowboys -5.5): I used to be very unsuitable about how the Vikings would fare towards the Washington Commanders final week, however we have seen this film earlier than. Keep in mind when the Vikings went and upset the Lions in Week 9? Everybody thought Minnesota had turned a nook. Then, the Vikings misplaced 4 straight with horrific quarterback play. Whereas the Cowboys misplaced to the Lions in Week 14, they’d a mini bye to relaxation, and are certainly rejuvenated by the rival Eagles’ additional time loss to the Chargers on “Monday Night time Soccer.” To place it merely, Dak Prescott goes to out-score J.J. McCarthy … Prediction: Cowboys 30, Vikings 23
Dubin (Cowboys -5.5): I do know the Vikings simply went out and dominated the Commanders, however I am undecided I can envision a repeat of that offensive efficiency. It’s mainly the one time all yr that the offense has regarded competent, not to mention good, and the Dallas protection was trying improved towards weaker opponents earlier than getting torn aside by the Lions final week. Minnesota is a kind of weaker opponents. I feel the Cowboys can rating simply sufficient on Minnesota’s protection right here to maintain the Vikings at a distance. … Prediction: Cowboys 23, Vikings 13
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) (MNF)
Dajani (Steelers -3): The Dolphins lead the NFL in scoring protection (13.3 factors per recreation), speeding yards per recreation (192.3) and turnover differential (+7) throughout this four-game successful streak, however the one first rate crew Miami beat was Buffalo in Week 10. The Steelers established some momentum this previous week with the win over the Ravens, as controversial because it possibly was, however I am going to take the house crew in an in depth contest. The Steelers have a 22-game win streak at house on “Monday Night time Soccer!” It is the longest streak all-time … Prediction: Steelers 20, Dolphins 14
Dubin (Dolphins +3): Do you know that the Dolphins are 5-1 of their final six video games since dropping to 1-6 and searching like their season was finished? Mike McDaniel has this crew enjoying very well! They will run on anyone, and we have seen that you would be able to run on the Steelers. (Take a look at what the Payments did a pair weeks in the past.) If they will management the sport on the bottom, I like their possibilities to drag of an upset right here, contemplating that the Pittsburgh offense nonetheless is not explosive sufficient to place an opponent away. … Prediction: Dolphins 21, Steelers 17
