NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 15

By Sam Schlesinger   December 14, 2022 

NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 15

The bye weeks are over and we’ve got a full 16 game slate including some long awaited Saturday NFL football. I don’t want to talk about what happened last week but injuries and the Texans made things quite difficult, so let’s start fresh. Here are our picks for Week 15.

49ers (-3.5) Over SEAHAWKS

After seeing what the 49ers’ 1st ranked defense did to Tua Tagovailoa and Tom Brady in consecutive weeks, it’s hard to imagine Geno Smith faring much better. San Francisco can have anyone they want under center when their defense is giving up under 11 points per game (over the last 6 games).

VIKINGS (-4) Over Colts

The Vikings porous defense shouldn’t have as much trouble stopping the Colts’ 31st ranked offense as they did with the Lions’ 5th ranked unit. The Vikings have covered the spread in their last 7 games against AFC teams.

BROWNS (-3) Over Ravens

Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) after taking a handoff from quarterback Anthony Brown (12) while playing the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers lost 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Is it Anthony Brown time for the Ravens?

Deshaun Watson warmed up in his second game this season. He’s still not what he was but he’s starting to shake off the rust, and with the Ravens likely starting Anthony Brown for the first time in his career, this could be a breakout game for him. 

Dolphins (+7.5) Over BILLS

Last time these teams faced off, the Bills were 4 point favorites but the Dolphins covered and won straight up. This late season division rivalry game should be another close one.  

Eagles (-9) Over BEARS

The Eagles have the highest scoring offense in the league paired with a top-10 defense. The Bears’ defense gives up the 4th most points in the league and their offense ranks 19th. This game is not going to be close. 

Chiefs (-14) Over TEXANS

The Texans aren’t going to scare a team two weeks in a row. They have the worst record in the league and are a bottom-5 team on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs should cover without even trying. 

Cowboys (-4.5) Over JAGUARS (BEST BET)

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) scrambles from the pressure by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Texans almost caught the Dallas Cowboys sleeping last week. Can they get the Chiefs on Sunday?

The Cowboys had a wakeup call against the Texans. They won’t let a lesser team get that close again. They rank 3rd in the league on offense and defense and they’re going to flex their muscles in this one.

Lions (+1) Over JETS (BEST BET)

The Lions are on fire. With a big question mark at the quarterback spot for the Jets, the Lions should continue dominating opponents and the spread. They’re 5-1 in their last 6 but 6-0 against the spread. 

Falcons (+4) Over SAINTS

The Falcons are going to see what they have in Desmond Ridder, and he may be able to get the ball to his receivers better than Mariota could. The Saints have not been able to drum up any offense recently. They’ve scored 16 points or less in 4 of their last 5 games.

Desmond Ridder was awesome at Cincy. Is he the answer in Atlanta?

PANTHERS (-2.5) Over Steelers

Remember what the Steelers looked like with Mitchell Trubisky as the starter? It wasn’t pretty. The Panthers are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7, and even though Sam Darnold didn’t look amazing last week, the offense as a whole looked competent.

Cardinals (-2.5) Over BRONCOS

We’re likely going to see Colt McCoy vs. Brett Rypien here. McCoy is a seasoned backup capable of running an offense with weapons, while Rypien is now in command of the worst offense in the league. 

Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy (12) throws a pass against the Patriots during the first half of a game at State Farm Stadium. Nfl Cardinals Patriots 1213 New England Patriots At Arizona Cardinals
This could be Colt McCoy’s moment.

Raiders (-1) Over PATRIOTS

The Raiders have been a streaky, unpredictable team this season, but the Patriots generally have their number. The Pats are 7-1 in their last 8 games against the Raiders and 7-3 in their last 10 games against the spread.

Bengals (-3.5) Over BUCCANEERS (BEST BET)

The Bengals might be the hottest team in the league right now. They’ve won 5 straight games and 9 of their last 10 against the spread and their Super Bowl odds have jumped to 6th in the league. Meanwhile, the Bucs managed a single touchdown last week, in garbage time.\


Monday Night Football
CHARGERS (-3) Over Titans

The Chargers turned heads last week with an upset over the Dolphins. Mike Williams breathed life back into that offense after they had lost 4 of their previous 6. With the receiving corps at full strength, they shouldn’t have a problem against the Titans’ bottom 5 offense. 

COMMANDERS (-4.5) Over Giants

The Commanders have covered the spread in 6 of their last 8 games and pushed once. The Giants’ only strength on offense is Saquon Barkley, but the Commanders are a top-10 defense against the run.

Rams (+7.5) Over PACKERS

The Packers have beaten exactly two teams this season by more than 3 points. Despite the injuries to the Rams offense, a line of 7.5 is very generous considering the product the Packers have put on the field so far this season.

Best Bets (last week): 1-2

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