Week 15 NFL picks

“NFL” by Parker Anderson is licensed by CC BY-ND 2.0

Last Week’s Prediction Records:

Aman: 9-7

Cullen: 10-6

Mickayeen: 9-7

Rahim: 7-9

Joel: 9-7

Adam: 7-9

Kevin: 7-9

Josh: 10-6

Dan: 8-8

Christan: 7-9

 

Overall Prediction Records:

Aman: 119-72-1

Cullen: 127-64-1

Mickayeen: 117-74-1

Rahim: 108-83-1

Joel: 120-71-1

Adam: 119-72-1

Kevin: 68-47 (Started Week 7)

Josh: 56-31 (Started Week 9)

Dan: 51-36 (Started Week 9)

Christan: 33-27 (Started Week 11)

Last week was an average week for us as a team. Only two of us (Cullen and Josh) picked 10 games correctly. Cullen gained at least a one game lead in the standings, which isn’t good for the rest of us. We’ve only got three weeks left to catch him!

This week we’re also welcoming Dennis Olmstead to our weekly picks. Welcome Dennis! Let’s see if any of us can catch Cullen this week and find out who we’ve got winning every Week 15 game.

 

Chargers vs Chiefs (Thursday)

Predictions

Aman: Chiefs

Cullen: Chiefs

Mickayeen: Chiefs

Rahim: Chargers

Joel: Chiefs

Adam: Chiefs

Kevin: Chargers

Josh: Chargers

Dan: Chargers

Christan: Chargers

Dennis: Chargers

We’re almost split down the middle on this one, but the Chargers actually got one more vote than the Chiefs. I’ve gone back and forth on the winner of this game, but I went with the Chiefs because of Patrick Mahomes. He overcame the NFL’s number one defense of the Ravens last week. The Chargers have a good defense too, but I think Mahomes will continue making himself a strong MVP case. Regardless of who wins, this game should be a good one. Great game to kick off Week 15!

 

Texans vs Jets

Predictions

Aman: Texans

Cullen: Texans

Mickayeen: Texans

Rahim: Texans

Joel: Texans

Adam: Jets

Kevin: Texans

Josh: Texans

Dan: Texans

Christan: Texans

Dennis: Texans

Houston needs to rebound after losing to the Colts last week. All of us except for Adam are picking the Texans to win. He’s going with the upset. While it could happen, the Jets have been too inconsistent at the QB position for my liking in this game. The Houston defense should have a good game to help them get back on track.

 

Browns vs Broncos

Predictions

Aman: Browns

Cullen: Broncos

Mickayeen: Broncos

Rahim: Broncos

Joel: Broncos

Adam: Browns

Kevin: Browns

Josh: Browns

Dan: Browns

Christan: Browns

Dennis: Broncos

Both teams need this win to have any chance of making the playoffs. Neither team has the advantage in the AFC playoff picture, as both teams are ranked behind the Ravens, Colts, Dolphins and Titans, but a win will help. It’s crazy to think the Browns even have a chance at making the playoffs! Their best football has been played recently. It’s always a good thing when you play your best football at the end of the season. Denver has been playing well lately too, despite losing last week. I expect this game to be a good, hard fought battle.

 

Cardinals vs Falcons

Predictions

Aman: Falcons

Cullen: Falcons

Mickayeen: Falcons

Rahim: Falcons

Joel: Falcons

Adam: Falcons

Kevin: Falcons

Josh: Falcons

Dan: Falcons

Christan: Falcons

Dennis: Falcons

If the Falcons lose this one, something seriously needs to change. The Cardinals are one of the worst teams teams in the NFL. There’s a reason why we all picked the Falcons, despite their bad season. Matt Ryan should easily outshine Josh Rosen. Hopefully for the Falcons, that means getting a win.

 

Raiders vs Bengals

Predictions

Aman: Bengals

Cullen: Raiders

Mickayeen: Bengals

Rahim: Raiders

Joel: Raiders

Adam: Bengals

Kevin: Bengals

Josh: Bengals

Dan: Raiders

Christan: Bengals

Dennis: Bengals

Despite putting up 21 points on a very good Chargers defense last week, I don’t have any belief in a Jeff Driskel led Bengals offense. Oakland got their third win of the season last week against the Steelers. Although the Steelers are on a losing streak, I still think they can be one of the better AFC teams. This Raiders team showed fight and potential last week. They showed they don’t want to tank, at least not that hard.

 

Dolphins vs Vikings

Predictions

Aman: Vikings

Cullen: Vikings

Mickayeen: Vikings

Rahim: Vikings

Joel: Vikings

Adam: Vikings

Kevin: Vikings

Josh: Vikings

Dan: Dolphins

Christan: Vikings

Dennis: Vikings

Despite having a better record than the Vikings, the Dolphins seem like they’re underdogs in this game. They’re coming off an incredible victory over the Patriots! Can they get another win to keep their playoff hopes alive? Can the Vikings get a win to keep their playoff chances alive? Whoever losses will take a serious blow to their playoff chances. Kirk Cousins needs to step it up for the Vikings, while Ryan Tannehill needs to keep playing great football.

 

Cowboys vs Colts

Predictions

Aman: Cowboys

Cullen: Cowboys

Mickayeen: Colts

Rahim: Colts

Joel: Cowboys

Adam: Cowboys

Kevin: Colts

Josh: Cowboys

Dan: Colts

Christan: Colts

Dennis: Colts

The Colts were on a five game winning streak recently, but had that streak snapped by the Jaguars. Now the Cowboys are on a five game winning streak. Can the Colts snap their streak? It’ll be interesting to see if the Cowboys can slow down Andrew Luck and a high scoring Colts offense. It’ll also be interesting to see if the Colts can slow down the Dak Prescott to Amari Cooper connection. If they can, they still have to worry about Ezekiel Elliott.

 

Buccaneers vs Ravens

Predictions

Aman: Ravens

Cullen: Ravens

Mickayeen: Ravens

Rahim: Buccaneers

Joel: Ravens

Adam: Ravens

Kevin: Ravens

Josh: Ravens

Dan: Ravens

Christan: Ravens

Dennis: Ravens

Lamar Jackson might have been able to get his record up to 4-0 as a starter if he stayed in the game against the Chiefs. He’ll get a chance to rebound against one of the worst defense’s in the NFL this week. The Buccaneers are third worst in points allowed per game. We could see Lamar Jackson run all over the Bucs. However, the Ravens defense will have to make sure they do their job, as the Bucs have a top 10 scoring offense.

 

Lions vs Bills

Predictions

Aman: Bills

Cullen: Bills

Mickayeen: Bills

Rahim: Bills

Joel: Lions

Adam: Bills

Kevin: Bills

Josh: Lions

Dan: Lions

Christan: Lions

Dennis: Bills

I was surprised that just four of us picked the Lions to win this game. I thought it would have been more evenly split. I know the Lions aren’t good this year, but I do believe they have the better QB. Josh Allen has shown some potential for the Bills, but I can’t put faith in a QB who completes only 52.4% of his passes and has thrown five TDs to nine INTs on the season.

 

Packers vs Bears

Predictions

Aman: Bears

Cullen: Bears

Mickayeen: Bears

Rahim: Bears

Joel: Bears

Adam: Bears

Kevin: Bears

Josh: Bears

Dan: Bears

Christan: Packers

Dennis: Bears

If it wasn’t already proven before, the Bears have proven to everyone they’re an elite defense not to be messed with. They just shut down the Rams, holding them to six points and forcing Jared Goff to throw four INTs. I doubt Aaron Rodgers will throw four INTs, but I do think he’ll have a hard time getting anything going.

 

Redskins vs Jaguars

Predictions

Aman: Redskins

Cullen: Jaguars

Mickayeen: Redskins

Rahim: Jaguars

Joel: Jaguars

Adam: Jaguars

Kevin: Jaguars

Josh: Jaguars

Dan: Redskins

Christan: Jaguars

Dennis: Jaguars

Two QBs who aren’t the starters. Two teams who likely aren’t making the playoffs this season. Not the most exciting game, but it’s a game. We’ll see which backup QB can have the best game. We’ll also see if the Redskins’ defense can rebound from the beating the Giants gave them.

 

Titans vs Giants

Predictions

Aman: Giants

Cullen: Titans

Mickayeen: Giants

Rahim: Titans

Joel: Titans

Adam: Giants

Kevin: Titans

Josh: Giants

Dan: Giants

Christan: Titans

Dennis: Titans

The Giants put up 40 on the Redskins last week, but now they face the number four defense in points allowed. Can the Giants continue their strong play and ruin the Titans’ playoff hopes? We’ll see what Derrick Henry has to say about that.

 

Seahawks vs 49ers

Predictions

Aman: Seahawks

Cullen: Seahawks

Mickayeen: Seahawks

Rahim: Seahawks

Joel: Seahawks

Adam: Seahawks

Kevin: Seahawks

Josh: Seahawks

Dan: Seahawks

Christan: Seahawks

Dennis: Seahawks

Despite the 49ers earning a win over the Broncos last week and the Seahawks playing terribly against the Vikings in their win, all of us are picking the Seahawks. Although they have the upper hand, the Seahawks are still fighting to make the playoffs. That should be what drives them to a win over an inconsistent 49ers team.

 

Patriots vs Steelers

Predictions

Aman: Patriots

Cullen: Patriots

Mickayeen: Steelers

Rahim: Patriots

Joel: Patriots

Adam: Patriots

Kevin: Patriots

Josh: Patriots

Dan: Patriots

Christan: Patriots

Dennis: Patriots

What happened to the Patriots at the end of last week’s game? What a way to lose. What happened to the Steelers last week against the Raiders? Or the week before that? Or the week before that? Both teams need to rebound from a loss, but this game feels more important for the Steelers. They’re in danger of losing their division lead and playoff spot. Which team will fix their problems this week? Most us are taking the Pats.

 

Eagles vs Rams (Sunday Night)

Predictions

Aman: Rams

Cullen: Rams

Mickayeen: Rams

Rahim: Rams

Joel: Rams

Adam: Rams

Kevin: Eagles

Josh: Eagles

Dan: Rams

Christan: Rams

Dennis: Eagles

Carson Wentz will not be playing in this game. That means the Rams are for sure winning, right? Wrong. We can’t forget that the Eagles won the Super Bowl last season with their backup QB. I don’t think this team is as good as that team. They’re obviously not, but we can’t count them out just because Wentz isn’t playing. The Rams were flat out terrible last week on offense. Will they be able to rebound from that performance?

 

Saints vs Panthers (Monday Night)

Predictions

Aman: Saints

Cullen: Saints

Mickayeen: Saints

Rahim: Panthers

Joel: Saints

Adam: Panthers

Kevin: Saints

Josh: Saints

Dan: Saints

Christan: Saints

Dennis: Saints

Drew Brees and the Saints looked like themselves again last week and now have the number one overall seed back in the NFC. Carolina is still losing games, but they’re somehow still in the NFC playoff picture. The Saints need a win to keep that number one seed, while the Panthers need a win to help their playoff chances. Which team wants it more?