WEEK 15 PICKS
* I pick four “best bets” and make one of those a “lock” each week. Those are listed at the end.
Denver (-10.5) vs. San Diego
Denver will win the game and essentially end the San Diego season, but not before Rivers and company make a game of it. With a ton of Broncos on my fantasy rosters, I’d love nothing more than a 49-42 Chargers victory. More than likely though, flip those two point totals. And with my luck, Jacob Tamme will score all of the touchdowns.
Pick: Chargers
Philadelphia (-4.5) at Minnesota
The Eagles have certainly found their mojo the last few weeks, just in time for the Vikings to lose theirs. With Adrian Peterson, the Vikings aren’t very good. Now that he’s missing, they’re Tori Spelling without a boob job.
Pick: Eagles
New England (-2.5) at Miami
Much like Cleveland got their near-win a week ago, the Pats got their scare out of the way. Now they will be missing Rob Gronkowski which will hurt, but they also didn’t seem to really miss much of a beat with Shane Vereen picking up much of the slack. With this small of a line, you’re really picking the winner. I can’t feel confidence in Miami at this point, can I?
Pick: Patriots
Cleveland (-2.5) vs. Chicago
Cleveland got their near-win a week ago against New England, and while they have played fairly well at times, we shouldn’t be confusing them with a good team. The Bears, meanwhile, have their own version of the uncoverable Josh Gordon, and his name is Alshon Jeffery. Oh, and the Bears have a running game and quarterback playing dynamite lately.
Pick: Bears
Indianapolis (-6.5) vs. Houston
As bad as the Texans are, they are less than a touchdown dog against the presumed division winner. Is this Vegas knowing something we don’t? Or is it a matter of people assuming the Texans are “due”? Or is it me overthinking things again? Yep, it’s probably that one.
Pick: Texans
Atlanta (-5.5) vs. Washington
I’ve said this a few times before, but in a matchup of putrid teams, I don’t see why you’d lay this many points. Add in the unknown Cousins factor, and I’d be really scared to lay ANY points with Atlanta.
Pick: Washington
Buffalo (-2.5) at Jacksonville
Buffalo should not be favored on the road, I don’t care who the opponent is. Except when it’s Jacksonville.
Pick: Bills
San Francisco (-5.5) at Tampa Bay
Classic letdown game coming up for San Francisco. They just won a huge one against their tough division rivals, now have to travel 3,000 miles to play a 1:00 against an undermanned Bucs team. Not saying it’s a lock, but I wouldn’t be shocked.
Pick: Bucs
Seattle (-7.5) at New York Giants
We’ve seen it time and time again that Seattle is not the same team on the road that they are at home. What’s more, the Giants just got embarrassed by a not very good Charger team. This week they could go one of two ways. They could look at their tattered season and go in the tank the rest of the way. Or they could say screw it, playoffs are not possible any more and all the pressure is off. Let’s just go play some football. I’d like to think an Eli Manning/Tom Coughlin-led team would choose the latter.
Pick: Giants
Kansas City (-4.5) at Oakland
This is perhaps the most baffling line of the week, and if percentages are to be trusted, the betting public doesn’t understand this one either. Heavy action is going KC’s way, as I guess people still aren’t sold on the Chiefs being an excellent team again. Well, start believing again.
Pick: Chiefs
Carolina (-11.5) vs. New York Jets
I know it’s dangerous to trust the Jets against anybody good, but this line feels a field goal too high to me.
Pick: Jets
Dallas (-6.5) vs. Green Bay
Huh?
Pick: Packers
New Orleans (-5.5) at Saint Louis
I know the Saints aren’t the same team on the road as they are at home. We’ve all heard it. And we’ve all said it. And I think I’ve said it every week, so you probably wanna punch me in the throat by this point. And all that being said, they’re still playing in a dome this week against a team that has no business being on the same field as them.
Pick: Saints
Arizona (-2.5) at Tennessee
Realizing this game is in Tennessee, Arizona is just a far superior football team at this point. Outside of RB, I can’t really think of one area in which Tennessee is superior to Arizona.
Pick: Cardinals
Cincinnati (-3.5) at Pittsburgh
The Steelers have given up on their season by this point, right? Of course! That being said, the Bengals typically have trouble with Pittsburgh. I think the Steelers give the fans one last hurrah this season before heading into the cold, miserable offseason.
Pick: Steelers
Detroit (-6.5) vs Baltimore
If you have any idea which way this one is gonna go, you can make yourself a very rich lifestyle. It’s arguably the two least predictable teams in the league. Not even season to season or week to week, but often play to play. When in doubt, take the points.
Pick: Ravens
BEST BETS: Philadelphia, Washington, Kansas City, New Orleans
LOCK: Kansas City Chiefs
RECORD
LAST WEEK
Overall:10-6 (62%)
Best Bets: 3-1 (75%)
Lock of the Week: 1-0
YEAR TO DATE
Overall: 111-93 (54%)
Best Bets: 25-31 (44%)
Lock of the Week: 7-7 (50%)
POWER RANKINGS
Team Name W/L (Prv)
1. Seahawks 11-2 (1)
2. Broncos 11-2 (2)
3. Patriots 10-3 (3)
4. Chiefs 10-3 (5)
5. Saints 10-3 (6)
6. 49ers 9-4 (7)
7. Panthers 9-4 (4)
8. Bengals 9-4 (8)
9. Cardinals 8-5 (10)
10. Eagles 8-5 (13)
11. Cowboys 7-6 (9)
12. Colts 8-5 (11)
13. Lions 7-6 (12)
14. Bears 7-6 (15)
15. Ravens 7-6 (14)
16. Packers 6-6-1 (17)
17. Dolphins 7-6 (21)
18. Chargers 6-7 (18)
19. Titans 5-8 (16)
20. Rams 5-8 (19)
21. Steelers 5-8 (20)
22. Jets 6-7 (22)
23. Browns 4-9 (24)
24. Giants 5-8 (23)
25. Bucs 4-9 (28)
26. Redskins 3-10 (25)
27. Falcons 3-10 (26)
28. Bills 4-9 (27)
29. Jaguars 4-9 (30)
30. Vikings 3-9-1 (29)
31. Raiders 4-9 (31)
32. Texans 2-11 (32)
