Couch Potato Blitz: Week 15 Predictions
As NFL fans we find ourselves asking, “Is it week 15 already”? The best thing about the NFL this season is there are still so many possibilities with only three weeks left to play. The AFC South and the NFC East each have a prime match-up for division supremacy.
Last week I was a very disappointing 9-7, helping my overall record limp to 132-76. If you would like to contact me to discuss my picks, please do so via Twitter.
Week 15 Pick’em
San Francisco 49ers @ San Diego Chargers – This is the kind of TNF game we get when the league schedule makers anticipate good football coming from the West Coast. The Niners have been extremely disappointing this season and have likely cost head coach, Mike Singletary his job. The Chargers, on the other hand, are making their annual late season run to the playoffs. San Diego destroyed the Chiefs last weekend to keep hope alive in the AFC West. The 49ers have played dreadful on the road this season and I expect that to continue. Give me Philip Rivers and another MVP performance statement game.
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals – Currently, 16 teams in the NFL have as many or more wins than both Ohio franchises. The Bengals are the more disappointing team in the NFL. Terrell Owens has finally started to place blame on the organization and did so on national TV – TOcho Show. The Browns have been surprising with their play and seem to be showing signs of trending upwards. I am only taking the Bengals based on the fact that I don’t believe they can shoot themselves in the foot 11-games in a row.
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys – These are two teams that have been complete messes this season, but the Cowboys have turned things around under Jason Garrett. The Redskins are coming off a loss to the Buccaneers in which they failed to convert an extra-point to tie the game. Washington cut punter, Hunter Smith on Tuesday. My question to the Redskins would be, what about Graham Gano, who missed two chip shot FGs earlier? They have talking about benching Donovan McNabb during this game before mid-week. The Cowboys have been competitive recently and that is more than enough to get the win against the Redskins.
Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans – The Texans are making losing an art form. They have now lost on a hail-mary and an overtime pick-6. The Titans have been losing like they want a top pick and they appear to be trying to get Jeff Fisher fired. Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson is an unstoppable duo late in games. Arian Foster has emerged as one of the top RBs in the league. This game will come down to offense and I will take the Texans over the Titans relying on Kerry Collins.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts – This is for all the marbles. This would break the Colts long run of making the playoffs during the Peyton Manning era. The Jaguars beat the Colts earlier this season on a 59-yard FG and I believe the Colts want payback. Jacksonville has played amazing lately, especially in the running game with Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings. However, I can’t bet against Manning in the regular season so I am running with the Colts at home.
Kansas City Chiefs @ St. Louis Rams – This game also has tremendous playoff implications. The Chiefs need this game to remain a game up on the Chargers if they beat the 49ers on Thursday. The Rams are tied with the Seahawks for the NFC West lead and could take a lead since Seattle gets the Falcons this weekend. Somehow, someway, I believe the Rams will pull this game out at home and solidify, Sam Bradford, as Rookie of the Year.
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins – The Bills are much better than their 3-10 record indicates. The Dolphins continue to be the best road team in football, but this game is at home for Miami. That is why it is proving to be a tough one to pick this game. I am hoping, for his sake and the sake of the Dolphins, that Chad Henne limits his INTs. I have feeling this game could be a defensive struggle and I’ll place my bet on the Dolphins getting their second home win of the season.
Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Lions are another dangerous 3-10 football team. Detroit is coming off of a 7-3 home victory over the division rival Packers. They managed to knock the starting QB out of last weeks contests and took advantage of the back-up. The Buccaneers were the beneficiaries of the botched PAT from the Redskins. Tampa Bay remains alive and well in the NFC wildcard picture. If they secure this win at home, they get a Seahawks team traveling from corner-to-corner of the United States next Sunday and will smell a playoff birth. I don’t think the Lions are ready to pull off back-to-back wins quite yet.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers – Last week the Cardinals looked dominating over the Broncos. They received respectable play from rookie QB, John Skelton – most notably no turnovers. The defense was juggernaut forcing 6 turnovers and scored a special team TD. I don’t think they can count on another Jay Feely TD run, but you never know, they are playing the 1-12 Panthers. Carolina has been playing rookie, Jimmy Clausen. They drafted Clausen as the future QB and as of right now his future looks bleak. I’m taking the Cardinals, but won’t be surprised if they don’t show up on Sunday.
New Orleans Saints @ Baltimore Ravens – This is the game I can’t wait to see. Why? I think this could be a potential Super Bowl match-up. You may think I’m crazy since the Ravens gave up TD drives of 99 and 95-yard consecutively to the Texans last Monday, but the defense came through when needed. The Saints have been rolling with their offense looking explosive like last season. We get to watch Drew Brees try to out duel Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs – count me in for that. I’m leaning towards the Ravens at home in cold game, where I think the defense will decide it late again.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants – This is another game with not only playoff implications, but also divisional implications. I think it’s safe to say that none of the Giants will be asking for Michael Vick’s autograph after the game. The Eagles won the meeting between these two almost a month ago 27-17. The Eagles defense got Eli Manning to turn the ball over and after watching the game against the Vikings this past week, and not much has changed. I think will see another highly contested game with Eagles coming out on top again. Remember, Ahmad Bradshaw has had fumbling problems this season and he banged up his wrist against Minnesota which could effect ball security in that game.
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks playoff chances are fading fast. Last week they had a chance to get a win over a division opponent and were trounced by the 49ers. The Falcons continue to roll and are looking to lock-up the top seed in the NFC. I don’t see any way the Seahawks can compete with the Falcons for 1-quarter, let alone 60-minutes. Matt Ryan will improve his candidacy for NFL MVP.
New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers – This game should be filled with anticipation and excitement, but the Jets have failed to play remotely respectable football for two consecutive weeks. Troy Polamalu continues to be my MVP this season with each week making bigger-and-bigger plays to put the Steelers over the top. The Jets really need to get back to running the ball, which makes it unfortunate that they have to play Pittsburgh. The Jets are finishing the season with three tough games and all of the sudden the playoffs don’t seem to be a lock. I think it will be a hard-fought game, but the Steelers are the more complete team right now.
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders – The Broncos were the first team to lose this season in an interim coach’s debut. They didn’t just lose, they were pummeled by the Cardinals. The Raiders lost a heartbreaker last weekend in typical Oakland fashion and most likely cost themselves any shot at a playoff birth this season. This season 4 of the Raiders 6 wins have come at home. The last time these two team met in Denver and the Raiders rolled up the score 59-14. Although I don’t think it will be as big of a margin it will still be a win regardless.
Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots – The Packers have a small chance with Aaron Rodgers of being the first team to enter Foxboro and leave with a win. Without Rodgers and with back-up Matt Flynn, they have no chance in the world. As of Wednesday the Packers had not announced Rodgers’ final status for SNF. Since losing to the Browns, the Patriots have proven they are the best team in football. They went into Chicago last week and destroyed a 9-3 football team in all facets of the game. Tom Brady will have no problem dismantling the Packers defense for a comfortable win.
Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings – The streak ended at 297-consecutive games for Brett Favre after sustaining an injury that doctors compared to a car accident. Somehow head coach Leslie Frazier would still rather start Favre than Tarvaris Jackson. I believe it is unlikely Favre will play and meaningless since the Bears will destroy a Minnesota team in complete disarray. Jay Cutler looked terrible last weekend, but so did the defense. Nothing cures a butt-whooping like playing a team that has nothing to play for. Where ever this game is played the Bears will win.
Thank you for coming by the “CPB” for another week of picks and predictions. For all of you involved in fantasy football please don’t forget to check out “Week 15 Start’em and Sit’em” here at SteroidsLive.