NFL Week Fifteen Predictions
What the Steelers need to do is establish the run game, as it will be important for its last two games against the Colts and Browns. James Connor’s status is questionable, which is an important factor for the Steelers going forward.
Article by Dave Nguyen, AKSM Sports
News and Notes
Alex Smith Out: After injuring his calf against the 49ers last week, it has been reported that Alex Smith will not play this Sunday against the Seahawks. Smith has played well and has helped the Football Team on its four-game winning streak and has the best chance to win the NFC (L) East. Dwayne Haskins will start in place of Smith, his first start since October 4th against the Ravens.
Brees to Start: For the first time since November 15th, Drew Brees will be the starting quarterback for the Saints as they take on the Chiefs in a highly anticipated matchup. Brees will be coming off an injury that sidelined him for multiple weeks due to fractured ribs. With the Saints falling to the Eagles last week, it dropped to the second seed in the NFC playoff race with its third loss of the season. The Packers have the top spot and hold the tie-breaker with he Saints as Green Bay defeated it in New Orleans earlier this season. With Brees signing a two-year $50 million dollar deal in March, many wonder how long the window is for the 41 year-old to win another Super Bowl.
Marriotta, Marriotta: Late in the first quarter of Thursday Night’s game between the Raiders and Chargers, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr left the game with a groin injury and was not able to return. Carr’s replacement was none other than former Heisman winner and second overall pick Marcus Mariota. Seeing his first action since October 13th of 2019, Mariota had an impressive performance throwing for 226 yards, completing 17/28 passes, a touchdown to Darren Waller, and ran nine times for 88 yards and a score. Despite his impressive performance in backup duty, the Raiders lost to the Chargers in overtime 30-27.
Garrett Out, Kitchens In: Earlier this week Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett tested positive for COVID-19, and will not be able to attend Sunday Night’s game against the Browns. Taking his place will be current tight ends coach and former Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens. This will only add to all the storylines heading into Sunday Night at MetLife Stadium.
Riddick and Pioli Interview for GM Jobs: Earlier this season the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans fired their general managers, leaving both teams with a job vacancy and the time to pursue someone else to fill those respective positions. Two names have circulated so far: ESPN analyst Louis Riddick and CBS Sports Analyst Scott Pioli. Riddick has interviewed with both the Texans and Lions and is well respected in the business. After a seven-year career as a player, he has held multiple front office jobs, including Director of Personnel with the Eagles and (formerly) the Washington Redskins. During his time as a front office executive, Riddick played a role in acquiring 24 pro-bowl players, including Santana Moss, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, Asante Samuel, Jason Peters, Fletchor Cox, Lane Johnson, Zach Ertz, and Nick Foles. Pioli comes from the Bill Belichick tree, making an impact in New England as their Vice President of Player Personnel from 2002-2008 accumulating three Super Bowl titles, becoming the longest NFL executive to win NFL Executive of the year in consecutive years. Throughout his 27 years in the front office, Pioli was an integral part in acquiring multiple pro-bowl players to the organizations he worked for, including: Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden (Ravens), Kevin Mawae and Vinny Testaverde (Jets), Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss (Patriots), Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles (Chiefs). Both men have high pedigrees and are well deserving to become the general manager for any NFL team.
Hurts So Good: In the Eagles upset win over the Saints, Jalen Hurts made his first career NFL start. In his debut, he threw for 167 yards by completing 17-of-30 passes and a touchdown to Alshon Jeffery, and also ran for 106 yards on 18 carries, giving the Eagles its first win in six weeks. As a result of his efforts, he will start this Sunday against the Cardinals.
Sefon Diggs In: One of the reasons the Bills are playing well this season is the productivity of Stefan Diggs. Heading into this Saturday’s game against the Broncos, Diggs has 100 receptions- which leads the NFL this year and is tied for most in a single season in Bills history, 1,167 receiving yards- which is third in the league and is a career high for him, and 134 targets, second most among all players this year.
Saturday Afternoon at 4:30 PM
Bills (10-3) at Broncos (5-8): The Broncos had an impressive win at Carolina as Drew Lock tossed four touchdown passes, two of them to rookie KJ Hamler, in their 32-27 win. The Bills, on the other hand, are on a totally different level. Along with Stefan Diggs having a stellar season, the Bills have won six of their last seven games, including their Sunday Night win against the Steelers. The last time the Bills won the AFC East was in 1995. With a 10-3 record and a chance to accomplish that feat, the Bills are trying to do more damage than just win the division. With the way Josh Allen is playing, they have the best chance to threaten the Chiefs for the AFC crown. Prediction: Bills 31-25.
8:15 PM
Panthers (4-9) at Packers (10-3): With the Saints loss to the Eagles, the Packers control their destiny for the top spot in the NFC after clinching the NFC North for the second consecutive year after taming Matthew Stafford and the Lions last week. Matt Rhule’s team will be up for the test and keep it close, like last year. On a snowy day in Green Bay the Packers defense had a goal-line stand as Christian McCaffrey was stopped from heading into the end-zone as time expired, giving the Packers a 24-16 victory. While McCaffrey will not play this Sunday, the production of Mike Davis and DJ Moore will keep this game completive against MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers. Prediction: Packers 30-26.
Sunday Afternoon at 1 PM
Buccaneers (8-5) at Falcons (4-9): Despite the Vikings outgunning the Buccaneers in almost every statistical category last week, including total yards, rushing yards first downs, total plays, and time of possession, the one thing the Buccaneers did not have was a field goal kicker that missed three field goals and an extra point. Tom Brady did not have his best performance, but he did not turn the ball over as the Buccaneers escaped with a 26-14 win. Brady will be matched up against Matt Ryan and the Falcons, and a guarantee something related to 28-3 will be brought up. Matt Ryan may be sixth in the league in passing yards, but he is going to be without Julio Jones again for the second straight week. The Buccaneers defense, who is first in rushing yards per game, will be tested but linebacker Devin White, who is top five in total tackles this season, will lead the charge for the Bucs’ surge to the post season. Prediction: Buccaneers: 28-24.
49ers (5-8) at Cowboys (4-9): Andy Dalton won in Cincinnati for his homecoming, tossing two touchdowns, in the Cowboys 30-7 win over the Bengals. The 49ers, on the other hand, are coming off a loss in which the Washington Football team scored two defensive touchdowns in their 23-15 result at home. The 49ers defense is top 10 in total yards, rushing yards, and passing yards, and could give Dalton and Zeke Elliot fits in Jerry World. Hopefully, for 49ers fans, Nick Mullens doesn’t turn the ball over. Prediction: 49ers 23-20.
Lions (5-8) at Titans (9-4): Many questions surround the Lions as soon as the offseason hits such as who will fill its head coach and general manager vacancies, and what to do with Matthew Stafford at age 33 this year. While he is not afraid to sling the ball around the field, the Detroit defense will have their hands full with Derrick Henry, the league’s current rushing leader with 1,532 yards. If Henry has 156 yards in each of the Titans remaining three games, he will hit the 2,000 rush yard mark for the season. With their current lead in the AFC South, the Titans will feed Henry the rock as they march forward to victory on Sunday. Prediction: Titans: 28-17.
Texans (4-9) at Colts (9-4): The last time these two teams met the Colts shutout the Texans in the second half en route to a 26-20 win. In that game the Colts defense frustrated Deshaun Watson, limiting him to no touchdown passes, and sacking him five times. The Colts have a stellar defense, led by Darius Leonard and Deforest Buckner, that will give opposing offenses a difficult time moving the ball in the postseason. As long as Phillip Rivers doesn’t throw many interceptions, which he hasn’t in three of his last five games, the Colts will come out victorious. Prediction: Colts 31-24.
Patriots (6-7) at Dolphins (8-5): For the first time since 2008, when Tom Brady tore his ACL in the first game of the season, the Patriots will not make the playoffs. While they won’t be playing postseason football in January, they can spoil the Dolphins chances of making the playoffs. The Dolphins defense was able to force four turnovers, including three interceptions on Patrick Mahomes, in their 33-27 loss to the Chiefs. The Dolphins will rely on their defense in this game, boasting the second best in terms of points per game (18.) and first in forced turnovers (25). Playing in Miami has been difficult for the Patriots in recent history, losing five of their last seven games in the Sunshine State. The Dolphins hope to make it six of its last eight. Prediction: Dolphins 21-18.
Bears (6-7) at Vikings (6-7): The Vikings need to win out and hope that the Cardinals lose one or two games in order to place in the seventh and final wild card spot in the post season. The Bears, who have a solid defense, were able to make Deshaun Watson miserable as they sacked him seven times. Offensively the Bears scored 36 points, including a three touchdown performance from Mitch Trubisky. The last time these two teams played each other was on Monday Night Football on November 16th, the last time Nick Foles played in a game. The Vikings were able to win that matchup by six as Dalvin Cook carried the ball 30 times for 96 yards. While Dalvin will want to “cook” the Bears defense again, Chicago needs to watch out for Justin Jefferson, who is seventh in the NFL with 1,078 receiving yards. Prediction: Vikings 26-20.
Jaguars (1-12) at Ravens (8-5): After a super-man like performance against the Browns, the Ravens playoff chances are starting to increase after their epic win on Monday Night Football against the Browns. They look to carry that momentum at home against Jacksonville. While the Jaguars need to figure out who the general manager will be next season, they have a bright spot on offense with undrafted rookie James Robinson, who is one of three running backs to run for 1,000 yards this season. Prediction: Ravens 35-14.
Seahawks (9-4) at Washington (6-7): Despite Alex Smith not starting at quarterback this Sunday, the Washington defense is for real. Heading into this Sunday, the Football team is top ten in total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and points per game this season, led by a defensive line that is absolutely nasty with Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, and Jonathan Allen. Young and Kamren Curl each scored a touchdown on defense in its 23-15 win against the 49ers, but they will have a tough task ahead of them with Russel Wilson, who is on pace to throw for over 4,000 yards this season. With his dual-threat ability and targets like DK Metcalf, who is second in receiving yards and fifth in touchdown receptions, Washington will have its hands full on Sunday. Prediction: Seahawks 26-17.
4:05 PM
Eagles (4-8-1) at Cardinals (7-6): The ”Lincoln Riley Bowl” will be held in Arizona as Kyler Murray faces off against Jalen Hurts when the Eagles travel to Phoenix to take on the Cardinals this Sunday. The Eagles were able to win their first game in six weeks in their upset win over the Saints, led by Hurts who made his first NFL start. Hurts ran and threw for over 100 yards in the game, but relied a lot on his feet to make decisions. While the Saints were not prepared for Hurts, the Cardinals will and may have an advantage already as there are some similar traits between Hurts and Murray. A key to watch in this game is how the Cardinals will defend Hurts, with the possibility of a “spy” on him throughout the game. While the Eagles defense was able to get after Taysom Hill, Kyler Murray is a different type of player with quick feet and a rocket arm. With his dual-threat ability and targets like DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and future Hall of Fame Larry Fitzgerald, Murray will look to take advantage of a depleted Eagles secondary. Prediction: Cardinals 31-20.
Jets (0-13) at Rams (9-4): The Rams are too good to lose to the Jets. They have their eyes on another NFC West crown with a balanced team on all three phases of the game. With Cam Akers having a stellar performance against the Patriots, look for the rookie to get more touches and be a major factor in the playoffs. Prediction: Rams 28-6.
4:25 PM
Chiefs (12-1) at Saints (10-3): The game of the week and a possible Super Bowl preview find two top-tier offenses squaring off in the “Big-Easy” as Patrick Mahomes leads the Chiefs into New Orleans against Drew Brees and the Saints. New Orleans can’t afford any more losses if they still want a shot at the top seed in the NFC, but its defense, despite it being one of the best in the league, will have its hands-full against Patrick Mahomes. Last year’s Super Bowl MVP is having another MVP-type season, throwing for 4,208 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. Three of those picks came against the Dolphins last week, which may be a strategy for the Saints defense. With tons of playmakers on both sides of the ball, especially on the offensive end, the game will come down to who has the ball last in this prime-time affair. Prediction: Saints 34-31.
Sunday Night
Browns (9-4) at Giants (5-8): Baker Mayfield and the Browns rushing attack did everything they could to defeat the Ravens on Monday, only to fall in the hands of defeat against the Ravens at home. The post-season is still realistic, as they most likely need to win two of their next three games to accomplish that feat. The Browns will be facing a tough opponent in the Giants, who have a solid defensive front and a scrappy offensive attack. The status of Daniel Jones is questionable, which will impact the outcome of a game that was flexed to Sunday Night Football earlier this week. Prediction: Browns 28-14.
Monday Night
Steelers (11-2) at Bengals (2-10-1): This game will be over by the first quarter in a Steelers victory. What the Steelers need to do is establish the run game, as it will be important for its last two games against the Colts and Browns. James Connor’s status is questionable, which is an important factor for the Steelers going forward. Between him, Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels, and Anthony McFarland Jr, Pittsburgh needs to establish a consistent run-game if it has any chances at the Super Bowl. Prediction: Steelers 31-3.