Week 15 means we have football on the NFL schedule four days a week, and each day features a must-see game.
Thursday night’s football game between the 49ers and the Seahawks is an opportunity for the nation to take a look at 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy – who made it in a hurry from Mr. Irrelevant to a starter for a Super Bowl contender to ascend
There will be three games on Saturday, including a prime-time showdown between the Dolphins and Bills in the AFC East. Buffalo has a two-game lead in the division.
On Sunday, the Jets and Giants will be in focus. Can the Jets stop the Lions – who are charging a late playoff fee? The Giants and Commanders are in a key wildcard streak in prime time Sunday Night Football.
On Monday, Baker Mayfield will lead the reigning Super Bowl champion Rams against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay is clinging to its playoff hopes and needs to win for Aaron Rodgers to have a chance. Nobody had that prediction in August.
Recording: 126-79-2
With that in mind, here’s a look at our week 15 track record (odds courtesy of BetMGM):
POWER RANKINGS: Cowboys, Vikings, Giants are exposed; 49ers, Chargers, Lions make playoff noise in Week 15
NFL picks, predictions for week 15
- San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at Seattle Seahawks
Thursday 8:15 p.m. Prime Video
The Purdy hype is alive and well. He will make his first road start against Seattle, who have a dud in the loss to Carolina. Seattle has averaged just 60 rushing yards per game over the past four weeks — a 1-3 stretch that gets worse when they’re one-dimensional against the 49ers — who are 2-3 S/U on the road. Which trend will prevail in a short week?
Choose: 49ers 24, Seahawks 20
- Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings (-4)
Saturday, 1 p.m., NFL Network
The Colts have had a bye week and will be looking to break a three-game losing streak under caretaker manager Jeff Saturday. Minnesota suffered a divisional loss to the Lions. The Vikings are 6-1 at home – and they’re getting back on track after a tight first half against the Colts.
Choose: Vikings 30, Colts 21
- Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (-2.5)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., NFL Network
The Browns are preferred; a sign that Lamar Jackson may not be ready to go. Baltimore also lost Tyler Huntley to a concussion. Rookie Anthony Brown could start here. It is also Deshaun Watson’s first home start for Cleveland. It offers hope for the future and the Browns pull off a home win against AFC North opponents with the win.
Choose: Brown’s 20, Raven’s 17
- Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-7.5)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m., NFL Network
How healthy will Tyreek Hill be for this game? Miami’s offense stuttered in Week 14 and struggled in the running game, and Buffalo will be looking for revenge for their Week 3 loss. The weather forecast also predicts snow showers. Josh Allen is 4-0 with 10 TDs and two interceptions against the Dolphins at home.
Choose: Oxen 31, Dolphins 24
- Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-4)
Sunday 1 p.m., FOX
Believe it or not, these teams remain in the NFC South playoff chase. The Falcons are turning to Desmond Ridder as quarterback after bye week. The Saints are still 3-4 at home for all their mistakes this season. Andy Dalton has nine TDs and only two interceptions at home. New Orleans is sticking with the Superdome.
Choose: Saints 27, Hawks 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Kenny Pickett’s status is uncertain after being placed on concussion record and the Steelers could turn to Mason Rudolph. Carolina is attempting to return to the NFC playoff chase. Sam Darnold is shooting for a third straight win. It’s going to be a field goal game anyway.
Choose: Steelers 21, Panthers 18
- Philadelphia Eagles (-9) at Chicago Bears
Sunday 1 p.m., FOX
The Bears had a bye week to prepare for a big challenge against the Eagles’ top-flight offense. The Eagles are 1-2 ATS when favored by seven points or more, and the quarterback duel between Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields should produce more than enough highlights. Chicago has allowed 33.5 points per game through a six-game losing streak.
Choose: Eagles 34, bears 26
- Kansas City Chiefs (-14) at Houston Texans
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The Texans led most of the game against the Cowboys in Week 14. Kansas City won’t be as generous on the road. Patrick Mahomes II will recover from a three-interception performance. About the spread? Kansas is 0-2 ATS if favored by 14 points or more this season. How much fight do the Texans have left?
Choose: Chiefs 38, Texans 17
- Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 1 p.m., FOX
Doug Pederson was the Eagles’ head coach from 2016-2020, going 4-7 against the Cowboys. This Dallas team is tending to be another high seed in the NFC playoffs, averaging 419.3 yards per game in a four-game winning streak. Dak Prescott keeps finding multiple ways to win.
Choose: Cowboys 31, Jaguars 23
- Detroit Lions at New York Jets (-1)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The Jets have a track record and the Lions need a win to stay in the NFC playoff chase. It’s a nod to the direction both teams are heading, and Detroit has won its last two games before the home stands. Stay with the hot team here; the one who can score heaps of points.
Choose: Lions 31, Jets 28
- Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos (pick ’em)
Sunday 4:05 p.m., FOX
With Russell Wilson (concussion) uncertain, the Broncos will turn to Brett Rypien in an increasingly chaotic season. It wasn’t nice for the Cardinals either, but they’re 3-2 S/U on the way. With Kyler Murray likely out, it’s Colt McCoy’s turn.
Choose: Cardinals 23, Broncos 21
- New England Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders (select them)
Sunday 4:05 p.m., FOX
Josh McDaniels gets a shot at mentor Bill Belichick. The Raiders have the residual advantage, and the loser of this game is likely out of the AFC playoff chase. We’re taking New England – who needs that when you know Cincinnati is coming to Gillette Stadium next week? Belichick brings out the best in his former assistant coach.
Choose: Patriots 27, Hunters 24
- Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Chargers (-3)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. CBS
The Chargers are starting to click now that receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are healthy, and that will emphasize a pass defense from Tennessee, which ranks 31st in the NFL at 283.7 points per game. The Titans are on a three-game losing streak and haven’t forced a turnover in four games. Does despair set in? Derrick Henry helps Tennessee check the clock and they pull out a shocker on the street.
Choose: Titans 26, Chargers 23
- Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday 4:25 p.m. CBS
This is the first head-to-head match between Joe Burrow and Tom Brady and it’s bound to make headlines. The real story, however, is a Bengals defense that has conceded 16.7 points against the Titans, Chiefs and Browns over the past three weeks. That’s key for Cincinnati as it keeps pace with Buffalo and Kansas City at the forefront of the AFC playoff hunt.
Choose: Bengal 27, Privateer 22
- New York Giants at Washington Commanders (-4.5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
These teams drew two weeks ago. The Commanders are having a bye week and the Giants are fading after three losses in the last four weeks. New York has conceded an average of 426 yards over the past three weeks. The defense needs to figure it out fast if they want to stay in the playoff chase.
Choose: Commanders 28, Giants 24
- Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ESPN
Baker Mayfield will likely get the start for the Rams. On his last visit to Lambeau Field, he threw four interceptions. The Packers have had a bye week and they’ve won their last four home games against the Rams. Aaron Rodgers keeps Green Bay’s elusive playoff hopes alive The Packers are 2-3 ATS at home this season.
Choose: Packer 26, Aries 21