NFL Overreactions Week 14
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the largest NFL storylines from Week 14.
Sports activities Critically
Whether or not the NFL schedule makers supposed it this fashion or not, Week 15 has the potential to set the tone for the ultimate stretch of the 2024 common season.
There are impactful matchups all around the week’s slate, beginning with an enormous NFC West matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on “Thursday Night time Soccer.” Then comes Sunday, when late afternoon video games that includes the Detroit Lions internet hosting the Buffalo Payments and the Pittsburgh Steelers heading east throughout Pennsylvania to play the Philadelphia Eagles may wind up being Tremendous Bowl previews.
However these aren’t the one video games that might alter the NFL playoff race with simply 4 weeks of video games remaining within the common season. Analysts are already weighing in on what may occur with postseason berths nonetheless up for grabs. Right here is an early take a look at picks and predictions for each sport on the Week 15 schedule:
NFL Week 15 sport predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 9
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 12
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Unfold: 49ers (-2.5)
∎ Arizona Republic: 49ers 24, Rams 23
“The Rams beat the 49ers at residence in Week 3, 27-24. We anticipate an analogous sport this week. It is a must-win sport for the 49ers are we anticipate them to play prefer it.”
∎ Professional Soccer Community: 49ers 30, Rams 27
“This sport has taken on a really completely different complexion after the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers’ two essential wins in Week 14. Each groups stay very a lot within the battle for the NFC West, which may go all the way down to the ultimate week. … This sport has the sensation of being gained by whoever has the ball final.”
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Financial institution of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Panthers (-1)
∎ ESPN: Decide the Panthers
“If (the Panthers) shut as a favourite over the Cowboys, it is going to be the primary sport through which Carolina is favored within the final 34 contests. … The Panthers have a superb working sport, which has given the Cowboys’ protection suits all season. Bryce Younger has gone from complete legal responsibility to nice playmaker.”
∎ Bookies.com: Panthers win
“Bryce Younger revitalized his profession – or not less than his progress when it comes to a QB – within the second half of this season. The Panthers have solely gained twice since September 22. However they lined in 5 straight video games after practically beating Philly (in Week 14).”
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Cleveland Browns
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Huntington Financial institution Discipline
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Chiefs (-5.5)
∎ ESPN: Cleveland can cowl this unfold
“The Browns have gone 2-1 of their previous three residence video games, all towards playoff-level competitors, defeating the Steelers and Ravens and dropping to the Chargers. The Chiefs have now gone 5 straight video games with out successful by greater than three factors.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Chiefs 27, Browns 20
“The Chiefs simply discover methods to win, in some way, a way. Patrick Mahomes will discover one other technique to win in Cleveland.”
Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium (Houston)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Texans (-3)
∎ BetMGM: Go along with Houston
“Miami lives and dies by the move. This season, Mike McDaniel’s facet is 2-6 straight up when passing for beneath 250 yards. In any other case, they’re 4-1. … This season, solely two groups have handed for greater than 250 yards towards Houston’s protection.”
∎ Covers.com: Wager on the Texans
Houston is “the healthiest it has been since Week 1, due to the (bye). C.J. Stroud and the Texans are additionally some of the succesful offenses the Dolphins have confronted shortly, and we’ve watched Miami endure losses to elite QBs like Jordan Love and Josh Allen.”
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Jets (-3)
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Jets 20, Jaguars 13
“We’ve seen some indicators of life from Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets offense in current weeks. Of their final three video games, they’re averaging 24.7 factors per sport. Sadly, they’ve been let down by a protection that has allowed 28.7 factors per sport in the identical span. Nonetheless, they need to be an excessive amount of for a Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars staff.”
∎ Bookies.com: Take the Jaguars as underdogs
“The three-10 Jags have carried out admirably towards the unfold at 7-6. That is two video games higher than Kansas Metropolis on the road. By the best way, (Mac) Jones is 5-0 straight up and towards the unfold towards the Jets in his profession (all as a member of the Patriots).”
Washington Commanders at New Orleans Saints
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Commanders (-7.5)
∎ Arizona Republic: Commanders 27, Saints 17
“It is a must-win sport for New Orleans, which does profit from taking part in at residence. Downside is, the Saints are simply 3-4 at residence this season and Washington is coming off a bye.”
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Commanders 30, Saints 10
“After what we simply noticed from the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, plus the added uncertainty round Derek Carr, the Washington Commanders very a lot seem like the play this week. They’ve the benefit concerning the metrics, rating nicely forward of the Saints on offense and just under them defensively.”
Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Ravens (-15)
∎ BetMGM: Ravens win massive
“Baltimore has lined this quantity solely as soon as this season, however New York isn’t well-equipped to use the Ravens defensive weak spot.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Ravens 27, Giants 13
“The Ravens are the largest favourite of the week in NFL Week 15 odds and for good cause. They need to roll over the Giants, however that time unfold could be very massive.”
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Bengals (-5)
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Bengals 24, Titans 17
“It is a actually bizarre sport as a result of there’s lots at play right here, however possible little or no for both facet to really play for. Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan will face his former staff, one he is aware of very nicely. Nonetheless, that goes each methods and will imply we see a extremely intriguing chess match … The road feels lopsided to the Bengals, however they’ve overwhelmed 4 groups ranked within the backside 10 of our rankings by over 10 factors per sport.”
∎ Bookies.com: Lay 3.5 factors with Cincinnati
“The Titans have the worst document of any NFL towards the unfold this season. … The Bengals had the No. 1 passing offense within the NFL, and the Titans had the No. 1 passing protection forward of Week 14. However each groups enable factors. The Titans will hand over a number of extra this time.”
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Cardinals (-6.5)
∎ Arizona Republic: Cardinals 24, Patriots 20
“The Cardinals’ postseason likelihood is hanging by a thread. They’re going to discover a technique to preserve them alive not less than for an additional week.”
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Cardinals 27, Patriots 16
“The Arizona Cardinals’ season is falling aside since their bye, with three straight losses, together with two to the Seahawks. They need to cease the rot this week with the New England Patriots coming to city, or their playoff hopes are all however executed. … The Patriots have been a tricky out for groups this season, however the Cardinals have confirmed within the final six weeks that they’ll beat up below-average groups.”
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive (Denver)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Broncos (-4)
∎ Bookies.com: Journey the Broncos
“The Colts want a win right here and a loss by the Texans to maintain their long-shot hopes alive within the AFC South. The Broncos (8-5) have delivered for bettors all season. Denver is tied with Pittsburgh with an NFL-best 10-3 towards the unfold document. The Broncos have lined in 7 straight video games. … Protection stays the hidden story with the Broncos.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Broncos 27, Colts 21
“It is a must-win sport for the Colts, however the Broncos have gained three in a row and are powerful to beat in Denver.”
Buffalo Payments at Detroit Lions
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m.
- Location: Ford Discipline (Detroit)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Lions (-1.5)
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Lions 35, Payments 33
“The metrics say that the Detroit Lions are the higher staff throughout the board, with the Buffalo Payments lagging behind them by far defensively and on particular groups. The Lions have additionally performed a barely more durable schedule. This sport has the makings of being a high-scoring one, which makes the road powerful to guage.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Lions 31, Payments 28
“We actually needed to select the Payments on this sport, however the Lions have gained 11 video games in a row and Buffalo is simply 4-3 away from Highmark Stadium this season. Josh Allen will impress once more, however the Lions will win in a thriller.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Chargers (-3)
∎ BetMGM: Go along with Tampa Bay
“Whereas recognizing it has come towards a straightforward set of defenses, the Bucs’ offense has radically improved with Mike Evans again within the lineup. … Los Angeles’s defensive metrics have taken a dive as they’ve begun to face higher offenses.”
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Buccaneers 24, Chargers 21
“The sport in SoFi Stadium might be a kind of strength-on-strength and weakness-on-weakness matchups. The Buccaneers’ offense should attempt to crack an excellent Chargers’ protection, whereas Tampa’s protection (which has struggled for many of the 12 months) will get its largest check because the bye.”
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Monetary Discipline (Philadelphia)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Unfold: Eagles (-5)
∎ ESPN: Take the factors with Pittsburgh
“The truth that the Eagles extensive receivers had been so crucial of the passing sport after Philadelphia’s win over the Panthers caught my consideration. On one hand, possibly it is only a reasonable self-critique. On the opposite, possibly it is a signal of extra hassle than their 11-2 document would counsel.”
∎ Bookies.com: Steelers cowl
“Philly has the second-worst passing offense within the NFL (180.6 YPG). Russell Wilson and the Steelers have – shock – the No. 10 scoring offense within the NFL at 24.8 PPG. This one may come all the way down to an aerial present between Wilson and Hurts. The fewest errors win.”
Inexperienced Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Discipline (Seattle)
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
- Unfold: Packers (-3)
∎ Arizona Republic: Packers 28, Seahawks 20
“The Seahawks have gained 4 straight video games to take the NFC West lead, however are simply 3-4 at residence. The Packers are 4-2 on the street and might be motivated after their shut loss to the Lions.”
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Packers 27, Seahawks 20
“The metrics give the sting to the Packers, who’ve a superior offense however path behind the Seahawks in protection and particular groups. Inexperienced Bay has confronted the second-hardest schedule thus far, although, whereas Seattle’s performed the Thirteenth-hardest. These numbers reinforce why the Packers are slim street favorites.”
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
- Date: Monday, Dec. 16
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Financial institution Stadium (Minneapolis)
- TV: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
- Unfold: Vikings (-6.5)
∎ Bookies.com: Lay the factors with Minnesota
“Sam Darnold hasn’t gotten a lot love from oddsmakers within the chase for ‘Comeback Participant Of The 12 months.’ However the Vikings don’t care. His newly found regular hand has led the Vikings to surprising success … Thomas Brown received no bounce Sunday because the Bears received walloped 38-13 by the 49ers in his interim teaching debut.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Vikings 28, Bears 17
“Sorry, Chicago followers. We simply cannot decide a staff that’s 0-6 on the street, with seven straight losses total, to beat a staff that’s 6-1 at residence with a six-game successful streak.”
Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders
- Date: Monday, Dec. 16
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
- Unfold: Falcons (-4.5)
∎ Professional Soccer Community: Falcons 24, Raiders 13
“Atlanta ought to win, and going through their former QB (Desmond Ridder) gained’t damage them, on condition that he didn’t play for them on this present scheme. If the Falcons don’t win this sport and accomplish that convincingly, they may nearly crown the Buccaneers because the NFC South winners if Tampa Bay wins in Los Angeles on Sunday.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Falcons 27, Raiders 14
“The Falcons have misplaced 4 straight video games to go from 6-3 to 6-7 on the season. However the Raiders? They’ve misplaced 9 straight. If Kirk Cousins and firm cannot win this sport, the Falcons actually ought to take into account switching to Michael Penix Jr. at QB.”
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