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With only three weeks left in the NFL regular season, the playoff rush is on.
The main event features Super Bowl contenders Kansas City and New Orleans, but there are several other gems that are expected to impact the playoff image – particularly in NFC East.
Can Washington, led by improved defense with first-round pick Chase Young, continue their run against Seattle? Will the Eagles get a spark from new quarterback Jalen Hurts? Do the Giants make it interesting in prime time against the Browns? These are the big questions as we approach the home stretch.
SN has just had one of its best weeks of the season. Here’s a look at our history of game choice in 2020:
- Last week: 11-5
- Season: 94-62
With that in mind, here are our picks and predictions for the rest of week 15:
NFL picks, predictions for week 15
- Los Angeles Chargers to Las Vegas Raiders (-3)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX / NFLN
The Raiders have allowed over 200 rushing yards each of the past two weeks, and that’s a major concern. The good news is that the Chargers are 1-5 on the road this season. Las Vegas is maintaining their playoff hopes, but it’s a close call.
To choose: Raiders 27, chargers 23
- Buffalo Bills (-4) at Denver Broncos
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., NFL Network
The Bills made a statement with their Sunday night football win over the Steelers. Denver’s Drew Lock had four touchdowns last week but will be forced to make a few mistakes against a Bills defense that has 18.7 points per game on a three-game winning streak. Buffalo stays warm.
To choose: Bills 26, Broncos 18
- Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers (-8.5)
Saturday, 8 p.m., NFL Network
The Packers are number one in the NFC, but it’s one of those trap games to watch out for. Teddy Bridgewater can test Green Bay’s defense with high percentage shots and keep this game close to the fourth quarter. But the Packers will stay ahead with Aaron Rodgers, who continues to play at MVP level.
To choose: Packers 31, Panthers 24
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5) at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Falcons have lost their last two games by a combined eight points, and the struggles in the running game continue. Tom Brady continues to prepare for the playoffs with a group of receivers in a much needed road victory.
To choose: Buccaneers 28, Falcons 19
- San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Two classic brands meet in a game with much lower stakes. The Niners struggled on offense last week against Washington, and they hit the road against an inconsistent Dallas team that put in their best performance of the season. It’s a raffle game.
To choose: Cowboys 24, 49ers 21
- Detroit Lions to Tennessee Titans (-8.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Matthew Stafford’s status is uncertain after a fourth quarter injury against the Packers, and the Lions are 29th against the run (132.9). This should be another major performance for Derrick Henry. Fancy owners will appreciate this as well.
To choose: Titans 31, Lions 21
- Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor has found his rhythm in the Colts’ offense over the past three weeks, and Philip Rivers should continue to enjoy it. The Texans keep it close to a half with Deshaun Watson, but the defense is once again exposed.
To choose: Colts 30, Texans 20
- New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
If the Dolphins are a playoff team, then this is a game they have to win. New England won the Week 1 meeting in an ugly way 21-11, and this one will be a low scoring affair. Can Miami push the Pats out of the playoffs once and for all?
To choose: Patriots 23, Dolphins 21
- Chicago Bear to Minnesota Vikings (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Bears and Vikings remain on the fringes of the playoff hunt, and Minnesota won the final game 19-13 of Week 10. Chicago has since found an offense with Mitchell Trubisky, and they have averaged 30.3 points per game the last three weeks. Expect the rematch to have a wild finish.
To choose: Bear 30, Vikings 27
- Seattle Seahawks (-5) at Washington football team
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Washington is in the playoff race and the defense allowed just 14.3 points per game thanks to a four-game winning streak. Alex Smith (calf) will be watched throughout the week, but the Seahawks have also found their rhythm in defense. Russell Wilson keeps Seattle’s hopes on the pitch.
To choose: Seahawks 24, Washington 20
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens (-13)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Ravens have little room for error in the AFC playoff race, but the key will be to keep the racing game going against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed 200.3 rushing yards per game in the past three weeks. Baltimore is rolling again.
To choose: Ravens 30, Jaguars 20
- New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams (-17)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
The Rams are huge home favorites against the hapless Jets. New York is 1-4 CEP as a double-digit underdog, so Los Angeles could easily cover here. Look for the Rams to keep riding.
To choose: Rams 34, Jets 16
- Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals (-6)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
Can Jalen Hurts lead the Eagles to a last minute NFC East Championship? Hurts offers an element to the running game, and that should lead to a fun back-and-forth with Kyler Murray. If Philadelphia protects football, then it will stand a chance.
To choose: Eagles 23, Cardinals 20
- Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The flagship game of the week puts more pressure on the Saints, who lost their first game to Taysom Hill in the Week 14 quarterback. The Chiefs resisted four turnovers to beat the Dolphins last week. Patrick Mahomes is 3-0 in indoor starts for his career, and he’s 91.8 assists in those games.
To choose: Heads 34, Saints 30
- Cleveland Browns (-3.5) at the New York Giants
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Cleveland continues its prime-time tour of New York City, and the Giants will face the two-headed racing game of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Baker Mayfield is making enough plays to keep the Browns’ playoff hopes – and possibly the AFC North title – alive.
To choose: Brown 28, Giants 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers (-12) to Cincinnati Bengals
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Steelers are looking for a good game after two straight losses, and rival Bengals offer that opportunity. Cincinnati has a –6 turnover ratio in three games since Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury. Pittsburgh will exploit that.
To choose: Steelers 28, Bengals 13
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