Week 15 is here. All of the bye weeks are over. Don’t forget to set your playoff fantasy football lineups for the championship push. But if you’re eliminated already and just ready to watch some good football, here’s the scoop on what games pique my interest.
Let’s start with Thursday…
Los Angeles Rams AT San Francisco 49ers, (49ers by 2.5)
Both of these teams are coming off of steaming-hot performances. Matt Stafford still has life in that arm and his receivers, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, are both back healthy and leading the charge. They are coming off an upset win against Buffalo on Sunday. A short turnaround puts them against a division rival 49ers. The injury bug has bit and multiplied by the hundreds against this team this year. However, they got safety Talanoa Hufanga back last week and this team put up one of their most impressive performances against the Chicago Bears. This matchup could be the final straw in the 49ers missing the playoffs this season. They are in must-win mode from here on out and that could be too little too late if Seattle stays hot. Transversely that also means the Rams are in must-win mode as well. They are one game back of the Commanders to make the playoffs and they would get the spot if the Commanders were to stumble down the stretch.
Rams sneak by 49ers 24-21
Early on Sunday is a game of tag. The afternoon slate is a high-speed chase with flashing lights…
Miami Dolphins AT Houston Texans, (HOU by 2.5)
This is the only 1 o’clock game with playoff implications for each team. The Dolphins kept their season alive with an overtime victory against division foe New York Jets. Now they have a bigger test against the AFC South leader Houston Texans. Tua has been playing good football since his return from his latest head injury. He has thrown 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions over the last 4 weeks. The Texans pass defense is ranked 7th and will have their hands full against Waddle and Hill’s speed on the outside. Jalen Pitre’s status for this game is up in the air but Derek Stingley when healthy is one of the best young corners in the NFL. So, this must-see TV no matter who he matches up on. On the other side, you have Jalen Ramsey who is one of the OGs in the game now facing either Tank Dell or Nico Collins. CJ Stroud has struggled a bit this season compared to last year, but he has them in prime spot to win the AFC South for the second year in a row.
Texans beat Dolphins, 21-10
Pittsburgh Steelers AT Philadelphia Eagles, (PHI by 4.5)
The intra-state battle of the Keystone State this year puts two teams that are leading their division against each other. Both have great defenses. Both have a quarterback that is having a bit of a resurgence season. On the Steelers side, they are down their WR1 George Pickens with a hamstring injury. This puts a little more pressure on Pat Freiermuth and Mike Williams to carry the passing game. The reliable Steelers run game is still top 10 in the league and they should look to lean on that. But trying to stop the 9th-ranked rushing team is the 8th-ranked rush defense. Darius Slay and the Eagles number 1 total defense has helped the Eagles reel off 9 straight wins and at the Linc they haven’t lost since week 2. Saquon Barkley name should be high if not leading on everybody’s MVP ballots. The Eagles number 1 rushing offense is against Pittsburgh’s 4th ranked rush defense. It’s strength against strength in this potential Super Bowl preview.
Eagles beat Steelers, 24-16
One last bonus game in the afternoon block…
Buffalo Bills AT Detroit Lions, (DET by 1.5)
Another potential Super Bowl preview this week at the late afternoon block. Should’ve been flexed to primetime or in the early window but we’re here now. The Bills just lost a shootout against the Rams, and I can see this being another track meet. The Bills must bring their best defensive schemes against the league’s best offense statistically. It’s a two-man race for MVP at this period between Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley so Josh must play great against this defense that has been losing players due to injury. The Lions’ Jared Goff has played well all year and will look to duplicate what Matt Stafford did last week. The run game for the Rams did a lot of the heavy lifting and the best backfield in the league could definitely do the same thing against the Bills. Especially behind the best offensive line in all of the NFL.
Lions outlast Bills, 38-28
And now the nightcap…
Green Bay Packers AT Seattle Seahawks, (GB by 3)
Thinking about the Packers and the Seahawks over the last decade they have produced some of the best matchups. Whether in the playoffs where Russ threw more interceptions than completions in the first half and still engineered the comeback. To the FAIL Mary game with the replacement refs on Monday night. This matchup was nothing short of legendary. Geno and Jordan Love are not the names that Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers have been, but I still expect to see the same level of fireworks in this matchup. Led by great ground games with Packers’ Jones coming off a three-touchdown performance and Seahawks’ Charbonnet coming off of a 134-yard and 2-TD performance a week ago. Both of these teams have top-tier defensive lines and can provide a rush that can disrupt the backfield and quarterbacks. I can see this game taking one play late that will be the difference between winning and losing
Packers over Seahawks, 31-24
The rest of Week 15…
Commanders over Saints
Chiefs over Browns
Bengals over Titans
Ravens over Giants
Jets over Jaguars
Panthers over Cowboys
Chargers over Buccaneers
Broncos over Colts
Cardinals over Patriots
Vikings over Bears
Falcons over Raiders
All point spreads are as of Wednesday morning. Gamble responsibly. Athletically Challenged, Al U Buggin, and all sponsors will not be held liable.
