NFL Week 15 Predictions

I'll be quick with my Thursday Night pick, since I'm currently sitting in the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport after having been up all night packing for my trip home, and I'd like to try to catch a few winks before my flight.

Falcons over Jaguars

• The Jags have the better defense overall, but Atlanta excels at stopping the run (they're fifth in the league), which is about the only thing Jacksonville's got going for them on offense.  Which means that if Maurice Jones-Drew can't get anywhere, it'll be up to Blaine Gabbert to carry the Jags.  But a dome is no place for a visiting rookie quarterback, so I'm giving the Falcons this one.  On a side note, this will be Atlanta head coach Mike Smith's first game against his former team, where he was the defensive coordinator for five seasons.  

The rest of my picks for this week will be on their way once I've arrived in Pennsylvania.  Til then, stay frosty, y'all!

B-)
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UPDATE, 12/17/11: Well, I made it to Pennsylvania in one piece, albeit rather exhausted.  Now that I'm well-rested, it's time to make my picks for the weekend.  Last week, I was 12-4, which puts me at 133-75 (63.9 %) for the season. 

Cowboys over Buccaneers

• The Cowboys are still in the thick of the playoff race; they've just had a few unfortunate bounces this season.  The Bucs, however, have just been flat all season. 

Dolphins over Bills

• "A young Don Shula"?  Sounds a little far-fetched to me.  Next thing you know, the Dolphins will be asking for Dan Marino to come back!  I kid, of course.  Getting serious again - Chan Gailey could be the next coach to go if the Bills don't get their act together fast, which I doubt they will this week, even against a Dolphins team that's probably starting J.P. Losman at quarterback.  The Dolphins have been stellar at stopping the run this season, which will force the Bills to rely on Ryan Fitzpatrick's arm to win the game.  No matter who you're picking, this one ain't gonna be pretty.  

Seahawks over Bears
Texans over Panthers

• Who is this T.J. Yates?  

Titans over Colts
Packers over Chiefs

• I'm eating my words about the Chiefs keeping Todd Haley for another season after he was fired on Monday.  It's funny how there's been talk of Bill Cowher being a candidate for the Dolphins' head coaching job, because I think he'd find a better fit in Kansas City, where they've already got an established quarterback and running back (albeit currently out with injuries) and a not-too-shabby defense.  But any speculation that Cowher would even return to coaching at all is just that - speculation.  Meanwhile, on the other sideline... How are the Packers giving up the second-most yards per game in the league, yet still managing to stay undefeated?  Sure, it helps to have an offense that scores the most points per game, but that's not the real reason Green Bay is so good.  The Packers also lead the league in takeaways with 32 (27 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries).  

Saints over Vikings

• Drew Brees needs just 250 yards a game to break Dan Marino's passing yardage record.  That shouldn't be a problem for a quarterback who's regularly had 300-yard games this season, and facing a secondary like Minnesota's certainly helps.  The Vikes might get some good news this week with the possible return of Adrian Peterson.  

Giants over Redskins

• I'm tempted to pick Washington after the way they held their own against the Patriots, but Eli Manning and the Giants' offense have been one of the best in the league during the fourth quarter, and the Redskins have had to shuffle players around on their offensive line.  

Bengals over Rams

• It's been a tough stretch for the Bengals lately, but there's no reason for them to lose to a team as pitiful as the Rams.  

Lions over Raiders

• Both of these teams have been falling apart down the stretch.  The Lions get a little help this week with the return of Ndamukong Suh. 

Cardinals over Browns

• I'm not sure what the worse problem for the Browns will be: Colt McCoy's concussion, or the heap of trouble that the coaching staff could be in for the way they handled it last week. 

Broncos over Patriots

• This will be the biggest test of the season for Denver.  If their running game can keep doing its thing and pile up yards on the ground, the Broncos can keep Tom Brady off the field and give themselves a pretty good chance to win.  The Patriots have won in Denver only twice in the last forty years.  

Eagles over Jets

• The Jets have won three in a row and currently hold the last playoff spot in the AFC, but I've got the feeling that the Eagles will catch them off guard this week, as they have been wont to do this season.  Philly is 8-0 all-time against the Jets.  

Ravens over Chargers

• San Diego's won two in a row, but both of those wins were against crappy teams.  They haven't faced a defense like Baltimore's. 

49ers over Steelers

• With LB James Harrison suspended and Ben Roethlisberger nursing a sprained ankle, Pittsburgh's chances are not looking good.  At any rate, expect a low-scoring game, as these two teams are giving up the fewest points per game in the league. 

Stay frosty, y'all!  B-)