Sanders's Week 15 NFL Predictions

By Jacob Sanders

Miami Dolphins VS Buffalo Bills

Well. The Dolphins are suddenly frisky again. I’m not sure how that happened. But, Tyrod Taylor is back in the lineup again. With how much they’re flipping in between QBs, it’s hard to trust the Bills. I really want to as well as they seem like the logical pick. But I’m going with the Dolphins. It might have been an aberration but I watched them hand it to New England. It’s still fresh in my mind and if they play that way again, they win.

Dolphins 21 Bills 14

Green Bay Packers VS Carolina Panthers

Okay okay. Before I tell you my pick, let me make a case for it. The Carolina Panthers, despite being 9-4, have been an inconsistent team. And if you ask me, they won last week in large part to the Case Keenum magic running out. To most fans, they’ll call me crazy. But I think the writing has been on the wall for two weeks now. Is it over for the Vikings? Not at all. It’s just clear against a defense that’s on top of their game won’t be beat by Keenum as shown last week unless the Vikings D prevents scoring. Anyhoo, the Panthers aren’t playing Keenum this week and that game was close. They’re playing Rodgers. A FRESH Aaron Rodgers. Oh boy. Packers pull of the upset here.

Packers 28 Panthers 20

Baltimore Ravens VS Cleveland Browns

Is it just me or does this feel like the Browns first win? The Browns have Josh Gordon who should be able to shred the Baltimore secondary like Antonio Brown did last weekend. Yes, a future HoF is not throwing to Josh Gordon, but Gordon is still a game-changer and one that can take over. And it’s not like the Browns defense is bad either. They’re nearly a top 10 unit. Alright, enough defending the Browns. The Ravens win it here. Their defense is just as spectacular but their offense is better. If the last few weeks for Baltimore are any indication, the Baltimore offense figured it out at the right time in the season. No win for the Browns here.

Ravens 28 Browns 17

Houston Texans VS Jacksonville Jaguars

Alright. I almost laughed at this matchup. Whoever is playing at QB is going to be swallowed whole by the Jaguars because the QB room in the Texans just doesn’t have the talent to beat the Jaguars. The question, as usual, is can Bortles perform? Well, I happened to catch the Seahawks-Jags game. Yes, Bortles can perform. I can’t say he’ll continue his career like this but the guy has been having a nice mistake-free season. That’s all the Jaguars can ask from him with the talent they have.

Texans 16 Jaguars 27

Cincinnati Bengals VS Minnesota Vikings

How motivated will these Bengals be to win their final 3 games for their coach? Quite a bit since he will be leaving. Is it enough? Not at all. Vikings win it at home. As usual, defense is just too good. Keenum has raised my eyebrow in concern as of late but he can settle me down with a nice performance here. If not, I’m pressing the “too early to panic” panic buttion. Oh yeah. I’m one of those guys.

Bengals 17 Vikings 31

New York Jets VS New Orleans Saints

This. This would have been a nice matchup if McCown was in the game. Because he isn’t I’m pretty sure the Saints D is going to swallow the Jets’ QBs whole. Yes, I mean muiltiple QBs. I don’t trust only one starter for this game. At this point, you’re evaluating who and what you have for QB. And with that defense, I can guarantee turnovers will happen. OOF.

Jets 13 Saints 30

Philadelphia Eagles VS New York Giants

The Eagles just lost Carson Wentz. But, this team is still great and while I did not like Foles with the Rams, I think he may be okay with the Eagles. I’m probably wrong, but it’s not over for the Eagles yet. They’ll prove it here against a lackluster Giants team.

Eagles 20 Giants 10

Arizona Cardinals VS Washington Redskins

Okay. I told my friend at the beginning of the season his Cardinals team was going to lose this game. Fast forward and both teams are banged up and I have no clue who wins. Yikes. To be honest, I think the Cardinals can win it here. They just have more healthy talent than the Redskins do. This would be the exact kind of game Cousins has to take over in. He didn’t do it last week. Don’t think he does it here either.

Cards 17 Redskins 14

Los Angeles Rams VS Seattle Seahawks

Well. Usually, the Rams have Seattle’s number. But that was when the Rams were terrible. Now they’re a good team. So wouldn’t it be fitting for the Rams to lose because of that? Don’t think they will though. I watched the Jags VS Seahawks game closely. As I thought, this team is screwed when Wilson is contained. The Rams have the defense to do that like the Jaguars do. In a make or break game for the division and maybe even a playoff spot, the Seahawks normally step up. Their leadership is gone though this time due to injuruies. It’s possible they can win. But, I just don’t see it.

Rams 17 Seahawks 16

New England Patriots VS Pittsburgh Steelers

I think this is it. I think this is finally the time the Steelers can beat the Patriots. They sorely missed Shazier on the outside runs but the Killer B’s just can not be ignored. Roethlisberger, Brown, and Bell just can take over a game and they proved that with their backs against the wall at home last Sunday against a defense that had never allowed more than 300 passing yards this season. Well they put out 500. Holy ****. Welp, they’re at home again. And with the Steelers so focused on this one, it feels like they break the curse this time. And, you know, that O-line isn’t doing any favors for Tom Brady. He needs to get that ball out fast. But now that I’m doubting the Patriots, they’ll win. Watch.

Patriots 30 Steelers 34

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

Tennessee Titans VS San Francisco 49ers

Yup. That’s how much I don’t have faith in this Titans team. With the 49ers suddenly becoming a viable team, and the Titans having to be the worst playoff team in the picture at the moment, I believe this is where we see the Titans true colors. Either they beat up on a 3 win team, or they struggle and actually lose. I’m thinking they lose. This could also be wear Jimmy G earns his contract. Beating a team in the playoff picture will do wonders for him.

Titans 13 49ers 20

Dallas Cowboys VS Oakland Raiders

Exactly how bad are the Raiders here? That’s the real question for this matchup. They stunk up the join last week and, frankly, probably will again. It’s hard to believe a team that looked so good last year can look that bad this year. I mean…yeah. Moving on. Dallas isn’t that great offensively without Elliot. But, with such a suspect secondary in Oakland, I think Prescott can take advantage and deliver a nice performance for his team in primetime.

Cowboys 24 Raiders 14