Week 15 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

I would like to apologize for not posting the last two weeks. The weekends were filled with finals preparation, grading for my students, and getting my quarantined students caught up and prepared for finals. I also took a mini staycation last weekend. Either way, I’m back baby and the playoff race is heating up. The NFC and AFC feel decided with seeding left to go. However, there’s certainly some surprises that could happen. Let’s unpack it all!

Sanders is currently 135-77-1 and is 2-1 heading into Week 15 after picking the Raiders (loss), Bills (win), Packers (win) to win their games.

SF 49ers vs DAL Cowboys

It looks like Andy Dalton gets better each week. That being said, both Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh have been getting more of their team and 3rd string roster than probably any other coach duo in the league could. Knowing that, I think Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan will be outmatched here through gameplan, scheme, and mid-game adjustments.

49ers 27 Cowboys 21

SEA Seahawks vs Washington

You see, I originally thought that Washington was going to pull off the upset here. However, now that I know Gibson may not be playing AND Haskins is starting at QB? Forget about it. Haskins is a terrible QB and is not a starter in this league. He may be facing one of the worst defenses in the league, but that won’t matter if he can’t match Russell Wilson this weekend.

Hawks 29 Washington 17

CHI Bears vs MIN Vikings

It’s sort of a running joke at this point that I can’t pick Vikings games. However, I got the last Vikings game correct. Which means nothing for this game, but It’s untrue I can’t pick Vikings games. I just struggle with reading this team every year. That being said, I know exactly what this Bears team is. A great team with an elite defense when the offense can just simply MOVE the ball. Not even score a ton. Just move the ball. But when the offense is anemic and Trubisky is playing horribly, the elite defense doesn’t matter and this team goes from great to fake. Seeing that it’s not possible to predict a good or bad Trubisky day, I’m going to point to wards the team with the better head coach and quarterback. Both of those are in Minnesota. Hopefully Cousins doesn’t throw 3 picks. He’s had some rough games against better defenses, but I believe here.

Bears 14  Vikings 20

NE Patriots vs MIA Dolphins

Normally, I believe that I would try and make a case for the Patriots and there certainly is one here. However, the Dolphins are so well coached and even if their gameplan falls apart, they make great half-time adjustments. Brain Flores is the real deal and I truly believe he’s gonna lead this team to a victory whether the on-field execution struggles or not. We’ve reached an era where Bill Bellichick is still the best coach of all time, but his division has competition in the head-coaching department.

Patriots 16 Dolphins 23

JAX Jaguars vs BAL Ravens

There is legitimately a case to be made that the Jaguars are the worst team in the NFL. However, Gardner Minschew is coming back to start against a Ravens team that has lost 70% of it’s secondary to the injury/inactive list. There’s a big chance for an upset here where Minschew goes crazy and DJ Chark has a 100+ yard day. However, the Jaguars have a terrible running defense and they’re playing against Baltimore? Seems like a classic recipe for the Ravens to score 30+ points.

Jaguars 24 Ravens 38

TB Buccaneers vs ATL Falcons

There’s a hot chance that the Falcons can pull off an upset here but I think that’s trying too hard to predict an upset. The matter of the fact is, is that the Buccaneers are a team that lack a solid identity, but hold way too much talent to lose games. Seems like that’s the recipe that wins another game for the Bucs here. I anticipate the Falcons to keep this one competitive though.

Bucs 31 Flacons 27

DET Lions vs TEN Titans

Not only has Derrick Henry but running rampant on the football field every Sunday, but he gets to play December football against one of the worst defenses against the run. The man is about to feast and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans throw less than 15 times. An important note for the Lions is that Matt Staff will be playing with torn rib cartilage and a right thumb injury. Doesn’t sound like a good day for the Lions.

Lions 13 Titans 23

HOU Texans vs IND Colts

It’s completely irrational of me to pick the Texans here and I want to very badly. However, the Colts found a spark on offense last week. A spark which I anticipate to continue against one of the worst defenses in the League. It’s true that Watson could go wild and win this game all on his own. However, this is a team game and that would require his receivers to get separation with they haven’t been doing well at all season. And it’s against a top Colts defense? Forget the upset….it ain’t happening as much as I want it to.

Texans 17 Colts 28

PHE Eagles vs AZ Cardinals

Look. The Eagles beat the Saints and there’s a lot to be said about the efforts they made, the juice that Jalen Hurts gave to the offense, and the inspiration the entire team had. However, I don’t anticipate the Eagles to pull of a repeat performance. If you have eyes, you’ll see that despite the cover of the Cardinals book saying they should be a pass first team, they are a running team with a solid defense. This is perfect December football and while the game will be in Arizona and not winter weather, the point remains the same. At this point in the season, the teams with better running games and defense typically win the games. That favors Arizona.

Eagles 23 Cardinals 31

NY Jets vs LA Rams

Same head coach. Same story. Different week. The Jets lose because they are coached Adam Gase. No other analysis here necessary. I’ve been writing these same sentences for Jets games since Week 5. Has anything changed? Nope. They are still winless. Again, a Jets team coached by Adam Gase isn’t winning a game.

Jets 13 Rams 30

KC Chiefs vs NO Saints

For a game that’s supposed to be between two gods of football, this matchup feels more like a god vs titan matchup. And if you know your Greek mythology, the titans are considered superior to the gods, at least in their basic forms although the gods did overtake the titans. Back to football, I think the Chiefs are the titan and the Saints are the god in this matchup. Both are formidable but one team is clearly better than the other. It seems that unless the Chiefs are playing an AFC West rival, they tend to annihilate everyone in their way. The Dolphins had arguably the best possible game you could have against the Chiefs and still lost. At this point, I don’t think I’m picking the Chiefs to lose till otherwise. That, and you think this Saints team without Michael Thomas is gonna keep up with KC? Probably not.

Chiefs 35 Saints 27

CLE Browns vs NY Giants

The Browns played a great game offensively and still came up short 5 points against Baltimore in a thrilling 47-42 outlet. Needless to say, the Browns proved they can hang with the big dogs and are playoff ready. That being said, they need to make the playoffs first. They play the Giants this week on Sunday Night Football, a game that probably doesn’t deserve the time slot, but gives the Browns a chance to prove themselves again against a weaker team. I don’t have much to say on the Giants here. They’re a well coached team that’s missing quite a few pieces across the roster. They’ll be a team to keep an eye on over the offseason. I’d at least like to see Daniel Jones play better this week than he did last week against AZ.

Browns 27 Giants 16

PIT Steelers vs CIN Bengals

It’s kinda sad but the Bengals have dropped into Jets territory for me. As long as Joe Burrow isn’t playing for the Bengals, they are just as bad as they were last year. And last year, they were worst team in the NFL. Steelers defense mauls the Bengals offense and they pick up the win here getting just one more win closer to clinching the AFC North for the first time in 3 seasons.

Steelers 27 Bengals 17