NFL Week 15 Picks & Predictions For Sunday, December 19, 2010
By Anthony Rome
We hand out picks and predictions for some of Sunday’s marquee games, including the big AFC South showdown between the Colts and the Seahawks. Read on for our NFL Week 15 Picks & Predictions.
Falcons vs. Seahawks
The Falcons have covered in five straight, which usually means they’re due for a letdown. They’ve also played two straight on the road and now have to travel cross-country to play a Seattle team fighting for first place in the NFC West. So take the points and the home team right? Well, no. The Falcons can clinch a playoff berth with a win and move closer to earning the top seed in the NFC. They’re not going to break focus now and the Seahawks are severely overmatched. Look for the Falcons to grind down the Seahawks with Michael Turner and their running game and take shots over the top with Matt Ryan and Roddy White. Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last five games as a favorite and 5-0 ATS in its last five games overall. According to NFL Week 15 odds and oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, Atlanta is a 6-point favorite. Our pick is the Falcons –6.
Jaguars vs. Colts
This should be a great game from start to finish. The Jaguars have a habit of keeping things close with the Colts, as they've covered in five of the last six games between these two teams. The road team is also 6-1 against the number in the last seven meetings between these two teams, so a play on Jacksonville could be wise. That said, we think there's more value in the over. The over is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams according to latest NFL trends and both of these squads are scoring over 50% of the time they reach the red zone. The Colts' defense has also been incredibly soft over the past couple of weeks and Jacksonville's secondary can be had through the air (Peyton Manning is probably licking his chops right now). While the Jags will likely keep the ball on the ground with Maurice Jones-Drew, if they get behind they'll have to throw and that could lead to a couple of late scores to help push the total over. Our pick is the over 48.
Chiefs vs. Rams
The Chiefs should get Matt Cassel back this week but it may take some time for him to get into rhythm. The Rams have been extremely tough at home this year and they know that with the Seahawks playing the 11-2 Falcons later in the day, they have a great chance to open up a one-game lead in the NFC West with a victory. St. Louis is 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games following an ATS loss and 9-3 ATS in the last 12 games overall. They're also 4-1 ATS in their last five games and 4-1 ATS in their last five games on turf. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are 1-4 ATS in their last five games in Week 15 and 1-7 ATS in their last eight games in December. Sam Bradford continues to give St. Louis a fighting chance every week. Our pick is the Rams +1.
Cardinals vs. Panthers
Ugh. What do you do with this game? Both teams are garbage and while it would be easy to back the Cardinals after they destroyed the Broncos last Sunday, it's hard what to make of John Skelton. Neither of these teams have anything to play for and both offenses can be putrid, which is why we think there's value in the under. The under is 20-6 in the Panthers' last 26 games as a home favorite and 34-15-2 in their last 51 games at Bank of America Stadium. Both teams will look to keep the ball on the ground - especially the Panthers, who had a ton of success running the ball with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson last Sunday against Atlanta. Our pick is the under 38.