Admin December 9, 2024
NFL Overreactions Week 14
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the biggest NFL storylines from Week 14.
Sports Seriously
Whether the NFL schedule makers intended it this way or not, Week 15 has the potential to set the tone for the final stretch of the 2024 regular season.
There are impactful matchups all over the week’s slate, starting with a huge NFC West matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on “Thursday Night Football.” Then comes Sunday, when late afternoon games featuring the Detroit Lions hosting the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers heading east across Pennsylvania to play the Philadelphia Eagles could wind up being Super Bowl previews.
But those aren’t the only games that could alter the NFL playoff race with just four weeks of games remaining in the regular season. Analysts are already weighing in on what might happen with postseason berths still up for grabs. Here is an early look at picks and predictions for every game on the Week 15 schedule:
NFL Week 15 game predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 9
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 12
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Spread: 49ers (-2.5)
∎ Arizona Republic: 49ers 24, Rams 23
“The Rams beat the 49ers at home in Week 3, 27-24. We expect a similar game this week. This is a must-win game for the 49ers are we expect them to play like it.”
∎ Pro Football Network: 49ers 30, Rams 27
“This game has taken on a very different complexion after the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers’ two important wins in Week 14. Both teams remain very much in the fight for the NFC West, which could go down to the final week. … This game has the feeling of being won by whoever has the ball last.”
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Panthers (-1)
∎ ESPN: Pick the Panthers
“If (the Panthers) close as a favorite over the Cowboys, it will be the first game in which Carolina is favored in the last 34 contests. … The Panthers have an excellent running game, which has given the Cowboys’ defense fits all season. Bryce Young has gone from total liability to pleasant playmaker.”
∎ Bookies.com: Panthers win
“Bryce Young revitalized his career – or at least his progress in terms of a QB – in the second half of this season. The Panthers have only won twice since September 22. But they covered in five straight games after nearly beating Philly (in Week 14).”
Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Huntington Bank Field
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Chiefs (-5.5)
∎ ESPN: Cleveland can cover this spread
“The Browns have gone 2-1 in their past three home games, all against playoff-level competition, defeating the Steelers and Ravens and losing to the Chargers. The Chiefs have now gone five straight games without winning by more than three points.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Chiefs 27, Browns 20
“The Chiefs just find ways to win, somehow, some way. Patrick Mahomes will find another way to win in Cleveland.”
Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium (Houston)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Texans (-3)
∎ BetMGM: Go with Houston
“Miami lives and dies by the pass. This season, Mike McDaniel’s side is 2-6 straight up when passing for under 250 yards. Otherwise, they’re 4-1. … This season, only two teams have passed for more than 250 yards against Houston’s defense.”
∎ Covers.com: Bet on the Texans
Houston is “the healthiest it’s been since Week 1, thanks to the (bye). C.J. Stroud and the Texans are also one of the most capable offenses the Dolphins have faced in a while, and we’ve watched Miami suffer losses to elite QBs like Jordan Love and Josh Allen.”
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Jets (-3)
∎ Pro Football Network: Jets 20, Jaguars 13
“We’ve seen some signs of life from Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets offense in recent weeks. In their last three games, they are averaging 24.7 points per game. Unfortunately, they’ve been let down by a defense that has allowed 28.7 points per game in the same span. Still, they should be too much for a Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars team.”
∎ Bookies.com: Take the Jaguars as underdogs
“The 3-10 Jags have performed admirably against the spread at 7-6. That’s two games better than Kansas City on the line. By the way, (Mac) Jones is 5-0 straight up and against the spread against the Jets in his career (all as a member of the Patriots).”
Washington Commanders at New Orleans Saints
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Commanders (-7.5)
∎ Arizona Republic: Commanders 27, Saints 17
“This is a must-win game for New Orleans, which does benefit from playing at home. Problem is, the Saints are just 3-4 at home this season and Washington is coming off a bye.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Commanders 30, Saints 10
“After what we just saw from the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, plus the added uncertainty around Derek Carr, the Washington Commanders very much appear to be the play this week. They have the advantage regarding the metrics, ranking well ahead of the Saints on offense and just below them defensively.”
Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Ravens (-15)
∎ BetMGM: Ravens win big
“Baltimore has covered this number only once this season, but New York isn’t well-equipped to exploit the Ravens defensive weakness.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Ravens 27, Giants 13
“The Ravens are the biggest favorite of the week in NFL Week 15 odds and for good reason. They should roll over the Giants, but that point spread is very large.”
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Bengals (-5)
∎ Pro Football Network: Bengals 24, Titans 17
“This is a really weird game because there’s a lot at play here, but likely very little for either side to actually play for. Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan will face his former team, one he knows very well. However, that goes both ways and could mean we see a really intriguing chess match … The line feels lopsided to the Bengals, but they have beaten four teams ranked in the bottom 10 of our rankings by over 10 points per game.”
∎ Bookies.com: Lay 3.5 points with Cincinnati
“The Titans have the worst record of any NFL against the spread this season. … The Bengals had the No. 1 passing offense in the NFL, and the Titans had the No. 1 passing defense ahead of Week 14. But both teams allow points. The Titans will give up a few more this time.”
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Cardinals (-6.5)
∎ Arizona Republic: Cardinals 24, Patriots 20
“The Cardinals’ postseason chances are hanging by a thread. They’ll find a way to keep them alive at least for another week.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Cardinals 27, Patriots 16
“The Arizona Cardinals’ season is falling apart since their bye, with three straight losses, including two to the Seahawks. They have to stop the rot this week with the New England Patriots coming to town, or their playoff hopes are all but done. … The Patriots have been a tough out for teams this season, but the Cardinals have proven in the last six weeks that they can beat up below-average teams.”
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Broncos (-4)
∎ Bookies.com: Ride the Broncos
“The Colts need a win here and a loss by the Texans to keep their long-shot hopes alive in the AFC South. The Broncos (8-5) have delivered for bettors all season. Denver is tied with Pittsburgh with an NFL-best 10-3 against the spread record. The Broncos have covered in 7 straight games. … Defense remains the hidden story with the Broncos.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Broncos 27, Colts 21
“This is a must-win game for the Colts, but the Broncos have won three in a row and are tough to beat in Denver.”
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m.
- Location: Ford Field (Detroit)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Lions (-1.5)
∎ Pro Football Network: Lions 35, Bills 33
“The metrics say that the Detroit Lions are the better team across the board, with the Buffalo Bills lagging behind them by some distance defensively and on special teams. The Lions have also played a slightly tougher schedule. This game has the makings of being a high-scoring one, which makes the line tough to judge.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Lions 31, Bills 28
“We really wanted to pick the Bills in this game, but the Lions have won 11 games in a row and Buffalo is just 4-3 away from Highmark Stadium this season. Josh Allen will impress again, but the Lions will win in a thriller.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Chargers (-3)
∎ BetMGM: Go with Tampa Bay
“While recognizing it has come against an easy set of defenses, the Bucs’ offense has radically improved with Mike Evans back in the lineup. … Los Angeles’s defensive metrics have taken a dive as they’ve begun to face better offenses.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Buccaneers 24, Chargers 21
“The game in SoFi Stadium will be one of those strength-on-strength and weakness-on-weakness matchups. The Buccaneers’ offense will have to try and crack a very good Chargers’ defense, while Tampa’s defense (which has struggled for most of the year) will get its biggest test since the bye.”
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Eagles (-5)
∎ ESPN: Take the points with Pittsburgh
“The fact that the Eagles wide receivers were so critical of the passing game after Philadelphia’s win over the Panthers caught my attention. On one hand, maybe it’s just a realistic self-critique. On the other, maybe it’s a sign of more trouble than their 11-2 record would suggest.”
∎ Bookies.com: Steelers cover
“Philly has the second-worst passing offense in the NFL (180.6 YPG). Russell Wilson and the Steelers have – surprise – the No. 10 scoring offense in the NFL at 24.8 PPG. This one might come down to an aerial show between Wilson and Hurts. The fewest mistakes win.”
Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Field (Seattle)
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
- Spread: Packers (-3)
∎ Arizona Republic: Packers 28, Seahawks 20
“The Seahawks have won four straight games to take the NFC West lead, but are just 3-4 at home. The Packers are 4-2 on the road and will be motivated after their close loss to the Lions.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Packers 27, Seahawks 20
“The metrics give the edge to the Packers, who have a superior offense but trail behind the Seahawks in defense and special teams. Green Bay has faced the second-hardest schedule to date, though, while Seattle’s played the 13th-hardest. Those numbers reinforce why the Packers are narrow road favorites.”
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
- Date: Monday, Dec. 16
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
- TV: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
- Spread: Vikings (-6.5)
∎ Bookies.com: Lay the points with Minnesota
“Sam Darnold hasn’t gotten much love from oddsmakers in the chase for ‘Comeback Player Of The Year.’ But the Vikings don’t care. His newly discovered steady hand has led the Vikings to unexpected success … Thomas Brown got no bounce Sunday as the Bears got walloped 38-13 by the 49ers in his interim coaching debut.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Vikings 28, Bears 17
“Sorry, Chicago fans. We just can’t pick a team that is 0-6 on the road, with seven straight losses overall, to beat a team that is 6-1 at home with a six-game winning streak.”
Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders
- Date: Monday, Dec. 16
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
- Spread: Falcons (-4.5)
∎ Pro Football Network: Falcons 24, Raiders 13
“Atlanta should win, and facing their former QB (Desmond Ridder) won’t hurt them, given that he didn’t play for them in this current scheme. If the Falcons don’t win this game and do so convincingly, they will virtually crown the Buccaneers as the NFC South winners if Tampa Bay wins in Los Angeles on Sunday.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Falcons 27, Raiders 14
“The Falcons have lost four straight games to go from 6-3 to 6-7 on the season. But the Raiders? They have lost nine straight. If Kirk Cousins and company can’t win this game, the Falcons really should consider switching to Michael Penix Jr. at QB.”
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.