Admin December 13, 2024
NFL Week 15 picks: Consider Lions, Chiefs and Bengals on Sunday
Lorenzo Reyes explains why he likes the Lions, Chiefs and Bengals in Week 15.
We’ve entered the NFL’s witching month. When good teams become bad and, bad teams become good.
It’s the holiday season and end-of-year daze for NFL players who are also trying to get to January. While some set their sights on the playoffs, others are eying up nice vacations for the offseason. It’s not all fun and games, however. Players and coaches have jobs to save, especially on the teams heading for a top draft pick.
That’s where things get wonky. Motivation is a key factor this time of year, making for some attractive underdog spots in the season’s final weeks.
Provided we pick the right ones, there’s tons of money to be made in these markets. It might be the difference between socks or that new expensive tech gadget under the tree.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite lines for Week 15’s Sunday action courtesy of BetMGM.
Best picks against the spread NFL Week 15
Detroit Lions (-2.5) vs. Buffalo Bills
The Motor City is being treated to a potential Super Bowl preview in the late window on Sunday. For our purposes, that represents a chance to back the home team laying less than a field goal. Despite their injuries, these Lions are no joke. They are in their post “Wizard of Oz” phase, having the courage to stand up and become part of the NFL’s elite.
This matchup features the league’s two highest-scoring offenses, averaging more than 30 points per game. The Bills fell victim to a letdown spot in Week 14 and don’t have a soft landing spot in Week 15 to get back on track. They’ve already clinched the AFC East and find the No. 1 seed slipping away with just a few games left. At this point, Buffalo can coast to the playoffs, hoping to remain healthy for when the games really matter again in January.
On the other hand, Detroit is still battling the Eagles for the top seed and the Vikings for the NFC North. It’s clear which team needs to have their foot on the gas in Week 15. That shouldn’t be too difficult with a dominant offense featuring arguably the league’s best offensive line and running back duo.
Even with their injuries on defense, the Lions don’t seem to be impacted too much. Plus, everything head coach Dan Campbell touches this season turns to gold. Jared Goff’s slip on fourth down last week didn’t hurt them, while Sean McDermott’s call for a quarterback sneak from Josh Allen doomed Buffalo. We’ll back the NFL’s best team this year and the better coaching staff to win by at least three at home in a high-scoring affair.
Best upset picks of NFL Week 15
Dallas Cowboys (+3) at Carolina Panthers
Dec. 18, 2022. That was 33 games ago, the last time the Panthers were favorites in an NFL matchup. That changes on Sunday, Dec. 15, nearly two years after they welcome the Cowboys to the Queen City. The Panthers are 3-10 and, granted, are playing much better lately. In the last three weeks, they’ve nearly knocked off the Eagles, Buccaneers and Chiefs, but almost only counts in horseshoes. While Dallas is a step down in competition, Carolina has been an easy opponent to overlook the last couple of seasons. The Cowboys are desperate for a win. They hung with the Bengals until their punt disaster swung the Monday night contest in Cincinnati’s direction. Considering the Cowboys are better on the road than at home in 2024, we’ll gladly take a shot at them keeping it within a field goal.
Cleveland Browns (+4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Maybe seeing the 3-10 Browns as just four-point underdogs against the 12-1 Chiefs is a surprise. Maybe it’s not. You be the judge. Regardless, Kansas City has been playing with fire since the confetti rained down on them in February. Whether it was Isaiah Likely‘s toe in Week 1, a late penalty in Week 2 or Aidan O’Connell‘s fumble on Black Friday, these Chiefs continue to defy the odds. If you flipped a coin 100 times, probability dictates that you’d end up with an even split between heads and tails. In 2024, you’d get 100 Chiefs logos.
Now that’s not to be a hater, but a realist. These Chiefs are due for a loss; situationally, Week 15 is a good spot for that. They are fresh off another last-second win, this time coming over the Chargers to clinch the AFC West. K.C. has to travel to Cleveland for a potentially rainy contest by the lake to kick off a stretch that will see them play three games in 11 days. Thanks to the Bills’ loss in Week 14, the Chiefs now boast a two-game lead in the loss column for the AFC’s top seed with just four to go.
The Browns can be a frisky bunch, with any variety of outcomes being plausible with Jameis Winston at quarterback. All the factors point to Cleveland. Don’t be surprised if they come out as winners at the end of the early window’s witching hour.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+5.5) at Philadelphia Eagles
Speaking of teams blessed by a higher power this season, we welcome the Steelers to this week’s underdog selections. Pittsburgh isn’t the most impressive team you’ll ever see, and they don’t play the prettiest brand of football, but they win and win a lot. Geared up for a battle for Pennsylvania bragging rights, we like Pittsburgh to keep it close in Philadelphia.
This week has been filled with talk of a potential rift between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. While the sides deny that to be true, it’s no secret that the Eagles boast one of the league’s worst passing and best rushing attacks. The path to slowing them down is fairly simple: stop Saquon Barkley, and you’ll be well on your way to a possible victory. The Steelers boast a defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (91.5). Both sides are second-half teams and should make for a close game throughout. Take the points.