NFL Week 15 Pick ‘Em: Kirk Cousins no match for Buccaneers defence

From right here on out, there are not any extra bye weeks within the NFL.

One of the 16 video games in Week 15 is the Seattle Seahawks internet hosting the Indianapolis Colts, and we may see Philip Rivers, a 44-year-old grandfather who hasn’t performed since 2020, take over the Colts’ beginning quarterback function.

Additionally, we’ll have the Buffalo Bills on the highway in opposition to the New England Patriots in a high-stakes divisional showdown. The Patriots lead the AFC East by two video games over the Bills.

Will Rivers shock the world? Will the Bills, who’ve +850 Super Bowl odds, take down the Patriots?

See my predictions for a full slate of video games beneath.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins has accomplished 57.1 per cent of his passes for 396 yards, one landing and two interceptions over his final two video games.

The Falcons scored 9 factors final week in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, Cousins will face a Buccaneers defence that’s eighth within the NFL in pressures with 196.

PREDICTION: Buccaneers -4.5 (-110)

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals went on the highway a few weeks in the past and beat the Ravens 32-14.

Now, they’re at residence in opposition to them and coming off a 34-point efficiency in a shedding effort to the Buffalo Bills.

QB Joe Burrow will proceed to hold the Bengals to excessive offensive output, particularly in opposition to a Ravens defence that’s allowed 253.3 passing yards over its final three video games, twenty eighth within the NFL in that span.

PREDICTION: Bengals +2.5 (-110)

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

This is the toughest recreation of the week to choose, however I predict the Bills come out on prime.

Buffalo has allowed 76 speeding yards per recreation over its final three (second in that span) and 171.8 passing yards per recreation (second) over the course of this season.

That will probably be sufficient to flee with a win.

PREDICTION: Bills -1 (-105)

New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders

The Commanders primarily play cover-3, and Giants QB Jaxson Dart has accomplished 68.1 per cent of his passes for 5 touchdowns in opposition to that defence.

Couple that with Dart’s speeding capability (337 yards and 7 touchdowns), and I predict the Giants win and canopy.

PREDICTION: Giants -2 (-110)

Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns

Against cover-1 and cover-3, the 2 coverages the Browns play most frequently, Bears QB Caleb Williams is averaging 7.3 yards per try with 10 touchdowns and one interception.

The Browns are sixteenth within the NFL with 177 pressures, however the Bears have allowed 20 sacks, tied for the third-fewest.

PREDICTION: Bears -7.5 (-110)

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers QB Justin Herbert did have an interception and two fumbles in opposition to the Eagles in his first recreation after surgical procedure on his non-throwing wrist. He additionally ran 10 occasions for 66 yards, and the Chargers’ defence got here up large with 4 interceptions to win the sport 22-19.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes hasn’t performed properly currently, both. He had 4 landing passes in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, however from Weeks 9 to 12 and in Week 14, he mixed for one passing landing and 6 interceptions.

PREDICTION: Chargers +4.5 (-110)

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders QB Geno Smith’s standing is up within the air this week, however whether or not he performs or not, this Raiders offensive line nonetheless wants to guard its QB from an Eagles move rush that’s tied for the third-most pressures with 205.

The Raiders have allowed a league-leading 50 sacks.

PREDICTION: Eagles -11 (-110)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

The Jets could possibly be with out each Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields, who’re coping with accidents, which may imply undrafted rookie Brady Cook is underneath centre.

In aid of Taylor final week, Cook accomplished 46.7 per cent of his passes for 163 yards and two interceptions.

Sure, every week of apply will assist, however this offence will stay stagnant.

PREDICTION: Jaguars -12.5 (-105)

Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Texans are tied for third in pressures (205), second in turnover differential (plus-12) and tied for second in interceptions (15).

Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett has accomplished 45.5 per cent of his passes with seven turnover-worthy performs whereas underneath duress.

PREDICTION: Texans -9.5 (-115)

Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers

The Broncos offence has been up and down this season, however I belief their defence on this recreation.

Denver’s defensive unit is second within the NFL in pressures (212). While the Packers have solely allowed 18 sacks, QB Jordan Love has been pressured on 37.7 per cent of his dropbacks. When underneath duress, he’s averaging 4.7 yards per try and go along with no touchdowns, two interceptions and eight turnover-worthy performs.

PREDICTION: Broncos +2.5 (-110)

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions

The Rams principally play zone protection, and in opposition to that, Goff has accomplished 72.5 per cent of his passes.

On the opposite aspect, the Lions play Cover-1 and Cover-3 most frequently, and Rams QB Matthew Stafford has 13 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Expect a shootout, however one by which the Lions preserve it shut sufficient to cowl.

PREDICTION: Lions +5.5 (-110)

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers

The Saints could have one thing in QB Tyler Shough. Last week, he accomplished 65 per cent of his passes and scored twice on the bottom.

The week earlier than that, he accomplished 68.4 per cent of his passes for 2 touchdowns.

The Saints took down the Panthers 17-7 a couple of weeks in the past with Shough underneath centre.

I’ll take the factors at residence.

PREDICTION: Saints +2.5 (-102)

San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans

Opposing QBs have confronted zone defence on 77.5 per cent of their dropbacks in opposition to the 49ers.

When going through zone, Titans QB Cam Ward has averaged 5.8 yards per try and tossed one landing to 5 picks.

PREDICTION: 49ers -12.5 (-110)

Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts

Whether it’s Riley Leonard, Brett Rypien or Rivers underneath centre, I battle to search out eventualities by which the Colts can rating.

The Seahawks have allowed 91.2 speeding yards per recreation (fourth) this season and, over their final three, have given up 160.7 passing yards (sixth in that span) per recreation.

The Colts have a superb offensive line, which can assist fend off some stress, however I’m unsure the place the scoring will come from.

PREDICTION: Seahawks -13.5 (-110)

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy seemed like an NFL QB final week, finishing 69.6 per cent of his passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, he’ll face a Cowboys defence that’s allowed 261 or extra passing yards to opposing signal-callers in every of their final three video games.

The Cowboys offence wins in a shootout, however the Vikings preserve it shut.

PREDICTION: Vikings +6 (-115)

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been enjoying properly lately, selecting off six passes over their final 4 video games and profitable all 4.

Sure, three of these video games had been in opposition to the Jets, Saints and Commanders, however this week, they’re at residence in opposition to a Steelers defence that’s allowed 244 passing yards per recreation (twenty eighth).

Not solely that, however the Steelers have surrendered 188.3 speeding yards per outing over their final three (thirty first in that span).

PREDICTION: Dolphins +3.5 (-115)