2021 NFL Week 15 Picks

Kansas City Chiefs (-3, 52) at LA Chargers 8:20 pm - Both teams are coming off easy wins, the Chiefs hammering the Raiders (and likely pushing them out of post-season contention) 48-9, while the Chargers easily handled the Giants, 37-21.

First place in the AFC West is on the line as the Chiefs, winners of six straight, have a one-game lead in the division, but the Chargers took the first meeting, in Kansas City, 30-24, in week three. Kansas City has straightened out its defense significantly. They've allowed just nine points in each of their last three games, all wins, over Dallas, Denver, and Las Vegas.

Coin Flip: LA Chargers

Prediction: Chiefs 31 Chargers 17

Saturday, December 18

Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns (-3, 40) 4:30 pm - Moved to Monday, December 20, 5:00 pm.

New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts (-2, 45 1/2) 8:15 pm - Super game for an NFL Saturday night. Both teams are coming off bye weeks and are looking to close out the season with playoff runs. The Patriots lead the AFC East by a commanding two-game margin, while the Colts seek a wild card placing or possibly catching the Titans in the AFC South. Indy trails the Titans by two games.

New England has reeled off seven straight wins, currently the longest streak in the league. The Colts are in good position for a playoff berth, but they have plenty of company for the wild card slots.

New England's defense has been rock solid allowing just 36 points over their last five games. The offense is more than adequate and Bill Belichick is a master in crucial games like this.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Prediction: Patriots 24 Colts 20

Sunday, December 19

Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills (-10 1/2, 43 1/2) 1:00 pm - Buffalo is clinging to what now have become slimmer playoff hopes after losing in overtime at Tampa Bay last week, 33-27. The Panthers lost a key game at home to Atlanta, 29-21, nearly ending any potential for post-season play at 5-8.

Buffalo is just 3-3 at home, while the Panthers have the same mark on the road. Buffalo's defense is third, league-wide, in points allowed and the Panthers just don't score well against quality foes.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Prediction: Bills 30 Panthers 14

NY Jets at Miami Dolphins (-8 1/2, 42) 1:00 pm - Miami remains in the playoff picture, coming off a bye while the Jets were blasted by the Saints, 30-9. The Dolphins already have beaten the Jets once this season, 24-17, in week 11, and look to double their pleasure by hosting their divisional foes. At 6-7, Miami needs every win they can get and this one looks somewhat easy.

The Dolphins have won five straight.

Coin Flip: NY Jets

Prediction: Dolphins 27 Jets 10

Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles (-4 1/2, 44) 1:00 pm - Moved to Tuesday, December 21, 7:00 pm.

Arizona Cardinals (-13 1/2, 47 1/2) at Detroit Lions 1:00 pm - This should be the blowout of the week. This is literally the best team in the league against the worst, record-wise. The Lions were blown out at Denver, 38-10, after a tie, a three-point loss at Cleveland, a two-point loss to the Bears, and a 29-27 win over Minnesota.

Arizona lost to the Rams, 30-23, Monday night and have to travel, but, they are 7-0 in road games this season, a stat that says it all.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Prediction: Cardinals 38 Lions 13

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3, 39 1/2) 1:00 pm - The Jaguars may be able to produce some offense against the Texans after being shut out by the Titans, 20-0. Houston's defense didn't offer much resistance against Seattle last Sunday in a 33-13 defeat, dropping the Texans to 2-11. The Jags share the same record and should play better at home.

Coin Flip: Houston

Prediction: Jaguars 23 Texans 14

Dallas Cowboys (-10 1/2, 44 1/2) at NY Giants 1:00 pm - The Dallas defense bullied Washington through a brutal first half, but then allowed the Football Team to nearly tie the game late, though the insurrection was put down by some more timely defensive plays for the 27-20 win.

Outmanned against just about every .500 or better team in the league, the Giants have no chance at a playoff spot, so may be trying out some marginal players, a move that could make what looks to be a Cowboy romp even worse. Dallas topped them in week five, 44-20.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Prediction: Cowboys 34 Giants 14

Tennessee Titans (-1 1/2, 41 1/2) at Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 pm - Pittsburgh came up short in their comeback attempt at Minnesota last Thursday, losing, 36-28. At least they've had some time to heal up as they host the very physical Titans. At 6-6-1, the Steelers still have an outside chance for the playoffs, but their schedule is tough with Kansas City, Cleveland and Baltimore to close out the season.

Since losing Derrick Henry for the season, Tennessee hasn't done badly, winning three of five and maintaining a two-game lead in the AFC South over Indy. Look for the Titans to rough up the Steelers and take a step closer to a playoff berth.

Coin Flip: Pittsburgh

Prediction: Titans 32 Steelers 21

Click here for late games.

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