NFL Picks Week 15: Nine Lives

The New Orleans Saints face the Carolina Panthers in the Caesars Superdome this week. Despite a win a week ago, the Saints still find themselves at the bottom of the NFC South and in position to still end up with a top-3 pick in next year’s draft. Despite that fact, they have already beaten these Panthers, in Carolina no less, just over a month ago, and are looking to do it again, this time in New Orleans. Carolina may be on the precipice of overtaking the NFC South, but the Saints will have a lot to say about how this division race unfolds. Carolina seemed dead and buried in the division not long ago, but those cats seem to really have nine lives, and hopefully that Saints can snatch another one like they did back in Week 10. Let’s take a look at this and all of the upcoming action in Week 15.

Last week, I went 6-8 (ugh)

I told you so: Packers over Bears!

What do I know: Bucs over Saints?

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WEEK 15

Thursday, December 11th – Thursday Night Football

Falcons(4-9) at Buccaneers(7-6)

During the first eight weeks of this season, the Bucs stood firmly atop the NFC South and amongst the best of the NFC as a whole, now they are staring straight at one of the more remarkable collapses this season. A game-winning field goal by the lowly Falcons will take the Bucs out of first place in the division for the first time this season. Atlanta wins 29-26.

Pick: Falcons

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Sunday, December 14th – Early Games

Browns(3-10) at Bears(9-4)

Chicago will bounce back from a tough loss last week, by disposing of the sad-sack Browns. Chicago wins 23-14.

Pick: Bears

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Ravens(6-7) at Bengals(4-9)

Both teams suffered massively consequential losses last week, but it will be Joe Burrow’s Bengals that rebound first over Lamar Jackson’s Ravens in an AFC North thriller. Cincinnati wins 35-30.

Pick: Bengals

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Cardinals(3-10) at Texans(8-5)

Houston has been on an absolute tear, winning five-straight, beating all three division rivals as well as last season’s AFC finalists in that stretch. Their defense has been stellar and will have as easy a test as they can get against Arizona. Houston wins 21-10.

Pick: Texans

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Jets(3-10) at Jaguars(9-4)

Jacksonville has roared into first place in the AFC South, but they won’t have as easy of a time against the Jets as they might expect. The Jets will keep this game respectable, but the Jags win it at home. Jacksonville wins 23-20.

Pick: Jaguars

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Chargers(9-4) at Chiefs(6-7)

Kansas City’s season has fallen off a cliff and the only hope of grabbing a rope is winning this game at home, which they will… barely. KC stays alive for another week. Kansas City wins 22-19

Pick: Chiefs

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