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Triple Zeros – The Review-Preview: 2022 NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs 2nd Round

Triple Zeros

The Review-Preview: 2022 NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs 2nd Round

This episode of Triple Zeros kicks off with some NFL Draft discussion. The Chicago Bears made some interesting choices with their Day 2 and 3 picks. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Mitchell Trubisky found themselves as clear losers despite both being veterans and former high draft picks themselves. A.J. Brown and Hollywood Brown both find themselves in better situations after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals, respectively. What does it mean for their old teams? New Minnesota Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah got flamed after his trade with the Detroit Lions netted less than expected.

On the NBA side, wrapping up the first round of the playoffs. What is next for the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks after varying levels of disappointment in their first-round matchups? The Utah Jazz appear headed for a Rudy Gobert–Donovan Mitchell break up while the Minnesota Timberwolves need Karl-Anthony Towns to put up or shut up. Nikola Jokic needs Jamal Murray back from a rehab process the guard has admitted has been mentally challenging. The Toronto Raptors have a brighter future than the Brooklyn Nets. Plus picks for the second round!

Anchor | Apple | Spotify

Heavy on Bulls

Last Word on Pro Football

Soaring Down South

Follow the show on Facebook and Twitter (@3ZerosPod, @JoshGBuck, @ClockerSports) and visit ClockerSport.com today!

Shows

Triple Zeros – “All of the Smoke”

Triple Zeros

Brandon Staley Wants “All of the Smoke”

Triple Zeros: Does Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley trust the analytics too much? He certainly doesn’t think so. Urban Meyer’s tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t end soon enough judging from the statement by rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

It might be difficult for Chicago Bears fans to hear, Aaron Rodgers probably isn’t going anywhere. Plus, is Baker Mayfield right about the NFL’s handling of COVID testing after several games get re-scheduled this weekend?

Speaking of, over 70 players have gone into health & safety protocols in the last week with the number growing every day. Are we nearing a pause for a couple of weeks is in order for teams to get healthy? Kevin Durant isn’t here for the backhanded compliments Skip Bayless tries to give him despite the latter’s insistence he “loves” the MVP hopeful.

As for the award, Zach Lowe of ESPN thinks it is stupid for Nikola Jokic to be left out of the NBA MVP discussion. And, with Zion Williamson needing an injection to speed up the healing process in his foot, things are murky as ever with regards to the future for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Anchor | Apple | Spotify

Last Word on Pro Football

Pippen Ain’t Easy

Soaring Down South

Follow the show on Facebook and Twitter (@3ZerosPod, @JoshGBuck, @ClockerSports) and visit ClockerSport.com today!

News

Philip Rivers vs Josh Allen Leads Super Wild Card Weekend

The NFL is in full playoff mode as everyone gears up for the first-ever “Super Wild Card” round. That just means that an extra team has been added to each conference’s playoff field, making it seven teams each from the AFC and NFC and 14 in total. But the additional entrants won’t be diluting the on-field product as we have a slew of great matchups ahead this weekend.

Previewing Super Wild Card Matchups

Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills

There’s a new sheriff running the AFC East and it’s the Buffalo Bills who won the division for the first time since 1995. Led by MVP-candidate Josh Allen at quarterback, the Bills unlocked their offense with the acquisition of Stefon Diggs in the offseason. Buffalo is second in points and yards this season; their highest marks since the 1992 season.

If “building from the trenches out” was a team, it would be the Indianapolis Colts. Aside from their heavy (and wise) investment in their offensive line, they also traded a first-round pick for DeForest Buckner to bolster their run defense. They then supplemented that with drafting players like Johnathan Taylor and Darius Leonard. Philip Rivers just has to take care of the football most of the time.

This is a matchup of the fourth (Buffalo) and 10th-ranked (Indianapolis) teams in DVOA, per Football Outsiders with Buffalo obviously having the edge. But the Colts defense, ranked seventh to the Bills 12th, could be the equalizer here. Buffalo is extremely reliant on the passing game and the Colts are top-10 in both pass and rush defense DVOA, with their pass defense ranking slightly higher. Meanwhile, Buffalo can check Rivers but could struggle with Taylor who ran for 253 yards in Week 17.

Prediction: Colts 24-21

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

It’s always a thriller when division opponents face off. Knowing your opponent well levels the playing field or completely making it no contest. It’s the former for these teams as the Los Angeles Rams have been playing Seattle tough since before they were a good team themselves. Now, after John Wolford got them into the playoffs in Jared Goff’s stead in Week 17, they get the chance to make it count for something.

The Seattle Seahawks are riding a heater. After starting the year 5-0, they hit a bump in the road, going 3-4 over their next seven and losing to two playoff teams in the process. But they’ve won four straight and will host this game, for whatever that’s worth with no fans in attendance. And the addition of Carlos Dunlap has added teeth to the pass rush that was led by safety Jamal Adams. They’ve also turned from letting Russell Wilson “cook” to a more balanced attack.

L.A. is the only team in the NFC West Wilson has a losing record against (8-10) which includes being 3-5 against the Sean McVay-led version. But Seattle won the last meeting between the two in Week 16 20-6, in Los Angeles. Perhaps they’ve figured something out between the added juice to the pass rush that neutralizes Goff. They’ll need to in order to come away with a win.

Prediction: Rams 31-27

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Football Team

In our first “David vs Goliath” matchup of the weekend, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Washington to face the team with no name. It’s Tampa’s first playoff berth since 2007 and, given where the differences between this year’s roster and last year’s, is in no small thanks to Tom Brady. Of course, adding Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin doesn’t hurt either.

The Washington Football Team shouldn’t be here, and that’s not in reference to them having a losing record. A team that has gone through four different starting quarterbacks and settled on the one that had 17 surgeries to his leg isn’t supposed to be in the playoffs. But, led by a defense ranked third in DVOA, they present an interesting challenge. Not in the secondary as the Bucs are loaded. But the Washington pass rush is third in Pass Rush Win Rate, per ESPN whereas Tampa is just 17th in Pass Block Win Rate, per ESPN.

As much as it would be a cool story for the Football Team to pull off the monumental upset, we have to be realistic. Tampa is far more talented and has much more leeway for the slow starts and mistakes that have plagued them throughout the year. But they need to remember what happened to the Steelers. Dawdling too long will see Washinton walk away victorious.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31-14

Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans

Sunday’s first game is a bit of a throwback. These are the first and second-ranked teams in rushing this season even though they go about it in a different way. The Baltimore Ravens focus in the ground game is quarterback Lamar Jackson who became the first quarterback in the NFL with multiple 1000-yard rushing seasons. Baltimore is having a “down” year compared to last, but they are still averaging 37-plus points per game over their last five.

This season, Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans became just the eighth person in NFL history to rush for 2000 yards. H also was the first to do so without a Pro Bowl offensive lineman. In a league that constantly reminds you why you don’t pay running backs, Henry is bucking the trend and proving you can still build around the position. You need a Ryan Tannehill to fill in the appropriate gaps, though, and the work the Titans have done there might be their best.

These teams met back in Week 11; a game the Titans won in overtime 30-24. Added to Jackson’s postseason struggles and it’s easy to see a path to a Titans win. Their biggest defensive weakness is also Jackson’s: the passing game. If they can manage to keep him in the pocket they can make short order of the Ravens. But the Tennessee pass rush is mediocre at best. If they are forced to rely on Tannehill this game will play right into Baltimore’s hands.

Prediction: Titans 31-28

Chicago Bears @ New Orleans Saints

Make no mistake about it, the Chicago Bears are a playoff team only because the NFL expanded the field. But that isn’t to say they haven’t done their best to rebound from a mid-season skid that saw them lose six straight games. They were 3-1 over the final of the season and were among the top-scoring teams in that span. In control of their own destiny entering Week 17, they failed to take out the “big brother” Green Bay Packers.

The New Orleans Saints are a powerhouse. So much so they went 3-1 in the four games Drew Brees missed with cracked ribs. And they’ve done it without Michael Thomas for most of the season. Thomas should rejoin the team for this one as the Saints look to give Brees the chance to go out on top if reports that this could be the last hurrah for the surefire Hall of Famer prove to be accurate.

Chicago hasn’t beaten the Saints since 2008 and hasn’t won in the Superdome since 2002. They’ve played each of the last two seasons, including back in Week 8. New Orleans has won both meetings by an average of 31-24 and is fifth in scoring, offensively and defensively, this season. The Bears are also dealing with injuries to key players like Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson. Does Chicago have a chance to pull the upset? Yes, but it isn’t a good one.

Prediction: Saints 34-17

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Cleveland Browns are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and they got there by beating the team they’ll face in the Super Wild Card round; albeit with a bunch of backups playing. Their 11-5 record is their best since 1994, Bill Belichick’s second to last year at the helm. Nick Chubb will have to find whatever cracks he can in the defense because bad things tend to happen when they rely on Baker Mayfield.

Many people called the Pittsburgh Steelers the most fraudulent 11-0 in history. A three-game skid that began with a loss to the Football Team reinforced that notion. Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a comeback victory in Week 16 over the Colts, at least pausing the doubters. But questions about this offense still remain. Such as, can they effectively run the football? Their rushing attack ranked 32nd in the regular season.

These two technically split their regular-season matchups but, as mentioned, the Steelers played backups in Week 17. Pittsburgh will need to come out of the gates fast or they could find themselves playing catchup on a team that specializes in ball control. The Steelers defense is first in DVOA and third in both points and yards. If they get the lead it’s almost certainly a wrap for this young Browns squad that ranked about average in counting stats and was 18th in DVOA. It’s just hard to see the former scenario playing out over the latter.

Prediction: Steelers 28-17

Super Wild Card Weekend Set to Excite

It’s a first in NFL history and there’s a chance this won’t be the only season with an expanded field. It was on the table well before COVID was a thing so that’s why it has staying power. They’ve avoided adding extra regular-season weeks (for now) and it’s hard to argue this is a bad thing when you look at some of the games we’re getting on Super Wild Card Weekend.

Rumors

Week 15 Primetime Moneymakers: An AFL Throwback

Entering Week 15 we must remember that every NFL season is full of “flukey” moments, sure. But this year has stood out for its wackiness. From the lack of a training camp and then preseason to the expansion of rosters and rescheduling of games. Nothing is as it usually is in the NFL and that has made picking games especially difficult. We had no baseline and just when we started to get a handle on things, coaching staffs across the league have made their typical adjustments. We just have to get back one step ahead.

If you listen closely, you can hear the fantasy gods stomping a mudhole in our ticket from last week. 0-3 is obviously as bad as gets but to have the Browns blow it for us in the fashion they did was just brutal. So much so that many sportsbooks refunded bets or gave site credit to the many bettors who almost had it. Nonetheless, there is still money to be won and if anybody is going to win it, it should be us. Fingers crossed, sheesh!

A Classic AFL Clash Leads Week 15 Primetime Moneymakers

Los Angeles Chargers (4-9) at Las Vegas (7-6)

Spread: Raiders -3

O/U: 53

It’s been an interesting season for the Los Angeles Chargers (6-7 ATS). They’ve had seven games decided by one score (eight points or less). They’ve only won two of those games. Such is life with a rookie quarterback as Justin Herbert has thrown an interception in all but three of his starts. And if it weren’t for a late field goal against the implosion specialist Atlanta Falcons they would be in the midst of another three-game skid. It was much needed after they were shutout 45-0 by the New England Patriots at home a couple of weeks ago.

The Las Vegas Raiders (7-6 ATS) are having a successful inaugural season in Sin City. But they’ve gone 1-3 over the last month with a 46-3 loss on the road to the Atlanta Falcons sticking out. Their lone win was a 31-28 edging of the winless New York Jets. Kansas City bottled up Josh Jacobs who hurt his ankle the following week against Atlanta and the running game has subsequently failed to hit the 100-yard mark in a month. Rushing stats are usually an indicator of winning. For the Raiders it the other way around. If they won it’s likely because they ran.

Neither of these teams has been a safe bet these last four weeks. L.A. hadn’t covered since Week 3 before last week. Vegas hasn’t covered since Nov 22. The specter of a possible coaching change for the Chargers can manifest in any number of ways, such as their late-game rally in Week 14. Las Vegas won this matchup last time thanks to an overturned touchdown call. It’s hard to sweep an opponent but taking the Raiders (minus the points) still feels like the smart call given the Chargers propensity for late-game collapses. Also going over here just because.

Cleveland Browns (9-4) at New York Giants (5-8)

Spread: Giants +4.5

O/U: 45

Even with all the hype they received in the preseason, this matchup looked like a snoozer in the preseason. Now, the Cleveland Browns (5-8 ATS) are in a position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Their harrowing defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens last Monday night snapped a four-game winning streak. That streak included a 41-35 manhandling of the Tennessee Titans. Cleveland is third in the NFL in rushing and 25th in passing, but Baker Mayfield has completed over 66 percent of his passes for 935 yards with eight touchdowns to just one interception over the last three weeks.

The New York Giants (8-5 ATS) had a four-game winning streak ended last week too. Theirs was a 26-7 drubbing at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals but was due in no small part to quarterback Daniel Jones trying to play on a bad hamstring. That means Colt McCoy, who got the start and a win in Week 13, could be back under center. Still, their victory and defensive dominance over the Seattle Seahawks highlighted what has been a tremendous mid-season turnaround after they started the season 1-4.

Back-to-back big games are usually a recipe for a letdown the following week. Especially against a battered opponent. But the way the game ended last week can’t sit well with the Browns. It’s hard to see any way they let this team beat them. It has also been a safer bet to take the Giants to cover. But we cannot ignore Jones’ injury and what it does in a spot where New York would be an underdog regardless. Browns laying the points it is as the Giants have covered a spread of fewer than five points just once. We are also riding the under, but only if Jones sits.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)

Spread: Bengals +13

O/U: 40.5

For weeks many talking heads have been pointing out the fluke nature of the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5 ATS) record. Over the last two weeks, the rest of us have seen that all bear out. Dropping back-to-back games is bad enough. But one of those came against a team from the feeble NFC East at Heinz Field. Last week’s loss to the Bills is more understandable except for Ben Roethlisberger and the offense’s struggles. Pittsburgh is still first in defense DVOA but they are dragging along the 20th-ranked offense. Perhaps they try to get the ground game going this week.

If we are being completely honest, this is the season the Cincinnati Bengals (7-6 ATS) needed as a franchise. Despite the season-ending knee injury, they appear to have their franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow. Now, they’ll be able to keep putting top-tier talent around him thanks to having a putrid record. Cincinnati is 31st in total DVOA (30th in offense, 29th in defense) and 30th in scoring offense. They are 22nd in scoring defense, though, for whatever that’s worth. This one could get ugly and that would be totally acceptable.

They should bring relegation to the NFL should Pittsburgh lose this game. Beating up on weak teams then losing to the sneakily competitive Washington Football team is one thing. A loss to these Bengals would be catastrophic. Pittsburgh needs to get their offense back in order and this looks like a get-right spot. But 13 points is a big number. The Steelers haven’t had, let alone covered, a spread that large this season while the Bengals have lost by double-digits six times this year. Just two of those were by more than 12 points. Pittsburgh will win but by how much? The under might be the safest play.

All line information courtesy of Covers.com

Rumors

Week 15 Waiver Wire: MMMBop…

Just two more weeks left for most of us entering Week 15. Hopefully, you were able to advance to the next round of your league’s fantasy football playoffs. If so, you’re likely just one win away from the championship that you have fought all season for. Nothing would be worse than to come all this way just to lose because you missed out on the savviest pick-ups available on the waiver wire.

You’re here so that doesn’t happen. And even though we are so late in the season there is still value to be had out there. One simply needs to know where to look. This week’s wire features an old dog learning new tricks, a rookie former-Raider, and an out-of-nowhere wide receiver. Now, let’s get you through this week and set up to bring home that coveted trophy.

Chad Hansen and Lynn Bowden Headline Week 15 Waiver Wire

Quarterback

Nick Mullens

San Francisco 49ers

This move is not for the faint of heart.There’s exists the chance of an in-game quarterback change. That’s because Nick Mullens is the QB30 on the season, in part because he’s only started seven games. He was the QB26 in Week 14 and has thrown at least one pick in all but two games he’s played this season, including multiple picks in three contests, with three fumbles to boot.

But just two weeks ago Mullens threw three touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills. He’s also thrown at least one touchdown in all but two games. He also gets the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. They were allowing 34 points per game the three weeks prior to shutting down the battered Cincinnati Bengals. On the year, Dallas is 32nd in scoring defense. So even though San Francisco is just 20th in scoring offense (one slot above Dallas), they should still be able to put up points on a defense ranked 22nd in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.

Baker Mayfield

Cleveland Browns

What a year the Cleveland Browns are having and Baker Mayfield is right in the thick of it. The QB20 on the season, Mayfield is coming off of back-to-back weekly finishes. Just a week removed from his QB4 performance against the Tennessee Titans, he was the QB2 for his work in a losing effort on Monday Night Football.

This isn’t a play for Week 15. Mayfield’s Browns head to New York to take on the Giants who will likely be without Daniel Jones. That means, in addition to facing a defense that ranks just 17th against the pass but ninth in scoring doesn’t shape up to be a big one for Mayfield. Instead, look to Week 16 against New York’s other team, the Jets, for your spot. They’re allowing the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and are tied for second-most passing touchdowns allowed.

Running Back

Jeff Wilson

San Francisco 49ers

Starting another position in the Bay, we turn to the 49ers backfield and Jeff Wilson. He’s actually been on several waiver wire lists in recent weeks with all of the backs in San Fran missing time at one point or another. Wilson got his first real crack in Week 3 against the Giants. He took 12 carries for a whopping 15 yards but added 54 yards on three catches. What allowed him to finish that week as the RB10 were the two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.

He’s only had one other useful week, that coming in Week 7 when he ran for 112 yards on 17 carries and had three rushing touchdowns against the New England Patriots. In Week 15, he draws a defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs. The 9ers system is legendary for backs, but keep in mind that Dallas is one of three teams that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season.

Handcuffs

Just as with every recent installment, this is your weekly reminder that if you have a stud running back and that back has a clear, defined understudy, roster said understudy. We have seen all year the value of having the handcuff to some of the top backs. Mike Davis has been a fixture in lineups most of the season while we are getting more clarity of late in Baltimore and Los Angeles. This is also useful if you have the space on your bench, though it is less useful with just two weeks left in the majority of fantasy seasons.

Wide Receivers

Chad Hansen

Houston Texans

The story of Chad Hansen is one perseverance. The former fourth-round pick of the Jets bounced around the league for two years despite showing some promise as a rookie just to land in the perfect showcase situation. The Houston Texans were without Will Fuller (suspension) and Brandin Cooks (injury) on Sunday and Hansen caught seven balls for 56 yards against a stingy Chicago Bears secondary. That was his (relatively disappointing) encore to his five grab, 101-yard performance from a week earlier.

The 6-foot-2 Hansen is in a terrific spot. Fuller is done for the season and with the oft-injured Cooks dealing with multiple ailments, Hansen could stick through the end of the season. Keke Coutee is still around, and productive. But he is more of a deep-threat and player to get the ball to in space. Hansen is the big-bodied security blanket, an aspect of DeAndre Hopkins’ game that may have been underappreciated by former management.

Lynn Bowden

Miami Dolphins

Another chance to take advantage of dual eligibility! Rookie Lynn Bowden caught seven of nine passes thrown his way for 82 yards and even took a handoff, though that only netted two yards. That matters because Bowden is eligible as both a wide receiver and a running back in ESPN leagues. Everyone remembers the hubbub around Taysom Hill in his first start, some will remember how they avoided the issue entirely with Kendall Hinton. This though, being much more like Ty Montgomery a couple of years ago, is much more conventional.

Still, Miami takes on the New England Patriots in Week 15 with Bowden as one of the few healthy options for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki are both in danger of missing this contest (as is Jakeem Grant) which could open the door for the electric Bowden. New England is 28th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. There could be plenty of volume to offset any inefficiency though and that makes this intriguing. Well, that and the dual eligibility.

Tight End

Dan Arnold

Arizona Cardinals

Remember how our motto for tight ends is “chance at falling in the end zone”? Good because Dan Arnold has three of them over the last two weeks. He’s the TE6 over that span with only four catches and 88 yards, just to give you an idea of the state of the position. He’s surprisingly the TE22 on the year, further evidence of the wasteland that is the tight end position.

Not only is Arnold hot and playing for an offense that has run the fourth-most plays (opportunity is king), but he draws the Eagles in Week 15. They are 24th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends and have allowed a tight end to catch a touchdown in each of the last two games. All of this bodes well given Arnold is, at best, fifth in the pecking order.

All rankings courtesy of FantasyPros.com

Rumors

NFL Week 15 Game Predictions

NFL Week 15 kicks off with a battle of gunslingers in the wild AFC West and ends with a battle for NFC South Supremacy.

Predicting NFL Week 15 Games

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

In a battle for AFC West supremacy, Philip Rivers‘ Chargers will need to rebuff history; he’s lost nine straight to KC. MVP front-running Mahomes, Chiefs look to keep rolling; Eric Berry‘s expected return couldn’t come at a better time. The game’s shootout potential is heightened by injuries to both backfields.
Prediction: 33-30 Chiefs

Houston Texans at New York Jets

On the opposite ends of the spectrum, these meet with different goals in this matchup. The Jets are in full evaluation mode, down their top running back and their quarterback of the future is dealing with a foot injury that caused him to miss three games. Houston just wants to make it out healthy, albeit with a win, of course. Guys will be playing for jobs, but New York doesn’t stand much of a chance against Houston.
Prediction: 24-14 Texans

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

Another game with two teams whose futures seem to be going opposite ways. The upstart Browns, fresh off a win against the Panthers, look to continue building confidence and momentum behind their future star QB, Baker Mayfield. Denver’s biggest issue since Peyton Manning retired has been QB, an odd twist with John Elway running things.
Prediction: 23-20 Browns

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

Two teams playing out the rest of their disappointing seasons. At least for Arizona that was to be expected. Losers of five straight, Atlanta is only two years removed from a title appearance. Last year the excuse was OC Steve Sarkisian. This year will likely be put in the injury to starting RB Devonta Freeman, but one man does not a season make…unless it’s a QB. Speaking of, aside from getting Josh Rosen live reps, this season is a major dud for the other Cardinals; namely David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.
Prediction: 21-17 Falcons

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills

In what is a running theme for the week, we get two sub-.500 teams simply filling out the slate at this point. The Lions traded away their best receiver, lost their second best to I.R., and had their promising rookie runner also go down with a knee issue. Jim Bob Cooter’s offense obviously regressed. Buffalo has Josh Allen and not much else. That is bad for Josh Allen. Hopefully, the team can put the right pieces around him before he’s ruined by having to do too much with too little.
Prediction: Bills 17-14

Green Bay Packers at Chicago  Bears

The Bears come in flying high after shutting down the Rams and a chance to take out a rival and clinch a playoff spot. They’d like to redeem themselves for a week one loss that could have gone the other way. Look for the defense to be fired up after recent comments by Aaron Rodgers. The Packers QB did not mince words when asked about the team’s rest-of-season outlook and has the ability to get it done. Whether the players around him hold up their end remains to be seen. They were a factor in the team’s performance thus far, after all.
Prediction: Bears 27-24

Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals

Building for 2019 and beyond since the preseason; ‘Oakland’ might not be where the Raiders play sooner than expected. Having parted ways with the GM, Jon Gruden now has free reign and a bevy of premium draft picks the next couple of years. Cincinnati has lost their Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, and a bunch of games – a lot before either injury happened. Might the Marvin Lewis eon finally be coming to an end?
Prediction: 20-17 Raiders

Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts

Finally a matchup with dual playoff implications. Dallas comes in winners on five straight. The offense has really opened up since acquiring Amari Cooper, but Dak Prescott has been worse on the road and against Colts-favorite, zone defense. Indy has to be rejoicing over the return of Andrew Luck to form. Aside from a clunker loss against the woeful Jags, the Colts have won six of their last seven on Luck’s arm. He’ll need to be wary of a Dallas defense that has been playing lights out. Zeke is the deciding factor here.
Prediction: 24-21 Cowboys

Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings

Last week’s final play Music City Miracle impression notwithstanding, Miami gets to trade celebrating on South Beach to trying to avoid a dip in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. The luster is wearing off Adam Gase, expect sweeping changes this off-season whether he stays or goes. Minnesota already fired their OC and some have speculated that Mike Zimmer might not be too safe either. It seems that $84 million investment in Kirk Cousins was bad for everybody involved, save for Cousins’ bank account, of course.
Prediction: 27-17 Vikings

Tennessee Titans at New York Giants

Derrick Henry set a Titans record last week against the Jaguars, gets his chance for an encore against the Giants. He won’t catch them off guard like the Jags, but it’ll be interesting to see if he can end the season strong. The Titans are very much alive in the playoff race and need quarterback Marcus Mariota to keep up his recent solid play. New York won without Odell Beckham Jr last week and Get to show if it was a fluke or if there is at least some credence to the idea that OBJ is the problem. The Titans are the latest team that gets to try stopping Saquon Barkley.
Prediction: 28-21 Giants

Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Jaguars

Not much to see here folks. Be it the devastating injuries suffered by Washington or the devastatingly bad play of Jacksonville, this game is disappointment personified. In fact, the most intriguing storylines surrounding these teams is the post-surgery infections of the Skins’ Alex Smith and Derrius Guice or the benching of Blake Bortles – fresh off a contract extension – for Cody Kessler. Unless you have to, it might be best to just check the box scores on this one.
Prediction: 14-10 Jaguars

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens

Tampa Bay has far too much talent offensively to have the record they do. The problem is their defense would suggest it should be much worse. Jameis Winston has been far steadier since being reinserted as the starter, committing just two turnovers. Baltimore will once again start Lamar Jackson under center, though he could lose snaps to Joe Flacco since the Ravens are still fighting for a playoff spot. This is really the Bucs offense against the Raven D, but Jackson gives it at least one other point of interest.
Prediction: 21-17 Ravens

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Coming off a hard-fought victory over Minnesota, Russell Wilson leads playoff-hopeful Seattle against San Francisco for the second time in three weeks. The offense was brutal versus the Vikings so a struggling Niner defense should be a welcome sight. San Fran is another team whose season has been over. When Jimmy Garoppolo went down expectations went with him. Look for Seattle to rely heavily on the ground game to get what should be one of their easier wins of the season.
Prediction: 28-14 Seahawks

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a matchup that has always produced a lot of drama, and the expectations should be for the same. His team in a tailspin recently, home is where Ben Roethlisberger plays his best ball. They’ll need him too with James Conner set to miss another game and the running game struggling last week. Tom Brady had the best game he’s ever played in Miami and still couldn’t shake his South Beach curse. Luckily for him, Pittsburgh is not Miami. The last team with the ball wins.
Prediction: 34-28 Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams

Not what the schedule makers had in mind when this matchup was set. Still, Los Angeles is surely happy to get this draw after the lockdown they suffered in Chicago. The offense should rebound nicely against an Eagles defense that is starting JV players in the secondary. Philly has not flown this year. Injuries have played a major role, and now it seems quarterback Carson Wentz faces the very real possibility of being shut down with a fracture in his back.
Prediction: Rams 34-10

New Orleans Saints at  Carolina Panthers

New Orleans shook off a slow start and beat Tampa Bay; significant because the Rams loss puts the Saints in the driver’s seat in the NFC – New Orleans beat Los Angeles in week nine giving the Saints the tiebreaker. Carolina is sliding fast amidst rumors that Cam Newton is dealing with an injury to his reconstructed right shoulder. Not insignificant for a right-handed quarterback. Christian McCaffrey is having a stellar season but New Orleans has been good against the run most of the year, minus the Dallas game.
Prediction: Saints 34-24

NFL Week 15 Game Picks

Week 15 in the NFL should be filled with tons of excitement and action. The postseason is right around the corner and teams are vying for top-seeds and, simply, the right to make the playoffs.

NFL Week 15