From now on, there will be no more bye weeks in the NFL.
In one of the 16 games in Week 15, the Seattle Seahawks will host the Indianapolis Colts, and we could see Philip Rivers, a 44-year-old grandfather who hasn't played since 2020, take over the role of the Colts' starting quarterback.
Additionally, the Buffalo Bills will take on the New England Patriots in a high-stakes divisional matchup. The Patriots hold a two-game lead over the Bills in the AFC East.
Will Rivers shock the world? Will there be Bills who are +850 Super Bowl Oddsdestroy the Patriots?
See my predictions for the full list of games below.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins ​​has completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 396 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions over the last two games.
The Falcons scored nine points against the Seattle Seahawks last week.
Cousins ​​will now face a Buccaneers defense that ranks eighth in the NFL in pressures with 196 players.
FORECAST: Pirates -4.5 (-110)
Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens
A couple weeks ago, the Bengals went on the road and beat the Ravens 32-14.
Now they play them at home and scored 34 points in a loss to the Buffalo Bills.
QB Joe Burrow will continue to lead the Bengals to high offensive production, especially against a Ravens defense that has allowed 253.3 passing yards over the last three games, 28th in the NFL over that span.
FORECAST: Bengals +2.5 (-110)
New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills
This is the toughest game of the week, but I predict the Bills to win.
Buffalo has allowed 76 yards per game in its last three (second in that span) and 171.8 passing yards per game (second in the season).
This will be enough to walk away with a victory.
FORECAST: Bills -1 (-105)
New York Giants vs Washington Commanders
The Chiefs play primarily in Cover 3, and the Giants' QB Jaxon Dart completed 68.1 percent of his passes and scored five touchdowns against that defense.
Couple that with Dart's rushing abilities (337 yards and seven touchdowns), and I predict the Giants will win and cover the ball.
FORECAST: Giants -2 (-110)
Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns
Against Cover 1 and Cover 3, the two covers the Browns play most often, Bears QB Caleb Williams is averaging 7.3 yards per attempt with 10 touchdowns and one interception.
The Browns rank 16th in the NFL with 177 pressures, but the Bears have allowed 20 sacks, the third-highest total.
FORECAST: Bears -7.5 (-110)
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers QB Justin Herbert did throw an interception and fumble twice against the Eagles in his first game back from surgery on his non-throwing wrist. He also rushed 10 times for 66 yards, and the Chargers defense threw four interceptions to win the game 22-19.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes hasn't been playing well lately either. He had four touchdown passes against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, but from Weeks 9 to 12 and Week 14 he combined for one touchdown pass and six interceptions.
FORECAST: Chargers +4.5 (-110)
Philadelphia Eagles vs Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders QB Geno Smith's status is in question this week, but whether he plays or not, this Raiders offensive line still needs to protect its QB against the Eagles pass rush, which ranks third in pressures with 205.
The Raiders allowed a league-best 50 sacks.
FORECAST: Eagles -11 (-110)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets
The Jets could be without Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields, who are both out with injuries, which could mean undrafted rookie Brady Cook ends up under center.
Replacing Taylor last week, Cook completed 46.7 percent of his passes for 163 yards and two interceptions.
Of course, a week of training will help, but this violation will remain in place.
FORECAST: Jaguars -12.5 (-105)
Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Texans are tied for third in pressures (205), second in turnover margin (plus-12) and second in interceptions (15).
Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett completed 45.5% of his passes, taking seven turnover-worthy plays while under duress.
FORECAST: Texans -9.5 (-115)
Denver Broncos vs Green Bay Packers
The Broncos have had their ups and downs this season, but I trust their defense in this game.
Denver's defensive unit ranks second in the NFL in pressures (212). While the Packers allowed only 18 sacks, QB Jordan Love was pressured on 37.7 percent of his throws. Under pressure, he's averaging 4.7 yards per attempt with no touchdowns, two interceptions and eight turnover-worthy plays.
FORECAST: Broncos +2.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions
The Rams play primarily in zone coverage, and Goff has completed 72.5% of his passes.
On the other hand, the Lions mostly play Cover-1 and Cover-3, while Rams QB Matthew Stafford has 13 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Expect a shootout, but one in which the Lions keep the ball close enough to cover.
FORECAST: Leo +5.5 (-110)
New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers
The Saints may have something in their corner in QB Tyler Shaw. He completed 65 percent of his passes last week and scored twice on the ground.
The week before, he completed 68.4% of his passes for two touchdowns.
A few weeks ago, the Saints beat the Panthers 17-7 with Shaw under center.
I'll pick up the glasses at home.
FORECAST: Saints +2.5 (-102)
San Francisco 49ers vs Tennessee Titans
Opposing QBs faced zone defense on 77.5% of their dropbacks against the 49ers.
When facing the Titans zone, QB Cam Ward averaged 5.8 yards per attempt and scored one touchdown on five picks.
FORECAST: 49ers -12.5 (-110)
Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts
Whether it's Riley Leonard, Brett Rypien or Rivers under center, I struggle to find scenarios where the Colts can score.
The Seahawks have allowed 91.2 yards per game (fourth most) this season and have allowed 160.7 passing yards per game (sixth most this season) over the last three.
The Colts have a great offensive line that could help fend off some pressure, but I'm not sure where the scoring will come from.
FORECAST: Seahawks -13.5 (-110)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings
Vikings QB JJ McCarthy looked like an NFL QB last week, completing 69.6% of his passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns.
He now faces a Cowboys defense that has allowed 261 or more passing yards to opposing signal-callers in each of the last three games.
The Cowboys offense wins the shootout, but the Vikings keep the ball close.
FORECAST: Vikings +6 (-115)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been playing well lately, committing six turnovers over their last four games and winning all four.
Of course, three of those games were against the Jets, Saints and Commanders, but this week they are at home against a Steelers defense that allows 244 passing yards per game (28th).
Moreover, the Steelers have given up 188.3 yards per outing over their last three games (31st in that span).
FORECAST: Dolphins +3.5 (-115)
