Betting
12/12/24
9 min read
2024 NFL Week 15: Expert Picks, Predictions For Every Game
NFL Week 14 was not the strongest week of action, with most games turning into blowouts. However, the primetime games certainly made up for a lackluster schedule. Don’t expect that to be the case this week, as there are two games with double-digit win teams facing off.
There are also several other games with massive playoff implications, making this arguably the best week of action of the season. So, without further ado, here are all of the lines and predictions going into NFL Week 15:
NFL Week 15 Expert Picks, Predictions
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
Spread: 49ers -2.5
Total: 49
The Thursday Night Football matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is a massive one in the NFC West. The loser of this game will likely not win the division, especially if it’s the 49ers. San Francisco already has three losses in the division, and a fourth would doom it in any tiebreakers.
The temptation is to take the Rams, considering Matthew Stafford is healthy, and so are his receivers. But a home game for the 49ers in a must-win situation makes it hard to bet against them on a short week. Take the 49ers to win and cover in a high-scoring contest.
Score Prediction: 49ers 28, Rams 24
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns
Spread: Chiefs -4
Total: 45
At some point, the Kansas City Chiefs' lackluster performance will catch up to them, right? Maybe, but don’t expect that to be the case this week. The Cleveland Browns have struggled on defense during the last few weeks and just lost Greg Newsome for the season due to an injury.
The Chiefs need to win this game to stay ahead of the Bills and the Steelers for the No. 1 seed, but playing on the road in Cleveland can be tough for most opponents. However, take the Chiefs to win and finally cover in what will likely be a sloppy game on Sunday.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 24, Browns 17
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans
Spread: Bengals -5
Total: 47
The Cincinnati Bengals “saved” their season with a Week 14 win against the Cowboys in dramatic fashion. They still have a long way to go to get back into the Wild Card race, but they are alive.
They’ll face their former offensive coordinator, Brian Callahan, whose offense just scored six points against the Jaguars last week. Look for the Bengals to win a shootout but fail to cover this five-point spread.
Score Prediction: Bengals 27, Titans 23
Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans
Spread: Texans -3
Total: 47
There are several quality games on the schedule this week, and this is another important one. The Miami Dolphins are still alive in the AFC Wild Card race, while the Houston Texans need to continue to stack wins to avoid letting the Colts back in the AFC South chase.
Houston is coming off a much-needed bye week and should be able to run the ball well. However, Tua Tagovalioa has been awesome since returning from his concussion and should be able to post massive numbers again this week. Take the Dolphins to pull off the upset and get to .500 for the first time this season.
Score Prediction: Dolphins 27, Texans 24
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
Spread: Ravens -15
Total: 43
It’s been a long time since a road team was favored by 15 points, especially one with a record of 8-5. But that shows us just how bad the New York Giants have been this season.
Lamar Jackson has only two losses to NFC opponents in his NFL career, one of which came against Brian Daboll and the Giants in 2022. However, don’t expect history to repeat itself, as the Baltimore Ravens should have no problem running the ball at will. Stay far away from the spread, but look for the Ravens to get an easy win on the road and improve to 9-5.
Score Prediction: Ravens 34, Giants 13
New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Spread: Jets -3.5
Total: 40.5
If you like watching quality football, this is not the game for you. These two teams have combined for six wins this year and have played some ugly football. It’s hard to take the New York Jets as a favorite, but we aren’t siding with Mac Jones either.
Look for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets to do just enough on offense to win this game. The Jacksonville Jaguars' defense has played better in recent weeks, but most of its strong performances have come against lackluster quarterbacks. Look for Rodgers, who is coming off his first 300-yard performance in the last several years, to have a strong outing in Week 15.
Score Prediction: Jets 23, Jaguars 17
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers
Spread: Panthers -2.5
Total: 43
The Carolina Panthers have played well during the last month against Super Bowl contenders, including the Eagles and Chiefs. Unfortunately, they just haven’t been able to close out those games.
This week, they are favored for the first time all season against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas' defense has really stepped up in the last few weeks, and this could be another tough task for Bryce Young. Look for Dallas to pull off the upset on the short week and to win in Carolina.
Score Prediction: Cowboys 20, Panthers 19
Washington Commanders vs. New Orleans Saints
Spread: Commanders -7
Total: 43
The New Orleans Saints have been decimated by injuries this season and will be without Derek Carr in Week 15. That means we could see Spencer Rattler again, who really struggled in his earlier starts this season.
The Washington Commanders are coming off a Week 14 bye and should be ready for this game. Look for the Saints to hold up well on defense but for the offense to be the reason they fail to cover in this NFC matchup.
Score Prediction: Commanders 26, Saints 17
Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
Spread: Lions -2.5
Total: 54.5
Is this a Super Bowl preview? We can only hope so, as the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions have two of the most fun offenses in the NFL. But it’s been Detroit’s defense that has stepped up this season. It'll have 10 days to prepare to stop Josh Allen, but with a decimated defensive line, that could be tough.
However, it’s tough to pick against the Lions at home, especially considering how much the Bills struggled to stop the ground attack last week. Take the Lions to win and cover in Detroit.
Score Prediction: Lions 34, Bills 30
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: Eagles -5
Total: 42.5
This game just got a whole lot harder for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will likely be without George Pickens (hamstring). The offense did fine against the Browns without Pickens, but it needed turnovers and missed kicks to jumpstart that unit.
However, the Philadelphia Eagles' passing attack has looked broken for a few weeks now, and Pittsburgh’s defense could challenge them upfront. This is a game that the Eagles should win based on their talent level, but look for the Steelers to pull off the upset on the road.
Score Prediction: Steelers 24, Eagles 20
Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos
Spread: Broncos -3.5
Total: 44.5
This is a huge game in the AFC Wild Card race, as the Indianapolis Colts aren’t quite out of it just yet. Coming off a bye week, can Anthony Richardson find a way to produce against one of the league’s best pass defenses?
That seems like a stretch, and with Bo Nix playing better each week, it’s hard to imagine the Denver Broncos not taking care of business at home. Take Denver to win and cover and essentially eliminate the Colts from the Wild Card picture.
Score Prediction: Broncos 26, Colts 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Spread: Chargers -3
Total: 45.5
This is a massive game for both teams, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quietly taken the lead in the NFC South. It hasn’t always been pretty, but they’ve churned out wins and surpassed the Falcons in the division.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers are locked into a Wild Card spot, but seeding is very important in the AFC to avoid the Chiefs or Bills in Round 1. Look for the Chargers to lean on their elite defense and win. After this matchup, we should get a good idea of how serious both teams are as contenders.
Score Prediction: Chargers 24, Buccaneers 20
New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals
Spread: Cardinals -5.5
Total: 45.5
The Arizona Cardinals have lost three straight games after leading the NFC West. While they certainly aren’t out of the playoff picture yet, this is a must-win game for them at home.
Luckily, their defense has been outstanding at home this year, and it will take on one of the league’s least explosive offenses. Could Drake Maye rise up and win this game singlehandedly? It’s possible, but expect the Cardinals to bounce back in a big way in Week 15.
Score Prediction: Cardinals 27, Patriots 17
Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Spread: Packers -3
Total: 46.5
This should be one of the best games of the weekend, but it doesn’t mean much to the Green Bay Packers. They are locked into a Wild Card spot, and their only real concern is staying healthy for the next month.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks need this win to stay ahead of the rest of the teams in the NFC West. Look for Seattle to play with a sense of urgency in Week 15, pulling off the upset at home.
Score Prediction: Seahawks 27, Packers 23
Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Spread: Vikings -6.5
Total: 43.5
The Chicago Bears are in a rough spot right now, and Caleb Williams is set to face one of the most aggressive and ruthless defensive coordinators in the league, Brian Flores.
The Minnesota Vikings still have an outside chance of winning the NFC North and taking the No. 1 seed in the conference. Division games are tough but don’t expect them to slip up here at home in primetime.
Score Prediction: Vikings 27, Bears 20
Atlanta Falcons vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Spread: Falcons -4.5
Total: 44
After another yet another poor performance, it sure seemed like Kirk Cousins was in danger of being benched. But Raheem Morris declared that he would start Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders in a must-win game.
The Atlanta Falcons are 4.5-point road favorites, and it’s a surprise that the line isn’t higher, considering the quarterback issues of the Raiders. However, look for them to bounce back and win this game, returning to .500 on the season.
Score Prediction: Falcons 24, Raiders 17
