There are plenty of big games this week in the NFL as so many teams are still vying for the playoff spots. So far, Green Bay, New Orleans, Kansas City and Pittsburgh have clinched playoff spots and the Saints (10-3) will be hosting the Chiefs (12-1) this Sunday and Drew Brees is back as the the starting quarterback for this one after missing the last four games with rib injuries.
One team that had big time damage dealt to their playoff hopes were the Las Vegas Raiders, who lost 30-27 in overtime on Thursday night against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. The loss left the Raiders at 7-7 this season and it's unlikely they will be able to overtake the Miami Dolphins (8-5), Baltimore Ravens (8-5), Cleveland Browns (9-4) or the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans (both also 9-4) in the AFC playoff race.
Two Saturday games are up this weekend as the Green Bay Packers (10-3) host the Carolina Panthers (4-9) and the Buffalo Bills (10-3) travel to face the Denver Broncos (5-8) as they seek to keep the pressure on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC chase.
Without question, the biggest game this Sunday will have the Kansas City Chiefs at the New Orleans Saints and the Saints announced they will have Drew Brees back as the starting quarterback for this one. The Chiefs have won eight in a row and the Saints were stunned against Philadelphia last Sunday, snapping their nine-game winning streak.
Five of the Chiefs victories have been one-score games and they have struggled on defense as well. The Saints have been one of the league's top defensive teams this season (fourth in the NFL in scoring defense) and they will have their hands full with Kansas City, which ranks second in the league in scoring, averaging 33.5 points per game. The Saints allow an average of 22.1 points per game. The Saints have been running the ball quite a bit with Taysom Hill at quarterback, but look for them to air it out more with Brees back, though he likely will not have wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle injury) for the game. Regardless, look for a high scoring game with the Saints possibly getting back on track after last week's hiccup.
The Miami Dolphins host the New England Patriots (6-7), who are on life support as far as making the playoffs is concerned. The Dolphins battled Kansas City last week, but fell short while the Patriots were manhandled by the Los Angeles Rams. Pats coach Bill Belichick seems to be the master at making rookie quarterbacks struggle against his teams defense, so Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa better be prepared in this one. The Dolphins have had their way against the Patriots in recent seasons in South Florida, so this game should be a close one.
The Sunday night game will have the Cleveland Browns playing on the road against the New York Giants (5-8) as they look to solidify their position in the AFC playoff chase. The Giants need this one bad because they trail the Washington Football Team (6-7) by one game in the NFC East division. Washington will be hosting Seattle (9-4) in a big tilt as they go for their fifth straight win. The Seahawks need to keep pace with the Rams (also 9-4) in the NFC West.
The rest of the action for Week Fifteen follows below in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks, which bounced back last week after a rough time in Week 13, will follow up.
Buffalo (10-3) at Denver (5-8) - Can the Broncos derail the Bills hopes of possibly clinching the AFC East division?
Carolina (4-9) at Green Bay (10-3) - Packers roll in the Saturday evening "prime time" game because QB Aaron Rodgers is playing at a MVP level.
Tampa Bay (8-5) at Atlanta (4-9) - The Buccaneers need this game. The Falcons are just playing out the string, but this is a division game, so anything can happen.
Detroit (5-8) at Tennessee (9-4) - The Titans should roll in this one.
Houston (4-9) at Indianapolis (9-4) - The Colts should roll in this one.
New England (6-7) at Miami (8-5) - Last chance for the Patriots. The Dolphins would love to eliminate New England, their long time nemesis, from playoff contention. Toss up.
Chicago (6-7) at Minnesota (6-7) - This is a big game for these two also ran teams as far as having a shot at the playoffs in concerned. The loser will be out of it.
Seattle (9-4) at Washington (6-7) - Washington's defense keeps on rolling and that could be the difference in this one.
San Francisco (5-8) at Dallas (4-9) - The Cowboys still have a chance in the NFC East race, so they have motivation. But the 49ers have a much better defense and that will be the difference.
Jacksonville (1-12) at Baltimore (8-5) - Give Lamar Jackson an Ex-Lax before the game and then let him do his thing. Ravens roll !
N.Y. Jets (0-13) at L.A. Rams (9-4) - Rams should smoke the Jets in this game.
Philadelphia (4-8-1) at Arizona (7-6) - This game will likely go down to the wire with each team having quarterbacks with similar playing styles.
Kansas City (12-1) at New Orleans (10-3) - Saints win in a squeaker.
Cleveland (9-4) at N.Y. Giants (5-8) - An old fashioned brawl between two teams that have struggled in recent seasons. Take the Browns.
Pittsburgh (11-2) at Cincinnati (2-10-1) - The Steelers should get back on track in this Monday night game after losing two consecutive games.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Fifteen . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
L.A. Chargers over Las Vegas
Buffalo over Denver
Green Bay over Carolina
Tampa Bay over Atlanta
Tennessee over Detroit
Indianapolis over Houston
Miami over New England
Minnesota over Chicago
Seattle over Washington
San Francisco over Dallas
BALTIMORE over Jacksonville
L.A. Rams over N.Y. Jets
Arizona over Philadelphia
New Orleans over Kansas City
Cleveland over N.Y. Giants
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati
Last Week's Record - 12-4
SEASON RECORD - 146-61-1
Lock of the Week Record - 11-3
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