Thursday, December 12, 2019

NFL - Week Fifteen Preview

The NFL schedule for the 2019 season is down to the final three games and it starts tonight with the New York Jets playing at Baltimore, where the Ravens will be going for their tenth consecutive victory.
The call here is they will most definitely get it against the up and down Jets, who limp into this one with a 5-8 record. The Ravens (11-2) lead the NFL in scoring and also are among the league leaders on both offense and defense. Plus they have perhaps the greatest kicker (Justin Tucker) in NFL history.
But all eyes will be on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (if he plays tonight) who has been hampered by a quad injury and might not be available for this game. Even if the Ravens have to go with backup Robert Griffin III, they will beat the Jets. No doubt about this one.
The games on Sunday that should peak interest include the Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys and the Sunday night tilt between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers in the The Steel City.
The host Titans (8-5) have been rolling with four straight wins and six in seven games. Ryan Tannehill has been stellar at quarterback and running back Derrick Henry has been a beast as well as the Tennessee offense has scored 220 points in those seven games (31.4 points per game average) and is tied for first place in the AFC South with Houston.
The Texans got blown out at home (inexplicably) against Denver last week, so they need to get things right in a big hurry for this one. These two teams will square off again in two weeks in the season finale in Houston, but a win here will go a long way to getting the division crown.
The Green Bay Packers (10-3) host the Chicago Bears (7-6), who are fighting for their playoff live, in this one. The Bears have won three straight and their much maligned quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been playing better in recent weeks. The Packers need to keep winning because the Minnesota Vikings are just one game behind them.
The Rams have looked much better since they were thoroughly dominated by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football three weeks ago and at 8-5 are still in the thick of the NFC playoff picture (wild card that is) and need this game in Dallas in the worst way. The Cowboys (6-7) have dropped three straight games and are tied for first place in the NFC East race with the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a huge game for them as well and they cannot be looking ahead to Week Sixteen when they will be on the road to play the Eagles for all the marbles in the division race.
The Sunday night game between Buffalo and Pittsburgh was "flexed" to the "prime time" slot over the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers. The Bills (9-4) lost a tough one at home last week to Baltimore while the Steelers (8-5) won their third consecutive game, beating Arizona on the road last Sunday. Both teams play solid defense but the Bills rate a slight edge on offense as they have more steady play at the quarterback spot. This game should come down to the wire in what will  likely be a low scoring affair.

The rest of the action this week is featured in the capsule style previews with the Heftyinfo picks for Week Fifteen following up.


Seattle (10-3) at Carolina (5-8) - Seahawks need this one after getting blown out last weekend and falling out of top spot in NFC West division.

New England (10-3) at Cincinnati (1-12) - Did the Patriots camera staff really need to film the Bengals sideline last week?

Tampa Bay (6-7) at Detroit (3-9-1) - Can the Lions snap their six-game skid? It's very possible against the Bucs, who are definitely due for a road loss.

Denver (5-8) at Kansas City (9-4) - Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has a bad throwing hand and it might be wise to rest him this week as K.C. has already clinched the AFC West title.

Miami (3-10) at New York Giants (2-11) - The Stinker Bowl . . . loser will be in line for perhaps the number one or at least second or third pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Philadelphia (6-7) at Washington (3-10) - The Eagles are banged up big time (especially on offense) but need to win this game to stay atop the NFC East. Redskins have been playing better football in recent weeks. Toss up here.

Jacksonville (4-9) at Oakland (6-7) - The Raiders are on life support as far as playoff contention goes, but this is the final game for them in Oakland. Just win baby.

Cleveland (6-7) at Arizona (3-9-1) - The Cardinals could win this game and end the misery that has been the 2019 season for the Browns.

Minnesota (9-4) at L.A. Chargers (5-8) - The Vikings better be ready this Sunday and not looking ahead to the game next weekend against Green Bay.

Atlanta (4-9) at San Francisco (11-2) - 49ers should bury the Falcons, but then again on any given Sunday.

Indianapolis (6-7) at New Orleans (10-3) - Saints should serve a beat down on the slumping Colts on Monday Night Football.


The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Fifteen  . . . . . . . .    (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)


BALTIMORE over N.Y. Jets
Seattle over Carolina 
Green Bay over Chicago
New England over Cincinnati 
Tennessee over Houston
Kansas City over Denver
Detroit over Tampa Bay
Philadelphia over Washington 
N.Y. Giants over Miami
L.A. Chargers over Minnesota
Dallas over L.A. Rams
Arizona over Cleveland
Oakland over Jacksonville
San Francisco over Atlanta
Pittsburgh over Buffalo
New Orleans over Indianapolis


Last Week's Record -  12-4

SEASON RECORD -  140-67-1 

Lock of the Week Record -  13-1





































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