On Thursday night in San Francisco, the 49ers (6-7) host the Los Angeles Rams (7-6) in an NFC West battle with both teams needing to win. The Seattle Seahawks (8-5) lead the division race and a win here would go a long way to staying right there with the 'Hawks, especially for the Rams, who are just one game behind in the race. San Francisco is still missing some key players on both sides of the football, but they do have quarterback Brock Purdy and playmaker Deebo Samuel healthy, so that should help them out.
The Rams are coming off a huge win (at home) last week against the Buffalo Bills and QB Matthew Stafford has been on fire along with wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, plus running back Kyren Williams has been solid all season long. This game should go down to the final minutes and anything can happen.
On Sunday, six games have really big implications for the playoffs and four of them are in the late afternoon time slot along with the Sunday night game in Seattle, where the Seahawks face the Green Bay Packers (9-4) in what should be a slug fest game. The Miami Dolphins (6-7) face the Houston Texans (8-5) early in the day and then four games kick off later on.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) take on the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) in Philly while the Denver Broncos (8-5) host the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) is what should be a good battle for wild card positioning in the AFC. Also playing will be the Buffalo Bills (10-3) at the Detroit Lions (12-1) in what is most definitely the NFL game of the week. The Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) host the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6), who have won three straight games.
The Dolphins need to win out if they want to make the AFC playoffs (as a wild card team) and they will need to score early and often against the Houston Texans, who have struggled since getting off to a 5-1 start. Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa has been playing great since recovering from the concussion problems and will look to his top targets (Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and tight end Jonnu Smith) to have a real shot at winning this one. The Texans need to get back to the basics and QB C.J. Stroud has to get the spark back that made him so effective a year ago.
The Steelers could knock off the high flying Eagles (nine straight wins) if their defense pressures Philly QB Jalen Hurts and can bottle up NFL MVP candidate (running back) Saquon Barkley, who leads the league in rushing yards. On the other side, the Eagles defense has been top notch all season long and will look to do the same against Steelers QB Russell Wilson and company. This game will feature two of the best defenses in the NFL, but the (slight) edge goes to the Eagles.
The Denver Broncos have been a pleasant surprise and a win against the Colts will go a long way to accomplishing their goal of making the post-season. Rookie QB Bo Nix is definitely in the running for the Rookie of the Year award and his steady play should continue against the Colts. Indianapolis (like the Miami Dolphins) is in the win out mode if they want to make the playoffs and they will have to play mistake free football in the Mile High City if they want to continue that journey.
The Bills vs. the Lions could be a Super Bowl preview and it will likely go down that way with two of the best offenses in the NFL going at it. Bills QB Josh Allen has been tremendous and the Bills have a balanced attack much like the Lions do. Detroit's defense continues to thrive in spite of injuries and they will be tested this week. As for the Bills defense, they got lit up last week (a 44-42 loss to the L.A. Rams) and the Lions and QB Jared Goff and all his weapons with a balanced offense, will present a major challenge for the Bills. Take the Lions in a squeaker as Coach Dan Campbell finds a way once again.
In L.A., the Chargers and their solid defense should do enough to keep Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense at bay. This game will likely be a close one, but the Chargers should prevail as long as QB Justin Herbert continues to protect the football. Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh seems to be able to push the right buttons and another challenge awaits, so watch for his team to have something up their sleeves to get the win.
The Sunday night game between Green Bay and Seattle is another tilt that should be worth the price of admission and both teams need the win to keep pace with the tight races going on throughout the NFC. Packers QB Jordan Love has been rolling along this season and running back Josh Jacobs has been solid, coming off a three touchdown game in Week 14 (a loss) against the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have won four in row and both the offense and defense have been playing well to make it happen. Seattle QB Geno Smith has been getting it done while defensive lineman Leonard Williams has been a maniac against opposing offenses. Look for a close game with a late break making the difference for the Seahawks.
The rest of the NFL action for Week Fifteen is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks follow.
Dallas (5-8) at Carolina (3-10) - The Cowboys cannot lose to the Panthers, can they?
Kansas City (12-1) at Cleveland (3-10) - An upset could happen here . . . Browns play solid defense and the Chiefs keep sneaking out with a win week after week. Beware!
N.Y. Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville (3-10) - The stinker game of the week.
Washington (8-5) at New Orleans (5-8) - Toss up in this one with two teams still playing for something. Saints need Derek Carr to be ready at quarterback for this game as they are on life support in the NFC playoff race.
Baltimore (8-5) at N.Y. Giants (2-11) - Ravens should roll in this one.
Cincinnati (5-8) at Tennessee (3-10) - Bengals should roll in this one.
New England (3-10) at Arizona (6-7) - The Cardinals need a win in the worst way to remain relevant in the playoff race. Patriots are playing out the string the rest of this season.
Chicago (4-9) at Minnesota (11-2) - One of two Monday night games with the skidding Bears (seven straight losses) taking on the red hot Vikings, who have won six in a row.
Atlanta (6-7) at Las Vegas (2-11) - Monday night in Vegas with both of these teams on bad losing streaks . . . Atlanta (four) and Las Vegas (nine) . . . so something has to give.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Fifteen . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
San Francisco over L.A Rams
Dallas over Carolina
Cleveland over Kansas City
Houston over Miami
Jacksonville over N.Y. Jets
Washington over New Orleans
BALTIMORE over N.Y. Giants
Cincinnati over Tennessee
Arizona over New England
Denver over Indianapolis
Detroit over Buffalo
L.A. Chargers over Tampa Bay
Philadelphia over Pittsburgh
Seattle over Green Bay
Minnesota over Chicago
Atlanta over Las Vegas
Last Week's Record - 10-3
SEASON RECORD - 141-67
Lock of the Week Record - 11-3
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