NFL Week 15 Picks Against the Spread

I won’t be doing every game, instead just the games that I feel very confident about.

1:00 Games:

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

There is one thing that stands out to me in this game, and that is that Colt McCoy will be the starter for Cleveland. It just seems like they have so much more success with him back there at QB. Being a Cleveland fan myself, I was always a little nervous when Delhomme was the started simply because it seemed like he threw an interception every other play. The Bengals do have more talent than the Browns, but they have been just terrible this year. Cleveland is also coming off a horrible loss in Buffalo. I see an ugly game here with Cleveland winning by a small margin.

McCoy will be a big reason for the Browns winning today.

Prediction: Browns 23 – Bengals 17

Pick Against the Spread: Cleveland (+1)

Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Can you believe Detroit beat Green Bay last week? I can’t. These two teams used to always play for the worst spot in the old NFL Central. This game means a lot more this year. With a Lions win, they eliminate Tampa Bay from any playoff hopes if they pull off the upset. Detroit has a terrible pass defense and which will allow Freeman to get his looks. I think Tampa’s run defense is worse though, and Detroit should be able to run all over the field. I see it going back and forth, but Detroit covering the spread.

Prediction: Lions 24 – Buccaneers 20

Pick Against the Spread: Detroit (+4.5)

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

These teams are just playing for pride now. The Cowboys have some players that are actually in jeopardy of losing their jobs. Washington’s defense is ranked last overall. Their season went to the lowest of lows last week then a botched extra point that would have sent it to overtime turned into a disaster and they lost by one. I don’t know what Redskins team is going to come out today, and that goes for Dallas as well. I suggest staying away from the spread here and taking the total instead.

Prediction: Cowboys 27 – Redskins 13

Pick: Under (44.5)

4:00 Games:

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers

It seems like just yesterday the Jets were 9-2 and probably looking to get home field advantage and a top seed in the playoffs. Well, then they got smashed by the Patriots 45-3, and then they were beat by the Dolphins?? You would have thought after getting beat so bad by New England that they would have been out for revenge the following week. Well that obviously wasn’t the case, but this week it will be. I feel like the Jets won’t let it happen three weeks in a row. Yes, Pittsburgh is playing very good football right now. Roethlisberger hasn’t seen this Jets team since 2007 and he played terrible against them posting just a 58.8 passer rating. Sure the whole world is on Pitt here, I feel differently though. Steelers win but don’t cover.

Prediction: Look for a very low scoring affair. Steelers 17 – Jets 14

Pick Against the Spread: New York (+4.5)