NFL Predictions – Week 15
Sky Sports is showing a massive SIX live NFL games over the weekend, with a bonus Saturday evening triple-header to go with the usual Sunday slate of games… but which teams are in action, and who are Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold backing to triumph?
Neil and Jeff were back to make their Week 15 predictions on the latest episode of the Inside The Huddle podcast, looking ahead to the weekend’s live action on Sky Sports NFL.
Click on the link below to listen to this week’s podcast and read on below to see their Week 15 game picks…
Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
Saturday, live on Sky Sports NFL, 6pm
NEIL PICKS: Vikings
“The Vikings stubbed their toe last week with a loss to the Detroit Lions – they’ve had a couple of shots at clinching the NFC North division.
“They can still do it with a win at home against the Colts on Saturday, and I think they get the job done this time.”
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A look at the best catches star receiver Justin Jefferson has made so far this season for the Minnesota Vikings
JEFF PICKS: Vikings
“I think the Vikings bounce back in this one too.
“I think Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday is finding out it’s not an easy job. The reality has hit home.
“He has come out and said he wants the job full-time, wants to have the chance to interview for it. If that’s what he wants, then he has got to win these sort of games – on the road, against a good opponent .”
Baltimore Ravens (9-4) @ Cleveland Browns (5-8)
Saturday, live on Sky Sports NFL, 9.30pm
NEIL PICKS: Ravens
“The Ravens have got to have this one against the Browns, as they are currently level in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals on the same number of wins – both 9-4.
“Their hopes in this one are clouded though without Lamar Jackson back at quarterback. It’s a tough one to call… but I think I’m still going to lean towards Baltimore because they’ve got the running game and they’re built on their defense, which has bailed them out a lot this year.”
Can the Baltimore Ravens get the job done on Saturday despite missing their injured star quarterback Lamar Jackson
JEFF PICKS: Ravens
“I think you’re right. I think the Ravens will win it. They’ve got a great defense, as you say.
“And, for all of the negative publicity that Deshaun Watson has brought to the Browns, after two games as a starter, his offense has had exactly one touchdown!”
Miami Dolphins (8-5) @ Buffalo Bills (10-3)
Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports NFL, Sunday, 1.15am
NEIL PICKS: Bills
“The Dolphins’ offense has hit the skids at the worst possible time, with the team suffering back-to-back losses.
“Buffalo, meanwhile, have ridden out their mini-slump. There was a period not that long ago where the Dolphins were above them and top of the AFC East division.
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Watch the best plays from the 2022 season so far by Buffalo Bills superstar quarterback Josh Allen
“There is snow forecast for this game, up to seven inches apparently. I see Miami dropping three in a row – Buffalo to win.”
JEFF PICKS: Bills
“I agree. I think it was Josh Allen who made the comment this week, ‘we’re built for this’. They’ve already started the psychological warfare against Miami.
“It’s way harder going from the arm to play in the cold than the other way round. It affects your mind, your concentration, your preparation.”
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Former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter sings the praises of quarterback Josh Allen after another all-action display in the team’s win over the New York Jets last Sunday
Detroit Lions (6-7) @ New York Jets (7-6)
Sunday, live on Sky Sports NFL, 6pm
NEIL PICKS: Jets
“This should be a really good game. It’s not two leading teams in the NFL, not even leading teams in their respective divisions, but they both are desperate to have this game.
“The Jets have lost four of their last six and so the shine has come off them a little bit, just dropping out of the playoff seedings in the AFC. They need a win to stay in the mix.
“This almost feels like a playoff game already. I’m going to take the Jets at home.”
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The Detroit Lions have gone on a sensational run of five wins in the last six games in their bid to reach the playoffs
JEFF PICKS: Lions
“I’m leaning towards the Lions in this one.
“This Detroit offense can score and, while I don’t expect them to score on this Jets defense like they have the last few weeks, I think they can get a couple of touchdowns.
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Former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger says Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is playing the best football of his career
“The Detroit defense gives up 400-odd yards every game, but this is a Jets offense that is beaten up right now.”
Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
Sunday, live on Sky Sports NFL, 9.25pm
NEIL PICKS: Bengals
“The Bengals are looking in good shape at the right time – they’ve won five straight, and I’m backing them to make it six.
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Check out the best plays from Tom Brady and Joe Burrow as they go head-to-head for the first time in the NFL as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday
“I just don’t think the Bucs have the firepower to keep up. They’ve had nine games in a row where they’ve scored 22 points or fewer, and have failed to do so in 12 of their 13 games in total.
“They just seem low at the moment, in terms of their morale and belief, they can’t seem to ride out moments of adversity.”
JEFF PICKS: Bengals
“We talk about teams getting hot down the stretch, and Cincinnati, for me, are a team to watch out for.
“This team, I think, will win the AFC North division and is in a position to make a strong run towards getting back to the Super Bowl.
Are Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in danger of missing out in the playoffs?
“The Bucs, meanwhile, to me, look old and slow – and not just Tom Brady, the whole football team. They are not the Bucs from a year or two ago, certainly.”
New York Giants (7-5-1) @ Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
Sunday Night Football, live on Sky Sports NFL, Monday, 1.20am
NEIL PICKS: Commanders
“These two are both in the NFC playoff picture, pretty much courtesy of the tie they had a couple of weeks ago.
“I think the Giants are finding their level, reverting back to what we expected before the season, so I’m picking Washington to win this game.
“But I think both of these teams need to look out for Detroit on the tails in the postseason race.”
JEFF PICKS: Commanders
“I agree. The Commanders are an ascending team, while I’m starting to see a little bit of, I won’t call it panic, but concern in head coach Brian Daboll’s eyes when he’s speaking to the press. You can sense his frustration.
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has done a great job with his team to have them fighting for the playoffs with four games to go.
“And how about the job Rob Rivera is doing with the Commanders? I would never have said this team had a winning record… I would have thought they were a couple of games below .500.
“This team has struggled with injuries and all kinds of other things and yet he has found a way to get them in the playoff hunt here in late December. That’s a tremendous credit to coach Rivera.”
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