NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 15

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

This looks to have been the week of the dog, ten of them coming in and I only found one correct one so that means 6-10 straight up for 119 – 99 on the year.  The same record came in against the spread leaving me at 102 – 100 for the season there.

These are preliminary picks for the week for a pick’em league I participate in; I will make there based on injury reports and other information that comes out later in the week. These are made without consultation with anyone else at Football Forecasters and represent my best guess at this moment.  They are for amusement value only, no warranty expressed or implied.

Week 15

San Francisco at Seattle - Seattle is still the favorite to win their weak division but are at risk of not getting a first round bye and need to start winning while San Francisco is all but mathematically eliminated.  Seattle loves to play at home, Seahawks win 24 - 17.

Dallas at Atlanta - Tony Romo certainly helps in Dallas but the offensive line is still an issue; their defense has underperformed.  Atlanta has just generally underperformed and but can make the playoffs if they keep winning but seem less motivated, Cowboys win 24 - 21.

Cleveland at Baltimore - Cleveland gets an extra few days of rest and goes to play hated Baltimore.  The Baltimore defense is playing at a high level and the Baltimore offense, though somewhat inconsistent, is certainly good enough for this test, Ravens win 20 - 7.

Detroit at Green Bay - Detroit has been a turnover machine and Green Bay can be one also so this could be one really ugly game.  Green Bay has been uncharacteristically bad at home this season winning only one home game. Make it two, Packers win 28 - 14.

Houston at New England - The Patriots were shut out last weekend, an unusual experience as they generally played badly on both sides of the ball to lose to Miami.  Houston coming to town is pretty much just what the doctor ordered, Patriots 28 - 10.

Jacksonville at Tennessee - Tennessee is on a four game winning streak with Vince Young looking better every game.  Jacksonville crushed Indianapolis last week and may come in just a bit flat here, Titans in the upset 21 - 20.

Miami at Buffalo - The Miami defense has carried their team in recent wins and Buffalo has some injury issues coming out of their win last weekend it appears.  Still going to Buffalo in December is not fun for a warm weather team, Bills wins 20 - 17.

N.Y. Jets at Minnesota - Both teams here still have theoretical playoff chances available and a loss would effectively end even those remote chances so they should be focused.  Minnesota has serious offensive issues and not much time or talent to address them, Jets win 21 - 17.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants - The NFC will certainly have an interesting battle for the lower playoff berths.  This is one of the more critical games as both teams control their own fate, though after this game that will no longer be true, the Giants win 24 - 21.

Pittsburgh at Carolina - Carolina is hurting on several levels, injuries have created problems and they have an uphill struggle to try to get into the postseason.  Pittsburgh can be very good if they hold onto the ball but have been a poor road team this season, still Steelers win 21 - 20.

Tampa Bay at Chicago - Tampa Bay will be facing a very familiar defensive style and will have some insights into how to attack it.  The Chicago offense can win this game simply by not losing it against an opportunistic defense, Bears win 24 - 10.

Washington at New Orleans - New Orleans comes off of a significant win to face a down Washington team.  The key here will be to maintain focus but they should be focused on securing a first round bye in the playoffs, Saints win 28 - 21.

Denver at Arizona - Denver has continued to skid and will need an immediate reversal of fortune to get into the playoffs.  Arizona, despite a lame duck coach and fundamental weaknesses in both lines is still playing hard, Broncos win 24 - 21.

St. Louis at Oakland - Oakland is playing out the string at this point though their defense has shown plenty of fight their offense has been erratic to nonexistent.  St Louis has a variety of offensive weapons to field against that defense, Rams win 24 -17.

Kansas City at San Diego - San Diego is the class of the AFC at this point in the season.  While Kansas City can be a dangerous opponent they are simply too limited to keep up especially in the face of the San Diego defense, Chargers win 28 - 17.

Cincinnati at Indianapolis - This ought to be a scoring fest despite the recent emergence of the Cincinnati defense; albeit against some mediocre offensive teams.  The game will likely turn on who has the ball last, at home the Colts win 35 - 31.

Email Dale at: dale "@" footballforecasters.com