Week 15 NFL Picks: The Giants slay the Lions

Dec 15 2016, 8:30 am

Last week was our fourth straight winning week, going 7-6 as we get closer to the NFL playoffs. The New York Giants made a statement last Sunday by beating the Dallas Cowboys and we expect them to keep that momentum as they host a banged up Detroit Lions in Week 15.

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Here are this week’s NFL picks:

5 picks of the week

1. Detroit Lions @ New York Giants -4

Our Pick: Giants -4

Two teams that look to be destined for the playoffs face-off in one of the biggest games on the Week 15 slate. The Giants just made a statement to the NFL that they are for real, breaking the Cowboys 11-game winning streak and beating them for the second time this season on national television. Their defence was as stingy as it’s been all season, even with the loss of Jason Pierre-Paul, and should be able to slow down the Lions and the banged-up Matthew Stafford.

The Lions have now had eight fourth quarter comebacks this year and are in second place in the NFC. Although they keep making late game heroics, the Giants are known for shutting down teams on game winning drives. We expect that trend to continue and for the Giants to keep pace in the playoff race.

2. Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears +7

Our Pick: Bears +7

The Chicago Bears are coming off a three-point loss to the NFC North leading Detroit Lions. They’ve looked surprisingly competent under third stringer Matt Barkley, and have found a solid talent at running back in Jordan Howard who can chew up clock and hog time of possession to help keep games close.

The Green Bay Packers are fresh off a resounding victory over a perennial NFC contender in the Seattle Seahawks. We saw Aaron Rodgers get dinged up in that one, and that calf injury will likely hamper his mobility headed into this matchup. This Bears defence is quietly seventh in the NFL in yards allowed per game, and is sneaky good with Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks and Willie Young up front.

It’s a divisional game, and at home, the Bears should be able to keep this close.

3. Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings -4.5

Our Pick: Colts +4.5

The up and down season for the Vikings continues as they’re still in the playoff race and could welcome back Adrian Peterson next week. Their defence is still top notch and dominant at home but their offence has been struggling all year to put up points.

The Colts are essentially a loss away from being eliminated from the playoffs and will be playing for their lives in Minnesota. Andrew Luck will have a tough matchup against the Vikings but should be able to put up a couple touchdowns. We’re not sure the Vikes can put up much more.

The Vikings have only won one game this season by double digits. They should be able to win this game at home on their defence alone, but probably by no more than a field goal.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals +3

Our Pick: Steelers -3

The Steelers have clawed their way back into the divisional lead after embarrassing the Bills in Week 14. Le’Veon Bell has been an absolute monster the past few weeks and the Steelers defence is playing as well as they have all year. Although they’re 8-5, the Steelers are the one team AFC teams don’t want to face in the playoffs.

Cincinnati played quite well last week and could welcome back AJ Green this week. They’re just about out of the playoff race so they’re just playing for pride now. They have a very big rivalry with the Steelers and it should be a fun game to watch after the fireworks from last years playoff game. It should be a tight, hard fought battle but the Steelers are playing for the division while the Bengals aren’t playing for much.

We like the Steelers to win a tough game in Cincinnati.

5. Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs -5.5

Our Pick: Chiefs -5.5

For the Chiefs it’s business as usual come November/December, with wins in nine of their last 10, with their only loss in an away game on the east coast against a red hot Tampa Bay team. Look for the defence to get a couple of turnovers and Tyreek Hill to again make his presence felt with a splash play on offence or special teams.

Tennessee eked out a win last week with the help of an abysmal performance on offence by the Broncos, who only managed a team rushing total of 18 yards on nine carries and had two fumbles lost. We don’t see the Chiefs being that inept establishing the ground game at home with Spencer Ware in the backfield, so look for the home team to literally run away with this one.

Other Picks

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks -15

Our Pick: Seahawks -15

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets +2.5 

Our Pick: Dolphins -2.5

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans -6

Our Pick: Texans -6

Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens -6

Our Pick: Ravens -6

Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills -10

Our Pick: Bills -10

San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons -14

Our Pick: Falcons -14

New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals -2.5

Our Pick: Cardinals -2.5

Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers +3

Our Pick: Raiders -3

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos +3

Our Pick: Patriots -3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys -7

Our Pick: Buccaneers +7

Carolina Panthers @ Washington Redskins -6

Our Pick: Panthers +6

Darius EghdamiDarius Eghdami

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