There are just three more games on the schedule for each team heading into NFL Week 15, and there is a heck of a lot yet to be decided. Six teams have playoff-clinching scenarios that could play out, but much of the rest of the league is still wide open.
We’ve seen upsets every single week leading up to these pivotal late-season contests. That’s not about to change now that pressure is being ratcheted up even higher. So which teams are we putting on upset alert this week?
Note: Odds courtesy of Bovada
Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers (-3)
Aaron Rodgers is back, baby, and the Packers are still very much alive for a wild card spot in the NFC. If that’s not enough to get your juices flowing for some late-season football, then nothing will. The Carolina Panthers have been playing some outstanding defense of late, but they did just give up 24 points to Case Keenum and the Minnesota Vikings last weekend.
We don’t expect the home team to run rampant like it did last weekend, either, as star offensive guard Trai Turner is out for this game. Cam Newton has struggled to throw the ball in recent weeks, but if the Panthers are going to hang with the Packers he’ll need to figure out his issues.
In the end, the expectation is that a Rodgers-led Packers offense will have more firepower than Newton and Co. Playing with a must-win mindset, it’s never a good idea to bet against Green Bay’s gunslinger.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins (-4)
Washington is already eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 5-8. Arizona, however, is clinging to the dream of getting into the postseason with a record of 6-7 — a dream that will die with a loss Sunday in our nation’s capital. Road games on the east coast for west-coast teams are always difficult. But Washington hasn’t done anything in recent weeks to suggest it will put up significant road blocks for Arizona in this one.
Of the two teams, Arizona has a defense that causes problems on a regular basis. Chandler Jones is a nightmare off the edge, and Washington’s offensive line is in tatters. Kirk Cousins has thrown four interceptions the past three games and was annihilated by Los Angeles’ tandem of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa last weekend. He could be in for another rough ride Sunday at home.
Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) vs. New York Giants
While Rodgers’ return will spark the Packers this weekend, Philly is dealing with the opposite effect. Carson Wentz is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee last weekend. Nick Foles isn’t a hack, but he’s also nowhere near Wentz when it comes to having the ability to evade pressure and deliver strikes deep downfield. That’s been the hallmark of Philadelphia’s offense this year, and suddenly it’s gone.
On paper, perhaps this won’t matter a ton against the pathetic Giants, who’ve won just two games all year. But that’s why they play the games. The Giants did put up a good fight for three quarters last weekend before the defense fell apart against Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. And if Eli Manning has one of his better games, this is a winnable contest for Big Blue at home.
Philly will either play inspired ball without its starting quarterback and MVP candidate, or it will come out flat following an emotional roller coaster.
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (-3)
Both Miami and Buffalo enter Week 15 with their playoff hopes still firmly intact. Both are coming off big wins last weekend. It’s going to be cold, yet snow will not be a factor like it was last weekend, meaning both teams could have success passing the ball. There are a couple big reasons we’re picking Miami in an upset here.
First, Kenyan Drake has revitalized the running game for the Dolphins, going well over 100 yards on the ground the past two weeks. Buffalo’s run defense isn’t remotely dominant, meaning Drake should have another big game.
Secondly, Jay Cutler is coming off the best game of his season. He shredded New England’s secondary, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions, on Monday night. Meanwhile, Tyrod Taylor is coming back after being out with an injury and could be rusty, especially against Miami’s defensive front without his top offensive tackle, Cordy Glenn.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks (-2)
The Rams can wreck offensive lines. Aaron Donald can do it all by himself, which is why Russell Wilson calls him the best defender he’s ever played against. Seattle’s offensive line gets wrecked on a regular basis, even by teams that don’t feature behemoths up front.
You do the math.
Wilson has been running for his life all year long. He’s also pulled many a rabbit out of his hat, which is why Seattle continues to be a force in the NFC. But the Rams have the players up front and on the back end to make life difficult for Wilson, much like the Jacksonville Jaguars did last weekend, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.
On the other side, Bobby Wagner is questionable (hamstring) and his linebacker teammate K.J. Wright probably won’t play due to a concussion. This means Todd Gurley should have a huge game, and we already know how explosive the Rams are offensively from week to week. This all adds up to a big road win for the surging Rams, who are set to win their 10th game this year.
New England Patriots (-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Rob Gronkowski is back (though, don’t ask him about his suspension) and he has historically feasted on Pittsburgh’s defense. That said, this Steelers defense is much better than the ones they’ve sported in recent years and really gets after the quarterback. That’s not good news for Tom Brady, who was on the turf an awful lot on Monday night.
Also, does anyone think the Pats are going to shut down Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown after watching Cutler shred them to bits?
We’ve learned over the years to never underestimate the heart of a champion. Brady will likely rebound from his Monday night debacle to have a big game. But the real issue here is the fact that Pittsburgh’s offense is an unstoppable force. With that in mind, we expect the Steelers to win this one, clinching a first-round bye as a result.