NFL Week 15 survivor picks: Breaking down the best options
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Our top-three picks all won last week, as did five of our top six.
Just three weeks from glory now - here's to finishing strong.
Week 15 confidence rankingConfidence rankings (CR) are out of 10 based on the author's picks:
| AWAY | HOME (SPREAD) | PICK (CR) |
|---|---|---|
| NY Jets | LA Rams (-17.5) | LAR (10) |
| Jacksonville | Baltimore (-13.5) | BAL (9) |
| Detroit | Tennessee (N/A) | TEN (8) |
| Pittsburgh | Cincinnati (+12) | PIT (8) |
| Carolina | Green Bay (-8.5) | GB (8) |
| Houston | Indianapolis (-7.5) | IND (7) |
| Buffalo | Denver (+6) | BUF (6) |
| Tampa Bay | Atlanta (+5.5) | TB (6) |
| New England | Miami (-2.5) | MIA (5) |
| Chicago | Minnesota (-3) | MIN (4) |
| LA Chargers | Las Vegas (-3) | LV (3) |
| Philadelphia | Arizona (-6) | ARI (3) |
| Kansas City | New Orleans (+4) | KC (2) |
| Seattle | Washington (+5) | WSH (1) |
| San Francisco | Dallas (+2.5) | DAL (1) |
| Cleveland | NY Giants (+4) | NYG (1) |
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
1. Los Angeles Rams (vs. New York Jets)Let's not waste too much time on the obvious here.
The Rams have one of the league's most disruptive defenses and efficient offenses, and they had an extra three days to prepare for a Jets team in full quit mode, playing a second successive road game on the west coast. Next.
2. Baltimore Ravens (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)The Ravens are back on track offensively with the Lamar Jackson-J.K. Dobbins-led rushing attack giving opposing teams fits. They've put up 81 points in the last two weeks and now return home to take on a Jaguars defense that was just gashed for 215 yards - and an astounding 8.3 yards per carry - by Derrick Henry. Jacksonville, starting its third quarterback in five weeks, isn't equipped to keep pace in a shootout.
3. Tennessee Titans (vs. Detroit Lions)Matthew Stafford's health is important to watch for here. He's tough as nails, and with reports surfacing that he didn't break any ribs against the Packers, I'd expect him to fight through and play Sunday. However, anything less than a fully healthy Stafford leaves the Lions with little chance to overcome a defense more porous than Nonna's pasta strainer.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Cincinnati Bengals)This isn't sound logic - and I'd advise not adopting this thinking going forward - but the Bengals aren't coming close to beating the Steelers if they can't even stay within double digits against the Cowboys. As bad as Pittsburgh has looked offensively, its defense can win this game on its own against whichever quarterback Zac Taylor opts to throw out there.
5. Green Bay Packers (vs. Carolina Panthers)Close but no cigar has been the theme of the Panthers' season thus far. You're going to be competitive in a lot of games when you're as well-coached as Carolina is, but the Panthers don't quite have the talent to convert those opportunities into wins. Perhaps they cover here, but they're not going into Lambeau and doing enough defensively against Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to leave with a win Saturday night.
6. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Houston Texans)This is about the worst time for the Texans to visit Indianapolis, with Jonathan Taylor finally hitting his stride. The rookie has 300 all-purpose yards over the last two weeks and now gets another crack at the league's worst rushing defense, which he gashed for seven yards per carry a couple of weeks ago.
7. Buffalo Bills (@ Denver Broncos)Why is this pick ranked so low? No disrespect to the Bills, who have been nothing short of terrific of late, but this is a dangerous sandwich spot for Sean McDermott's team. Buffalo's coming off an emotional win on prime time against the Steelers, and the Bills will head to New England for Monday Night Football next week. How focused will they be in the Mile High City on short rest against a Broncos team playing much better over the last couple of weeks?
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ Atlanta Falcons)We know exactly what the Bucs are at this stage of the season. They're a solid football team that beats the average and bad ones but loses to the good ones. The Falcons fall into the former category, which should make for another routine Tampa win Sunday.
9. Miami Dolphins (vs. New England Patriots)Both of these teams are very well-coached, but I have confidence that Brian Flores' stout defense will give Cam Newton fits. The Patriots might be the only team in the league with less talent at the skill positions than the Dolphins' banged-up offense.
10. Minnesota Vikings* (vs. Chicago Bears)*Pending the Vikings' release of Dan Bailey.
Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.
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