Week 15 Pick-Down

Matchup	Adam's Pick	Eric's Pick
49ers at Chargers	49ers	Chargers
Bills at Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins
Redskins at Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys
Texans at Titans	Texans	Texans
Browns at Bengals	Bengals	Browns
Eagles at Giants	Eagles	Giants
Cardinals at Panthers	Panthers	Panthers
Jaguars at Colts	Jaguars	Colts
Saints at Ravens	Saints	Saints
Lions at Buccaneers	Buccaneers	Buccaneers
Chiefs at Rams	Chiefs	Rams
Falcons at Seahawks	Falcons	Falcons
Jets at Steelers	Steelers	Steelers
Broncos at Raiders	Raiders	Raiders
Packers at Patriots	Patriots	Patriots
Bears at Vikings	Bears	Bears
	Adam	Eric
Week 14 Record	11-5	9-7
Season Standings	121-87	124-84

To see how the "Experts" stack up: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks.

San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers

If you're searching for a legitimate reason to pick the Niners in this game, I guess you could point out that they are 5-3 over their last eight games.  Of course, they were 0-5 to start the season, but let's stay in the present.  Fortunately, I'm not looking for a reason to pick the Niners; I'm just going to pick them no matter what.  I do think that they are coming off their best game of the season against Seattle, and this short week may actually help them maintain some momentum, particularly offensively.  The Chargers are also coming off a blowout win over Kansas City, so we may get a game between two pretty confident teams.  Bottom line though, I'm picking my boys even if Vegas has them as 9 point underdogs.

Prediction: 49ers 27 – Chargers 22

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

It's hard to pick the Dolphins to win any home game, but with the Bills in town, it's a bit easier.

Prediction: Dolphins 26 – Bills 20

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

These teams are going in different directions.  After a solid start, the Redskins are falling apart.  After a horrific beginning, the Cowboys are playing some pretty good football right now.

Prediction: Cowboys 28 – Redskins 17

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

I'm not sure how the Texans can bounce back after that gut wrenching loss against the Ravens.  Luckily for them, the hapless Titans await.

Prediction: Texans 24 – Titans 13

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

This probably doesn't make sense but I just don't think Cincy will lose out.  They have to get another game this year, and this looks like a promising opportunity.

Prediction: Bengals 24 – Browns 19

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

I think the weather is really important in this game.  If it rains/snows, the Giants have the edge because the game will turn into a battle of the running games.  But it's only a 30% chance of precipitation, and it won't be horribly cold with a predicted temperature of about 30 degrees.  A dry surface helps Michael Vick and his speed receivers gain traction.  The Eagles will make some big plays down the field, but they'll have plenty of issues blocking the Giants defensive line.  The Eagles' defense is underrated; I think they might pick off Eli Manning a couple times.  Asante Samuel should play, and that's a huge boost for Philly.  LeSean McCoy has been really good lately, but I'm not sure how many holes he'll have to run through this Sunday.  This game is a virtual toss-up, but in the end I'll go with Vick to outduel Manning.

Prediction: Eagles 27 – Giants 24

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

Yuck.

Prediction: Panthers 19 – Cardinals 13

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

The Jags can clinch the division with this victory.  The Colts have been up and down all year and have obvious deficiencies that even Peyton Manning can't conceal.  Indy can't stop the run, and that's not good news with Maurice Jones-Drew coming to town.  I also just saw an excellent E:60 piece on MJD, and I will be rooting for him from now on.  I think the Jags' front four will bother the Colts and the Jags will control the ball on offense.  If David Garrard is solid, the Jags will be in this game the whole way.  By the way, has anyone mentioned that Garrard has a 93 QB rating this year? This is the biggest game in years for Jacksonville.  With sixty good minutes, they can punch their playoff ticket, and for a franchise in danger of relocation, this is a game they must have.

Prediction: Jaguars 27 – Colts 21

New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens

This great matchup should be a test for both teams.  Right now though, I think the Saints are playing better football.  Drew Brees will be ready for this type of playoff environment.  The Saints are getting healthy and the Ravens defense is looking a little old in the past couple weeks.

Prediction: Saints 24 – Ravens 20

Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs beat everyone they're supposed to, and the Lions don't win two in a row.  Or ever on the road.

Prediction: Bucs 20 – Lions 17

Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams

I don't think Matt Cassel will play in this game.  It just seems like ten days isn't enough to recover from an appendectomy.  In the case that Brodie Croyle starts, that's not good for the Chiefs.  He's 0-10 lifetime as a starter and led them to exactly zero points last week against the Chargers.  The Chiefs will pound the ball and ugly this game up a bit.  I think they can gash St. Louis on the ground and give rookie Sam Bradford problems with their 3-4 defense.  Ultimately the Rams may win because they will have the decided edge at quarterback, but I'm rooting for a Rams loss, so...

Prediction: Chiefs 16 – Rams 13

Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks

Atlanta wins so consistently because they have a smart accurate quarterback, really good offensive line, playmaking receivers, and two punishing running backs.  They are so balanced that opponents can't take away all their strengths.  The defense has been playing extremely well too.  The Seahawks are reeling a little after getting blown out by the Niners, but this team is different every week, so no one knows which Seattle team will show up.

Prediction: Falcons 30 – Seahawks 19

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Jets just don't scare me as a football team.  Their passing game is really anemic at times, and the defense doesn't seem to be creating havoc like they used to.  This is a bad time to travel to Pittsburgh, winners of four straight.

Prediction: Steelers 24 – Jets 6

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Denver can't beat anybody.

Prediction: Raiders 21 – Broncos 9

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

I really want to pick the Pack in this game, but I can't justify it without knowing Aaron Rodgers' status.  Even if he plays, the Packers will have to travel to red hot New England, who boast the best offense and the best team in football.  If Rodgers is there, he will be able to hit some big plays against the Patriots so-so secondary, but I just can't see the Packers winning in this environment.

Prediction: Patriots 31 – Packers 21

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikes will be up for this game since it's on Monday night.  Predictions are for -18 degree temperatures.  Ouch.  That normally wouldn't matter, but with the Metrodome popped, this game will most likely be held at the Gophers' outdoor stadium.  How many people are going to sit in that temperature to watch their 5-8 football team, which will be starting third stringer Joe Webb?  That should neutralize the Vikings' "home" field advantage.  The Bears will be eager to rebuild some confidence after the Pats wore them out last week.

Prediction:  Bears 17- Vikings 9