NFL - Week 15 predictions

The Redskins' playoff hopes are diminishing quickly as they have fallen deep into an offensive slump, epitomized by their loss to the Ravens last Sunday. At the same time, running back Clinton Portis is lashing out against coach Jim Zorn for not giving him enough touches late in the game.

The Giants fell to the ever unpredictable Eagles last week and the Plaxico Buress saga continues, drawing linebacker Antonio Pierce into the mix. The Steelers handed Dallas a loss with a late game pick-six and Carolina showed the Bucs how dominant their running game was. The season is ending and playoff races are tight, as shown by a three-way tie for first in the AFC East.

As for our experts, Anshul managed to pick up a game on Kevin to cut his lead to four with just three weeks left in the season. Stay tuned to find out if Kevin can maintain his lead or Anshul can pass him in the last second. No need to mention Sean as a comeback seems impossible now.

Standings:

	This week	Season total
Anshul	11-5	132-73
Kevin	10-6	136-69
Sean	11-5	122-83

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008

New Orleans Saints (7-6) at Chicago Bears (7-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New Orleans	Chicago	Chicago

Anshul says:
Reggie Bush is back and rolling again. The Saints have a prolific offense whereas the Bears have struggled at times, and the Saints should be able to get the best of Chicago.

Kevin says:
The Bears seem to be more consistent than the Saints, even though these teams are evenly matched. Although the Saints have lost a few by a few, the Bears have the ability to come back and possibly make the postseason.

Sean says:
The Saints have lost to teams that are not that good and beaten teams that everyone expected them to beat. The Bears are not one of these mediocre teams that the Saints played. The Bears will take this win.

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4) at Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tampa Bay	Tampa Bay	Tampa Bay

Anshul says:
The NFC South turned into one of the most competitive divisions in the league and has a chance to send three teams to the playoffs. Matt Ryan has revitalized Atlanta and if he can take his team into the playoffs, Atlanta will have something to cheer about since the shameful departure of Michael Vick. Unfortunately, the Bucs are too good for Atlanta right now.

Kevin says:
The Falcons are going to lose at least two with their remaining schedule. They have to give the Redskins a chance.

Sean says:
The Buccaneers are much better than I would like to admit. The Falcons are doing better than expected without their star QB, but the Bucs have been gaining momentum with their last few victories.

Washington Redskins (7-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-11-1)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Washington	Washington	Washington

Anshul says:
Please don't mess this one up, Redskins - we cannot afford any more losses.

Kevin says:
The Bengals are not a threat. This matchup will reverse the backwards momentum that the Redskins have been facing in the past few games.

Sean says:
The Redskins will have no excuses if they lose this game. Unless the Bengals play like the Rams did.

Tennessee Titans (12-1) at Houston Texans (6-7)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tennessee	Tennessee	Tennessee

Anshul says:
Tennessee has the best record in the league right now and is playing that way. Their running game is one of the best in recent memory with LenDale White and the rookie Chris Johnson, who is a front runner for Rookie of the Year. Houston has an electrifying running back in Steve Slaton, but they don't have the tools to match up with the Titans.

Kevin says:
The Texans are out of the playoff picture. Hopefully, the Titans will give us great plays in the playoffs.

Sean says:
We try not to rely on the record, but come on. The Titans are beast.

Detroit Lions (0-13) at Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Indianapolis	Indianapolis	Indianapolis

Anshul says:
It's the home stretch for the Lions. Can they maintain their mediocrity and be the first team to finish 0-16? It is a difficult task, but Detroit is up for the challenge.

Kevin says:
The Lions need a bailout, now. They have been outdone almost two-to-one in points. The Colts have a high-powered offense and this game will be the BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK.

Sean says:
Just a losing team. Chasing an impossible dream. They took the Midnight train going anywhere.

Green Bay Packers (5-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Green Bay	Green Bay	Green Bay

Anshul says:
Jacksonville has fallen far from their stellar performance last season, and a main reason for that is injuries across the board. The Packers started this season strong but are staring to fade. The Packers have to win out if they want even a chance of being in the post season.

Kevin says:
The Packers would have done better this year with Brett Favre at the lead, but he's a wiener. Regardless, his ex-team will be the winner of this game.

Sean says:
Jacksonville has enough injuries to qualify for Medicare. The Packers are determined to stay in the playoffs and won't fall to the Jags.

San Diego Chargers (5-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-11)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
San Diego	San Diego	San Diego

Anshul says:
San Diego is disappointing this year. Phillip Rivers is having a great year, but his team has too many injuries on the defensive side to make a late surge.

Kevin says:
The Chiefs need to play better next season. The Chargers do too, and they can start by picking the Chiefs off.

Sean says:
Maybe both of these teams will be better next season. But until then, this will just be an opportunity for the Chargers to recharge.

San Francisco 49ers (5-8) at Miami Dolphins (8-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Miami	Miami	Miami

Anshul says:
Mike Singletary should remain the 49ers' coach next season because the team has definitely stepped their game up since his appointment. The Dolphins are continuing on their great comeback season following a 1-15 disaster last year.

Kevin says:
The Dolphins may make the playoffs, currently in a three-way tie for the AFC East division. This game will help them get there.

Sean says:
Bill Parcells is bemused by the Niners' attempt to challenge the Dolphins under His divine benediction, as am I.

Buffalo Bills (6-7) at New York Jets (8-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	New York

Anshul says:
A three-way tie for first place = crunch time for Favre.

Kevin says:
Sean Howard's wisdom is about as developed as the Bills' offense. The Jets will outscore them.

Sean says:
Kevin Teng's repetoire of insults is as limited as the Raider's offense. The fact that the Raiders were one point away from beating the Bills does nothing for them against the Jets.

Seattle Seahawks (2-11) at St. Louis Rams (2-11)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Seattle	Seattle	St. Louis

Anshul says:
The Battle of Badness (couldn't come up with anything better)! Who cares? Not me! Let's give it to the road team just for fun.

Kevin says:
Both of these teams are incohesive and poorly organized. The difference is that the Rams have not been consistent with their losing, while the Seahawks have. The Seahawks beat the Rams at home and look ready to beat them again on the road.

Sean says:
We are no longer allowed to knock the Rams. The Seahawks have fallen so far that they are barely recognizable. This one goes to St. Louis.

Minnesota Vikings (8-5) at Arizona Cardinals (8-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Arizona	Minnesota	Arizona

Anshul says:
Arizona has already clinched their division, so the question is: will they rest their starters or continue to play hard? As I said before, I anticipate Arizona to continue to play hard.

Kevin says:
At this level, record does not mean much. The Vikings have improved from the start of the season, whereas the Cardinals have fallen somewhat. Momentum will grant the Vikings a key win.

Sean says:
The Cardinals beat Dallas. It was not a fluke. The Vikings lost to Tampa Bay and Chicago, two teams at an equal or lesser level than themselves. They were two points away from losing to our loss-entrenched Lions. Though they have a similar record, this is misleading. This game goes to the Sunshine State.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Pittsburgh	Baltimore	Baltimore

Anshul says:
Baltimore and Pittsburgh both put a number on the Skins this season in the same way: hardcore defense. Both these teams are atop the defensive standings, so it will come down to who can commit the fewest mistakes on offense and capitalize on the other team's miscues. The Steelers have the more dominant defense and a more consistent offense, so they should be able to handle the Ravens, but it will be a tough game.

Kevin says:
This will be a very defensive game, making it quite boring. Both teams will be trying all sorts of unconventional plays to try to drive the ball into at least field goal range. We can only hope that other games will be broadcast, though, as a low-scoring game is...ugly.

Sean says:
The battle of one and two in defense. Not pretty. Both teams are solid. It will probably come down to who will make the least mistakes and, in my opinion, that team will be the Ravens.

Denver Broncos (8-5) at Carolina Panthers (10-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Carolina	Carolina	Carolina

Anshul says:
Patrick Hillis is adding another dimension to Denver's offense, a dimension that the Panthers clearly have. Carolina had two running backs with 100 yards on the ground and two touchdowns EACH on Monday night.

Kevin says:
I have no doubts that Jay Cutler is a great player. I question the overall quality of the team, though. Carolina's overall domination leads me to believe that the Broncos will not make the postseason.

Sean says:
The Panthers, Giants and Titans have consistently held up their reputation for beastliness. The Broncos have done well by playing well and beating their betters that conveniently got injured players. I say the Panthers will find their chi and center it on a win.

New England Patriots (8-5) at Oakland Raiders (3-10)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New England	New England	New England

Anshul says:
The Patriots will pick up a win to try and get their division title against the "Blech" and Silver.

Kevin says:
Hmm. If the Raiders had at least a .500 record, I would consider picking against the Patriots.

Sean says:
The Raiders make me about as sad as Detroit. Yes, I know they have a few wins, but still.

New York Giants (11-2) at Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	Dallas

Anshul says:
The Giants won't lose two in a row, even with the Burress distraction.

Kevin says:
The Giants are still very good, despite their bad game. I do not believe their coach or the franchise will allow Burress to plague the team any further, especially against their divisional rivals.

Sean says:
I can't pick against my hometown. Sorry. DALLAS. ALL DAY, EVERYDAY.

Monday, Dec. 15, 2008

Cleveland Browns (4-9) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-5-1)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Philadelphia	Philadelphia	Philadelphia

Anshul says:
Philly beat New York, but Philly is definitely the most inconsistent team in the league this season. They crushed the Rams on opening night, looking like a contender. Then they stumbled all the way down to a TIE against the Bengals. Then they roared back with wins against the Cardinals and the Giants. I think good Philly will come through on Monday night.

Kevin says:
The Eagles got a monstrous win and I fully expect them to roll over the Browns. Deep down inside though, I think that the Browns might tie or beat the Eagles.

Sean says:
Kudos to Philly for humbling the Giants. While I'm at it, I might as well congratulate the Eagles for their upcoming win against the Browns.