NFL Week 15 Preview

This is a big, if somewhat boring, week of matchups for the NFL - for every Chicago/Atlanta game, we have a Green Bay/Baltimore and a Miami/New York Jets matchup. Still, here's the first batch of predictions for the NFL:

Pittsburgh over Minnesota (+3)
- Big Ben Roethlisberger’s thumb refused to slow him down last week against the #1 rated defence in the NFL as the Steelers easily won over the Bears 21-9. Look this week for an even better game: The Vikings have been playing much better then they should have in recent weeks and against a strong defence we’ll suddenly remember why Brad Johnson was the backup – plus, this is a do-or-die situation for a Steelers team that has just started to play like they were last year.

New England over Tampa Bay (+4.5)

- Never mind that the Patriots are the new Packers – they’re 4-2 this year at home and were 8-0 at home last year – but Tampa Bay’s passing has been badly as of late, and they’ll tend to use Cadillac Williams more then they should on Saturday against a decent running defence (11th overall). Look for New England to more then cover the spread as they wrap up the AFC East for themselves.

Dallas over Washington (+2)

- This is kind of painful for me, a minor Redskins fan, to admit, but Washington’s year is done. With both LaVar Herrington and Mark Brunell playing hurt, Dallas will push hard to try and avenge their loss in week three. Look for Dallas to double team Santana Moss, making the Redskins rely on Clinton Portis to get the job done.

Seattle over Tennessee (-7)

- The Seahawks are one of the better (not the best, though) teams in the NFC as of late, but will have a close game against an underrated Tennessee team. While the Seahawks are playing in a fairly weak division (The Rams, the Cardinals and the 49ers aren’t exactly quality opponents), the Titans have been playing solid football against the likes of the Colts and the Jaguars. Look for Steve McNair to show us flashes of his old self against an over-rated Seattle defence. Yes, the Seahawks will win, but it won’t be by much more then a field goal.

Denver over Buffalo (+10)

- With Denver playing powerhouse football (albeit with a 3-RB system that’s killed my fantasy team) and Buffalo playing like chumps, this game will be a blowout that gives Denver the push they’ll need to wrap up the NFC West.

Indianapolis over San Diego (-7.5)

- This game should be all but a given for the Colts. But the Chargers need a win, badly, and the Colts could care less at this point – they’re going to start resting players soon, so they don’t get injured for the playoffs, and Tony Dungy has already said that he doesn’t really care about a 15-0 record. But, with a strong defence that’ll eat up LaDainian Tomlinson alive and both a killer running game and a powerful passing game, Indy will make this look easy, joining the 1972 Dolphins in the 14-0 club.

Chicago over Atlanta (+3)

- Coming off a tough loss to the Steelers, the Bears will rebound with a vengeance on Sunday night. With one of, if not the, best defences in the league, the Bears will be able to contain both Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn, making Vick rely on a less-then-perfect passing game. And with Kyle Orton running the Bears offence, look for this to be a low-scoring, defencive game.