There are just three weeks remaining in the NFL season and the playoff races are tight. Six teams in total have been officially eliminated, with three coming from from each conference. In the AFC it is the Jets, Jaguars and Browns. In the NFC the three teams that have been eliminated are the Rams, Bears and 49ers. If you’re a fan of one of these teams check out a mock draft here.
Only one team has officially clinched a spot and that happens to be the Dallas Cowboys. Six teams have a chance to clinch a playoff berth in week 15, but most of the scenarios require a lot and won’t list them until next week. For now the focus will be on picking the games and last week was a great week for picks. Here are Hagan’s Haus week 15 NFL picks.
Last Week: 11-5
Season: 120-84-2
Thursday Night
Los Angeles (4-9) 10 @ Seattle (8-4-1) 23: The Rams have finally made the right decision and fired Jeff Fisher. It only took them three years too long. Seattle is coming off of their worst loss with Russell Wilson who threw a career high five interceptions. A win by the Seahawks or a loss by the Cardinals will clinch a playoff berth for the Seahawks and with that much on the line they will win.
Sunday Morning
Miami (8-5) 23 @ New York (J) (4-9) 16: Ryan Tannehill is out for this game and the Dolphins allowed the Cardinals to come back once Tannehill went down. The Jets have looked very bad the past two weeks against the Colts and the 49ers. If Miami can run the ball and Matt Moore keeps the turnovers down they can still win this game. The Jets have given up an average of 193.5 rushing yards the past two games. The Dolphins run their way to victory.
Indianapolis (6-7) 22 @ Minnesota (7-6) 24: This is a big game for both teams as each still have a shot to win their division to make the playoffs. The Vikings offense has learned how to move the ball consistently, but can’t finish drives with touchdowns. Their defense is still stellar and can create havoc. Luck won’t have enough time to drop back in this one and the Vikings will keep their playoff hopes alive.
Green Bay (7-6) 41 @ Chicago (3-10) 24: Aaron Rodgers said the Packers would run the table and he might be right. The Bears do not have much to play for other than pride and hopes of ruining their biggest rivals chances at the playoffs. Matt Barkley has faired well so far, but the Packers are too hot and Aaron Rodgers is too good.
Jacksonville (2-11) 17 @ Houston (7-6) 27: Houston is a great team at home and Jacksonville is bad anywhere they step onto a field. Blake Bortles has regressed and he will struggle against a strong Texans defense. Lamar Miller is quietly having a great year with 1,010 yards rushing. This shouldn’t be a difficult game for the Texans, but anything is possible in a divisional matchup.
Cleveland (0-13) 24 @ Buffalo (6-7) 27: Keep an eye on this game. The Browns have a chance to steal this game if Buffalo doesn’t come to play. The closer the Browns get to a winless season, the harder they will be to beat. No player wants a winless season on their resume. The Bills still have an outside shot at the playoffs and should win this game.
Philadelphia (5-8) 27 @ Baltimore (7-6) 26: Philly is a decent team that will put up a fight against anyone and Baltimore looked pretty good against the Patriots. Both offenses are mediocre as the Eagles rank 19th with 22.3 points per game and the Ravens rank 21st with 21.5 points per game. All signs point to the Ravens winning this game, but usually in the NFL when that is the case the other team wins. Philly steals one on the road.
Tennessee (7-6) 13 @ Kansas City (10-3) 17: This is going to be a great defensive game. Tennessee is underrated and their defense is carrying them in their fight towards the divisional crown. Kansas City is a legit Super Bowl contender and is virtually unbeatable at Arrowhead. The Titans are good, but they are young and won’t win this difficult game on the road.
Detroit (9-4) 31 @ New York (G) (9-4) 34: This could be the game of the week in the NFL. The Lions love to put on a comeback, but the Giants defense is too good to let that happen. Detroit has a tough stretch of games coming up and this will be the first. Because this game is at the Meadowlands, the Giants hold on for the win.
Pittsburgh (8-5) 23 @ Cincinnati (5-7-1) 20: For so many years this was a great rivalry game with playoff implications. The Bengals haven’t been officially eliminated, but it is only a matter of time. Pittsburgh has a one game lead over the Ravens for the division title and needs to win to stay ahead. The Steelers need it more and that will be the difference as the Bengals will put up a valiant fight.
Sunday Afternoon
New Orleans (5-8) 21 @ Arizona (5-7-1) 37: Oh when the Saints, go marching in, they get beat by the Cardinals. The Saints defense is giving up the most points per game in the NFL and the Cardinals have an explosive offense. David Johnson is going to have over 200 all-purpose yards as the Saints stink it up in the desert.
San Fransisco (1-12) 17 @ Atlanta (8-5) 41: Atlanta is catching a break playing the 49ers this week as the playoff races heat up. Atlanta’s passing attack is going to light up the scoreboard for about 40 points. San Fransisco’s offense will not be able to keep up.
New England (11-2) 22 @ Denver (8-5) 20: Tom Brady doesn’t typically play well in the Mile High City, which would typically suggest picking Denver would be the right choice. The issue is Denver’s offense won’t be able to win this game for them and Tom Brady will throw his name atop the MVP race after this game.
Oakland (10-3) 34 @ San Diego (5-8) 27: If the Raiders win, they will have officially clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2002 in which they made it to Super Bowl XXXVII. Their playoff drought is at 14 seasons and it is going to end. The Chargers aren’t good enough to win this game and Derek Carr will throw for 400 yards to finally put the Raiders into the playoffs.
Sunday Night
Tampa Bay (8-5) 23 @ Dallas (11-2) 27: Dallas is coming off their second loss of the season, but both have been to the Giants. The Bucs defense has gotten hot as of late and in their last five games they are only giving up 12.8 points per game. One of the issues with their defense is they are giving up 110 yards rushing per game on the year and it is well known that the Cowboys strength is running the ball. Zeke will have a big game and the Cowboys will win a dogfight.
Monday Night
Carolina (5-8) 34 @ Washington (7-5-1) 31: The Panthers looked great against the Chargers, but that doesn’t say a lot. Both teams are fighting to make the playoffs. Cam loves the spotlight and Monday night football is the time to shine. Kirk Cousins has the Redskins as the eighth highest scoring team in the NFL. Carolina can score if they have to and Monday night they will need to. NFL teams are all about the same caliber and are mostly separated by quarterback play. Cam is the better quarterback and will lead his team to a close win.