2014 NFL Week 15 Preview

Okay, this one is pretty late, admittedly.

Still, let me make some quick predictions for this Sunday in the NFL. Here goes:

NY Giants should defeat Washington. Even though Washington is better than their record would indicate (I think), so are the Giants. They also have home field advantage, and finally notched a long overdue win last weekend. Manning was questionable, but now will be the starter come Sunday.

Pittsburgh should defeat Atlanta, although I think this game is really up in the air. The NFC South has been so disappointing so far, although the Steelers seem to play up or down to the level of their competition. Both teams are trying to win their division.

Oakland at KC should be the revenge game for the Chiefs. Yes, the Raiders won that earlier meeting. Now, it's payback time. This game is in Kansas City, and the Chiefs are especially tough to play there. Expect a blowout.

Miami at New England is similar to the previous game. Miami won the earlier meeting, but it's payback, and at New England. The Patriots have far more to play for right now, and should win easily.

Tampa Bay at Carolina is interesting. The Bucs are unpredictable. But then again, so is Carolina. in fact, the whole NFC South is. But I expect the Panthers should find a way to win, as it means far more to them, and they are coming off such a huge win.

Green Bay at Buffalo would have been better earlier this season. But the Bills are basically out of the playoffs, just about, while the Packers are fighting for home field advantage. Plus, the cold weather conditions that benefit the Bills usually should not be much of a factor against the Packers, of all teams. Green Bay's defense showed some vulnerabilities against the pass in the second half last game, but they should be strong enough to win this weekend.

The Bengals visit Cleveland, in a huge divisional showdown. If the Browns have any chance at the division, or even the playoffs, they absolutely need to win this one! But the Bengals and Browns both are coming off tough losses, and this could go either way. Somehow, something tells me it will be the Bengals, though.

Houston at Indianapolis should be a relatively easy one that makes official what has been de facto since early in the season. The Colts will wrap up the division, and the Texans will be knocked out of playoff contention this season once and for all.

Jacksonville at Baltimore? Oh, come on? It's almost unfair that the Jaguars keep having to play tough games like this. I do not see them having a real chance on the road in Baltimore in December, with nothing to play for, while the Ravens have the season riding on it. Still, Jax would be a dangerous team precisely for that reason, although I just don't see it this weekend.

NY Jets at Tennessee is interesting by default. Both teams are horrendous, but the Titans have home field advantage, and the longest active losing streak this season. I think they play well, but I actually see the Jets pulling it off, as they have been playing well these last few weeks.

Minnesota at Detroit would be interesting, except that the Vikings are not a great road team, and the Lions this season seem determined to put past failures behind them and get into the playoffs this season. They had a dominant win last weekend, and I expect another one this weekend.

San Francisco is teetering on the brink, and I think their playoff chances officially end this weekend with a loss to the Seahawks. Seattle is an especially tough place to play, and the 49ers have not proven to be able to win there. Plus, the Seahawks have kind of owned this rivalry the last couple of seasons or so. They have won four of the last five meetings between these two teams, and I suspect they will add to it this week.

Denver at San Diego was going to be a good game, a big game. Then, the Chargers lost a key game, and are on the brink. The Broncos are winning ugly, but at least they are winning. I think they'll win this weekend, too.

Dallas will visit Philly, and they should play better than they did on Thanksgiving, when they were blown out in the first meeting between these two teams. Still, I don't think they will have what it takes to win this game, as Philly just has a bit too much for them.

The Bears are struggling, but then again, so is New Orleans. Still, the Saints have more to fight for, as the Bears are basically done. I think the Saints get it done this Monday night, and find a way to beat the Bears.