We’re heading into the home stretch of the NFL’s regular season and it’s fair to say how strange a season it’s been. The two reigning Super Bowl combatants, Philadelphia and Kansas City, have remained relatively healthy but just look bad. Meanwhile, two AFC teams with second year QBs – New England and Denver look like they’ll be playing at home often come the postseason. Heck, Matthew Stafford was looking iffy in terms of health for the 2025 season and now is a -180 favorite to win league MVP. Make it make sense!
Let’s move on to my Week 15 score predictions. Hope to keep up the pace just above 2024’s results.
Last week: 9-5
2025-26 Regular Season: 140-67-1 (68%)
2024-25 Regular Season: 180-92 (66%)
2024-25 Overall: 190-95 (69%)
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The Bucs are in a free fall and regardless of the outcome of both theirs and Carolina’s game this week, first place in the NFC South will be on the line next week. I thought Tampa Bay would run away with the division – not so much. Losing to New Orleans at home was inexcusable. I just can’t pick Atlanta here as the Falcons are a mess and I’m hopeful that future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans’ return bolsters the Bucs.
Buccaneers 27, Falcons 20
Apparently it’s going to be bone-chillingly cold in Chicago on Sunday, which doesn’t matter all that much. The Bears are going to run-run-run and try to throw less than 20 passes in an effort to beat the lowly Browns. Shedeur Sanders has been halfway competent as a starting QB in recent weeks but Chicago wins a one possession game for the seventh time this season.
Bears 24, Browns 16
I simply can’t pick a Ravens game correctly. I’d love to give you some rationale that Baltimore is going to bounce back after losing the last two weeks, including to Cincinnati on Thanksgiving, but who knows? Either way, the Ravens certainly don’t look like a playoff team at this point and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the Bengals won again. But the revenge angle is enough for me to take another plunge with Lamar Jackson and company.
Ravens 28, Bengals 26
Houston will be a very dangerous team if and when they make the playoffs. That defense is fantastic, though the offense can be hit and miss. Against the lowly Cardinals, the Texans should have no problem winning their 9th game in their last 12.
Texans 26, Cardinals 13
If Jacksonville wins their last four games, they’ll have at least the number three seed in the AFC playoffs and at least one home game in January. But road games at Denver and at Indianapolis will be tricky the next two weeks. For now, I’ll give them an easy win in Week 15 and a victory in Week 18 over Tennessee to secure at minimum a Wild Card spot. Impressive job for coach Liam Coen in his first season.
Jaguars 29, Jets 10
In all likelihood, Kansas City is going to miss the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes-era. It’s stunning as I referenced before considering that injuries can’t really be blamed for their lack of success. They should win their final four games and get to 10-7, but will that be good enough? I highly doubt it. LA’s schedule of at KC, at Dallas, Houston at home, and at Denver is brutal. I wouldn’t be shocked if they went 0-4 and fell out of the playoffs.
Chiefs 24, Chargers 20
Since a 1-2 start, New England has reeled off ten straight wins including a shocker at Buffalo in Week 5. Now the Patriots enter off a bye week, which outweighs the revenge angle in this contest for me. Buffalo was favored earlier this week but that line has flipped, as it should. Maybe the Bills get revenge the third time around in the postseason but for now, give me Drake Maye over Josh Allen (their teams I mean) in a squeaker.
Patriots 28, Bills 26
Obviously neither of these NFC East rivals is going anywhere this season but I wonder if Dan Quinn, who is a year removed from an NFC Championship Game appearance, is going to be on the hot seat in 2026 with another bad season. My hunch is yes. Washington needs more playmakers and to upgrade the running backs in the offseason. The Giants, when healthy, have some hope going forward. Two interesting teams to follow this offseason.
Giants 26, Commanders 20
If Philly doesn’t break out this week against the Raiders and next week against the Commanders, it’s over for them. One of the fantasy teams I helped needed seven points from Jalen Hurts to make the playoffs on Monday night. He got -3.6 and the team fell from 2nd to 7th. Never seen anything like it. A MUST win for the Eagles and yes, style points do matter in this one to appease the anxious fanbase.
Eagles 26, Raiders 10
Tough one to pick here…but Denver is at home and like New England, has won ten straight games. I’m not sure how good this Broncos team actually is though considering their schedule has bene nothing special. With two excellent defenses, I’m playing the Under 42.5 confidently with a slight lean to the home team. I’m mildly surprised that the Broncos are home underdogs. Remember the key for Packers games: 9-0-1 when scoring 20+ points, 0-3 when falling below that mark.
Broncos 20, Packers 16
The Over / Under in this game is 55.5 and I’d be tempted to play it. Los Angeles’ offense is awesome, two star receivers, two good running backs, and the league MVP favorite. Detroit is missing too much due to injuries, and while Jahmyr Gibbs is a beast at running back, I’m not sure he can save the Lions’ season. This will be a fun game to watch, bet on, and use for DFS stacks on Sunday.
Rams 35, Lions 27
It’s kind of crazy that of the Saints three wins this season, two were on the road at the co-division leaders, Tampa Bay and Carolina. This is why I don’t play in survivor pools. Who in their right mind would’ve expected that result last week? Order will be restored this week as the Panthers, off a bye, go on the road to fight off the pesky Saints.
Panthers 26, Saints 19
Despite having a good offensive core, led by future Hall of Fame running back Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco is not a team I’ll pick to do much in the playoffs. Without defensive leaders Nick Bosa and Fred Werner, they have overachieved on that side of the ball but the issues will show themselves come January. For now, against one of the league’s worst teams, that won’t be an issue. As for Tennessee, I literally can’t believe they won another game, especially in a shootout over the previously stout Cleveland defense.
49ers 30, Titans 15
The Phillip Rivers comeback story is wild. No, I don’t think the 44-year old will make the Hall of Fame at any point and if he’s ready to take the hits, I get why he’s trying to save one of his old franchises this season. But don’t expect miracles against the top-notch Seattle defense. Indianapolis’ playoff chances continue to get dimmer by the week. Tough luck for them with the QB injuries…
Seahawks 30, Colts 13
The under in this game is my favorite play. Dallas’ defense has improved significantly of late and outside of their 31 point outburst against Washington in Week 14, Minnesota’s offense has been horrible most of the season. The Vikings’ defense will keep them in it…but Dallas holds the line late and keeps their slim postseason hopes alive for another week.
Cowboys 23, Vikings 17
And finally, at 2-7, the Dolphins looked dead in the water. Now they own the same record as the Chiefs…what a world. Have to give Mike McDaniel credit – he’s gotten that team to play hard. But Pittsburgh is at home and needs this one badly to maintain their lead atop the AFC North. Don’t expect this to be the most entertaining Monday Night game of all-time…but Aaron Rodgers finds a way and ends any slight playoff chances for Miami.
Steelers 22, Dolphins 16
Back next week with College Football Playoff score predictions and another week of NFL picks!
Cohen's Corner 