NFL Tipping Sheet: Week 15 Previews and Handicap picks

SportNeverSleeps.com
15 December 2012

Can the home fans roar the Bears to victory at Soldier Field in a crucial NFC North showdown?

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Just three games to go in the regular season and there's a still a lot up for grabs. Four divisions still need a winner and the rush for the wildcard spots is on...

Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens
Sunday 18:00
The Broncos travel to Baltimore having already won their division, they now just play to improve their seeding in the AFC. Peyton has been the perfect on field leader and the defence has stepped up, they will be a real force in the playoffs. The Ravens should have won their division by now but have stuttered recently, they have lost their aggressive edge and suddenly their weaknesses are showing. Injuries have constantly hamstrung the Ravens and although they sit at 9-4 they haven't shown much offensive rhythm in at least a month. Flacco needs confidence and the defence needs to tighten up. If they do then Baltimore should get back to winning ways against the Broncos who although are the better team may feel comfortable already.
Recommended Bet: Baltimore +3

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears 18:00
Sunday 18:00
A classic fixture in the Windy City as the Packers roll into town to take on old foes the Bears in a huge game in the NFC North. The Packers currently lead the division and are improving week on week. Chicago started the season well but have fallen off hugely and now sit one win between the Pack and the resurgent Vikings who are hot on their tails after beating them last week. Chicago need to find their mojo pronto if they are to hold on to their playoff aspirations. Both these teams have lost their star defensive performers, the Bears have had to do without Urlacher and Woodson and the Packers without Mathews and Jennings, huge blows but the Packers seemed to have adapted better. Another injury worry has been Bears QB Jay Cutler but he should return on Sunday and give the Bears a big boost. With the Packers recent form and the ice cold Rodgers to rely on most see the NFC North being wrapped up this weekend but the Bears are fighting for their lives and this could be close.

Recommended Bet: Packers -3

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Sunday 18:00
Big game in the race for the AFC South as the Colts take on the Texans in Houston. With eleven wins already the Texans would have wrapped up the division in most years but the sparkling form of the Andrew Luck led Colts means they still have work to do. Houston looked about the most complete team in the NFL in the first few weeks but as the season has progressed injuries have taken their toll. They were exposed by Brady last week and the Pats put up 42 points on them in a worrying loss, they'll want to make amends this Sunday. The motivation for the Colts is huge, if they can get the win then they will have a real shot at snatching the division, their last two games are against the lowly Chiefs and then they meet the Texans again at home on the last day. Andrew Luck has had a magical debut season but this might be his toughest test, he won't find it easy to thread his passes through the Texans. The Texans have all the weapons but look for them to rely initially on the run on Sunday, Arian Foster looks good against most teams but has been particularly productive against the Colts in recent meetings. The Texans can't afford to be slack in this one, they should be focused and should attend to business to claim the divisional crown come Sunday.
Recommended Bet: Houston -7.5

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins
Sunday 18:00
The Jaguars take the short trip down to Miami to take on the Dolphins hoping to find only their third win of the season. It's been a season to forget in Jacksonville, they have been disappointing on both sides of the ball and the eight week loss of star player Maurice Jones Drew has hit them hard. Chad Henne got instated at quarterback three weeks ago after they lost patience with the Blaine Gabbert but there has been negligible improvement. The Dolphins haven't been overly impressive but Tannehill has shown potential and there are signs that a winning record is possible next year. Compared to the other rookie quarterbacks that have lit up the league this year Tannehill can't compare and he has struggled to put points on the board recently but he should have some opportunities this Sunday against a desperate Jags defence.
Recommended Bet: Miami -7

Minnesota Vikings @ St Louis Rams
Sunday 18:00
The resurgent Rams are looking to keep their slim postseason hopes alive as they host the Vikings who themselves need a win to stay in touch in their division. With neither team being able to afford a loss this should be a hard fought tussle. The Rams were written off by many but have shown real resilience and character since their season sparked into life in the tie with San Fran. Their defence has stepped up and will know that it only has one job to worry about on Sunday. Adrian Peterson, the phenomenon, he's the Vikings only real threat but he's the best in the business and however much a team prepares for him and whatever plans defensive coordinators plot against him he finds a way of breaking a few big plays. He is averaging a whopping 6 yards per carry and has the chance to get to the 2,000 yard figure this season. If the Rams can marginalise his impact even partially they'll give themselves a big chance.
Recommended Bet: Minnesota +3

NY Giants @ Atlanta Falcons
Sunday 18:00
The Giants are finding their feet just when they need to, ominously like last year. They have been hugely inconsistent all season and Eli has fluctuated from game to game but last week's 52 point haul against the Saints shows that their offence is starting to purr. They need to keep winning to stay ahead of the pack in the NFC East where they have a one game advantage. The Falcons are exactly where every team wants to be at this stage, eleven wins already and they easily won their division. They don't want to over exert themselves before the playoffs and may have taken their foot of the gas, they even succumbed to the Panthers last week and this looks a good time to play them. Will the Falcons rest their wings and take it easy or will they want to prove a point at home against the Big Blue?
Recommended Bet: Giants +1.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints 18:00
Sunday 18:00
The Bucs travel to New Orleans needing a win to keep them in with a wildcard chance, the Saints though will need a mini miracle, whatever happens it looks all set for a lot of endzone action as two strong offences take on two susceptible defences. Tampa are affective against the run but that won't be the issue, they'll be trying to stop Drew Brees, he's had an average season by his standards but he's already amassed over 4,000 yards and he should enjoy the Bucs porous secondary. On the other side Josh Freeman will also have opportunities and with Martin on the ground they can pound the Saints too. The Bucs may strike the final blow to the Saints season. Greg Schiano should motivate them enough to get them the road win.
Recommended Bet: Tampa Bay +3.5

Washington Redskins @ Cleveland Browns
Sunday 18:00
If RG3 can stay healthy the Redskins seem destined for the playoffs, there on a real roll but they'll find another tough challenge in Cleveland on Sunday. The Browns looked lifeless a month ago but after recording a huge win in Pittsburgh and then cruising passed Kansas they now seem a competitive outfit, they will be hungry for their third straight win. Expect the Redkins to have to rely on running back Alfred Morris more than usual as they try to protect RG3's knee, they should have enough to grab another victory and maintain their aspirations to be playing in January.
Recommended Bet: Washington

Carolina Panthers @ San Diego Chargers
Sunday 21:05
Both these teams have endured pretty miserable seasons but last week both got shock big wins with the Panthers beating the high flying Falcons and the Chargers claiming a surprise win at Heinz Field. It seems like the end of an era at San Diego and changes will be made in the off season but all is not lost in Carolina. Cam Newton has cheered up and is showing his true talent again and there's more positivity amongst the team, maybe next season they will realise their true potential. The Panthers should be able to get some pressure on Rivers who has lacked protection all year. Panthers to snatch it.
Recommended Bet: Panthers +3

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals
Sunday 21:05
Two more teams with pretty disappointing records, the Cardinals and Lions both find themselves at 4-9. Whisenhunt's Cardinals team started the season so well but have since completely imploded and are in a total mess, they will be trying to prevent a humiliating tenth straight loss. The Lions are in better shape, their offence has proven to be lethal and Megatron continues to dominate in the air. They should be able to capitalise on their hosts awful form, gloomy for the Cards.
Recommended bet: Detroit -5.5

Seattle Seahawks @ Buffalo Bills
Sunday 21:05
The Buffalo Bills look to have missed out, at 5-8 they have only the tiniest chances of making the playoffs. They haven't played to their strengths and fans are becoming disgruntled by the bizarre under use of C.J. Spiller who averages 6.6 yards a carry. The Seahawks laid the smackdown on the Cardinals last week destroying them 58-0, Pete Carroll's team is getting red hot at the right time. There are solid throughout and Marshawn Lynch will be determined to shine against the team that let him go, despite an unconvincing away record they should be able beat the Bills in Canada and heap the pressure on the 49ers in the hunt for the NFC West.
Recommended Bet: Seattle -5.5

Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
Sunday 21:25
Two horrible teams that have a lot of work to do in 2013 and beyond, not a lot if buzz about this one but at least someone will win! The Chiefs suffered an expected let down in last week following an
emotional home win in week 13. Beating the Raiders at The Coliseum will be hard but the Chiefs
seem to have a bit more about them. They'll have the best player on show, Jamaal Charles can continue his productivity and can stomp all over the Raider's terrible run defence and be the key player.
Recommended Bet: Kansas City +3

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Dallas Cowboys
Sunday 21:25
Two teams that are just about holding on at 7-6, loosing isn't really an option for either. The Cowboys barely sneaked the win against the Bengals last week which actually briefly saved Pittsburgh's wildcard place as they suffered a deeply disappointing loss to the Chargers. The Steelers look tired, they have had major injury problems all year and Roethlisberger hasn't looked comfortable on his return, the entire offence has been pretty uninspiring. Their record on the road has been weak and Dallas have a good opportunity to beat a below par Steeler team.
Recommended Bet: Dallas -1.5

San Francisco 49ers @ New England Patriots
Monday 01:20
After the Patriots impressive win over Houston last week they face another top team as the 49ers come to town to try and shutdown Brady's offensive machine. The No.1 offence versus the No.2 defence, should be good. Whereas the Patriots have already sealed the deal with their division the 49ers still have work to do. With Kaepernick now the main man the 49ers have a different approach for their offence that seems to be developing well. Buut it's their defence which is still their best attribute. Can they find a formula to stop the Patriots? Doubt it, New England are clinical in December and they'll want to flex their muscle.
Recommended Bet: New England -3.5

NY Jets @ Tennessee Titans
Tuesday 01:30
Bit of poor pick for Monday Night Football. Neither of these teams are going places. Mathematically the Jets can prove there's something to play for but realistically they'll miss out on the playoff shakeup. That doesn't mean Rex Ryan isn't desperate for wins, mostly to improve his own reputation, they have managed two wins in a row but they were against two of the league's worst. The Titans, on the other hand, are in the middle of a three-game losing streak, they've been woeful at times despite having a decent looking roster. This'll be another opportunity for the Jets team and staff to prove they should get another shot at it next year. They should get the job done.
Recommended Bet: NY Jets +1.5