Each Friday of the 2018 NFL season, we’ll be picking every game (except for Thursday Night Football, of course) against the spread.
Here are the picks for Week 15.
Houston Texans (-7) at New York Jets
The Pick: Texans
The Jets had to come back from 11 points down to beat the Bills last weekend. Houston won’t let New York back into a game, and a touchdown feels like a logical point differential.
Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (-2.5)
The Pick: Browns
The Broncos injury list is as long as my holiday wish list (real long) and Cleveland is experiencing an offensive renaissance under Baker Mayfield and offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)
The Pick: Ravens
The 7.5-point spread is a touch larger than I’d prefer, but it’s hard pick the Buccaneers on the road in Baltimore despite their improved play of late.
Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
The Pick: Raiders
Someway, somehow the Raiders have played much better over the last two weeks, albeit at home. Regardless, I’ll take Jon Gruden’s team for the win against Jeff Driskel’s Bengals.
Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-2)
The Pick: Bills
Buffalo burned me last week after blowing a double-digit lead at home against the Jets, but I still lean the way of the Bills whenever they play at New Era Field against mediocre competition.
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts (-3)
The Pick: Colts
This comes down to home-field advantage for the Colts. Indy scores nearly 32 points a game at home and Dallas has had their fair share of troubles on the road. This could be close, but I like Andrew Luck and the Colts by a field goal.
Tennessee Titans at New York Giants (-1)
The Pick: Giants
If this were in Tennessee, I wouldn’t think twice about taking the Titans. But Marcus Mariota and company are 2-4 on the road this season, and the Giants seem to have found some offensive rhythm, led by electric rookie Saquon Barkley.
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings (-7.5)
The Pick: Dolphins
Until I see a tangible difference in Minnesota’s offence on the field, I can’t take the Vikings by more than three points. (The Dolphins are going to make me regret this, aren’t they?)
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons (-10)
The Pick: Cardinals
The Falcons haven’t won a game in six weeks and are 2-5 at home against the spread. How do you pick Atlanta by double digits?
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (-5.5)
The Pick: Bears
How impressive was last Sunday’s stymying of the high-powered Rams? I expect a similar result against the Packers as Chicago looks to avenge that memorable Week 1 loss.
Washington at Jacksonville Jaguars (-7.5)
The Pick: Washington
Do yourself a favour: don’t bet on this game.
But if you must, I’m picking Washington only because I don’t believe this Jags offence can score more than seven points in a game.
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Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) at San Francisco 49ers
The Pick: Seahawks
The Seahawks are rolling with four straight wins and six in their last eight games, including an impressive defensive performance last week against Minnesota.
New England Patriots (-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pick: Patriots
Since 2003, the Patriots are 40-14 against the spread after a loss. ‘Nuff said.
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams (-12.5)
The Pick: Eagles
The Eagles won’t find the magic in Nick Foles that led Philly to a Super Bowl last season, but could keep it close at the Rams, who are just 2-7-1 against the spread in their last 10.
New Orleans Saints (-6) at Carolina Panthers
The Pick: Saints
The Saints are 6-1 against the spread on the road this season while an injured Cam Newton and the Panthers are reeling after five straight losses.
