NFL Expert Week 15 Free Picks and Predictions

Week 15 is shaping up to be a great week of NFL football. For many, it is the first week of fantasy football playoffs, and each and every game will be monitored closely for fantasy purposes. However, if you've been eliminated from playoff contention in your fantasy football league, you should just enjoy what should be a sweet slate of NFL games.

The Sunday Night matchup between the Giants and Cowboys looks like it's going to be a great game, so if you are busy on Sunday during the daytime, be sure not to miss the Sunday night football game.

Here are your free picks and predictions for each and every NFL game in Week 15!

New Orleans Saints (7-6) at Chicago Bears (7-6)

This should be a great Thursday Night matchup to kick off Week 15 in the NFL. The Saints and Bears are both still alive in the NFC playoff hunt, and this looks like a must-win game for both teams. The Saints barely got past the Falcons last week, with a final score of 29-25. Meanwhile, the Bears rolled the Jaguars with little problems, 23-10.

This matchup is certainly very close, and the game result will reflect that. I expect a big game out of RB Matt Forte, and the Bears should come away with a 3-point victory.

PICK: Chicago Bears

Buffalo Bills (6-7) at New York Jets (8-5)

The Jets are well-situated in the AFC Playoff situation, and even with a losing record, the Buffalo Bills are still alive in the hunt. Without a doubt, the Bills have to win this game if they want to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Both teams are coming off of disappointing losses. The Bills were only able to muster 3 points against the Miami Dolphins, and the Jets struggled against the already-eliminated San Francisco 49ers.

The Jets have the clear advantage in this matchup, without a doubt. The veteran leadership of Brett Favre should come through in this game, and I expect Favre to lead them to a nice victory. Jets by 10.

PICK: New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4) at Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Both have these teams have had admirable seasons to date. Matt Ryan has been everything that Atlanta was hoping he was going to be, and more. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are relying on an old reliable in Jeff Garcia leading their attack. The Buccaneers were able to muster some points against a great Carolina defense, and in my opinion, gives them the slight edge over a good, but not great, Atlanta Falcons squad.

This one should be close, but I like the Buccaneers by a field goal.

PICK: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins (7-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-11-1)

The Cincinnati Bengals got smashed again last week, this time by the Indianapolis Colts. The Redskins won't win by 32, but I do like them by at least two touchdowns. Sure, Washington's offense came out a bit flat against the Baltimore Ravens last week, but then again, the Cincinnati defense is not exactly equivalent to the Ravens defense.

This pick is easy, Washington by 16.

PICK: Washington Redskins

Detroit Lions (0-13) at Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

Some say that if you dream big, you can achieve anything. Well apparently, the Detroit Lions never really learned that. I have not seen a team as inept and as terrible as the Detroit Lions have been this year. Meanwhile, the Colts are coming off a massive trucking of the Cincinnati Bengals. Seriously, who makes the NFL schedules? The big question, assuming you want to watch this game, is whether the cakewalk Indianapolis is currently in will negatively affect them for the playoffs.

For this game however, there's no question. The Colts will kill the Lions...Indianapolis by 17.

PICK: Indianapolis Colts

Green Bay Packers (5-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)

The Green Bay Packers are fighting for their slim, slim, slim playoff hopes. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have to be one of the NFL's most disappointing teams for 2008. I am not fond of the talent level on either of these teams, at least at this point in time. The Packers lost to the Texans (of all teams) last week by a mere field goal. Meanwhile, the Jaguars struggled with the Chicago Bears, just as we all expected they would.

This is actually a real even matchup, and some may even call it a pick. For me, however, I have to take the Packers by a field goal. Aaron Rodgers and that Packers offense should be able to move the ball consistently against a questionable Jaguars defense.

PICK: Green Bay Packers

San Diego Chargers (5-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-11)

How ironic: just when people started to question whether the Chargers could actually deliver on their talent level this season, they roll the Raiders, and everyone seems to jump back onto the bandwagon. Hello, we're talking about the Raiders here! Last time I checked, the Raiders weren't a very good team. I predicted last week that the Chiefs would give the Broncos a run for their money, and they came up a bit short.

Coming off such a huge win, the Chargers undoubtedly have the momentum in their favor. With an offense that seems to be hitting on all cylinders, I expect Tomlinson to run all over the Chiefs, resulting in a 10 point win for the Chargers squad.

PICK: San Diego Chargers

Tennessee Titans (12-1) at Houston Texans (6-7)

This game will always hold close to my heart, as the old Houston Oilers team takes on the new-school Houston Texans team. OK, I'm just kidding. However, this game may end up closer than the experts think. I am a big fan of Houston RB Steve Slaton, and feel that he may be one of the most underrated rookies in the game to date. Both teams are coming off wins, but the Texans barely got past the Packers last week.

This will be close, close, close, and certainly more entertaining than the records state. I will take the Titans by 6, with the moderate chance of being upset.

PICK: Tennessee Titans

Seattle Seahawks (2-11) at St. Louis Rams (2-11)

This may be the least watched NFL game of the year, as this is truly the battle of the inept. However, for those who choose to watch it (yes, all three of you), you should be in for a fairly even matchup and a close football game. That doesn't mean that the game won't be ugly, even terrible, at points, but if you like close games, you can certainly watch this one.

Both teams have absolutely nothing to play for at this point in time, with the sole exception of a higher 2009 draft pick. The Seahawks played the Patriots close last week, but this isn't your 2007 Patriots squad. Take the Rams by a field goal.

PICK: St. Louis Rams

San Francisco 49ers (5-8) at Miami Dolphins (8-5)

So what exactly does the 49ers win over the Jets mean, anyway? Have they finally arrived? SF QB Shaun Hill was a savvy 28-39 for 285 passing yards last week, so he can certainly chuck it. The Dolphins took care of a questionable Bills squad last week too, so this matchup will certainly be more intriguing than many will lead it to be.

I admire Chad Pennington's ability to manage the Dolphins offense, and this gives them the slight advantage here. Miami and their "Wildcat" formation should be able to take care of the 49ers, by a touchdown.

PICK: Miami Dolphins

Denver Broncos (8-5) at Carolina Panthers (10-3)

The Panthers had a great appearance on Monday Night Football in Week 14, demonstrating their superiority over the strong Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Denver losing seemingly their 10000000000th running back, they will turn to RB Tatum Bell to fuel their running game. Ohh man, this won't be good. Jay Cutler is a fantastic quarterback, but I really question his true effectiveness without a scary running back in the Denver backfield.

Denver got past the Chiefs last week, but that won't mean much this week. The Panthers, with their dominant defense and efficient rushing offense, should win this one by at least a touchdown.

PICK: Carolina Panthers

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

The Steelers won a guy a million dollars in ESPN's Streak For The Cash game, which means I'll probably stop trying now. All moping aside, this should be a top matchup in Week 15 and will certainly be a great game. The Steelers defense is the most dominant defense in the league, by far, and they should cause Joe Flacco and the questionable Ravens offense some problems.

The Ravens defeated the Washington Redskins squad last week, but they will be in for a tough day against the speedy linebackers and top defensive line of the Steelers. I like the Steelers by 10.

PICK: Pittsburgh Steelers

Minnesota Vikings (8-5) at Arizona Cardinals (8-5)

The Vikings almost saw their worst nightmare come true, struggling to beat the lowly Detroit Lions last week. Meanwhile, it was just another week at the helm for Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, who went 24-33 for 279 passing yards against a miserable St. Louis secondary. The Vikings will undoubtedly come out with something to prove in this game, but the Cardinals have been playing a complete football game, with their offense and defense playing extremely well.

As much as I would like to take the Vikings here, the Cardinals get the edge by three. However, there is a great deal of room for a potential upset, so mark this one down as a game to watch closely.

PICK: Arizona Cardinals

New England Patriots (8-5) at Oakland Raiders (3-10)

The Raiders got embarrassed on Sunday Night Football last week, and things don't really get better with the league-average New England Patriots coming to town. The Patriots are still alive in the AFC playoff hunt, and they have to win this game. While it may be easy for the Patriots to overlook this game in preparation for a tough Arizona squad in Week 16, they won't. Cassel and the New England passing game should come through in a big way to deliver a nice victory over the Raiders Nation.

New England should win by 13 points.

PICK: New England Patriots

New York Giants (11-2) at Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

The NFC East is still one of the NFL's toughest divisions, and the Sunday Night game this week should be amongst the best of the year. While there are still questions regarding the health of the Giant's running back Brandon Jacobs, they have enough depth in case he plays and ends up ineffective. The Cowboys are right on the playoff bubble, and you can bet that they will come prepared to beat the Giants squad.

The Giants have a great offense, and I expect Eli Manning to lead the Giants to a very close win. I like the Giants by 3 here.

PICK: New York Giants

Cleveland Browns (4-9) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-5-1)

The Eagles should take control of this football game from the get-go and dictate their own pace. With Browns quarterbacks all on the shelf, Ken Dorsey could find himself getting another start next week. Also, Romeo Crennel's status with the team will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the Browns players. With not a lot left to play for, I don't think you will see the Brown's best efforts out there on Monday Night, and the Eagles have the advantage in this matchup.

The Eagles were able to upset the Giants last week, and they will come into this game confident, and not overly confident. I like the Eagles by 10.

PICK: Philadelphia Eagles