NFL WEEK 15 PRIMER
Bills (10-3) at Broncos (5-8)
TV: 4:30 ET Saturday, NFL Network
BetMGM.com line: Bills by 6
Bills’ keys: QB Josh Allen spreading the ball around. WRs Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley should be able to make big plays against a thin Denver secondary.
Broncos’ keys: QB Drew Lock will need to rely on the ground game behind RBs Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay.
– Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Panthers (4-9) at Packers (10-3)
TV: 8:15 ET Saturday, NFL Network
BetMGM.com line: Packers by 8
Panthers’ keys: Protect QB Teddy Bridgewater and get production from the run game and on defense from their pass rushers.
Packers’ keys: Keep rolling on offense and limit mistakes on defense and special teams. The Packers have scored 30 or more points in four consecutive games.
– Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
Buccaneers (8-5) at Falcons (4-9)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Buccaneers by 5 1⁄ 2
Buccaneers’ keys: Establish the run early with Ronald Jones and use it to set up easy playaction opportunities for QB Tom Brady against Atlanta’s young secondary.
Falcons’ keys: Look to TE Hayden Hurst in the red zone while continuing to feed WR Calvin Ridley.
– Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Lions (5-8) at Titans (9-4)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Titans by 10 1⁄
2
Titans’ keys: They have to pound the ball with RB Derrick Henry against a Detroit defense that is one of the worst in the NFL against the run.
Lions’ keys: Attack a secondary that has struggled, which would force Tennessee to drop more men into coverage, opening things up for RB D’Andre Swift.
– Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Texans (4-9) at Colts (9-4)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Colts by 7 1⁄
2
Colts’ keys: They’re going to win with the offensive line and with QB Philip Rivers, who had 285 yards and two TDs passing in the Week 13 win against Houston, making plays.
Texans’ keys: With a depleted roster, QB Deshaun Watson will have to rely on Keke Coutee to lead the receivers along with Chad Hansen.
– Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire
Bears (6-7) at Vikings (6-7)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Vikings by 3 1⁄
2 Bears’ keys: Limit Vikings RB Dalvin Cook like they did in a close Week 10 loss; he averaged 3.2 yards on 30 carries. Cook has gone over 100 yards rushing in five of his last seven games.
Vikings’ keys: Run the ball with Cook and give QB Kirk Cousins play-action attempts.
– Jack White, Vikings Wire
Patriots (6-7) at Dolphins (8-5)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Dolphins by 2 1⁄
2
Patriots’ keys: It has to start with running the ball and winning the line of scrimmage. The Patriots are constructed to play with a lead.
Dolphins’ keys: Finding easy throws for QB Tua Tagovailoa; the rookie has at times struggled with defining “open” with his receivers.
– Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
Seahawks (9-4) at Washington (6-7)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Seahawks by 5 1⁄
2
Seahawks’ keys: Give QB Russell Wilson as much time as possible in the pocket and allow his receivers to find holes in the Washington secondary.
Washington’s keys: To continue the hot streak, another dominant performance from the defense, especially DEs Chase Young and Montez Sweat.
– Zachary Neel, Washington Wire
49ers (5-8) at Cowboys (4-9)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS
BetMGM.com line: 49ers by 3
49ers’ keys: WR Brandon Aiyuk having a good game and RB Raheem Mostert an effective game.
Cowboys’ keys: The offensive line has to give QB Andy Dalton time to throw to WRs Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. Lamb has gone over 50 yards in just one of his last seven contests.
– Kyle Madson, Niners Wire
Jaguars (1-12) at Ravens (8-5)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Ravens by 12 1⁄
2
Jaguars’ keys: The common thread in recent close losses has been the ground game going over 100 yards.
Ravens’ keys: They need to stick to old-school possession football where they can assert their will on the ground offensively and be aggressive on defense.
– Matthew Stevens, Ravens Wire
Jets (0-13) at Rams (9-4)
TV: 4:05 ET Sunday, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Rams by 17 1⁄
2
Jets’ keys: Get the ball to WR Jamison Crowder, which will be difficult to do against an outstanding secondary.
Rams’ keys: Running the ball consistently with rookie Cam Akers who is coming off a career game and avoiding costly turnovers that would set up scoring opportunities for the Jets.
– Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
Eagles (4-8-1) at Cardinals (7-6)
TV: 4:05 ET Sunday, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Cardinals by 6 1⁄
2
Eagles’ keys: QB Jalen Hurts will have to be what QB Kyler Murray is for Arizona: effective in the passing game and use his legs (he had over 100 yards rushing last week) to move the chains.
Cardinals’ keys: When RB Kenyan Drake has rushed for at least 60 yards this season, Arizona is 6-2.
– Jess Root, Cards Wire
Chiefs (12-1) at Saints (10-3)
TV: 4:25 ET Sunday, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Chiefs by 3
Chiefs’ keys: Stress the Saints’ defense through the air by identifying mismatches and picking up yards on chunk plays.
Saints’ keys: Putting pressure on QB Patrick Mahomes, but New Orleans must find ways to get home without blitzing and taking players out of coverage.
– John Sigler, Saints Wire
Browns (9-4) at Giants (5-8)
TV: 8:20 ET Sunday, NBC
BetMGM.com line: Browns by 5 1⁄
2
Giants’ keys: Protect QB Daniel Jones, give RB Wayne Gallman room to run and don’t turn the ball over. The defense must be relentless in attacking Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield.
Browns’ keys: The Giants have been stout against the run all season, resulting in more onedimensional games in recent weeks.
– Dan Benton, Giants Wire
Steelers (11-2) at Bengals (2-10-1)
TV: 8:15 ET Monday, ESPN
BetMGM.com line: Steelers by 12 1⁄
2
Steelers’ keys: QB Ben Roethlisberger hitting WR Diontae Johnson and especially rookie WR Chase Claypool routinely after they create mismatches will lead to success against a struggling defense.
Bengals’ keys: Leaning heavily on RB Giovani Bernard and hoping it helps open things up elsewhere.
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire