NFL WEEK 15 GAME PREVIEWS
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 hasn’t lived up to the offseason hype in part because of injuries. He will need to rely on the ground game behind RBs Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay.
Who wins? Bills 28-17
– 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.
Who wins: Packers 34-24
– 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 play-action 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.
Who wins? Buccaneers 23-20
– 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: They must attack a secondary that has struggled, which would force Tennessee to drop more men into coverage, opening things up for RB D’Andre Swift.
Who wins? Titans 31-23
– 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 wide receivers along with Chad Hansen.
Who wins? Colts 24-18
– 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.
Vikings’ keys: Run the ball with Cook and give QB Kirk Cousins play-action attempts.
Who wins? Vikings 24-23
– 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.
Who wins? Dolphins 27-20
– 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 a front bookended by DEs Chase Young and Montez Sweat.
Who wins? Seattle 31-17
– 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. The secondary will have its hands full, but CB Richard Sherman and CB Jason Verrett have played well when the pass rush is effective. Cowboys’ keys: The offensive line has to give QB Andy Dalton time to throw to WRs Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb and RB Ezekiel Elliott room to run. Who wins? Cowboys 24-16
– 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.
Who wins? Ravens 27-12
– 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 and avoiding costly turnovers that would set up scoring opportunities for the Jets.
Who wins? Rams 30-10
– 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: It will be QB Jalen Hurts’ second start and first on the road. He will have to be what QB Kyler Murray is for Arizona: effective in the passing game and use his legs to move the chains.
Cardinals’ keys: When RB Kenyan Drake has rushed for at least 60 yards this season, Arizona is 6-2.
Who wins? Cardinals 31-21
– 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. They’ll only manage that if weak links like LT Eric Fisher and RG Andrew Wylie can keep QB Patrick Mahomes upright.
Saints’ keys: Putting pressure on Mahomes, but New Orleans must find ways to get home without blitzing and taking players out of coverage. Players returning from injuries like DT Sheldon Rankins and DE Marcus Davenport must make a big impact. The Saints must keep their quarterback (whoever it is) clean against a disruptive Chiefs defensive line.
Who wins? Chiefs 27-25
– 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 but can’t lose sight of RB Nick Chubb.
Browns’ keys: The Giants have been stout against the run all season, resulting in more one-dimensional games in recent weeks. Cleveland must find a way to get Chubb and RB Kareem Hunt going to control the clock and keep consistent pressure off Mayfield. Who wins? Browns 27-23
– 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 succeed versus a struggling defense. Bengals’ keys: Leaning heavily on RB Giovani Bernard and hoping it helps open things up for rookie WR Tee Higgins. Defensively, bringing extra pressure could mean star S Jessie Bates can make a game-altering play or two. Who wins? Steelers 35-13
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire