We are heading into the final 3 weekends of the NFL season and teams are jostling for playoff seeding and some are trying to keep their playoff hopes a reality.  Here are my predictions for Week 15 matchups.

Bengals at Eagles – The Eagles picked up a rare win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers behind a big game from Nick Foles.  The Bengals lost a heartbreaker to the Cowboys at home but still have hope as the Steelers also lost.  This is a game they need to win and put some pressure on the Steelers and Colts. AJ Green hasn’t scored in 3 weeks so you can bet Andy Dalton will be out to change that.

Pick – Bengals

Giants at Falcons – This is a great game as both teams have their sights set on a deep playoff run.  The Falcons have look vulnerable lately but have the advantage of being home.  The Giants seem to play their best when their backs are against the wall and right now they can feel the Redskins and Cowboys breathing down their neck.  I like the way the Giants play late in the season so I will go for them to pick up the upset win on the road but look for it to be a great game.

Pick – Giants

Packers at Bears – The Bears are stumbling right now especially the defense that was once dominate for most of this year.  The Packers are looking to take a firm grip on the division and set their eyes on a potential bye.  It’s never easy to win on the road especially when the Bears host the Packers but I just like the way they are playing right now and the Bears have too many injury issues to win this one.

Pick – Packers

Vikings at Rams – The Rams have been one of the better surprises of this season with a 6-6-1 record and the Vikings still have hopes of a playoff birth so this one should be an entertaining grind it out game.  The Rams have won 3 straight so they are peaking at the right time and want to play spoiler to some of these teams.  Adrian Peterson is playing at an MVP level right now and you can bet that will be the focus of the Vikings offense.  I think Peterson gets going early and that is the difference in this one.

Pick – Vikings

Redskins at Browns – The Redskins are one of the hottest teams in football behind the stellar play of RG3. There are some concerns that he might miss this weekend’s game but I think he suits up and leads the Skins on the road against a Browns team that owns a 3 game win streak.  The level of competition hasn’t been great but for a young team winning games and learning how to win is often the most important result.  The Skins pose too much talent on offense not to win this one.

Pick – Redskins

Jaguars at Dolphins – The Dolphins who once were in position to challenge for a playoff spot have hit a snide and will now have to settle with trying to inch back closer to being a .500 team.  There have been some good things to look forward to but just not enough consistency to be a contending team.  The Jaguars season has been a disaster that started with Maurice Jones-Drew’s holdout to him being hurt and then suffering more injuries.  Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon look like too good young receivers but the quarterback position worries me going forward.  I think the Dolphins win this one.

Pick – Dolphins

Buccaneers at Saints – The Bucs are fading fast once being 6-4 and now sit at 6-7.  They lost a couple close games but the result is the result and now they must look forward to improving and try to set a tone for next season where expectations will be much higher.  The Saints have also been disappointing with a 5-8 record.  The defense can’t stop anyone and Drew Brees has uncharacteristically turned the football over a lot. I think the Saints are determined to finish this season strong and they will win this one at home.

Pick – Saints

Broncos at Ravens – The Broncos have won 8 straight but now face a tough road test with the Baltimore Ravens who have lost 2 straight and no longer have a first round bye.  The Ravens fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and are now going with Jim Caldwell who has never called plays in the NFL.  When you have Ray Rice it should be as easy as giving him 25-30 carries and only throw when needed.  The Ravens have gotten away from that formula and that has gotten them in trouble.  Peyton Manning is playing some of his best football and has the Broncos poised to make a deep run.  I think the Ravens stop the Manning hot streak and win a close one.

Pick – Ravens

Colts at Texans – A big divisional game because if the Colts can somehow win this one they will inch to within a game of the Texans and still have 1 more game with them. This is also huge for the Texans because they still hold the #1 seed in the AFC and home field advantage. If they lose and the Patriots win then they will lose that as a result of their loss to them.  The Texans 2 losses came in primetime under the lights so you have to wonder the makeup of this team and if they are ready for the big time matchups.  A win here will go a long way in proving that.  I like them to bounce back at home.

Pick – Texans

Seahawks at Bills – The Seahawks are playing great right now but have the dreaded west to east trip and against a team they are expected to handle easily.  This is a return for Marshawn Lynch who was drafted by the Bills so you can expect him to be motivated to play well. The Seahawks currently occupy a wildcard spot so they cannot afford to slip up here.  CJ Spiller is going to the majority of the workload with Fred Jackson being out so now it is his time to show what he can do as a feature back.

Pick – Seahawks

Lions at Cardinals – Two teams who sit at 4-9 and one will finally catch a break.  The Lions are losers of 5 straight and the Cardinals losers of 9 straight after their shocking 4-0 start.  The Lions have played well at times just not finishing games while the Cardinals have gone through 3 quarterbacks and the running back position is a revolving door.  The Lions should win this one but it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Cardinals win too just because you never know what to expect or what Matthew Stafford will show up.  With Megatron in his corner ill go with the Lions

Pick – Lions

Panthers at Chargers – Cam Newton is finally starting to play like everyone expected him to turning out 3 straight monster performances.  The Chargers finally looked like a real team for once in their 34-24 wins over the Steelers.  Philip Rivers seems to have found a favorite target in Denario Alexander and they have the advantage of the Panthers traveling from the east coast.  I’ll take the Chargers in this one as Norv Turner may not be able to win out and keep his job.

Pick – Chargers

Steelers at Cowboys – The loser of this game is going to have to win out in my opinion and it still may not be enough to make the playoffs.  I think the Steelers are in the better position but playing on the road in Dallas is no easy task.  Dez Bryant might be out with a finger injury so that is one less weapon for Tony Romo.  I expect this one to be tight with the Cowboys pulling it out in the end.

Pick – Cowboys

Chiefs at Raiders – A rare week 15 matchup with no importance because these two teams have been out of it for a while now.  The Raiders can’t find a way to stop anyone on defense and the Chiefs have Jamaal Charles as their only offensive weapon especially with Dwayne Bowe being out.  I think the Raiders will win this one because they are home and send the Chiefs closer to securing the #1 pick in the draft. Unfortunately for them there is no franchise quarterback worth taking at #1.

Pick – Raiders

49ers at Patriots – Another great matchup on Sunday Night with the 49ers traveling to New England .  If the Patriots are able to win this one I will anoint them the favorite to win the Super Bowl.  Tom Brady was awfully impressive against Houston on Monday Night but the 49ers offer more challenge on defense.  This is a prime time game for Kolin Kaepernick so it will be interesting to see what he has. I think this is close throughout but the home crowd in the cold will be too much for the 49ers.

Pick – 49ers

Jets at Titans – A pretty boring Monday Night game but shockingly the Jets are still alive for playoff spot.  They need a ton of help and would need to win out but the Titans are a beatable opponent.  Mark Sanchez has to limit the turnovers in this one as I expect it to be a low scoring game.  The Titans haven’t gotten Chris Johnson going lately so that will be imperative. I think the Jets somehow manage to squeeze one out.

Pick - Jets