There are only three weeks left in the NFL regular season and the battle for the playoffs has begun.
The main event consists of Super Bowl rivals Kansas City and New Orleans, but there are a few other gems that should sway the playoff picture – especially at NFC East.
Can Washington continue its run against Seattle, led by an improved defense with Chase Young from the first round? Are the Eagles getting a spark from new quarterback Jalen Hurts? Are the Giants doing prime-time versus the Browns? Those are the big questions on the way home.
SN has had one of its better weeks of the season. Here’s a look at our track record of choosing games in 2020:
- Last week: 11-5
- Season: 94-62
With that in mind, here are our tips and predictions for the rest of the 15th week:
NFL tips, predictions for week 15
- Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders (-3)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX / NFLN
The Raiders have each allowed more than 200 rushing yards in the past two weeks, and that’s a big problem. The good news is that the chargers are on the move 1-5 this season. Las Vegas is keeping its playoff hopes alive, but it’s a close call.
Selection: Raiders 27, Chargers 23
- Buffalo Bills (-4) at Denver Broncos
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., NFL Network
The Bills made a statement with their Sunday Night Football victory over the Steelers. Denver’s Drew Lock passed four TDs last week, but a three-game winning streak has forced him to make some mistakes against a Bills defense who has 18.7 points per game. Buffalo stays hot.
Selection: Bills 26, Broncos 18
- Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers (-8.5)
Saturday, 8 p.m., NFL Network
The Packers hold the top spot in NFC, but this is one of those trap door games to watch out for. Teddy Bridgewater can test the defense of Green Bay with high proof throws and continue this game into the fourth quarter. But the Packers stay ahead with Aaron Rodgers, who continues to play at MVP level.
Selection: Packer 31, Panther 24
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5) at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Falcons have lost their last two games by a total of eight points, and the fighting continues in the game. Tom Brady continues to prepare for the playoffs with a deep group of receivers and scores a much-needed road win.
Selection: Buccaneers 28, Falcons 19
- San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Two classic brands meet in a game with much lower stakes. The Niners fought on the offensive against Washington last week, facing an inconsistent Dallas team that had their best performance of the season. It’s a coin toss game.
Selection: Cowboys 24, 49ers 21
- Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans (-8.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Matthew Stafford’s status is uncertain after a fourth quarter injury against the Packers, and the Lions come in 29th place against the run (132.9). This should be another great accomplishment for Derrick Henry. Fantasy owners will enjoy that too.
Selection: Titans 31, Lions 21
- Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Rookie Runs Back Jonathan Taylor has found his groove on the Colts offensive for the past three weeks, and Philip Rivers should continue to benefit. The Texans hold Deshaun Watson for half an hour, but the defense is again exposed.
Selection: Colts 30, Texans 20
- New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
If the Dolphins are a playoff team, they have to win this game. New England ugly won the first week’s meeting 21:11, and this is going to be a low-scoring affair. Can Miami oust the Pats from the playoffs once and for all?
Selection: Patriots 23, Dolphins 21
- Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Bears and Vikings remain on the verge of the playoff chase, and Minnesota won the final matchup in Week 10 by 19-13. Chicago has since noted some insults with Mitchell Trubisky, averaging 30.3 points per game over the past three weeks. Expect the rematch to come to a wild end.
Selection: Bears 30, Vikings 27
- Seattle Seahawks (-5) with the Washington Football Team
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Washington is on the hunt in the playoffs and the defense has allowed only 14.3 points per game in a four-game winning streak. Alex Smith (Kalb) is under surveillance all week, but the Seahawks have found their rhythm in defense as well. Russell Wilson keeps Seattle hopes alive at home.
Selection: Seahawks 24, Washington 20
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens (-13)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Ravens have little room for error in the AFC playoff race, but the key will be to keep the game underway against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed 200.3 rushing yards per game for the past three weeks. Baltimore is rolling again.
Selection: Ravens 30, Jaguars 20
- New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams (-17)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
The Rams are big home favorites against the unfortunate Jets. New York is 1-4 ATS as a double digit underdog so Los Angeles could easily cover here. Look for the rams to keep them going.
Selection: Rams 34, Jets 16
- Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals (-6)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
Can Jalen Hurts lead the Eagles to an NFC East Championship at the last minute? Hurts provides an element to the game in progress, and that should result in a fun back and forth with Kyler Murray. If Philadelphia protects football, it has a chance.
Selection: Eagles 23, Cardinals 20
- Kansas City Chiefs (-4) with the New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The marquee game of the week puts more pressure on the Saints, who lost their first game with Taysom Hill at the quarterback in week 14. The Chiefs made four turns last week to beat the Dolphins. Patrick Mahomes is 3-0 in indoor starts for his career and he has a pass rating of 91.8 in these games.
Selection: Chiefs 34, Saints 30
- Cleveland Browns (-3.5) at NY Giants
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Cleveland continues its prime-time tour in New York and the Giants grapple with the two-headed running game played by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Baker Mayfield is playing enough to keep the Browns playoffs – and perhaps the AFC North title – alive.
Selection: Browns 28, Giants 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers (-12) at Cincinnati Bengals
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Steelers are looking for a real game after two straight defeats and rival Bengals offer the opportunity. Cincinnati has a –6 turnover rate in three games since Joe Burrow’s injury ended the season. Pittsburgh will take advantage of that.
Selection: Steelers 28, Bengals 13
