5 day forecast
Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Week 15
Share with others:
Last week: 12-4 (.750)
Season record: 136-72 (.654)
Indianapolis Colts (13-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6), 8:20 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: The Jaguars certainly made their wild-card chances even more precarious with Sunday's home loss against the Dolphins. If they can't beat Miami, how are they going to slow the Colts, who set an NFL record last week with their 22nd consecutive regular-season victory?
Prediction: Colts, 24-14
Dallas Cowboys (8-5) at New Orleans Saints (13-0), 8:20 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Are the Cowboys, who have lost two in a row, already starting on their late-season swoon? Facing the Saints, who are 13-0 for the first time in team history, is not a good way to end their losing ways.
Prediction: Saints, 34-21
Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Steelers (6-7), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: This is certainly a case of teams headed in opposite directions. The Packers have won five in a row and six of seven. The Steelers have lost five in a row and are looking at No. 6.
Prediction: Packers, 24-17
Chicago Bears (5-8) at Baltimore Ravens (7-6), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Ravens have won six in a row at home against NFC teams. Based on Jay Cutler's propensity for throwing interceptions, it's probably a safe bet the number will soon grow to seven.
Prediction: Ravens, 20-9
New England Patriots (8-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-8), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Can you find the common thread with the struggles of three of the league's traditional powers this season -- Patriots, Giants and Steelers? One word: Defense.
Prediction: Patriots, 23-10
Arizona Cardinals (8-5) at Detroit Lions (2-11), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Cardinals aren't going to beat anyone if they turn the ball over seven times as they did against the 49ers. OK, maybe they would beat one team -- the Lions.
Prediction: Cardinals, 31-15
Cleveland Browns (2-11) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-10), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: In a battle of the pitiful teams that beat the Steelers, the only applicable logic is that at least the Browns weren't handed their victory with a kick return and two picks.
Prediction: Browns, 5-4
Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at New York Jets (7-6), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: This game would have looked a lot more intriguing in Week 4 because the Falcons and Jets were each undefeated then. The Jets, though, are bouncing back with three consecutive victories.
Prediction: Jets, 24-20
San Francisco 49ers (6-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-4), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Eagles are beginning to look like a team that can lose an NFC Championship game for the sixth time under Andy Reid. But don't look past those pesky 49ers.
Prediction: Eagles, 24-21
Houston Texans (6-7) at St. Louis Rams (1-12), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Rams already gave up 47 points to one team that formerly resided in Houston. Now they have to stop the current Houston team that put up 34 on the Seahawks.
Prediction: Texans, 23-10
Miami Dolphins (7-6) at Tennessee Titans (6-7), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Titans offense isn't the same without Vince Young. But, with Chris Johnson, who has eight 100-yard games in a row, it still has enough to win its fifth consecutive home game.
Prediction: Titans, 27-24
Oakland Raiders (4-9) at Denver Broncos (8-5), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Is it any surprise that a week after scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Steelers, the Raiders got whacked by 21 at home by the Redskins? Now imagine this.
Prediction: Broncos, 34-3
Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) at San Diego Chargers (10-3), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Only the Colts and Saints have won more consecutive games than the Chargers (8). It just could be that the Bengals will lose two in a row for the first time this season.
Prediction: Chargers, 31-21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-12) at Seattle Seahawks (5-8), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The only thing that would make the Steelers season more complete would be a loss to the Buccaneers. Their only victory is against the Packers.
Prediction: Seahawks, 24-10
Minnesota Vikings (11-2) at Carolina Panthers (5-8), 8:20 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Brett Favre gets a December road game in a mild-weather climate, further proof he leads a charmed existence. He may never leave a dome in the playoffs.
Prediction: Vikings, 24-13
New York Giants (7-6) at Washington Redskins (4-9), 8:30 p.m., Monday
The Skinny: Much has happened to the Giants since they beat the Redskins on opening weekend. Most of it, though, isn't very good, which is why they need to beat them again.
Prediction: Giants, 20-17
First Published December 17, 2009 6:11 pm
