We’ve made it to that time of year where the NFL takes over Saturday as well as Sunday. It’s a bit upsetting because we say goodbye to college football but we get back to back days of pro football. Let’s dive into Saturday with our expert NFL Week 15 Picks, odds, and game previews.
Indianapolis Colts (+170) at Minnesota Vikings (-200) – Saturday, 1:00 PM EST
The Indianapolis Colts head on the road for the first Saturday game of the 2022 NFL season, coming off a bye in Week 14. Before the bye, Indy had lost three in a row including a 54-19 beat down in Dallas in the third of those losses. This week, they stay in the NFC for their third matchup against a top-ranked NFC team in just four games.
To match up with Minnesota, the Colts will need to look to their pass defense. The whole defense but especially guys like Stephon Gilmore will need to put the reigns on the Vikings offense that has plenty of targets for quarterback Kirk Cousins. With an offense that is only scoring 16 points per game, the best chance for a surprise win would be a low scoring battle like the one they almost pulled out against the Eagles.
Playoff Implications: A loss this week would mean they are eliminated from playoff contention.
Indianapolis Colts Notable Injuries: CB Kenny Moore II (O), WR Mike Strachan (O)
The Minnesota Vikings head back home for Week 15 where they are currently 6-1 on the season. Last week in the division rematch against Detroit, the Viking offense put up strong numbers, but the defense was just not up to the challenge of stopping the surging Lions.
This week, the Kirk Cousins led offense will look to spread the ball against the Colts. However, the running game also needs to come out stronger than it was a week ago. Watch for T.J. Hockenson to have a big game against a team that’s covered wide receivers well this season but not tight ends. On the defensive side, this is a good week for the Minnesota defense to right-the-ship against a weaker offense.
Playoff Implications: The Vikings clinch the division with a win.
Minnesota Vikings Notable Injuries: OT Blake Brandel (IR), TE Irv Smith Jr. (IR), CB Cameron Dantzler Sr. (Q)
Fantasy Football Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em
Indianapolis Colts Start ‘Em
- Jonathan Taylor 2. Michael Pittman Jr. 3. Chase McLaughlin
Indianapolis Colts Sit ‘Em
- Indianapolis Defense 2. Parris Campbell 3. Matt Ryan
Minnesota Vikings Start ‘Em
- T.J. Hockenson 2. Justin Jefferson 3. Adam Thielen
Minnesota Vikings Sit ‘Em
- Greg Joseph 2. K.J. Osborn 3. Alexander Mattison
Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Week 15 Picks
It would be good for Vikings fans to be able to say “after each loss, the Viks have come back with commanding wins”, but that just has not been the case. After each of their previous losses this season, the next game has been a squeaker where they barely come away with a win.
This week they are just too overpowered for the Colts and should not have any trouble taking a comfortable win into the locker room celebration that would ensue.
Final Score: Minnesota 30 – Indianapolis 17
Wicked Wager – Vikings Alt Spread -10 (+211)
Wicked Player Prop – Kirk Cousins Total Passing Touchdowns Over 1.5 (-145)
Baltimore Ravens (+130) at Cleveland Browns (-150) – Saturday, 4:30 PM EST
Baltimore gets their second road division matchup in a row as they take on the Browns in Week 15. Back in Week 7, the Ravens beat the Browns 23-20 but had Lamar Jackson under center. This time, both teams will have different quarterbacks as Jackson will be out again and Cleveland has Deshaun Watson off his suspension.
Last week with Tyler Huntley as quarterback, the Baltimore offense was carried by the running game that had over 200 yards and a touchdown. With both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards carrying the ball again this week, the Ravens will take the same approach against a Cleveland defense that allows 5.2 yards per carry to running backs.
Playoff Implications: Baltimore currently leads the division on tie breakers and currently has a 60% chance of winning the division.
Baltimore Ravens Notable Injuries: OG Kevin Zeitler (Q), OT Morgan Moses (Q), QB Lamar Jackson (O)
Cleveland also comes into this game off another AFC North game in Ohio, but not in Cleveland. Against the Bengals last week, the Browns got beat on both the run and pass but allowed Joe Mixon to run for 96 yards on just 14 carries.
This week, they know Baltimore will look to hand the ball off and the key for the defense will be making the Ravens throw the ball. Last week Baltimore only had 17 pass attempts all game, the Browns would like to see that number above 25 at least.
Playoff Implications: The Browns are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet but have a 1% chance getting in.
Cleveland Browns Notable Injuries: WR David Bell (Q)
Fantasy Football Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em
Baltimore Ravens Start ‘Em
- Mark Andrews 2. J.K. Dobbins 3. Gus Edwards
Baltimore Ravens Sit ‘Em
- Tyler Huntley 2. Devin Duvernay 3. Isaiah Likely
Cleveland Browns Start ‘Em
- Deshaun Watson 2. Nick Chubb 3. David Njoku
Cleveland Browns Sit ‘Em
- Donovan Peoples-Jones 2. Harrison Bryant 3. Kareem Hunt
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns NFL Week 15 Picks
This game could play as a deciding factor in who wins the AFC North. It will be an exciting and old-school football game that fans will get to see. Baltimore would like to limit the passing game, but they also know Cleveland has one of the best running backs in the game with Nick Chubb. Additionally, they have a quarterback who can use his legs when needed.
In the end, look for Baltimore’s defense to help them win again this week in a tight, low scoring battle.
Final Score: Baltimore 20 – Cleveland 13
Wicked Wager – Under 38 (-110)
Wicked Player Prop – Nick Chubb Total Rushing Yards Over 74.5 (-115)
Miami Dolphins (+275) at Buffalo Bills (-330) – Saturday, 8:15PM EST
Miami takes to the road again this week with a divisional rematch in Buffalo. In Week 3, Miami defeated Buffalo in a 21-19 matchup where the defense held the field, and the Dolphin offense did just enough. Chase Edmonds rushed for two touchdowns that game but overall, the offense had only 227 total yards.
This week, Miami will need quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to play much better than he has in the past two weeks. Similarly, it will be up to wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill to be better targets for Tua.
On defense, the Dolphins will need to shut down the high-powered Bills offense again. In the Week 3 victory, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen had 400 yards and two touchdowns passing. Additionally, he was only seconds away from finishing a game winning drive.
Playoff Implications: The Dolphins are two games behind in the AFC east; they have a 62% chance of making the playoffs.
Miami Dolphins Notable Injuries: QB Teddy Bridgewater (Q), RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (Q), CB Eric Rowe (O)
The AFC East is the most evenly matched division in the AFC. However, it’s still a surprise to fans how much Buffalo has struggled against division rivals. Last week, the Bills had a hard-fought win over the Jets to avoid dropping both their games against them.
In Week 15, they will look to win at home again in a game that would tighten their grip on the division. Not to mention, keep them on top of the conference. Last week, the Buffalo defense helped stifle Mike White at quarterback but will need to do the same against Tagovailoa. Although, Tua has more potential and many more offensive weapons. With Jeff Wilson a bit banged up, the biggest threat from Miami will be the big plays through the air; limiting those should help Buffalo outscore Miami.
Playoff Implications: Two more wins clinch the division for Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills Notable Injuries: WR Jamison Crowder (IR), DT Jordan Phillips (O)
Fantasy Football Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em
Miami Dolphins Start ‘Em
- Tua Tagovailoa 2. Tyreek Hill 3. Jaylen Waddle
Miami Dolphins Sit ‘Em
- Mike Gesicki 2. Dolphins Defense
Buffalo Bills Start ‘Em
- Josh Allen 2. Stefon Diggs 3. Gabriel Davis
Buffalo Bills Sit ‘Em
- James Cook 2. Dawson Knox 3. Bills Defense
Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills NFL Week 15 Picks
Buffalo is 2-2 in divisional matchups so far, even though the first three games were all on the road. They are an even more impressive 5-1 at home on the season while outscoring opponents 187 to 95. This game is looking like it will be another cold game with potential for snow. That forecast will work against a team from Miami that is looking to throw the ball early and often.
Expect Buffalo to take this one in the fourth quarter, scoring the last ten points.
Final Score: Buffalo 30 – Miami 20
Wicked Wager – Buffalo -7 (-110)
Wicked Player Props – Josh Allen Total Passing Yards Over 237.5 (-115)
Jaylen Waddle Total Receptions Over 4.5 (-125)