The New Orleans Saints face the Carolina Panthers in the Caesars Superdome this week. Despite a win a week ago, the Saints still find themselves at the bottom of the NFC South and in position to still end
up with a top-3 pick in next year’s draft. Despite that fact, they have already beaten these Panthers, in Carolina no less, just over a month ago, and are looking to do it again, this time in New Orleans. Carolina may be on the precipice of overtaking the NFC South, but the Saints will have a lot to say about how this division race unfolds. Carolina seemed dead and buried in the division not long ago, but those cats seem to really have nine lives, and hopefully that Saints can snatch another one like they did back in Week 10. Let’s take a look at this and all of the upcoming action in Week 15.
Last week, I went 6-8 (ugh)
I told you so: Packers over Bears!
What do I know: Bucs over Saints?
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WEEK 15
Thursday, December 11th – Thursday Night Football
Falcons(4-9) at Buccaneers(7-6)
During the first eight weeks of this season, the Bucs stood firmly atop the NFC South and amongst the best of the NFC as a whole, now they are staring straight at one of the more remarkable collapses this season. A game-winning field goal by the lowly Falcons will take the Bucs out of first place in the division for the first time this season. Atlanta wins 29-26.
Pick: Falcons
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Sunday, December 14th – Early Games
Browns(3-10) at Bears(9-4)
Chicago will bounce back from a tough loss last week, by disposing of the sad-sack Browns. Chicago wins 23-14.
Pick: Bears
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Ravens(6-7) at Bengals(4-9)
Both teams suffered massively consequential losses last week, but it will be Joe Burrow’s Bengals that rebound first over Lamar Jackson’s Ravens in an AFC North thriller. Cincinnati wins 35-30.
Pick: Bengals
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Cardinals(3-10) at Texans(8-5)
Houston has been on an absolute tear, winning five-straight, beating all three division rivals as well as last season’s AFC finalists in that stretch. Their defense has been stellar and will have as easy a test as they can get against Arizona. Houston wins 21-10.
Pick: Texans
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Jets(3-10) at Jaguars(9-4)
Jacksonville has roared into first place in the AFC South, but they won’t have as easy of a time against the Jets as they might expect. The Jets will keep this game respectable, but the Jags win it at home. Jacksonville wins 23-20.
Pick: Jaguars
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Chargers(9-4) at Chiefs(6-7)
Kansas City’s season has fallen off a cliff and the only hope of grabbing a rope is winning this game at home, which they will… barely. KC stays alive for another week. Kansas City wins 22-19
Pick: Chiefs
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Bills(9-4) at Patriots(11-2) – Game of the Week
This AFC East showdown may ultimately determine who will win the division, so the stakes couldn’t be higher. This one will come down to the very last play, and the Pats will come away with the win. New England wins 21-20.
Pick: Patriots
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Commanders(3-10) at Giants(2-11)
This battle for the NFC East basement will live down to its billing, as one of these two terrible teams ends their extended losing streaks. That lucky team is the home team. New York wins 27-16.
Pick: Giants
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Raiders(2-11) at Eagles(8-5)
Lucky for the floundering Eagles, they start the stretch of their season where they only face one more winning team before the season ends, and the Raiders certainly aren’t that. Philly wins, but it’ll be closer than it has any business being. Philadelphia wins 22-21.
Pick: Eagles
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Sunday, December 14th – Late Games
Packers(9-3-1) at Broncos(11-2)
The Denver defense is the most dominant unit in all of football at the moment, and they will completely shut down Jordan Love and the Packers. Once again, Sean Payton and Bo Nix do just enough to win on offense. The Broncos keep rolling along towards the AFC title. Denver wins 17-10.
Pick: Broncos
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Lions(8-5) at Rams(10-3)
This NFC showdown of offensive powerhouses will ultimately be won by the Rams defense, who will make the biggest plays with the game on the line. The Rams will prove they are the team destined for the NFC title. Los Angeles wins 24-21.
Pick: Rams
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Colts(8-5) at Seahawks(10-3)
The second Phillip Rivers era in Indianapolis begins against a buzzsaw of a team in the Seattle Seahawks. The spiraling Colts will continue to flounder in this one. Seattle wins 37-17.
Pick: Seahawks
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Titans(2-11) at 49ers(9-4)
Tennessee honestly has only one game left on their schedule that is potentially winnable, and this certainly isn’t it. San Francisco wins 21-3.
Pick: 49ers
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Panthers(7-6) at Saints(3-10)
It would be so great to say that the Saints were about to win two-straight games for the first time since Week 11 of the 2024 season, but there simply hasn’t been enough evidence to support that hope. Thankfully, this is the last “good” team the Saints will face this season, and although they’ve already beaten Carolina this season, this just hasn’t shown themselves to be a team that is ready to sweep anyone this season. Tyler Shough and the cast of future Saints stars will continue to show flashes, and that will keep fans hopeful for the immediate future. To be wrong about a loss here would be a fantastic early Christmas gift, but this feels like a game that comes down to the last play, which unfortunately goes against the Saints. Carolina wins 20-17.
Pick: Panthers
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Sunday Night Football
Vikings(5-8) at Cowboys(6-6-1)
Minnesota has been as perplexing a team as you will see this season, and Dallas has almost been equally inconsistent. Dallas’ offense will be the most consistent unit on the field in this game. Dallas wins 30-16.
Pick: Cowboys
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Monday, December 15th- Monday Night Football
Dolphins(6-7) at Steelers(7-6)
Despite suffering some tough losses over the past month, Pittsburgh has won the crucial divisional games they needed to keep them on top of the AFC North. Although Miami has been on a winning streak, it ends in a close game on the road. Pittsburgh wins 19-18.
Pick: Steelers
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That’s how I see Week 15 playing out as we approach the end of the 2025 NFL Season. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!
