NFL picks, predictions for Week 15: Eagles top Steelers, Lions take down Bills in potential Super Bowl previews | Sporting News

The Steelers have been an elite underdog this season under Mike Tomlin. 

Pittsburgh is 4-0 as an underdog in 2024, and Russell Wilson is 6-1 overall as the starter. That includes upset victories against the Commanders and Bengals. Now, Pittsburgh can take this season to the next level. 

The Eagles are on a nine-game winning streak, and Saquon Barkley leads the NFL with 1,623 rushing yards. Philadelphia has won four straight home games since a Week 2 loss against Atlanta, and the in-state matchup is a chance to continue a streak against the Steelers. Philadelphia has won 10 straight home matchups between Veterans Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field against Pittsburgh — a streak that dates back to 1965 when the teams played twice a year. 

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Can the Steelers break that streak? Each week, we will pick NFL matchups straight up and against the spread. A look at our track record this season: 

• Straight up: 150-58 (11-2 in Week 14)
• Against the spread: 119-83-6 (5-8 in Week 14) 

Here are our picks for Week 15: 

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NFL picks, predictions for Week 15

• Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (-2) 

Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video 

Here’s another key NFC West showdown with playoff implications. The Rams are 1-3 S/U and 1-3 ATS  as an underdog of three points or more, but they won the first meeting 27-24. Los Angeles’ running game has perked up the past two weeks with 146.5 yards per game. Isaac Guerendo had 15 carries for 78 yards and two TDs as the starter for the 49ers, and if he plays through his foot injury, he should have success against a Rams’ defense that ranks 28th against the run. 

Pick: 49ers 27, Rams 24

MORE: NFC West standings after another wild set of games

• Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) at Cleveland Browns 

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS 

The Chiefs have failed to cover in their past six games as a favorite. Cleveland has committed three turnovers in each of its past three games, but the Browns have home upsets against Pittsburgh and Baltimore this season. The Chiefs take advantage of turnovers again, but the Browns hang around at home.  

Pick: Chiefs 23, Browns 19

MORE: Why Justin Reid was kicking off for Chiefs | Chris Jones sums up latest win: ‘We keep the ratings, baby’

• Cincinnati Bengals (-5) at Tennessee Titans 

Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox

The Titans have scored just 12.5 points per game in their past two losses, and Will Levis is dealing with a shoulder injury. Levis has been sacked 24 times in his past five games. Expect Cincinnati to turn up the pressure with Trey Hendrickson, who is due for another huge game. Joe Burrow will do the rest. 

Pick: Bengals 30, Titans 20

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• Washington Commanders (-7.5) at New Orleans Saints 

Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox

The Saints have scored 14 points in their past two games, which won’t be enough to keep up with the Commanders’ offense, led by Jayden Daniels. The rookie quarterback has an impressive 109.5 passer rating on the road this season, too. New Orleans is 3-4 S/U at home, but the LSU Heisman Trophy winner will impress in a homecoming of sorts. 

Pick: Commanders 28, Saints 16

MORE: Derek Carr injury update

• Baltimore Ravens (-14.5) at New York Giants 

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Ravens are huge favorites against the Giants, who have averaged 12.7 points per game since the bye week. Drew Lock is averaging 202.5 passing yards per game, but he has no TDs and two interceptions in two starts. It’s still a huge spread knowing the Ravens are 1-3 ATS when favored by seven points or more this season. Baltimore is coming off a bye week, so expect a healthy dose of Derrick Henry against a Giants’ defense that allows 141.7 rushing yards per game. 

Pick: Ravens 30, Giants 17

• Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers (-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox

The Cowboys are working off a short week. Carolina has three straight one-score losses since its bye week. Bryce Young has just one interception and three sacks in those games, but there will be more pressure coming from the Cowboys. These are the two worst run defenses in the league this season, meaning Young and Cooper Rush should both be comfortable. 

Pick: Cowboys 28, Panthers 24

• New York Jets (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars 

Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox

This could be the ugliest game of the week between teams already looking to next year. The Jaguars will stick with a high-percentage passing game to avoid turnovers from Mac Jones. Aaron Rodgers has five TDs and one interception in his past three games. We trust him a little more in this matchup. New York wins a defensive struggle on the road. 

Pick: Jets 17, Jaguars 13

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• Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans (-2.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Dolphins are on the outskirts of the AFC playoff hunt, and Houston is coming off a bye week. That adds up to a close game. The Texans need to get Joe Mixon on track. The Texans are 3-3 S/U when he rushes for 100 yards or less, and Miami is seventh in the NFL in run defense. Miami is also 2-4 S/U on the road this season. 

Pick: Texans 23, Dolphins 21 

• Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (-4.5)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

The Colts are coming out of a bye week, and this will be a test for Anthony Richardson. He is 2-2 S/U in road starts this season with a 49.2-percent completion percentage, five TDs, and six interceptions. Denver is 4-2 at home this season, where they have allowed 19.2 points per game. The Broncos are 6-1 ATS as a favorite, too. 

Pick: Broncos 27, Colts 19 

• Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (-2.5) 

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

Is this a Super Bowl preview? The Lions (32.1 ppg) and Bills (30.5 ppg) are the only teams in the NFL averaging more than 30 points per game. Josh Allen should have success against an aggressive Detroit defense that has played well despite numerous injuries. Jared Goff has a 111.9 passer rating at home. Dan Campbell absolutely will go for it in crunch time, but so will the Bills. They have an 86.8-percent conversion percentage on fourth down. Who makes the game-changing play? 

Pick: Lions 33, Bills 30 

MORE LIONS: Dan Campbell lives up to reputation with gutsy 4th-down calls | Jared Goff praises Campbell’s ‘stones’

MORE BILLS: Allen sews up MVP despite loss | Bills have just 9 players on field during final play

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox

Maybe this is the Super Bowl preview of the week? The Eagles are on a nine-game winning streak, and this is a strength-on-strength matchup. How much success will Barkley have against the Steelers’ run defense? Russell Wilson will match Jalen Hurts in the passing game in the first half, and the Steelers will keep this one close. We still like the Eagles to keep it rolling. 

Pick: Eagles 24, Steelers 20 

MORE: A.J. Brown gives blunt assessment of what’s wrong with Eagles’ offense

• New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals (-6.5) 

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox

Arizona is 4-3 S/U at home this season, and they are looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Patriots have been a hit-or-miss play on the road this season, but they have covered in four of their past six games. Drake Maye continues to improve with each start, and that maturation will continue in another close call on the road. 

Pick: Cardinals 20, Patriots 19 

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers (-3) 

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

The Chargers have scored 17 points each of the past two weeks, and they have averaged 77.6 rushing yards per game over the past three weeks. JK Dobbins’ absence has clearly impacted the offense. Tampa Bay has won three in a row with a running game that averages 181.7 rushing yards per game. That will be the difference. 

Pick: Buccaneers 24, Chargers 21

• Green Bay Packers (-2.5) at Seattle Seahawks 

Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC/Peacock 

This is a tricky game for the Packers in a possible NFC wild-card preview. The Seahawks got a spark from running back Zach Charbonnet, who had 193 total yards and two TDs in Week 14. If Seattle can get off to a fast start, that will put more pressure on Jordan Love, who has a 59.6-percent completion percentage on the road this season. Green Bay breaks a four-game losing streak at Seattle, but it will be close. 

Pick: Packers 26, Seahawks 19 

MORE: What’s ahead for top teams in NFC North

• Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5) 

Monday, 8 p.m., Monday, ABC

The Vikings are keeping pace with Detroit in the NFC North race, and Sam Darnold has 11 TDs and no interceptions in his past four games. Minnesota has a plus-4 turnover ratio in those games and is 5-1 S/U and 4-2 ATS at home. Caleb Williams hasn’t thrown an interception in seven games, but he’s also taken an average of five sacks per game. 

Pick: Vikings 34, Bears 21 

MORE: Vikings have a Sam Darnold problem — in 2025

• Atlanta Falcons (-4.5) at Las Vegas Raiders 

Monday, 8:30 p.m., Monday, ESPN

When will Kirk Cousins get right? The Falcons quarterback has no TDs and eight interceptions in his past four games. The Raiders are shuffling quarterbacks, and former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder could get the start with Aidan O’Connell (knee) banged up. Will Atlanta break its three-game road losing streak here? 

Pick: Falcons 23, Raiders 20

MORE FALCONS: Is Kirk Cousins on hot seat after ‘revenge game’ flop vs. Vikings

MORE RAIDERS: Aidan O’Connell injury update