Category: NFL Game Predictions

NFL 2025 Week 15 Predictions: The Return of Philip Rivers Edition

~ Scott ~ Leave a comment

This 2025 NFL season has been crazy enough as is, but to bring back a 44-year-old Philip Rivers after five years away from the game? He’s literally a semifinalist for the 2026 HOF class at the moment. Then to call him up on a short week against an elite defense like Seattle? Good luck with that, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had more of a morbid curiosity in seeing how a game plays out than that one.

But beyond Rivers’ return, it is a fascinating week when you have multiple home underdogs who are on 10-game winning streaks in the Patriots and Broncos. Not only that, but they’re playing teams in the Bills and Packers who have some really bad losses as big favorites against the spread this season. Not to mention the Patriots already beat Buffalo in Buffalo.

Throw in the 6-7 Chiefs still being a 5.5-point favorite despite losing two in a row and losing to the 9-4 Chargers in Week 1, and I’m not sure if it’s the oddsmakers accurately assessing these new contenders in 2025, or if people are just betting with their hearts from last year and not adjusting to what’s going on this year.

Who’s right? Who’s actually a good team in 2025? It’s hard to say because it really does feel like a season where anyone can beat anybody, and these teams have four weeks to figure things out before the playoffs.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Award Races: Final Quarter Look at Stafford vs. Maye for MVP, Coach of the Year, and the Myles Garrett vs. Micah Parsons Debate
2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 15: The Texans May Have Ended the Postseason Streak for Patrick Mahomes After Chiefs Drop the Ball
https://www.365scores.com/news/scotts-seven-nfl-picks-week-15-2025

In looking at the NFL awards going into the final quarter, I see a vision for how the MVP can be decided in Week 16, Myles Garrett vs. Micah Parsons for DPOY, and 6 coaches who can have a case for Coach of the Year. But if Philip Rivers plays well, he’s a lock for Comeback Player of the Year, something I didn’t even have time to consider when I wrote that Monday night.

As for the QB rankings, Patrick Mahomes undoubtedly was let down by drops more on Sunday night than any other game in his career.

For Week 15 picks, I have parlays for Bills-Patriots, Chargers-Chiefs, Dolphins-Steelers, and yes, a Philip Rivers-themed SGP.

NFL Week 15 Predictions

I had the Falcons covering on TNF, but what a crazy 14-point comeback that was. Tampa really blew multiple opportunities for game-ending fumble recoveries, and Baker Mayfield missed that game-sealing throw on 2nd-and-14. Just another brutal loss for the Bucs (7-7), another common division winner having a down year.

NYJ-JAX: Don’t love the Jags with such a huge spread but Brady Cook isn’t any good, right?

ARI-HOU: There’s a decent chance Jacoby Brissett puts up a better stat line against Houston than Allen and Mahomes did. But I don’t think Houston scores enough to cover the spread, but the Texans will win.

BUF-NE: I’m taking the Bills to remind NE who’s run this division since 2020. A lot of bad turnovers for the Bills in the first matchup but the defense played fine for a half. Stefon Diggs carried the passing game for NE. I think Buffalo clamps down and gets the split even if the Patriots are still winning the AFC East this year.

LAC-KC: I can’t trust the Chiefs to cover right now, especially not 5.5. Both QBs don’t have their starting OTs, but the Chiefs better find a way to get a pass rush going against the Chargers’ joke of a line. This is basically their last stand for this season mattering.

LV-PHI: Give me Kenny Pickett to cover the spread in a low-scoring game. But it sure would be hilarious if he led a GWD in Philly.

BAL-CIN: I prefer the over more than the spread here. But I think the Ravens protect the ball far better than on Thanksgiving and put up their share of points on the Bengals, who just can’t stop anyone again.

WAS-NYG: Division games are always weird but I think Jaxson Dart can win by 3 against a poor defense that J.J. McCarthy beat 31-0.

CLE-CHI: Just feels like a sloppy game where Caleb Williams might need to lead a GWD to get the win by 1-7.

TEN-SF: Don’t believe the Titans after last week’s win. I think the 49ers win by 14+

DET-LAR: Rams will play well at home while the Lions won’t be able to keep up with that offense. Not enough DBs to handle Puka and Davante.

CAR-NO: Saints could certainly pull off another upset, but I think Carolina makes the most of another Tampa loss and gets the win here. close game though.

GB-DEN: Going to trust the Broncos at home to get it done. Big shock that these defenses have 22 turnovers between them, but I think the Broncos pull it out in the 4Q.

IND-SEA: As long as Darnold doesn’t throw a pick parade, I think Seattle wins big. Rivers should play the whole game though. They have no one else. That’s why they’re desperate enough to start grandpa.

MIN-DAL: I like a Jefferson TD but Cowboys win by 7.

MIA-PIT: No T.J. Watt but still shouldn’t be an issue. Steelers have won 22 straight at home on MNF and it’s going to be under 20 degrees. Dolphins will turtle up on the road again.

NFL 2025 Week 14 Predictions: The Day the Whole AFC Went Away Edition

~ Scott ~ Leave a comment

It’s a really critical NFL Week 14 in the AFC with games like Colts vs. Jaguars, Bengals vs. Bills, Steelers vs. Ravens, and Texans vs. Chiefs.

It could be the day we circle back to as the day the Colts blew their shot in the AFC South, or the day the Steelers set themselves on the path to their first losing record since 2003, or even the day the Chiefs fell to 6-7 and went on to miss the playoffs.

Or it could jumpstart those teams on a run to the playoffs. We’ll just have to watch and see what happens today.

This Week’s Articles

Who Are the Super Bowl Contenders and Pretenders in This Wild 2025 NFL Season?
2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 14: Joe Burrow Returns Just As Lamar Jackson’s Season Is Falling Apart in AFC North
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 14

The first link is a 6,000-word review of where the contenders stand right now, and why 2025 has been such a weird year for so many favorites struggling. Lots of talk about regression in turnovers, close games, and easy schedules.

The QB rankings look at Joe Burrow’s odd return, the curious case of Bryce Young, and the Vikings somehow found a quarterback even worse than J.J. McCarthy.

The NFL Week 14 picks have more detailed picks in what I like for Colts-Jags, Steelers-Ravens, Texans-Chiefs, and who I like to throw for more yards between Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward.

NFL Week 14 Predictions

Those Cowboys tricked me again. Same old Dallas: Allowed 44 points in a must-win type of game, George Pickens played poorly, and now they have to hope for the Eagles to collapse, which is possible this year.

MIA-NYJ: Is Tua really 7-0 against the Jets? Let’s make it 8-0.

SEA-ATL: Seahawks can be tricky with the spread but I think a 7-point win from that defense isn’t asking for much. They should make it hard on Kirk Cousins.

NO-TB: Bucs already beat them decisively on the road and have more weapons available now. Backdoor cover is always a possibility but I think they score enough to win by 10+ and get the sweep.

WAS-MIN: It sounds like Jayden Daniels is back, so I’m going with him to end this losing streak for the Commanders.

IND-JAX: Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014 and I think that streak lasts another year. Offense is struggling and the Jags can get the turnovers/pressure and have been scoring 25+ every week since the bye.

PIT-BAL: The old hedge pick, you never know with this rivalry that loves 3-point games. It sounds like we are getting Aaron Rodgers vs. Lamar Jackson for the first (last?) time in the NFL, though neither comes in playing that well. Can the Steelers stop Derrick Henry after giving up 249 yards last week? I’d be more inclined to pick the Steelers if they didn’t already look bad in their last two games against the Ravens, who seem to have their QB on the right page to deal with this overpaid, disappointing defense.

TEN-CLE: It doesn’t really say anything about Sanders vs. Ward to me. Just says the Browns have better coaching and a much better defense.

CIN-BUF: I’m hedging again as I think the Bengals had the Bills’ number in 2022-23, though we haven’t seen any other matchups outside of that. But the Bills are usually a home winner. They just rarely make it look pretty this year, and the Bengals have been playing better defense the last few games.

DEN-LV: We had to sit through their garbage 10-7 game on TNF a few weeks back. Hard to imagine the Denver offense makes it look that bad again in the afternoon window.

CHI-GB: Packers are home, Jayden Reed is back, and I think they find a way to win by 7 as I just don’t trust the Chicago passing game enough against a defense that has stepped up to most occasions this year. I know Chicago played them well last year, high stakes with the No. 1 seed up for grabs, and GB has been bad at covering spreads like this. But something just tells me GB 27-20.

LAR-ARI: Cardinals have played a lot of teams tough before losing. But I think the Rams roll and show last week was just a blip.

HOU-KC: I believe after Super Bowl 59 I said the next time the Chiefs had to face an elite defense without multiple OL starters, I can’t trust them to win anymore. Here we are, season likely on the line, and they get the No. 1 Houston defense in a game where they’ll be down 3 OL starters, including both tackles. That’s brutal timing, and the Texans are playing well too as a team. Chiefs play much better at home on defense which should be the key to grinding this one out. But Houston has held all but two teams under 21 points, so it’s just a really hard defense to score on and I could already see Nico Collins converting some 3rd-and-12 catch to ice the clock in a 20-17 final for the Texans. Prove me wrong, KC.

PHI-LAC: Going with the Eagles to end their 2-game slide. I still don’t trust the Chargers in games like this and Herbert is only a week removed from surgery. Think he panics to avoid a hit and gets picked.

NFL 2025 Week 13 Predictions: Eagles Choke on the Down 15 Situation Edition

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We’re already four games into NFL Week 13 with the holiday games, and the underdogs were 4-0 SU. More than that, they beat the Lions, Chiefs, Ravens, and Eagles who were all in the top five for Super Bowl 60 odds. It’s the kind of result we keep seeing this year as almost every team who was great in the regular season in 2024 is struggling in 2025.

It’s the story of the 2025 NFL season, and Philadelphia’s 24-15 loss to the Bears was especially shocking with the way Chicago ran for over 230 yards between the tackles alone against them. Just pure domination a day after we watched the Bengals turn over the Ravens and beat them down in Baltimore too.

But I feel the need to rant at 7 AM here about the Eagles’ decision to go for 2 in a 24-15 game with 3:10 left. How people think this is a good strategy is still beyond me. I usually rant about this once a year and I think this will have to serve as the 2025 rant on it. While I’m not against going for two early in all cases, there is a point on the clock where it becomes a silly endeavor that just ends the game earlier than it had to end. You could see how dejected the team and fans were after the Eagles, who struggled all day offensively again, failed on their 2PC pass, keeping it a two-possession game.

With how hard it’s become to recover an onside kick, I want no part of the strategy that’s going to lead me to having to recover one (or two). Make that a last resort.

But people still insist this is right when I just can’t get behind that. I’ve shared the data before, and I just updated some of it again to share.

Since 1994 when the NFL brought in the two-point conversion (2PC), we have seen 170 touchdowns scored in the fourth quarter by a team down by exactly 15 points at the time to make it a 9-point game. There were three games where a team did it twice in the quarter (including Bills vs. Ravens in Week 1 this year), so it’s actually 167 games total.

These teams are 11-155-1 (.069) in the game, and that’s not nice at all. It’s a dire situation to be in no matter how you approach it. But here are some more stats

  • Teams who kick the extra point first down 9 to make it an 8-point game are 135-of-138 on the extra point, and JOEY SLYE has all three misses for three different teams this decade. One of the craziest stats I’ve ever seen as kickers have been automatic in this spot except for one journeyman bum.
  • Team who go for the 2PC right away down 9 to try to make it a 7-point game are just 13-of-32 (40.6%) on the attempt, including a conversion from Chad Pennington in a 2007 Jets game with 0:00 left, so there was no point in even defending that as the game was over.
  • Meanwhile, of the 27 teams who kicked the extra point first and wound up scoring a second touchdown and needed a game-tying 2PC, they were 17-of-27 (63.0%). So, it’s all very small sample sizes since 1994, but that’s 40.6% vs. 63.0% for going for 2 early vs. late, giving some credence to the idea that, yes, teams who wait after proving they can score a 2nd TD on this defense have been better at converting for 2 when they had to have it.
  • Of the 11 teams who came back to win the game, 7 of them did it by scoring a TD/XP + TD/2PC + GW score later.

Four teams won in unique fashion, and three of them have been in this 2025 season as teams get more experimental on when to go for 2. But the main thing I want to stress is there’s never been a game in NFL history where a team won after trailing by 15, scoring a touchdown, converting a 2PC, then scoring another touchdown and either scoring a third time to win the game or going for two a second time to win the game by a point.

2020 Cowboys vs. Falcons: People love citing this example because it was literally 1-of-1 before this season. The Cowboys scored a touchdown with 4:57 left, which is considerably more time than the 3:10 the Eagles had on Friday. They failed on the 2PC, so they were still down 39-30, then they got the ball back, scored a TD/XP, then recovered a ridiculous onside kick to drive for a GW FG in a 40-39 win. All truly made possible for an all-time onside kick blunder.

2025 Bills vs. Ravens: This was Week 1 SNF and it’s another unique game because the Bills are the first team to try both down 15 strategies in the same quarter. They went for the 2PC and failed with 12:51 left. After Baltimore scored again, the Bills were down 40-25, then they switched course and kicked the XP with 3:56 left (40-32). Then they got the Derrick Henry fumble big break, then they got another TD, failed on their third 2PC of the quarter (40-38), then used their timeouts to force a three-and-out before driving for the GW FG (41-40).

2025 Cardinals vs. Titans: Another goofy ass game this year. The Titans were down 21-6, got a touchdown, Joey Slye missed the XP to keep it 21-12, but then the offense got a TD/XP after a Cam Ward interception was fumbled and returned for a touchdown by the offense (21-19). Then they got the ball back and won on a GW FG (22-21) for Slye to redeem himself. But this was a team going for the XP first and getting lucky to win even after it failed.

2025 Jets vs. Bengals: Here we go again with a historic game with a team incorporating multiple strategies. The Jets went for 2 after scoring a TD in a 31-16 game and converted to make it 31-24 with 14:17 left (plenty of time again). But after the Bengals got another TD (38-24), we saw the Jets execute the down 14 strategy next by going for 2 on their first TD drive, making it a 6-point game, then getting the go-ahead TD to go up 39-38 with 1:54 left. So, this win was really more about the down 14 strategy than what they did down 15.

Pretty interesting how we’re seeing the strategies evolve this season, but one thing I’m not seeing is any inherent value in going for 2 early in a game that is way too late like the Eagles faced on Friday. Kick the extra point, make it a 24-16 game, then keep the pressure on Chicago to do something stupid like a fumble, run out of bounds or throw incomplete to stop the clock, etc.

The Bears ended up moving the chains before giving up the ball on a turnover on downs, leaving the Eagles with 1:12 in a 9-point game and a long field. They ended up missing a 52-yard field goal with 0:09 left, and would have still needed an onside kick recovery (lucky if it’s 5% these days) and Hail Mary TD (good luck).

Now, maybe the Bears kick a 47-yard field goal on 4th-and-4 had it been a 24-16 game had the Eagles kicked an extra point instead of failing for 2. But let’s say they do the same thing, then Hurts would have had the ball in a 24-16 game with 70 yards to go in 72 seconds to tie the game. I like my chances a lot better in that spot.

Yet, I knew people would still defend Nick Sirianni’s decision, but I refuse to ever get behind it. With 14:00 left? Absolutely fine. With 7:30 left? Okay. But 3:10? Hell no. Watching it live, I gave up on the game the moment they failed on the 2PC and went to eat a piece of chocolate pie in the kitchen. This shit was over.

Now imagine how the players felt at that moment too. Any number advantage you think exists is so marginal to what impact actually failing on the 2PC does to the game in that spot. The only “information” gleamed here is you’re fvcked.

Until next season, my down 15 rant is over.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 13: Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott Set for Big Thanksgiving Showdown
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 13

NFL Week 13 Predictions

You know I originally had CHI ATS/PHI ML before switching it up to Eagles by 8. Whoops.

LAR-CAR: Season is really fvcked if the Rams lose this one but I do like the 1H spread better than the full game.

ARI-TB: Sounds like Baker is good to go, so I’m going with TB at home. Gotta get back in the win column.

TEN-JAX: Can the Jags actually blow anyone out? I’ll give TEN a bone to cover if they could cover the Seahawks, they could cover the Jags.

NO-MIA: Meh. Whatever.

SF-CLE: Really looking forward to seeing if Cleveland can match its 2023 upset against a better SF team when they made things tough on Purdy.

ATL-NYJ: All in on the Jeff Ulbrich revenge game for Atlanta’s defense roughing up the Jets.

HOU-IND: Yep, I’ll take the top defense and C.J. Stroud’s return while Daniel Jones has to operate on a fractured fibula. This might be Houston’s last stand in the AFC South.

MIN-SEA: What’s a Brosmer and why will he probably play better than J.J. McCarthy would have? Sam Darnold revenge game too.

BUF-PIT: Read my NFL picks for a parlay and more detail on this game. I’m hedging on the pick, but I really do think the Steelers can win this one with the running game and their takeaways against a shaky Buffalo team missing its OTs.

LV-LAC: Don’t expect much from LV who already lost 20-9 to these Chargers in Week 2.

DEN-WAS: I’ll be getting work done early Sunday night instead of laying on the couch for this one. Should have been flexed.

NYG-NE: Curious to see if Jaxson Dart can force Drake Maye to lead his first 4QC in the NFL, but it’s another horrible defense for Maye to face and one that can’t hold any leads either.

NFL 2025 Week 12 Predictions: As the AFC Turns Edition

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We’re only one game into NFL Week 12 and it’s already a big result as the Houston Texans (6-5) proved they have the best defense this season, and they’re finally above .500 for the first time this season and back in the playoff hunt.

Meanwhile, I warned Buffalo fans all offseason that they would have to deal with turnover regression while not doing a ton to really improve the roster of a team that feasted on fumble recoveries, a schedule that saw them go 2-3 against winning teams, superior field position, and a historically low number of negative plays on offense that never felt sustainable with a quarterback known for his gunslinger ways.

Did I still ultimately buy into the Buffalo hype and predict them to finish as the No.1 seed? Yes. But I never had them going to the Super Bowl this year, and after Thursday night’s loss, it sure looks like they’ll have a hard time winning three straight road games to get there as the Patriots (9-2) are the team that’s taking advantage of an even easier schedule (3 games vs. 4th-place teams compared to first-place schedule) and should win the division.

But nothing is decided yet as we continue to see this weird AFC season where the Patriots, Colts, and Broncos have the best records, and it’s not looking good for the Ravens, Chiefs, and Bills to win those divisions and maybe not even make the playoffs in 2025.

We get a huge game in Kansas City this weekend with the Colts (8-2) coming off a bye week. I did a little preview in the NFL picks piece below for that one, but it’s such an intriguing matchup as the Colts have a lot of things in their favor:

  • Colts use a lot of play-action passing, which the Chiefs have been horrible against on defense.
  • Colts have Jonathan Taylor in peak mode, and the Chiefs have allowed James Cook to rush for over 100 this year.
  • Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has been one of the best at making things difficult for Mahomes and the offense.
  • Ability to play man coverage vs. KC wideouts with Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward (back healthy).
  • Colts had a bye week to prepare for the Chiefs, who have been labeled as predictable in recent losses to Bills and Broncos.

Alas, the Colts have been giving up sacks lately, and the Chiefs need to dial up blitzes and rely on the crowd noise to bother Daniel Jones, who was listed with a calf injury this week. Does his mobility get compromised and that leads to some sacks and takeaways for a KC defense that plays much better at home? We’ll see. Offense also needs to run the ball more when given so many light boxes, and they have ran it well in the last two meetings with Anarumo’s Bengals defenses.

It’s a huge game as a win can legitimize the Colts even more in the AFC. It could also spark the Chiefs to go on a run all the way through the postseason too. A lot on the line.

I wish that game was on at 4:25 PM as I’ll be stuck watching Bears vs. Steelers, which has a one-score game written all over it even if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t play. I’m thinking he will though since it is his last crack at the Bears and the injury isn’t to his throwing hand. But that’s a tough game with the leading defenses in turnovers, and that’s another pivotal one as the Steelers winning as a road underdog would be another blow to Baltimore’s hopes of storming back from 1-5 to win the AFC North.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 12: The Chiefs Are Failing Patrick Mahomes in a Down Year for Quarterback Play
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 12

In the QB rankings this week, I talk about how the Chiefs are failing Patrick Mahomes by going in the opposite direction of QB dependence in a league that is increasingly about making it easier on the QB. Also talked about the sobering losses for the Seahawks and Lions as you just can’t trust Sam Darnold and Jared Goff in big games.

For the picks, I got a Colts-Chiefs parlay, and I say go nuts and bet on the sack props in Raiders vs. Browns.

NFL Week 12 Predictions

Yeah, I thought the Bills could win by a TD, but at least I was right about the under.

NE-CIN: It sounds like Joe Flacco is going to start again instead of Joe Burrow. Not sure I’d change my pick there because I think without Ja’Marr Chase, it’ll be hard to keep up with the Patriots when Cincy has the worst defense in the NFL.

PIT-CHI: Like I said, I think it’s a very close game, and the Bears have been pulling those off this year better than Pittsburgh. Just feels like a Tomlin letdown spot on the road.

NYJ-BAL: Unless I read a parody account, it sounds like Justin Fields has been benched for Tyrod Taylor. Good news. Ravens should still win but I like a backdoor cover for the Jets.

SEA-TEN: I just can’t see the Titans topping 14 points here unless Darnold keeps throwing picks to give them short fields. Seattle should bounce back here.

NYG-DET: No Jaxson Dart. I think the over is a good pick as the Lions should pile up points on a horrible defense in the dome. Less confident in the spread as Jameis could be good for the backdoor.

MIN-GB: Packers haven’t covered these big spreads all year, but from what I’ve seen of J.J. McCarthy, he isn’t going to play well on the road in Lambeau. Give me GB to finally cover one.

IND-KC: Ah, I hedged with the classic Chiefs win but don’t cover. Colts really could win it outright, but I’ll give the Chiefs one more bone at home in a virtual must-win situation. But the Colts have been a thorn in their side for 30 years.

CLE-LV: I’ll take Maxx Crosby and the Raiders to win the sack fest.

JAX-ARI: No real vibe on this one. Think Brissett moves the ball better than Lawrence and the Cardinals find a way at home.

ATL-NO: Another one I don’t have any strong lean for. Falcons are due a win. Turn the offense over to the run game and sack the inexperienced QB in his 3rd start.

PHI-DAL: I like the Philly offense to get on track against that defense and for the Philly defense to slow down Dak and those receivers.

TB-LAR: McVay usually has a good feel for what Bowles is doing. Still not enough weapons for the Bucs. I’ll take the Rams at home by 7.

CAR-SF: Biggest game for the Panthers in years. I think they can keep it close but I like a low-scoring game here.

NFL 2025 Week 11 Predictions: Best Sunday Edition

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Every few years you get one NFL Sunday schedule that clearly stands out as the best of the regular season. I may not have circled Week 11 back in May when the schedule came out, but it has played out that way with the Seahawks and Rams looking like the best teams in the NFC (maybe NFL) right now as they meet for the first time. And if they’re actually frauds, then the Lions and Eagles are going at it Sunday night as the other two best teams in the NFC.

We also get an important Bills vs. Bucs game as those teams try to stay within reach of a division title after some struggles and a loss last week. The Steelers vs. Bengals rematch is bigger than usual as the Steelers need all the wins they can get to hold off Baltimore, which is heavily favored to win the AFC North again.

Then we have a game in Denver that is quite arguably the biggest regular-season game for the Broncos in 10 years, and the biggest of Patrick Mahomes’ career (again, regular season only) if we’re talking about the Chiefs staying on top of the AFC West. They can’t drop to 5-5 while the Broncos get to 9-2.

It’s big, it will shake up the Super Bowl odds, and while some of these games will no doubt turn into duds, at least one should be great and a contender for game of the year.

And no, I won’t be getting up early for Dolphins-Commanders in Spain. Hard to believe Dan Quinn’s job may be in bigger trouble than Mike McDaniel’s, but as always, it’s a good reminder that success is fleeting in the NFL for most.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 11: Preparing for the Epic Sam Darnold vs. Matthew Stafford Showdown
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 11

I previewed the Rams vs. Seahawks game by pointing out the double standard for Matthew Stafford getting MVP love for a season that the likes of Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, etc. would never get MVP credit for if they were in the same situation. I also had picks for parlays for Lions-Eagles, Rams-Seahawks, and a more detailed pick for Chiefs vs. Broncos.

NFL Week 11 Predictions

I had the Patriots winning 24-10 on Thursday night over the Jets, so 24-10, 27-14, close enough.

WAS-MIA: I think the Dolphins pull it out against a bad defense and Mariota.

CHI-MIN: Vikings came back in Week 1 to get them but I think Ben Johnson’s team is playing better now and they force McCarthy into enough mistakes to pull out the road upset win.

GB-NYG: New QB (Jameis) and an interim coach situation for a team that is 0-5 ATS when the spread is this big this season. Tricky game to bet but I like the idea of a Jameis pick and GB win.

CAR-ATL: It was 30-0 last time, so who the hell knows with these teams? Atlanta needs a win badly.

LAC-JAX: I am supporting Harbaugh to take it to a flawed Jacksonville team.

CIN-PIT: Steelers usually struggle at home with the Bengals but I think Rodgers makes up for last week with a great game and they get the home win. Flacco won’t be as good as Week 7.

TB-BUF: Too many weapons out for the Bucs again and I think the Bills lean on Josh Allen, turnovers be damned, and get a 7+ point win.

TEN-HOU: It was 26-0 last time but something tells me not to go all in on Davis Mills covering a 5.5-point spread against a team coming off a bye. But the Texans should win against the worst team in the NFL.

SEA-LAR: It’s a hedge for me. I think the Rams win by 1-3 points on a Stafford GWD. But I also think Seattle has a fair shot to win outright. I just weigh Darnold getting crushed by that pass rush last year a lot right now. Need to see this matchup on a new team.

SF-ARI: Purdy is back, I think. Could be a good one but I’m going 49ers.

KC-DEN: If Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor were out, I’d say go Denver ML cause of that pass rush against backup tackles. But it sounds like Mahomes will have his tackles coming off a bye and the Chiefs desperately need to win this one. They also need to step up and make Bo Nix look bad as many defenses have done this year. They didn’t do it last year, and he feasted on backups in Week 18 but also should have won the game in Arrowhead if not for the blocked FG. Steve Spagnuolo, do your job in this one. Make it hard on him.

BAL-CLE: Ravens feasted on short fields in the last meeting but the Browns just can’t keep up with this offense.

DET-PHI: Sam LaPorta is a big loss but I still believe the Lions have the weapons and balance to score on Philly and will hold up against the offense for a big road win.

DAL-LV: Play hard, play together, and win one for Marshawn Kneeland. Simple as that for Dallas.

NFL 2025 Week 10 Predictions: Not the NFC Game of the Year Edition

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Well, let’s hope Raiders vs. Broncos is the low point of Week 10. It was a historically bad game, and it’s even funnier when you consider the Broncos have the best record (8-2) in the NFL right now. The first team to 8 wins. Just goes to show what this season has been like so far. They’re giving me 2013 Chiefs vibes, but we’ll see if the 2025 Chiefs can play the part of the 2013 Broncos and take their division back.

Anyways, November is home to many of the biggest games this regular season. It’s just that the ones we circled in May when the schedule came out don’t appear to be the biggest ones after all. It really wasn’t true last week for Chiefs vs. Bills, and it’s probably not true in the NFC this week for Packers vs. Eagles. Not after Green Bay lost to Carolina last week and lost Tucker Kraft (ACL) in the process.

Still a big game on Monday night, but with the way the NFC West is shaping up, maybe one of those upcoming Seahawks vs. Rams games is actually the big one to watch. Or maybe it was Eagles vs. Rams, the 19-point comeback, that will decide the No. 1 seed after all. We’ll see.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 10: Lamar Jackson Makes Triumphant Return as Indiana Jones Turns into a Pumpkin
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 10

NFL Week 10 Predictions

I see a good spread record and my natural reaction these days is to go the other way as those guys are supposed to be so good that the record should regress to 50/50. That’s why I ignored that division underdogs were 4-0 ATS on TNF this year as an underdog of 7+ points. But the Raiders covered in one of the ugliest games I’ve ever watched. I had Denver winning by 11. Oh well.

ATL-IND: Not sure how fast Sauce Gardner can get ready for an overseas game with his new team, but slowing down Drake London is exactly what you need to do to beat Atlanta and why you get a player like that if you’re Indy. Again, when Bo Nix and the Broncos are 8-2, I see why Indy is doing what they’re doing. This is probably their best shot in the AFC for the next few years. I think they get right on offense, Jonathan Taylor has a big game, and they win by a touchdown.

JAX-HOU: I think Jags catch a break with Stroud (Concussion) out and win that one.

NYG-CHI: My favorite pick is the over here, or more specifically for both to score 20+. But I think Bears can win a 31-20 type of game.

BAL-MIN: I trust the Baltimore defense again and expect Lamar to play well. Don’t trust McCarthy yet.

CLE-NYJ: Should be an ugly game but if it’s low scoring, Justin Fields always has a chance. Just feels like the typical NFL spot for a team to trade away 2 of its best players and still win, signaling the start of the Shedeur Sanders era next week.

NO-CAR: Since when is Carolina a favorite of 5.5? Well, the Saints aren’t good but I think division games are closer and the Panthers win another tight one.

BUF-MIA: Dolphins had their shot in Buffalo on prime time. This is the 1 PM blowout that gets few eyeballs on it.

NE-TB: Could be a good one but I’m trusting Baker at home. Get Cade Otton (or any TE) a TD.

ARI-SEA: Good chance for Arizona to cover with Jacoby playing well but I think Seattle is peaking right now. Love the Shaheed trade.

SF-LAR: Gotta hedge on McVay vs. Shanahan. The 49ers own him except for one fateful 4th quarter in the 2021 NFC-CG.

DET-WAS: Well known this week that Dan Campbell is 12-0 ATS after his last 12 losses. I like it for 13-0 since the Washington offense is tanking and the defense is bad.

PIT-LAC: Another tough opponent for the Steelers. But I think we see some Chargering and the Joe Alt injury combined with moving Ramsey to safety has me liking the Steelers again.

PHI-GB: Another game impacted by injury. The Packers are beat up at WR and just lost their TE threat. Eagles should be fairly healthy after the bye week and swept this team last year. Think they get past them again after rediscovering Saquon in their last game.

NFL 2025 Week 9 Predictions: Have a Day, AFC Edition

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I thought about calling this one “Maye Day Edition” to go over the latest bullshit on Twitter with Patriots fans about my Drake Maye tweet. But then I thought why waste more of my weekend giving them attention when these are people who can’t even understand simple math concepts like how 26 isn’t more than 26, or what’s a comeback as opposed to a game-winning drive. Just some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever seen.

We’ll save that for another day, but yeah, I think a parlay of Maye over 29.5 attempts (that’s his real line) and NE ML is a solid bet. Well, the 2025 Falcons being the most random fuck-ass team in the league this year doesn’t help, but I’ll have to give that a play somewhere this weekend especially since it actually makes some sense given how Atlanta plays this year.

But we have big AFC games in Colts-Steelers and Bills-Chiefs. I’ve given a lot of my thoughts on those games in the NFL picks link below, but I really do think we could see the Chiefs win this game and never have to face Buffalo until next season at the earliest. Not looking like a year they’ll meet in the playoffs but still plenty of time to go.

I also think the Steelers pull it off somehow as I actually started to see stories this week about Tomlin’s job security. Perfect way to end that drama with a big win over the team with the best record in the NFL. I know on paper it doesn’t make a ton of sense, but the Colts have to have a crash back to Earth type of game on offense eventually don’t they? Even if it means great fumble luck for the Steelers. Blitz Jones relentlessly and hope for the best. Let Rodgers rip it all day on the other side. Steelers by 1-6.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 9: Jordan Love Steals the Shine from Aaron Rodgers’ Night in Pittsburgh
2025 NFL Award Races: Why Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen Is Not the Game to Decide MVP, and the Daniel Jones Double Standard
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 9

I actually forgot about the award races article. I wrote about each one with updated odds and picks, and I obviously spent most of the time on the MVP case, the double standard for RB vs. QB when the QB is someone like Daniel Jones, and why Chiefs vs. Bills shouldn’t be the game to decide it.

NFL Week 9 Predictions

The main thing this week is to see if we’ll get any bounce back of closer games after last week’s historic amount of blowouts. Thursday got off to a bad start with the Ravens already crushing the Dolphins 28-7. I was actually 10-3 ATS last week but I’m afraid regression will probably come for me this week before it does the close games after two weeks of blowouts.

Is my vision going or does that table look closer to gray than white with the exception of the ATL-NE line? Weird.

I hate weeks when I pick so many favorites, but that’s just how it crumbles sometimes, and injuries have a lot to do with why I’m picking these favorites. Sure, I see some upset potential but didn’t go through with it for most.

ATL-NE: At this point, who knows what the hell Atlanta will do in any given week. They can lose 30-0 or they can win 28-3. Probably not the latter against this opponent but it’s not a game I’d invest in.

DEN-HOU: Could certainly go either way and the Broncos are better in close games than the Texans. But I see Nico Collins and I don’t see Patrick Surtain II on the other side, and that’s advantage Houston for me. Throw in the best defense Nix has seen on the road all year and I’m rolling with Houston.

LAC-TEN: Could the Chargers screw this up after losing to Jaxson Dart already? Yeah, always. But I think with Joe Alt back, you’ll see a more confident Justin Herbert shine against the worst team in the NFL right now. Chargers by double digits even if just barely.

CHI-CIN: Certainly a winnable game but I don’t like Joe Flacco’s injury news. Might hamper some throws and I think the Bears can win this one late.

SF-NYG: I’ll trust Mac Jones on the road if only because the Giants keep losing their best skill players. The total still looks high to me but I see some predicting CMC for a huge day. We’ll see.

MIN-DET: Another look at J.J. McCarthy. I like Justin Jefferson to score a TD here but will back the Lions to score too much for the youngster to keep up.

NO-LAR: Sean McVay has blown some huge spreads in the past. Remember the Adam Gase game? Tyler Shough could be a disaster against that pass rush, but it’s such a huge spread and I think Kellen Moore has done a respectable job of keeping it close. Maybe a backdoor cover situation here.

JAX-LV: Travis Hunter out just when he was finding his way as a WR. That sucks. Jakobi Meyers back for the Raiders. I think they get the home upset if you can call it one.

KC-BUF: Might throw a SGP on Twitter later tonight but I think the Chiefs win their first close game (0-3) of the season, which doesn’t mean they have to win by 1-8 points. It could be a game where the Bills have a comeback opportunity, fail, then the Chiefs score again to win by 10-14 or whatever. Remember, the Bills have trailed by double digits in the 4th quarter to the best teams they’ve seen this year (Ravens, Pats, Falcons).

SEA-WAS: I think JSN kills the secondary and McLaurin is out for Washington. Tough break for my guy Jayden Daniels.

ARI-DAL: The Jacoby Brissett news is very encouraging if you ask me. Makes the game more watchable as I think he throws for 300+ yards, scores 27+ points, and the Cowboys still win by one score because he’s one of the worst 4QC/GWD QBs in NFL history. But it should be entertaining.

NFL 2025 Week 8 Predictions: The Mike Tomlin Special Edition

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It’s a big bye week in Week 8 in the NFL with six teams off, and 8-of-13 games are AFC vs. NFC. We’ve already seen the Chargers turn in three hours of Carson Wentz torture porn on Thursday night, and it’s a surprise that game didn’t have a bigger spread given how banged up the Vikings were at QB and OT.

But you have eight games this week with a spread of 6.5 or bigger, so that could mean some big upsets are brewing. Frankly, nothing would surprise me with the way this season has gone.

However, I’ll be surprised if the Steelers don’t put in a good effort against Green Bay on Sunday night. Sure, there’s the Aaron Rodgers vs. Green Bay angle, but it’s also just what Mike Tomlin does. He’ll lose to the Bengals when he’s supposed to win, people cast doubt, then he comes back and beats the NFC team with the best record as an underdog and people jump back on board. Seen it for years.

I think there are schematic reasons for the Steelers to win too, including Rodgers getting the ball out fast to negate Micah Parsons, the Packers haven’t played well on the road, and you never know when Jordan Love will give you an ugly turnover.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 8: Patrick Mahomes Breaks PFF’s Grading System and Daniel Jones Joins Elite Company
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 8

I tackled the PFF grading joke this week in the QB rankings for Geno Smith vs. Patrick Mahomes. My Week 8 picks explain this week’s picks for PIT, KC, a Colts parlay, and a 5-leg touchdown scorer parlay. Also got a 3-leg teaser on lines I like for the Bills, Ravens, and Bengals.

NFL Week 8 Predictions

Props were a mess on TNF, but I had the Chargers all the way.

BUF-CAR: I really want to pick the Panthers to at least cover, but I just know the moment I do, Sean McDermott’s defense gets 3+ takeaways, Allen waxes that defense, Andy Dalton shits the bed, and the Bills win 30-13. But it is an upset alert game if Dalton can protect the ball, convert 3rd downs, the running backs go to work, and they’ll probably need a fumble recovery on defense. Still interested to watch this one.

NYJ-CIN: Does it matter who plays QB for the Jets? Technically, yes, because I would be more worried about Tyrod Taylor beating the Bengals than Justin Fields. But is Tyrod even healthy enough to be any good here? Is he any good in this particular offense? He still has some of the same shortcomings as Fields (4QC/GWD, untimely sacks). I’ll hedge on the Jets just to be safe.

.CHI-BAL: :Love the over more than anything, but I think Lamar returns and the team plays their best full game of the year.

CLE-NE: I don’t expect the Cleveland offense to do much here. Neither team is particularly great at running the ball.

SF-HOU: Liked the under 41.5 even before the WR injury news. Mentor vs. mentee game. Houston looked so terrible and still hung around with Seattle. Cautiously trusting that defense at home to make Mac Jones make mistakes and Houston gets a much-needed win.

MIA-ATL: Falcons should blow them out but who knows with a team that loses 30-0 in Carolina and beats Buffalo. Miami scores 20+ more often than you think with how bad Tua’s been, so I’ll go with the spread hedge.

NYG-PHI: Never had a good justification for Philly covering besides “they’re due to win by 8+” this year. Like it even less with A.J. Brown reportedly out. Hard to say subtracting Brown and adding Jalen Carter is going to turn a 17-point loss two weeks ago into a 8+ point win, but alas here we go with the pick. Because then I remembered the Giants lost 26-14 in New Orleans and gave up 33 points in the 4th quarter last week, so who the hell knows anything about these teams at this point? Maybe “Eagles win by 1-13” is the best pick here.

TB-NO: Baker bounces back. Not expecting a ton from NO here.

TEN-IND: I thought of taking Titans in a backdoor cover, but I really do think the Colts can score 38+ again. Can the Titans score 24+? I don’t see it yet.

DAL-DEN: Another one of the few close games we have here this week. I could see it going either way, but isn’t Denver contractually obligated to come back late against the NFC East this year? Denver at home by 1-3.

GB-PIT: Like I said, this is Tomlin in his element. Rodgers will play well. Defense will get some takeaways. Steelers by 1 score.

WAS-KC: The sportsbooks seem to be thinking what I was all week by putting Washington’s O/U to 17.5 points. I think the Chiefs stop the 27-game streak of 18+ points by Washington to maintain their own NFL record of 28 games doing that (twice). Some revenge against Mariota for the 2017 playoffs. You have to go back to 2020 to find the last time the Chiefs had a streak of 5 wins by multiple scores. And never in the Mahomes era have the Chiefs posted 5 straight wins by 12+ points, which is what they’d need to do here to cover again.

They’ve gone 8 straight games now without a one-score win, which is unlike them, so don’t be shocked if it’s 28-17 and they don’t cover the full 11.5 spread. That’s why I said Washington under 17.5 is the best pick on the scoreboard..

NFL 2025 Predictions Week 7: Writer’s Block Edition

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I’m blanking on a title this week, so this is the Writer’s Block Edition. Welcome to Week 7 in the NFL, which started with the night where Joe Flacco showed that throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins against a Pittsburgh defense that probably hasn’t shown Joe anything new in 15 years isn’t that hard.

It’s pretty crazy that Aaron Rodgers joins another team and the defense immediately turns to shit. So much money spent on that unit, four players who will get HOF consideration ,and yet they forced zero takeaways, allowed the 32nd-ranked run offense to pile up big yardage, and Flacco picked them apart of course. Real bang-up job, Mike.

Anyways, I’m looking forward to more shootouts this weekend, especially that 4:25 Sunday window with Colts-Chargers and Commanders-Cowboys. Some real potential there. I’ll probably watch RedZone all day, and then I want to see if the prime-time underdog trend continues. Since Week 5, underdogs are 7-1 SU in prime time. The only favorite to win was Kansas City against Detroit last week.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 7: We Need to Talk About Josh Allen and the Disappointing Buffalo Bills
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 7

I used this week’s QB rankings to get off a pretty good-sized rant about Josh Allen and the struggles of the Buffalo Bills, who have their bye. For the Week 7 picks, I have a lot of different markets this week, and I’m still betting on Stefon Diggs to get his first TD (most rec. yards without one in 2025). I see the Titans’ spread has moved to +6.5, so I like NE -6.5 even more than NE -7 with Mike Vrabel probably hoping for a sequel to 59-0.

I’m not even trying to bring back the reverse jinx on the Patriots. I swear…

NFL Week 7 Predictions

Had the Steelers by 1-5 on Thursday night. Oh well.

No Puka Nacua against the London Jags? I think I’ll go Jags, but the under might be the best bet there.

Carson Wentz Revenge Game is really here. But I like the Eagles to get up early and hold onto the lead this time.

Rashee Rice is back, and I can imagine a huge score for the Chiefs at home. But division games have been so shaky for big favorites, and it’d be typical NFL for a team that blew out the Ravens and Lions to barely beat the Raiders at home. I’ll take the Kansas City special: Chiefs win but don’t cover. Maybe it’s Geno in garbage time with the backdoor cover.

Saints keep it close, but Chicago wins close again.

Weather sounds absolutely horrible in Cleveland and we could even get a tornado warning here. I hope I don’t lose power after going 5 days without it the last time a wind storm swept through. But I’ll trust the better defensive team (Browns) to win that one.

Giving the Jets one more try as the Panthers don’t score much on the road.

Again, I like NE big this week.

Chargers used to be a lot of trouble for the Colts in the Manning era, but I think Indy gets this one in their return to SoFi against the other LA team, which is starting No. 4 and No. 5 tackles for Justin Herbert. The Chargers aren’t as dominant defensively this year, so I think Daniel Jones and company can get it done in a good one.

Giants’ pass rush can keep it close but don’t see Jaxson Dart throwing it well in Denver.

I’m going with Dallas at home to edge out Washington, which won’t have Terry McLaurin again while CeeDee Lamb sounds back.

Don’t expect GB to struggle that much with Arizona.

Going with the Falcons on SNF because of that defense against Mac Jones. It has to be good for some huge turnover, right? Always risky to back a road team coming off a huge MNF win, but the 49ers are missing two best defenders and going up against Bijan Robinson and London here. Give me Atlanta.

I think Baker keeps it close Monday night in the potential game of the week, and don’t forget it was a 20-16 TB win in Detroit last year. But I think Detroit wins and would probably pick differently if the full trio of Evans/Godwin/Egbuka were playing.

Seahawks are 3-9 ATS at home under Mike Macdonald. Time to change that and beat Houston comfortably.

NFL 2025 Week 6 Predictions: “Who’s Even a Real Favorite Anymore?” Edition

~ Scott ~ Leave a comment

Now into Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season, I’m not sure Jaguars-Seahawks isn’t any less of a Super Bowl LX preview than Rams-Ravens or Lions-Chiefs on Sunday night could be. If you think you know where this is all headed this season, good luck to you, because I think this season is headed for that 2002 or 2021 type of randomness where all teams struggle to win more than 12 games. Maybe 13-4 at best given the 17th game.

Just look at what’s been happening in prime time the last week. Sure, we can chalk some of Rams-49ers and Eagles-Giants up to division familiarity. But the way the Chiefs blew that game in Jacksonville, or the Bills playing one of their worst games in years against the Patriots?

All I know is I’ve never felt less confident in the 2025 Eagles, a team I didn’t pick for the Super Bowl in February, to get back there in the NFC bracket. It will apparently forever piss me off that the 2024 Eagles won the NFC-CG and SB by such large margins as this team has rarely been able to dominate teams going back to 2023. Remember, they almost lost last year to the Browns, Jaguars, and Panthers at home. They half-assed their way to 4-0 this year before losing the last two weeks.

It’s a tough league, but this is looking like one of those seasons where you just can’t trust anybody. It wouldn’t shock me one bit if the Jets (+7) win their first game against Denver, if the Patriots flop in New Orleans, and if the Rams blow another game they should win in Baltimore.

That’s where things are in 2025.

This Week’s Articles

2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 6: The Mayfield-Darnold Passing Clinic and Every Great AFC Quarterback’s Team Takes a Loss
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: Week 6

Click the Week 6 picks above for a MNF parlay, and a detailed preview on Chiefs vs. Lions SNF.

NFL Week 6 Predictions

Another Thursday night stunner in the books. I’m 4-11 SU going back to last week. Need to get on track.

Yeah, I hedged on spread vs. ML for the Jets, Ravens, Bengals, and Bears.

Steelers losing at home to a rookie QB wouldn’t shock me.

I like the Chargers but the OT situation is getting dicey.

Can Dallas lose in Carolina? Absolutely, but I just don’t think the Panthers are any good.

I think Geno Smith bounces back with a good game and win for the Raiders. He better, or they might need to switch to Kenny Pickett.

My gut on the Chiefs was if they won in Jacksonville, I was picking Detroit in this game. But since they lost that one, I think they win this one even if it’s supposed to be a harder opponent. The Lions have a lot of injuries in the secondary and I think the Chiefs can at least contain the running game enough and not give Goff short fields all night like we’ve seen the Ohio teams hand Detroit the last two weeks.