Mattie T’s Week 15 NFL Predictions

Closed out the season strong with a 67-57 win over Go Gettas, and now have my third different 4-game win streak heading into the playoffs. Overall, i have only lost once since Week 5 and look to win my season-high fifth game in a row.

Top offense vs. worst defense in Round 1. I get a favorable matchup with Philip Rivers going against San Francisco & Vernon Davis most likely becoming the top tight end in Week 15 now that it looks like Antonio Gates is doubtful to play. Chris Johnson & Arian Foster going against each other should be fun to watch, and hopefully the touchdown machine formerly known as Dwayne Bowe will continue his career season. (Although i do have a Plan B if Matt Cassel winds up inactive!)

Week 14: 12-4

Overall: 131-77 (.629)

49ers/Chargers:

The loser of this game will most likely be watching the playoffs at home, as San Diego looks to finish strong in what could possibly be their final game at Qualcom Stadium for this season.

Alex Smith looks to build off the best game of his young career with another strong outing in a homecoming, as he grew up in La Mesa, CA.

I think San Francisco’s secondary will have no answers for Philip Rivers, as he’ll have a big game minus Antonio Gates, who is doubtful for Thursday’s game with a foot injury.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Diego

Chiefs/Rams:

Chiefs hope to have Matt Cassel back for the I-80 showdown, as Kansas City looks to hold off a St. Louis team that could still win the NFC West with a sub .500 record.

The Rams will get a big boost in their secondary for Sunday, as cornerback Ron Bartell is set to return after missing their Week 14 loss with a stinger.

Sam Bradford has better numbers at home and should have a decent game against a somewhat shaky Chiefs pass defense, which will be the difference in a close win.

Mattie T’s Pick: St. Louis

Cardinals/Panthers:

A 1-5 Cardinals road team vs. a 1-6 Panthers home team. If this were college football, i’d call it the Lottery Pick Bowl 2010.

Anyhow, this one will come down to quarterback play. John Skelton had a mistake-free NFL debut, mainly because Arizona ran for 211 yards on the ground, with 148 of them coming from Tim Hightower.

I think Hightower has another big game this week against a poor Panthers run defense, as Jimmy Clausen’s ineffectiveness continues for at least one more week.

Mattie T’s Pick: Arizona

Eagles/Giants:

Very critical game, as an Eagles win will give them the NFC East title.

Philadelphia has suffered a big blow defensively, as Stewart Bradley will miss the rest of the season following an elbow injury that was suffered during their Week 14 win over Dallas.

Rookie Jamar Chaney will start in Bradley’s place on Sunday at middle linebacker.

I think that Brandon Jacobs & Kevin Boss will play huge roles here, as they will be able to make big plays & keep Michael Vick off the field as much as possible.

Giants in a squeaker, as they split the season series.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Giants

Lions/Buccaneers:

Tampa Bay still has a chance to make the playoffs if they win out, which makes Sunday’s game vs. Detroit a crucial one.

LeGarrette Blount should be able to bounce back from a somewhat dismal outing in Week 14, as he only managed 60 yards against a poor Washington run defense.

The Lions were able to stifle the Packers’ offense last week, but i don’t see that happening two weeks in a row.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Browns/Bengals:

Should Cincinnati lose on Sunday, they will have gone THREE straight months without a win once they play their Week 16 game against San Diego.

It’s gotten so bad that Terrell Owens lashed out at the coaching staff, keep in mind the same people who lobbied to sign him during the offseason.

As for Cleveland, Colt McCoy should start this one & lead his Browns to another win.

Mattie T’s Pick: Cleveland

Bills/Dolphins:

Despite their 3-10 record, Buffalo has a chance to play spoiler for three straight weeks starting with Sunday’s divisional game at Miami, as they still have games left against the Jets & Patriots.

With Lee Evans out for the season, it looks like Stevie Johnson could be the lone receiving threat for the Bills, which could mean more double-teams coming his way against a solid Dolphins pass defense.

Miami’s offense has been ugly in the past two weeks, but they will find a way to get it done and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Mattie T’s Pick: Miami

Redskins/Cowboys:

There are already whispers that Rex Grossman could start Sunday’s game against Dallas…which would be an ultimate slap in the face to Donovan McNabb, who signed a multi-year contract earlier in the season.

I don’t think the Redskins will have enough offense to win this game no matter who starts at quarterback, as they have scored just 36 points during their current 3-game losing streak.

The Cowboys have showed some offensive firepower since Jason Garrett took over for Wade Phillips, and i expect that to continue on Sunday.

Mattie T’s Pick: Dallas

Jaguars/Colts:

Must-win game for Indianapolis, as a loss could essentially knock them out of the playoffs.

To do so, they must slow down a red-hot Maurice Jones Drew, as he has ripped off SIX straight games of 100 yards or more rushing.

The Colts will get a big boost offensively, as Austin Collie is expected to return after missing 3 of their 4 previous games due to a concussion.

Close game, but i think Indianapolis has just enough offensively to pull it out.

Mattie T’s Pick: Indianapolis

Saints/Ravens:

Saints look for their 7th straight win against a Ravens defense that blew a 21-point second half lead during their Week 14 win over Houston & will have to play on a short week.

Their secondary got lit up by Matt Schaub, so Drew Brees should be able to have a big game here unless Terrell Suggs & Baltimore’s pass rush can get to him.

This has the makings of a shootout, but i like for New Orleans to win their 7th straight here.

Mattie T’s Pick: New Orleans

Texans/Titans:

I’ll guarantee one thing, Tennessee won’t get shut out with Kerry Collins behind center. I actually see this one turning into a shootout, since the Titans’ pass defense hasn’t exactly set the world ablaze as of late.

We’ll see what happens between Andre Johnson & Cortland Finnegan in Round 2 after their much-publicized fight earlier this season, but Finnegan has already stated to issue Johnson a personal apology.

With Mario Williams out for the season, the Texans will have no pass rush to slow down Collins. I sense a shootout, but i like the Titans to win a close one at home.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tennessee

Falcons/Seahawks:

Not even the 12th man will stop Atlanta’s offense from going crazy in this one, as the team will make sure Seattle isn’t billed as a “trap game” with a HUGE Week 16 showdown looming against New Orleans.

After a few weeks of subpar play (thanks to big games from Michael Turner), i think Matt Ryan finally gets back on track this week & leads the Falcons to a big road win.

Mattie T’s Pick: Atlanta

Jets/Steelers:

The Steelers’ defense has to be licking their chops at this matchup, as the Jets come into Sunday’s game having scored a grand total of 9 points over their last 2 games.

Pittsburgh has a chance to end the season as one of the AFC’s hottest teams  & i think it will be a game highlighted by great defensive plays.

In the clutch though, i trust Ben Roethlisberger way more than i do Mark Sanchez, so i’m going with the Steelers here.

Mattie T’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Broncos/Raiders:

Oakland suffered a damaging loss to their playoff hopes against Jacksonville in Week 14, but has a chance to get right against a struggling Denver team on Sunday.

Darren McFadden should continue to stay hot here, as he’s just 7 yards away from his first career 1,000 yard rushing season.

Kyle Orton played through the team’s Week 14 loss at Arizona with bruised ribs, so we possibly might see Tim Tebow in his first extensive playing time of the season here.

The Broncos might need all of it, as their season is already down the drain.

Mattie T’s Pick: Oakland

Packers/Patriots:

Green Bay is in big trouble if Aaron Rodgers (concussion) isn’t cleared to play, as they already suffered a damaging loss to Detroit in Week 14.

New England can get closer to locking up homefield advantage for the AFC Playoffs with a win here on Sunday night, as i have a feeling that Bill Belichick will find a way to neutralize Clay Matthews from his star quarterback Tom Brady, who is the front-runner to win MVP.

Mattie T’s Pick: New England

Bears/Vikings:

Vikings will have to turn to 3rd string quarterback Joe Webb on Monday night against a Bears’ defense that should be angry after getting lit up by Tom Brady despite blizzard-like conditions during their Week 14 loss to New England.

Adrian Peterson is coming off a season-low 26 rushing yard effort, and now has to face a Chicago defense that held him to 51 rushing yards in Week 10.

Bears get a huge bounceback win here to win the NFC North.

Mattie T’s Pick: Chicago