Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
One of the best rivalries in football the past five or so years, each Rams/Niners clash has impacted the NFC playoff picture and this weekend’s tilt will be no different. On the heels of their big win over the Bills, the Rams (7-6) are within one game of the division lead — as well as the final Wild Card spot. The Niners (6-7) have some more work to do, but they can’t be counted out just yet. Los Angeles has won the past two meetings, but the Niners have largely owned the rivalry since 2019.
Prediction: 27-24, Los Angeles
Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans
This is a must-win game for Miami. The Dolphins (6-7) are 4-3 since Tua Tagovailoa’s return to action — 4-1 over their last five — and have pulled within two games of the final Wild Card spot. Tagovailoa has led the team to 30+ points in each of their last three wins. Their opponent, the Texans (8-5), have a two-game lead on Indianapolis in the AFC South. Houston has struggled a bit lately — losing three of five overall — and is still trying to discover its form from earlier in the season. We don’t think this will be the week for that to happen.
Prediction: 34-23, MiamiÂ
Green Bay Packers @ Seattle Seahawks
Week 15 is arguably the best slate of games this season. On Sunday night, two playoff hopefuls will meet in the Pacific Northwest. The Packers (9-4) are in good position to earn the No. 6 seed in the NFC, but they suddenly hold a mere one-game advantage on Washington for that spot. Seattle (8-5) leads the NFC West but is trying to hold off the Rams — Los Angeles won the first meeting of the season and will host Seattle the last week of the season. The Seahawks have won four in a row but a fifth consecutive victory will not come easy.
Prediction: 27-26, Green Bay
Buffalo Bills @ Detroit Lions
Are we staring at a Super Bowl preview? Buffalo (10-3) may have squandered its chances of earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC with its loss to the Rams last week, but it can still make a run in the playoffs. Detroit (12-1) currently holds the No. 1 seed in the NFC and is coming off a big win over the rival Packers. With Philadelphia hot on their tail for the top spot in the conference, the Lions will pull out another close win over a contender. In a back-and-forth affair much like last week’s Bills-Rams game, Detroit hands Buffalo its fourth loss.
Prediction: 38-35, DetroitÂ
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles
From one potential Super Bowl preview to another. The state of Pennsylvania will be paying close attention to this matchup between two division leaders. The Steelers (10-3) are atop the AFC North and currently hold the No. 3 seed. The Eagles (11-2) are the No. 2 seed in the NFC but trail Detroit by just one game. Both teams are hot coming into the game, as well. Pittsburgh’s lone loss over its last eight games came on a snowy Thursday night in Cleveland. Philadelphia has won nine games in a row and have the potential to run the table (@ Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants) if it beats its in-state rival.
Prediction: 27-17, PhiladelphiaÂ
