The Detroit Lions are the only team in NFL history to finish at 0-16. The Cleveland Browns haven’t won a road game since early in the 2015 season and play their home finale in 2017 on Sunday against Baltimore. It’s their last, best chance to avoid 0-16. Also, a look at a Saturday night AFC West first-place duel between the Chargers and Chiefs in Kansas City. Here’s a look at our NFL picks, along with the latest odds for Week 15.
If the Ravens can bounce back, they can reach the postseason for the first time since 2014. Baltimore’s last three regular-season opponents — at Cleveland and home against Indianapolis and Cincinnati — are a combined 8-31 (.205). By winning out, the Ravens (7-6) would earn a wild-card berth by edging out the Buffalo Bills (7-6) because of a better record against common opponents and beat out the Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) because of a superior conference mark.
The Ravens have owned the Browns lately with wins in 17 of their past 19 games against Cleveland dating back to 2008. One thing the Ravens haven’t done well lately is cover large point spreads in December. Since 2012, the Ravens are 0-6 ATS in December games where they’re favored by five or more points (4-2 straight-up). Overall, the Ravens are 4-11 ATS in their past 15 games where they’re favored by five or more points.
Top NFL Picks & Predictions for Week 15
.@MMehtaNYDN‘s NFL Power Rankings: @Patriots dethroned from top spot after horrible loss to @MiamiDolphins https://t.co/jOQmeMmu6N pic.twitter.com/wCnKaSRAN4
— NY Daily News Sports (@NYDNSports) December 12, 2017
LA Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs NFL Odds & Game Info
When: Saturday, 8:25 PM ET Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City TV: NFL Network Radio: KFI AM 640 (LA) / 101 The FOX (Kansas City) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Lines: Chiefs -2 (45.5)Why Choose the LA Chargers as Part of your NFL Picks?
The Chargers are 7-2 ATS in their past nine games. They’re also on a four-game winning streak. Finally, they are 4-1-1 ATS in road games this year, which is tied for the best mark in the NFL. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers passed for 319 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s 30-13 win over Washington on Sunday. Rivers has 3,611 passing yards this season and reached the 3,500-yard mark for the 10th consecutive season (2008-17). Rivers is the third quarterback in NFL history to pass for at least 3,500 yards in 10 consecutive seasons, joining Peyton Manning (13, 1998-2010) and Drew Brees (13, 2005-17). L.A.’s win over Washington was its fourth straight. Tyrell Williams caught a 75-yard touchdown pass and Hunter Henry had another scoring grab for the Chargers (7-6), who have won seven of nine after an 0-4 start to their relocation season. Melvin Gordon rushed for a third-quarter score before several Los Angeles regulars took most of the fourth quarter off. While outscoring their opponents 131-53 during their winning streak, the Chargers also moved above .500 for the first time since September 2015 with a dominant offensive performance.Why Choose Kansas City as Part of your NFL Picks?
Rookie running back Kareem Hunt had 138 scrimmage yards (116 rushing, 22 receiving) and a rushing touchdown in the Chiefs’ 26-15 win against Oakland on Sunday. Hunt, who has 1,435 scrimmage yards (1,046 rushing, 389 receiving) this season, is the second rookie in franchise history with at least 1,400 scrimmage yards, joining Abner Hayes (1,451 scrimmage yards in 1960). Hunt topped 1,000 yards rushing, joining the late Joe Delaney as the only rookies to do so for the Chiefs. Delaney accomplished it in 1981. Hunt needs 76 in three games to pass Joe Delaney’s Chiefs rookie mark of 1,121 rushing yards in a season. The return of a productive running game was a relief to the Chiefs in the win over Oakland. They had 165 yards rushing, including 25 yards and a touchdown from Charcandrick West and 24 yards from QB Smith. The Chiefs haven’t had more than 165 yards rushing since a Week 4 win over the Washington Redskins. The Chiefs have won seven straight in this series and are 4-2 ATS in home games this season. These two teams played earlier this season in L.A. with the Chiefs covering as a three-point favorite in a 24-10 win. Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes in the first 9 1/2 minutes, Terrance Mitchell had two interceptions and Hunt scored on a 69-yard run. Rivers threw three interceptions.Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns NFL Odds & Game Info
When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland TV: CBS Radio: WBAL Sports Radio 1090 AM (Baltimore) / WKNR 850 AM (Cleveland) Stream Option: DirecTV to Go Opening NFL Lines: Ravens -7 (40)Why Choose Baltimore as Part of your NFL Picks?
The Ravens were tough-luck losers Sunday night in Pittsburgh, 39-38, to end a three-game losing streak and allowed the Steelers to clinch the AFC North. Chris Boswell made a 46-yard field goal with 42 seconds left. The Ravens (7-6) rolled up 414 yards against the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense and recovered from a slow start to score on five consecutive drives and six out of seven to take a 38-29 lead on Javorius Allen’s second touchdown with 6:44 left. Baltimore’s Joe Flacco threw for 269 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception but was strip-sacked by rookie linebacker T.J. Watt on the Ravens’ final snap.
If the Ravens can bounce back, they can reach the postseason for the first time since 2014. Baltimore’s last three regular-season opponents — at Cleveland and home against Indianapolis and Cincinnati — are a combined 8-31 (.205). By winning out, the Ravens (7-6) would earn a wild-card berth by edging out the Buffalo Bills (7-6) because of a better record against common opponents and beat out the Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) because of a superior conference mark.
The Ravens have owned the Browns lately with wins in 17 of their past 19 games against Cleveland dating back to 2008. One thing the Ravens haven’t done well lately is cover large point spreads in December. Since 2012, the Ravens are 0-6 ATS in December games where they’re favored by five or more points (4-2 straight-up). Overall, the Ravens are 4-11 ATS in their past 15 games where they’re favored by five or more points.
