Sliced Spread: 2010 NFL Football Week 15 Picks and Predictions

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Welcome to SLICED SPREAD, the place on Inside Pulse Sports for weekly NFL picks against the spread, head to head survivor picks, and score prognostications.

We have reached the home stretch of the 2010 NFL regular season, and already we’ve seen teams crumble under the pressure (Jets), key quarterbacks go down at critical moments (Aaron Rodgers) and even the Metrodome collapse in Minnesota.

Aside from Week 1, this is always the toughest time to make predictions, but here I am, trudging forward and still hovering above .500 for the season.

Hey, at least I picked the Cardinals to win last week, something both Arizona and Denver fans still can’t believe actually happened behind Fordham graduate and now NFL-winning quarterback John Skelton. Welcome to the party John!

Onto the breakdown!

SLICED SPREAD: NFL WEEK 14 BREAKDOWN

WEEK 14 ATS: 8-8
WEEK 14 LOCKS ATS: 1-2
WEEK 14 H2H SURVIVOR PICK: WIN (Falcons over Panthers)

THIS SEASON ATS: 109-99
THIS SEASON LOCKS ATS: 21-21

H2H SURVIVOR TEAMS USED:
Tennessee (Week 1, Win)
Green Bay (Week 2, Win)
New England (Week 3, Win)
New Orleans (Week 4, Win)
Indianapolis (Week 5, Win)
Pittsburgh (Week 6, Win)
Baltimore (Week 7, Win)
Kansas City (Week 8, Win)
NY Jets (Week 9, Win)
NY Giants (Week 10, Loss)
Dallas (Week 11, Win)
Cleveland (Week 12, Win)
San Diego (Week 13, Loss)
Atlanta (Week 14, Win)

SLICED SPREAD: NFL WEEK 15 PICKS

Home teams are shown in CAPS
Point spreads shown in ().

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

SAN DIEGO (-9.5) over San Francisco — Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ offense seem to be clicking on all cylinders, and I like them enough to cover the big spread at home on a short week against a mediocre Niners team. Chargers win 30-17

SUNDAY:

New Orleans (+1.5) over BALTIMORE — The Ravens escaped against Houston last week with a pick six to win in OT. But before that, Matt Schaub engineered two 90+ yard drives to even the score in the fourth quarter. If Schaub can do it, Drew Brees will be able to accomplish even more behind a steady Saints offensive line. Not that they’ll need it, but I also love that the Saints are slight underdogs here. Saints win 31-20

Buffalo (+5.5) over MIAMI — Miami played spoiler last week and stunned the Jets. Though there no playoff implications in this one, the Bills return the favor. Bills win 20-17

Jacksonville (+5.5) over INDIANAPOLIS — The Jags always play the Colts tough, and the fact that the division is on the line here really makes me think this will be a close game. Peyton Manning will likely come through to save his season, but it’s not going to be easy. Colts win 28-24

DALLAS (-6.5) over Washington — While the Cowboys have played with pride lately, the Redskins have stopped caring a long time ago. Dallas takes it in a rout. Cowboys win 31-13

*LOCK IT UP: Philadelphia (+3.5) over NY GIANTS — The NFC East is on the line and I think these teams are so evenly matched that I see a field goal game either way. My gut is leaning towards the Eagles. Eagles win 24-21

Arizona (+2.5) over CAROLINA — Thank you John Skelton (and Jay Feely) for making me seem like a genius when I picked you to beat the atrocious Broncos last week. I say let’s let the good vibes continue this week in Carolina against an equally atrocious opponent in the hapless, helpless Panthers. Cardinals win 20-16

TAMPA BAY (-6.5) over Detroit — Last week’s Lions-Packers game was one of many bizarre divisional contests that unfolded. I just don’t see the Lions staying motivated outside of their division on the road against a decent Tampa team, nor do I see Detroit winning two in a row with their currently hobbled and cobbled together lineup. I love the UNDER, though, whatever it is. Bucs win 14-6

TENNESSEE (-1.5) over Houston — The Titans have had more healing time since last Thursday’s loss to the Colts. Meanwhile, the Texans keep losing in unbelievably heartbreaking fashion week after week. Titans win 23-20

ST. LOUIS (-2.5) over Kansas City — I was wrong about the Rams marching into New Orleans to beat the Saints last week. However, I feel that was more of an underestimation of the defending Super Bowl Champs more than an overestimation of Sam Bradford and Co. The Rams aren’t ready to compete with the big boys yet, but I think they bounce back at home against a tough-but-beatable Chiefs team. Rams win 28-21

Cleveland (+1.5) over CINCINNATI — I don’t like this matchup and this is my least favorite game of the week. The Bengals and Browns are simply two enigmatic teams that are hard to decipher, but with that said I am picking a Cleveland team that I feel hasn’t checked out all the way just yet. Browns win 23-17

Atlanta (-6.5) over SEATTLE — The Falcons should take care of business here, should being the operative word. Falcons win 33-12

*LOCK IT UP: PITTSBURGH (-6.5) over NY Jets — After last week’s meltdown against Miami, I just can’t see the Jets putting up enough points to win any game let alone this one against the Steel Curtain. Steelers win 24-9

OAKLAND (-6.5) over Denver — I know this is a division game, but as I said before, the Broncos are simply atrocious. Raiders win 38-14

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

*LOCK IT UP: NEW ENGLAND (-7.5) over Green Bay — Even if Aaron Rodgers plays, I just see this current Patriots team as unstoppable at home right now. Patriots win 34-21

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

*H2H SURVIVOR PICK: Chicago (-1.5) over MINNESOTA — I love the Bears to win this game as it is being played outdoors at the University of Minnesota. At this point, I bet the college team up there would put up more of a fight than the Vikings. Bears win 21-10

That’s it for this week’s edition of SLICED SPREAD.

See you next week – CB.

CB is an Editor for Pulse Wrestling and an original member of the Inside Pulse writing team covering the spectrum of pop culture including pro wrestling, sports, movies, music, radio and television.