The 2020 NFL season delivers up an early Christmas present in Week 15. There’s a full slate of games, a Saturday night doubleheader, and a potential Super Bowl preview with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the New Orleans Saints. Want to know who’s winning this week? Find out right here with our Week 15 NFL predictions against the spread.
Week 15 NFL Predictions against the spread
All spread lines are provided by DraftKings and were correct at the time of writing. They are, of course, subject to change the closer we get to kickoff.
Thursday, December 18th, 8:20 pm ET
Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) @ Las Vegas Raiders (-3.5)
Recent history has been unkind to the Los Angeles Chargers in this AFC West rivalry. The Las Vegas Raiders have won the last three, including their first 2020 NFL season clash. Despite the Chargers’ last gasp win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14, the Raiders should be favorites to sweep the head to head.
Although rookie Justin Herbert has been able to move the ball, the Chargers have one of the lowest points per game averages, and the Raiders offense behind Derek Carr should have enough to secure the win.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 15 Thursday Night Football: The Raiders win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 23 Las Vegas Raiders 27
Saturday, December 19th, 4:30 pm ET
Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos
With questions over his Denver Broncos future, Drew Lock came out firing in Week 14 with four touchdowns. Can he put up a repeat performance against the Buffalo Bills? Probably not, although the Bills pass defense is statistically similar to the Carolina Panthers unit that the Broncos beat in Week 14. With more riding on the result for Josh Allen and the Bills, they should secure the win to remain at the head of the AFC East.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 clash: No spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: Buffalo Bills 27 Denver Broncos 22
Saturday, December 19th, 8:15 pm ET
Carolina Panthers (+8.5) @ Green Bay Packers (-8.5)
The NFC road to the Super Bowl is currently set to run through Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers are on course to be the number one seed in the NFC. They should enhance that advantage with a win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 15. The Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams connection will be too strong from a Panthers defense that was torched by Drew Lock in a Week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 15 Saturday Night Football: The Packers win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Carolina Panthers 21 Green Bay Packers 31
Sunday, December 20th, 1 pm ET
New England Patriots (+2.5) @ Miami Dolphins (-2.5)
The New England Patriots won when the two teams met on opening weekend of the 2020 NFL season. However, the Miami Dolphins are well placed to increase their 56-44 head to head advantage. They picked off Patrick Mahomes three times in Week 14 and face a Patriots offense that has struggled to get anything going. The Dolphins should win and put an end to any lingering Patriots playoff hopes.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 AFC East rivalry: The Dolphins win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: New England Patriots 18 Miami Dolphins 23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.0) @ Atlanta Falcons (+4.0)
It’s been 13 years since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the post-season. Their destiny is in their own hands, and two games in three weeks against a poor Atlanta Falcons side should help smooth their road to the Super Bowl. The Falcons’ pass defense has allowed the third-most yards per game, giving Tom Brady an excellent opportunity to lead his team to victory.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 NFC South rivalry: Tampa Bay wins with a push on the spread.
Final score prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28 Atlanta Falcons 24
San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) @ Dallas Cowboys (+1.5)
One of the great American football rivalries is a sorry story in the 2020 NFL season. Past glories couldn’t be further from the current reality for both the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. Both teams are mired in lost seasons, with their future direction unclear. If the 49ers had a semblance of offense, you would expect them to take advantage of a poor Cowboys defense. Unfortunately, they haven’t, and the Cowboys should sneak a win at home.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 showdown: The Cowboys win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: San Francisco 49ers 21 Dallas Cowboys 23
Detroit Lions @ Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry trampled the Jacksonville Jaguars to the tune of 215 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14. For an encore, he faces a Detroit Lions defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the 2020 NFL season. The Lions have also allowed the most rushing touchdowns this season. It should be another big day for Henry as the Titans seek to secure an advantage in the AFC South.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 matchup: No spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: Detroit Lions 24 Tennessee Titans 31
Houston Texans (+7.0) @ Indianapolis Colts (-7.0)
One of these teams is a powerhouse in the AFC South. The other is the Houston Texans. After a shellacking by the Chicago Bears, there seems little hope of Houston overcoming the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. With Jonathan Taylor coming into form, the Colts should dominate on the ground as the Texans have allowed the second-most rushing yards in the 2020 NFL season.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 AFC South rivalry: The Colts win with a push on the spread.
Final score prediction: Houston Texans 21 Indianapolis Colts 28
Chicago Bears (+3.5) @ Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)
The Minnesota Vikings snapped a four-game losing streak in the NFC North head to head with their win over the Chicago Bears earlier in the 2020 NFL season. The Bears, however, snapped a losing streak of their own in Week 14. Mitchell Trubisky torched the Houston Texans to the tune of three touchdowns in the win and now faces a Vikings defense that’s given up the sixth-most passing yards per game this year.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 NFC North rivalry: The Bears win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Chicago Bears 24 Minnesota Vikings 21
Seattle Seahawks (-4.0) @ Washington Football Team (+4.0)
In a game of strengths and weaknesses these two teams may just cancel each other out. The Washington Football Team has one of the best defenses in the 2020 NFL season, but barely any offense. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks were back to their offensive best against the New York Jets. They are, however, defensively fragile, having given up the most passing yards per game so far this season.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 clash: The Seahawks win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 Washington Football Team 19
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
This game shouldn’t be too difficult to call. The Jacksonville Jaguars have been abysmal against the run this season, and the Baltimore Ravens rush for more yards per game than any other team in the league. The Ravens could potentially still be in the hunt for a playoff spot whereas Trevor Lawrence is the only thing the Jaguars are in the hunt for.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 game: No spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars 21 Baltimore Ravens 30
Sunday, December 20th, 4:05 pm ET
New York Jets (+16.5) @ Los Angeles Rams (-16.5)
After the New York Jets struggled to put points on the Seattle Seahawks, they face a stingy Los Angeles Rams unit in Week 15. The Rams remain on the road to the Super Bowl whilst the Jets maintain their course towards the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 clash: The Rams win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: New York Jets 10 Los Angeles Rams 27
Philadelphia Eagles (+5.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (-5.5)
The Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals deliver a mouth-watering matchup of mobile quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts was impressive the first start of his rookie season, but can he go toe to toe with Kyler Murray? The diabolical nature of the NFC East means that both teams are still contending for a postseason berth. I expect a close game that the Cardinals just shade with some Murray magic.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 15 matchup: The Cardinals win but fail to cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 23 Arizona Cardinals 27
Sunday, December 20th, 4:25 pm ET
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) @ New Orleans Saints (+3.5)
Despite the New Orleans Saints’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14, this could be a preview of Super Bowl LV. If it is to be a dress rehearsal for February, then who will lift the fake Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night?
The Saints’ defense has been one of the most stout in the 2020 NFL season. Drew Brees should come back to replace Taysom Hill and bolster the offense. The Saints should be able to bottle up the ground game, but it is still difficult to look past the Chiefs. The combination of Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill will likely be the difference-maker.
NFL predictions against the spread for the Week 15 game of the week: The Chiefs win but fail to cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 31 New Orleans Saints 28
Sunday, December 20th, 8:20 pm ET
Cleveland Browns @ New York Giants
The NFC East reverted to type in Week 14 as the New York Giants’ run of good form was ended by the Arizona Cardinals. The Giants’ run defense gives them the chance to be competitive against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns offense runs through Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but the Giants have allowed the fourth-fewest running yards per game. That being said, the Browns should come out of New York with the win and remain in the playoff hunt.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 15 Sunday Night Football: No spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: Cleveland Browns 24 New York Giants 19
Monday, December 21st, 8:15 pm ET
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold a commanding head to head advantage over the Cincinnati Bengals. Having put up an equally commanding 36-10 win earlier in the season, only a fool would bet against the Steelers. Pittsburgh need the win to keep pace with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC, and they should secure it comfortably.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 15 Monday Night Football: No spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 30 Cincinnati Bengals 14
If sports betting is your thing, and we urge you to gamble responsibly, check out the “Against the Spread” podcast.
Oliver Hodgkinson is an NFL Draft and NFL analytics contributor for the Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @ojhodgkinson.