Week 15 Betting Preview: Predictions for every matchup

Each week during the NFL season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of selected picks.

Week 14 record (includes TNF): 7-8-1
Overall: 108-95-5

Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders (+3)

The Raiders' regression on offense is real - having dipped from No. 6 last season to No. 19 this year - but offensive coordinator Todd Downing vowed to "let it rip" against the Cowboys this weekend. And despite the likely absence of Amari Cooper due to injury, that philosophy is good news for Derek Carr against the league's 23rd-ranked pass defense. Look for the Raiders' offense to resemble last year's outfit in a high-scoring affair. Take the home team getting the points. Raiders 31, Cowboys 30

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (+1) - Saturday 8:25 p.m.

Kareem Hunt ran wild in the first matchup between these teams this season, and is coming off a strong showing last week against the Raiders. When Hunt is rolling, Alex Smith can take some shots using play action, and that makes the Chiefs a very difficult outfit to stop. The Chargers are among the hottest teams in the league right now, but Andy Reid will neutralize the pass rush with a strong offensive game plan. Chiefs 31, Chargers 27

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6.5)

Buoyed by a dramatic win last week over New Orleans, the Atlanta Falcons are back in the hunt for the NFC South. The Buccaneers aren't heading to the postseason, but spoiling their division rival's chances on Monday night is certainly worth getting up for. Julio Jones is likely to have a monster game against the league's worst pass defense, but the Buccaneers can keep up in a shootout. Take the points in what should be a tight one. Falcons 28, Buccaneers 27

Remaining matchups

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-5.5) - Saturday 4:30 p.m.

The Bears looked excellent in hammering the Bengals last week, but the Lions have everything to play for in a push for the postseason. Matthew Stafford will put up some big numbers in a Detroit win. Lions 28. Bears 20

Miami Dolphins (+3) at Buffalo Bills

It doesn't look like a blizzard will hit Buffalo again this Sunday, while temperatures are expected to be above freezing. That bodes well for the Dolphins, who've won two straight games over the Broncos and Patriots. Dolphins 27, Bills 24

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (+7)

Despite holding a 21-7 lead over Green Bay at one point in last week's game, the Browns found another way to lose, and even somehow failed to cover the spread. The hapless club has three games left to avoid an 0-16 season, and a win doesn't seem likely against the division rival Ravens. Cleveland will keep this one within the number, though. Ravens 23, Browns 20

Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings (-10.5)

The Bengals got throttled last week at home by the lowly Bears, and it's tough to see anything changing this week at Minnesota. Vikings 28, Bengals 10

New York Jets at New Orleans Saints (-15)

It's Bryce Petty time at quarterback for the Jets - a move that instantly means it's New Orleans Saints time on the betting slip. Saints 30, Jets 7

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (+7.5)

There are plenty of people who still think the Eagles can make a deep playoff run without Carson Wentz. This game against the lowly Giants will show that's not going to be the case. Giants 20, Eagles 17

Arizona Cardinals (+4.5) at Washington Redskins

Washington has looked like the worst team in football over the past two weeks, and even though Arizona has been hammered by injuries, it's tough to see the Redskins covering a 4.5-point spread. Redskins 17, Cardinals 14

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers (-3)

Aaron Rodgers returns for the Packers after recovering from a broken collarbone. Green Bay was able to stay in the playoff hunt without the star pivot, barely, and need a win at Carolina to keep those slim hopes alive. Rodgers is brilliant, but even he'll show signs of the layoff while Cam Newton keeps the Panthers rolling. Panthers 27, Packers 21

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-10.5)

It's now the T.J. Yates show in Houston after Tom Savage went down, and that's terrible news for anyone backing the Texans. Jaguars 27, Texans 7

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-1.5)

The Seahawks held Todd Gurley to one of his worst games of the year in their 16-10 win earlier this season, and will look to repeat that feat in Seattle on Sunday. The defense has lost some key contributors since then, but is still a force at home. Russell Wilson will make enough plays on offense to sweep the season series. Seahawks 24, Rams 20

New England Patriots (-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers

The AFC's biggest game of the year will go down Sunday when the Patriots face the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Despite a dramatic win over the Ravens last week, it was clear the Steelers missed Ryan Shazier in their linebacking corps. Look for Rob Gronkowski to have a big day and the Patriots to get back on track with a win. Patriots 30, Steelers 24

Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers (-2)

Jimmy Garoppolo remains undefeated as a starter, and while the 49ers shouldn't start planning a Super Bowl parade just yet, the former Patriot will make it three in a row over a banged-up Titans squad. 49ers 24, Titans 20