There are some really big matchups in the NFL this week; Jets play the Steelers, Eagles take on the Giants and the Jaguars versus the Colts. NFL Week 15 action will further shape the 2010 NFL playoff race.

Here is the NFL spreads, picks and predictions against-the-spread in Week 15 action for Sunday, December 19, 2010 and Monday, December 19, 2010.

ST. LOUIS RAMS (-3) Over Kansas City Chiefs
Three factors that influence this NFL pick. The Chiefs lost last week on the road in San Diego 31-0, they’re on the road again this week and QB Matt Cassell is questionable (appendectomy).
Over/Under: 42.5

TENNESSEE TITANS (PICK) Over Houston Texans
Although the Titans have lost 6 straight games, they are coming off extra rest while the Texans travel on short rest in this PICK-EM NFL matchup.
Over/Under: 47.5

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have rushed for more than 200 yards in their last three games but they’re facing a dangerous wounded animal, Peyton Manning, who faces playoff elimination with a loss. It doesn’t hurt that the Colts are playing home in Lucas Field.
Over/Under: 48

Arizona Cardinals (+3) Over CAROLINA PANTHERS
Two big statistics that influence this NFL pick, the Panthers are 1-12 Straight up and 3-10 Against-the-Spread this year in NFL action, and don’t forget, the Panthers are out of the NFL playoff picture.
Over/Under: 37

Cleveland Browns (+1) Over CINCINNATI BENGALS
How can a team (Bengals) that’s lost 10 in a row be the favorite? This battle of Ohio has no implications for the NFC playoffs in 2010.
Over/Under: 40

Buffalo Bills (+5) Over MIAMI DOLPHINS
Yes, the Dolphins beat the Jets last week but only because of their punter (500+ yards). The Fish’s QB Chad Henne gets worse and worse.
Over/Under: 40

NEW YORK GIANTS (-3) Over Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick wishes he had the Giants “dogs” (running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs). The Giants are healthy, playing at home and the defensive line is playing the best it has all season. Michael Vick won’t be able to beat the Giants in a rematch that will probably decide the NFC East championship.
Over/Under 47.5

DALLAS COWBOYS (-7.5) Over Washington Redskins
It looks like Mike Shanahan and the Redskins have given up on QB Donovan McNabb while the Cowboys are giving their all for interim head coach Jason Garrett. The spread has widened as the week went on but it still won’t matter.
Over/Under: 44.5

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-4.5) Over Detroit Lions
The Lions upset the Green Bay Packers last week, mainly due to the concussion of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. What are the chances of the Lions winning two in a row? – Zilch
Over/Under: 43

New Orleans Saints (+2) Over BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Saints have won 6 straight, beat the Rams 31-13 last week and are looking to be in the playoff race in 2010. Last week, the Ravens defense gave up 28 points in their 34-28 win over the Houston Texans. Expect Drew Brees to be the difference in this one.
Over/Under: 44.5

Atlanta Falcons (-7) Over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Falcons have the best record in the NFC (11-2) but may be looking ahead to next week’s battle against the Saints. On the other hand, the Seahawks lost big to the 49ers last week 40-21. Falcons should have no problems scoring and covering the spread.
Over/Under: 46

New York Jets (+4.5) Over PITTSBURGH STEELERS
How can we pick a team that hasn’t scored a touchdown in weeks? Let’s just say – a hunch; and that the “Green Wall-Gate” conspiracy has shifted the media focus off Jets recent poor offensive play. Another big factor is the Steelers defensive standout Troy Palomalu probably will not play due to injury.
Over/Under: 36

Denver Broncos (+8) Over OAKLAND RAIDERS
The Broncos have a new interim head coach and will seek revenge of the 59-14 loss at home to the Raider. Lets just say we’re picking the Broncos to cover the spread.
Over/Under: 42

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-14.5) Over Green Bay Packers
Nobody in their right mind would pick the Packers in this contest. Even with the Patriots already having secured a playoff spot and the Packers playing without QB Aaron Rodgers, the Pats will cover this HUGE spread.
Over/Under: 44

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+4) Over Chicago Bears
Let’s just say that Brett Favre plays great in outside in cold weather and the Vikings will be playing outside due to the snowball collapse at the Metrodome.
Over/Under: 45

HOMETEAM IN CAPS

Expect some great NFL action in Week 15 this weekend.

Sources: nfl.com, bodog.com

The Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts meet on Saturday in a 2010 AFC Divisional Playoff game. The Ravens advanced to this AFC Divisional game by beating the New England Patriots in their AFC Wild Card matchup last week. The Colts are the AFC South Division Champions, are the AFC number 1 seed and have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Colts are favored by 6.5 points and the under/over is 46.5 points.

The Colts had a chance at an undefeated season going into week 15 but the team decided to rest their starters in the second half against the Jets. The result was a Jets win and the end to the Colts run at 16-0. Colts fans were angry about the move but the Colts management stuck to their decision to rest the starters to give them the best chance at ascertaining their goal - a Super Bowl win. The Colts ended up 14-2 and haven’t played a meaningful game in over a month. So the Colts could be rusty coming into this Divisional playoff matchup with the Ravens.

The Ravens are coming off an impressive win against Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots. The Ravens caused Pats QB Tom Brady to throw for 3 interceptions and 1 fumble. RB Ray Rice had an 83-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage and the Ravens never looked back. The final score of that AFC Wild Card game was 33-14.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco has thrown ofr 21 TDs 12 INTs for a 63.1% completion percentage. Colts QB Payton Manning has thrown for 33 TDs 16 INTs and a completion percentage of 68.8.

The Ravens hold the rushing advantage over the Colts (who are rated last in the NFL in rushing). Former Rutger standout Ray Rice is averaging 5.3 yard per carry and has scored 7 TDs; he also leads the team in receptions with 78 for 702 yards and 1 TD.

But the Colts passing offense is absolutely devastating. The Colts WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark both have 100 receptions, 10 TDs and over 1000 receiving yards.

Although the Ravens have the momentum and the Colts may be rusty, the Colts passing offense will be too much for the Ravens defense. The Ravens will win but will not cover the spread.

Thenflthisweek.com Prediction

Colts 31 Ravens 28

Going into week 15 of the 2009 NFL season, the NFC playoff picture is pretty clear. Four teams have already clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs; they are the Saints (13-1), Vikings (11-3), Cardinals (9-5) and Eagles (10-4). Three other teams are in the hunt for the final two NFC playoff spots, they include the Cowboys (9-5), Packers (9-5) and the Giants (8-6).

Here is the NFC playoff picture going into week 15 of the NFL season:

New Orleans Saints (13-1)

• Clinched the the NFC South and a first-round bye
• Clinches homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:
  A win or tie OR
  Minnesota loss or tie

Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

• Clinched NFC North
• Clinches first-round bye with:
  A win and Philadelphia loss or tie OR
  A tie and Philadelphia loss

Arizona (9-5)

• Clinched NFC West

Philadelphia (10-4)

• Clinched a playoff spot
• Clinches NFC East with:
  A win and Dallas loss or tie OR
  A tie and Dallas loss

Green Bay Packers (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  A win and Giants loss or tie OR
  A win and Dallas loss OR
  A tie and Giants loss

Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  win and Giants loss or tie OR
  tie and Giants loss

The New York Giants are still in the NFC playoff picture but it will take a loss by both the Packers AND Cowboys over the next three weeks in order for them to have a chance.

sources: NY Daily News, nfl.com, espn.com