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

Eagles QB Michael Vick thinks a pet dog would be good therapy. Vick won’t get that opportunity soon, but he’ll get the chance to watch the Giants “dogs” run all over his Eagles defense.

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles travel up the turnpike to take on the Giants in Week 15 NFL action. The winner gets sole possession of first place in the NFC East playoff race.

Expect the game to be a throwback, smash-mouth football game. The Giants will try to control the ball, and the clock with their rushing game. The Eagles, on the other hand, will lean on the throwing and running abilities of QB Michael Vick.

Although the Eagles won the first meeting (27-17), the Giants are healthier than ever and playing their best defense. The Giant “D” is confident that they will be able to contain Michael Vick and keep the Eagles from scoring.

But the difference in this NFC East matchup will be the Giants “dogs” Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. The pair of running backs will eat up the clock and make the Eagles defense play the run. Eli Manning and the Giants receiver Corp will then exploit the Eagles fun defense with the “play-action-pass”.

The result – Giants beat the Eagles by a touchdown in a low scoring affair – and Vick and the Eagles will lick their wounds and wish they had “dogs” like the Giants.

On Thursday, December 11, we predicted the Bears would win 24-20. The Bears did win in overtime by a final score of 27-24. The Bears were favorited by 3 points and our pick resulted in a push.  In our last 8 NFL picks we are 7-0-1 against the spread.  An pretty impressive record. 

In our best bet pick for Sunday, December 14 – Week 15 of the NFL football season, we are picking the San Francisco 49ers over the Miami Dolphins.

GAME INFO
Teams: San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins

Date: Sunday, Dec 14, 2008
Kickoff: 1:00 pm EST
Teams: Location: Dolphin Stadium, Miami Florida
TV: Fox

THE LINE (Daily Line for Saturday, December 13)
The CURRENT line of 3 of 4 top bookmakers favorites the Dolphins by 6 points. (1 bookmaker has the Dolphins giving up 7 points)
All four of the bookmakers share the CURRENT Under/Over points line of 41 1/2

THE MATCHUP
The 49ers are 5-8 overall, 2-4 on the road, 2-3 in the NFC West and 3-7 in the NFC
The Dolhpins are 8-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 3-2 in the AFC Eat and 6-4 in the AFC

LAST WEEK
The Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills by the score of 16-3.  The defeat of the Bills practically eliminated them from the post season with a record of 6-7.

The San Francisco 49ers beat the New York Jets 24-14.  An impressive win for the 49ers and their interim coach Mike Singletary. 

AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)
49ers
6-7 ATS Overall
3-3 ATS away
4-6 ATS as underdog
3-3 ATS as an away underdog

Dolphins
6-7 ATS Overall
2-5 ATS at home
0-4 ATS as favorite
0-3 ATS as a home favorite

PREVIEW
The San Francisco 49ers are playing hard for interim coach – Mike Singletary.  These last few games will make the difference in him backing back as the full-time coach next year.  The 49ers QB change to Shaun Hill has paid off.  It has made the offense more balanced. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and with only 4 interceptions.

The Miami Dolphins are coming off a 1-15 season and have made a tremendous turnaround by acquiring QB Chad Pennington, who was released by the Jets after the signing of Bred Favre.  Both those teams are benefitting from the moves.  Miami’s the long misunderstood, ganja smoking, previously suspended running back Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have led a successful running attack for the Dolphins this year.

KEYS TO THE GAME
The San Francisco 49ers are out of the post season but they are playing hard for Mike Singletary. Last week they beat the AFC East leading New York Jets 24-14.  They played tenacious defense and scored enough points to win.   This week the 49ers play another AFC East team in the Miami Dolphins.

If the 49ers Frank Gore is healthy and can run for a 100 yards, the Dolphins are in for a rough day. On the flip side, if Ricky Williams and Chad Pennington both have big games, the 49ers will fall short.
INJURIES (as of 12/12/08)
49ers
Arnax Battle WR (foot) is OUT
Frank Core RB (ankle) is QUESTIONABLE
Nate Clemens CB (thumb) and Josh Morgan WR (groin) are PROBABLE

Dolphins
No Injuries

PREDICTION
Miami Dolphins 21, San Francisco 49ers 17

We cannot believe that the current line favors the Miami Dolphins by 7 points.  The 49ers are playing for respect and believe in their coach – Mike Singletary.  Although the Dolphins are tied with the Jets and the Patriots, we just can’t see them winning by more than 7 points. We emphasize the point that both teams a little of 21 points a game.  

The QB situation is also a major reason for our prediction.  49ers QB Shaun Hill has thrown 10 TDS with only 4 interceptions while Dolphins QB, Chad Pennington has thrown for 8 TDS but thrown 11 interceptions – not good!

Finally, the Dolphins “reverse-perfect” record against the spread: ATS favorite (0-4) and a home ATS favorite (0-3) record make this an obvious best bet for the week.

But this is NFL football and anything can happpen (especially with the officiating these days).