NFL Week 15 picks

Wait does that say week 15? Wow that went by fast. Loren picked up a game on me last week so I'm up 2 with a 55-29 record while Loren sits at 49-31.

Detroit at Oakland

Derek – Detroit. Palmer isn't what the Raiders thought he was, or at least they're not getting out of him what they think they should have. We'll see if time turns it around and they are hosting the a team traveling a great distance, but I think the Lions will do enough on D to win this one.

Loren - Detroit. Getting Suh back will help Detroit. Not having McFadden on the field yet again is going to hurt Oakland. The Raiders once looked like a lock to win the division, they may not be able to stay out of the cellar if they can't pick up another victory.

Miami at Buffalo

Derek – Miami. Buffalo has struggled lately while Miami has turned a bit of a corner. I don't like picked the fins in a cold weather game but the way they are running it and playing D recently makes me think they are a cold weather team.

Loren - Miami. Even though they got beat up by Philly, I think the Dolphins D is enough against an increasingly ineffective Buffalo offense. Probably a low scoring and relatively close game. The weather is supposed to be cold but clear. If that changes, so could the outcome of the game.

Seattle at Chicago

Derek – Chicago. Ehh tough choice. If this was in Seattle I'd be picking the Seahawks, but I can't seem them winning twice on long trips this year. They have Lynch but the Bears still have their D. It'll be close.

Loren - Seattle. Too many players out for the Bears when they are already feeling depleted and down. They're going to have to throw the kitchen sink at Marshawn Lynch, who is definitely finding a rhythm with the Seattle offense, and even that may not be enough. The loss to Denver may have been the final straw for Chicago's playoff chances. They are looking at a long uphill climb to make it and I don't think they have the talent or the heart to make it happen.

New England at Denver

Derek – New England. I think the Broncos will put up some points but I think Brady is the guy to figure out Denver's D. We'll see if the Broncos can tackle a TE, most teams that play against the Pats can't.

Loren – New England. This was a much more difficult decision than I had anticipated. The Patriots just don't play well in Denver, Brady doesn't play well against the Broncos, and the Pats defense is so porous they could actually make Tebow look like a gifted passer. The deciding factor, though, is that the Broncos secondary is dealing with injuries and Brady knows how exploit patchwork secondaries. Of course, I wouldn't be sad to see Von Miller harass Brady all day and help the Broncos stifle the Pats.

Baltimore at San Diego

Derek – Baltimore. Again I'm picking a visiting team. Boy I'm not sure how I'm going to do this week. The Ravens are the better team and they should be stop what the Chargers throw at them. Flacco makes two TD passes and Rice scores on the ground 21 should be enough.

Loren - Baltimore. Behind Green Bay, this is the team no one wants to play right now. At least with the Pats or New Orleans, you think you have a chance to score some points. The Ravens play physical on both sides of the ball and they're getting Ray Lewis back this week. Bodes very poorly for San Diego who have lost to every quality opponent they've played this year.

Pittsburgh at San Francisco

Derek – San Francisco. I think Big Ben might have some issues moving and he needs to move to be effective, oh yeah they'll be playing the 49ers D who can get after you too. Don't forget the cross country flight. Everything points to a San Fran win.

Loren - Pittsburgh. Everyone is making such a big deal out of Roethlisberger's injury. They're not talking as much about Gore being injured and slowing down as the season progresses, or that Alex Smith has had one decent start in his last 5 games. The Steelers are physical enough to control this game and they just know how to win when it counts. San Francisco is still learning how to do that.