NFL 2023 Week 15 results and Week 16 picks

 The battle for playoff position has really played havoc with some teams.

Power Rankings [Last week's ranks]

1.  SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-3) [1]

2.  Baltimore Ravens (11-3) [3]

3.  Miami Dolphins (10-4) [4]

4.  Dallas Cowboys (10-4) [2]

5.  Buffalo Bills (8-6) [5]

6.  Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) [6]

7.  Detroit Lions (10-4) [8]

8.  Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) [7]

9.  Cleveland Browns (9-5) [9]

10. New Orleans Saints (7-7) [13]

11. Indianapolis Colts (8-6) [14]

12. Houston Texans (8-6) [12]

13. Minnesota Vikings (7-7) [11]

14. Tampa Bay Bucs (7-7) [18]

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) [10]

16. Los Angeles Rams (7-7) [16]

Divisional Rankings [Last week's rank]

1.  AFC North [1]

2.  NFC North [2]

3 (tie). AFC South [3]

3 (tie). AFC East [4]

5.  NFC West [5]

6.  AFC West [5]

7.  NFC East [7]

8.  NFC South [8]

Thursday night

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams : The Saints have been sailing since Derek Carr returned.  When they Chris Olave back they will be even more potent.  The Rams may have better talent on paper, but they haven't been consistent in producing that on the field.  I favor the Saints here, although the Rams certainly could win.  SAINTS, 17-14

Saturday games

 Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers : I thought the Bengals would be in trouble when Joe Burrow went down, but they have found life.  On the other hand, the Steelers can't seem to put any power under center, as none of their QBs have consistently performed.  BENGALS, 17-10

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Chargers : Buffalo seems to have found their footing again.  When it is clicking, that offense is tough to stop.  The Chargers defense may not be up to the task based upon what we have seen the past couple of weeks from Buffalo.  BILLS, 27-14

Sunday early games

I'm picking lots of visiting teams, which always makes me nervous.

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans : It doesn't look like CJ Stroud will be playing.  If he was, I'd say this game was a toss-up.  Without him, the Browns defense will crush Houston.  BROWNS, 20-10

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings : Detroit is playing very well.  Winning this game will clinch the division for them, and keep them in contention for the top seed in the NFC.  LIONS, 27-17

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers : Carolina may have won last week, but they are still the worst team in the league.  PACK, 24-13

Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons : The Colts aren't pretty or dominant, but they get the job done.  The Falcons have been making too many mistakes.  COLTS, 24-17

Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans : Either of these team can win this game.  The Seahawks have a bit of momentum coming into this game, and that might make the difference for them.  SEAHAWKS, 23-20

Washington Commanders at New York Jets : The Jets defense will squash the Commanders.  JETS, 13-10

Sunday late games

Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears : They won't need a last-minute Hail Mary to win this game, as the Cardinals offense has evaporated in the desert.  BEARS, 23-13

Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins : The Boys have struggled on the road this season, so I don't have to pick another visiting team this time.  This will be an offensive showdown, as these are two of the hottest offenses in the league.  DOLPHINS, 34-27

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Bucs : The Jags find themselves in a losing streak, while the Bucs seem to have found some ground.  Obviously I am looking to pick home teams, but I think the Jags will get themselves together for this game.  The turning point will be a turnover, as the Bucs play a bit too dangerously.  JAGUARS, 23-17

Sunday night

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos : Denver is gaining strength while the Patriots continue to flounder.  BRONCOS, 14-10

Christmas Day

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs : The Chiefs offense is still finding balance with their new players, but that should be good enough against the bumbling Raiders.  CHIEFS, 27-16

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles : If Miami beats Dallas, the Eagles will already know that they clinch the division with a win.  With the Giants struggling, that wasn't really much of a question anyway, despite the three-game losing streak they have coming into this game.  EAGLES, 24-13

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers : This might be a preview of the Super Bowl.  Both teams have strong defenses and good offenses.  The Ravens defense stops teams, but the 49ers also cause chaos and turnovers.  The 49ers running game may also give them a slight edge.  49ERS, 34-30