Updated on: December 11, 2024 / 07:21 AM

NFL Game Week 15 - Schedule, Best Picks & Where to Watch

Week 14 of the NFL schedule got off to a thrilling start with a 34-31 Detroit Lions victory over the Green Bay Packers. Whilst the early Sunday slate that followed offered up a few dud games, the Buffalo Bills and LA Rams salvaged the day with an incredible 86-point contest. It’s been a weird season for LA, but nobody can deny that when Matthew Stafford and Company are on song, they can beat anyone.

Best Games of NFL Week 15

Every game now is crucially important, with huge playoff and draft order ramifications occurring every week. The NFL Week 15 slate certainly looks set to grip us all, highlighted by potential Super Bowl matchups between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s dig into those games in more detail, and see what else is on the slate.

Buffalo Bills @ Detroit Lions

Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. ET
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Broadcast Details: CBS, Paramount+

Two of the very best teams in each conference will do battle in the late afternoon slate in week 15 of the NFL season, with Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills heading to Ford Field to take on Jared Goff’s Detroit Lions. Both teams are coming off very tight and competitive clashes, with the Lions having edged their way past the Green Bay Packers, and the Bills falling just short against the LA Rams. With Buffalo trying to hunt down Kansas City for the first seed, and the Lions trying to ward off the Vikings and hold onto their own number-one seed, this is a fascinating clash between two teams who cannot afford to lose.

Both of those games in week 14 were high-scoring affairs, and we should expect more of the same this week. The Lions are the top-scoring team this year, with 32.1 points per game, closely followed by the Bills in second, at 30.5 points per game. Whilst things are neck and neck on offense, the Lions have the edge on defense, giving up the second-fewest points per game this year, with 18. Buffalo are also inside the top 10, ranking eighth at 20.6 points per game, but their confidence has to be shaken after conceding 44 points to the Los Angeles Rams.

Kyren Williams scored two touchdowns on the ground, and Puka Nacua was totally unstoppable through the air, collecting 162 yards and a touchdown on 12 receptions. That should pique the interest of Amon-Ra St. Brown and the running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who will all fancy their chances against this embarrassed unit.

Of course, it would be foolish to rule out the Bills though, who are benefiting from an MVP-caliber season from quarterback Josh Allen, who had over 400 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in that loss to LA. Expect fireworks in Detroit this weekend.

Prediction/Analysis:

This is one of the games of the season, and it's impossible to call. Josh Allen is a world-beater at the sport's most important position, but the Lions might just be the most well-rounded team in the NFL. I will give them the edge in their own building.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. ET
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports

This is another fascinating clash between two teams who could well be representing their respective conferences in the Super Bowl this season. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are both coming off victories, but the vibes in each camp were slightly different at the end of the game.

Pittsburgh managed to knock off the division rival Cleveland Browns thanks to a very convincing second-half performance, whereas the Eagles were lucky to escape Carolina with a win, helped massively by an ugly dropped catch by Xavier Leggette. The most concerning thing for Philadelphia though is their passing game, with Jalen Hurts not managing to pass the 200-yard mark in his last three performances. As a result, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are getting frustrated, which is certainly something to keep an eye on as we move into the most important phase of the season. This week, they will try to get back on track against a Steelers defense that is middle of the pack when it comes to passing yards conceded per game, with 218.6, but is holding opponents to the fifth-fewest points on the season, at 18.3 per game.

Philadelphia have also been red hot on defense this year, ranking second in the NFL with just 18 points given up per game. Their strength has been stopping the pass, thanks to their exciting new rookies in the secondary, who are holding opponents to just 178.5 passing yards per game, which is second-best in the NFL. Steelers fans will be keeping an eye on the health status of George Pickens, who was inactive for their week 14 clash with the Browns. It’s tough to pass on these Eagles, and another inactive for Pickens would be a big hit to the Steelers' choices.

Prediction/Analysis:

Whilst Philly were lucky to avoid an embarrassing loss against Carolina this weekend, I will be backing them to get the job done against a good Pittsburgh defense in week 15. Saquon Barkley is the best player on the field, and you have to believe that the Eagles are going to make a concerted effort at getting AJ Brown going as well. They have the firepower on both offense and defense to get one over on this very well-coached Pittsburgh side.

Green Bay Packers @ Seattle Seahawks

Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 8:20 p.m. ET
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Broadcast Details: NBC, Peacock

Sunday night football this week is a very exciting NFC clash between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. Green Bay’s chances at winning the division took a massive hit last week when they lost to Detroit on Thursday Night Football, and they will be desperate to get back on track with a win here to keep themselves locked into a wildcard spot. Meanwhile, Seattle are enjoying a fine run of form that has put them in pole position in the crowded NFC West.

The Seahawks have gotten to that spot by winning their last four games, in which they have held their opponents to an average of 15.5 points. The defensive dominance has provided the foundations for this turnaround, and their fans should be very excited by the impact head coach Mike MacDonald is having. This week, they will turn their attention to Green Bay’s top-10 offense, powered by the relentless rushing ability of Josh Jacobs who has scored eight touchdowns across his last four games. Jordan Love has also been getting in on the action, ranking sick in the NFL with his 21 passing touchdowns, although he is also ranking fourth for interceptions with 11.

Another man who has contributed his fair share of interceptions is Geno Smith, who has thrown the second most with 12. Nevertheless, he is also tired for the second most fourth-quarter comebacks, with three, proving that he is more than capable of getting the job done when the pressure is on. He has benefitted from a second-year breakout from wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is leading the team with 911 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Production hasn’t been as easy to come by on the ground, with Seattle ranking 27th with 95.4 rushing yards per game, but Zach Charbonnet may have just earned himself a bigger role moving forward with 134 yards and two touchdowns coming on his 22 carries against the Cardinals in week 14. If he can offer more of a potent threat on the ground, Seattle might be turning into a real threat in the NFC. Tough games like this against Green Bay are a great test to see where they are at.

Prediction/Analysis:

Seattle could well be producing one of the top defenses in the NFL, but it’s never easy to slow down this Packers offense. Josh Jacobs is relentless on the ground, and Jordan Love is one of the most exciting young talents at quarterback. Green Bay absolutely needs to win to keep themselves in the conversation in the NFC North, and I’ll be backing them to end Seattle’s win streak.

Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans

Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast Details: CBS, Paramount+

This clash features two AFC sides who have been underwhelming this year, but have it all to play for in the hunt for the playoffs.

Author: Venuse, Inc.