NFL Week 15 Picks w/Performing Arts Update & Army/Navy Preview
For the last time, the HOTPO covered dancers “loosely affiliated” with this publication in the Alexandria Nutcracker.
Artspire VA is the non-profit that produces this excellent, annual community event along the Potomac.
The HOTPO staff first had two dancers in the 2011 Nutcracker. With the exception of two years, a “loosely affiliated” dancer (most often two) performed in the show over a 15-year period. All have now aged out of this wonderful program.
From Fort Hunt Youth Football cheerleading to the West Potomac (High School) Dance Team (WPDT) to the Artspire VA Nutcracker, the local dance community has been the most important community for HOTPO personnel. The editorial staff is grateful for all the coaches, sponsors, volunteers and dancers of the last 15 years. One last WPDT winter season, which will culminate at the National Dance Association nationals in February, remains.
Go get ‘em, ladies.
Let’s do the picks.
NFL Week 15 Picks
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears (-7.5): The much-maligned rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns along with a rushing touchdown in the Browns 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans last week in Cleveland. Not sure how the 2nd rated Browns defense gave up 31 points to the worst offense in the league, but that is a problem. The previously much-maligned second-year quarterback Caleb Williams is ranking middle of the pack now in most quarterback measurables and leading the Bears 5th rated offense in the NFL against that regressing Browns defense. – BEARS
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) at Cincinnati Bengals: Both of these teams blew golden opportunities last week. The 6-7 Ravens are just one game behind the AFC North division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers and the Bengals, 4-9, are still mathematically alive. Both Matt Verderame and Peter Dewey of Sports Illustrated see Cincinnati winning this game since Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson hasn’t been his MVP-level self since coming back from injury and the Ravens defense has been consistently bad all year. – BENGALS
Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans (-9.5): Close your eyes and think about the 2025 Houston Texans for a second. Mediocre, right? WRONG! They have won five straight, six of seven, eight of 10 and are currently a playoff qualifier. Conversely, Arizona has lost five straight and 10 of 11. – TEXANS
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars (-13.5): And here we have another seemingly mediocre team on a hot streak and holding down a playoff spot hosting a complete dumpster fire of an organization. – JAGUARS
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5): The Chargers beat the Chiefs 27-21 way back in week one and are coming off a victory of the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime, 22-19, Monday night. While Kansas City currently has a losing record at 6-7, they are still statistically top-rated on offense and defense, 7th and 9th respectively. The Chiefs are at home and the Chargers had one less day to prepare. – CHIEFS
Buffalo Bills (-1) at New England Patriots: New England leads Buffalo in the AFC East race by two games, but with four weeks remaining on the schedule, this race isn’t done yet. The Patriots beat the Bills in Buffalo, 23-20, Oct. 5. The Bills are getting key players back from injuries, as reported by Pat Sharyon of Syracuse.com, and should return the favor this week. – BILLS
Washington Commanders at New York Giants (-2.5): Washington has lost eight in a row. New York has lost seven straight. We will go with the home team starting the quarterback they actually want to start in this game. – GIANTS
Las Vegas Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles (-11.5): The Eagles have lost three straight and are flailing a little bit, but still lead the NFC East. The Raiders have been flailing wildly all season and are on a seven-game skid. It’s pretty clear which streak ends and which streak continues. – EAGLES
Green Bay Packers (-2.5) at Denver Broncos: Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of the AP reports that the 11-2 Broncos are the only team undefeated at home this year, but they are strangely underdogs this weekend to the visiting Packers. This is a must watch game between two excellent teams with good young quarterbacks and highly-rated defenses. That line though feels like just enough motivation to tip the scales toward the home team. – BRONCOS
Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams (-6): This game between Super Bowl contenders matches two excellent offenses against two pretty good defenses. Both of these defenses can get after the quarterback with the Lions 5th in the league with 37 sacks and the Rams 6th in the league with 36 sacks. The Los Angeles pass protection rates well and Detroit has struggled to protect QB Jared Goff, according to Jeremy Reisman of the Pride of Detroit blog. – RAMS
Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at New Orleans Saints: With the Saints beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, 24-20, and the Bucs then falling to the Atlanta Falcons last night, 29-28, the Panthers are in the driver seat for the NFC South division championship. New Orleans beat Carolina, 17-7, in Charlotte back on Nov. 7. The Panthers can avoid the upset if they rely on their 10th ranked rushing offense against the Saints 24th ranked rushing defense. – PANTHERS
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers (-12.5): Tennessee is coming off a surprise 31-29 victory in Cleveland last week and San Francisco is coming off a needed late-season bye week. – 49ERS
Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks (-13.5): It is probable the Colts will start 44-year old Philip Rivers at quarterback this week. Can’t remember where I saw it (and I paraphrase), but someone in the know said, Rivers starting is a neat story, but it will be a disaster. Indianapolis will have a hard time covering the line this Sunday. – SEAHAWKS
Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys (-6): The Dallas 44-30 loss to Detroit last week likely extinguished their slim playoff hopes. Minnesota probably gave up hope on the playoffs long ago, but their 31-0 throttling of Washington last week did likely boost their confidence in their young quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the future in general. Even though the Vikings may be trending upward, I think the Cowboys offense is too high-powered for the road team to handle. – COWBOYS
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3): Don’t look now, but Miami is on a four-game winning streak that must have cooled coach Mike McDaniels hot seat, which was scorching when they were 1-6 in mid-October. Pittsburgh got a massive 27-22 win in Baltimore over the Ravens last week to retain control of the AFC North division lead. The Steelers rate poorly on both sides of the ball, but they must win this game to keep their playoff hopes viable. – STEELERS
Army/Navy Game Preview
Army (6-5) and Navy (9-2, #22 AP) will combat each other tomorrow in the 126th Army/Navy game in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium.
Navy won last year 31-13 and lead the series 63-55-7. Since ending Navy's 14-game series winning streak in 2016, Army has won six of the last nine games. Army is a 6.5-point underdog for Saturday's matchup.
Steve Helwick of Underdog Dynasty thinks the higher-octane offense from Navy, led by QB Blake Horvath, will be the difference in the 126th playing of this historic rivalry.
My buddy Dan Head from As For Football sees making good tackles, hitting available passes and winning the turnover battle as keys to Army pulling an upset.
The HOTPO will in Baltimore to bring you more excellent coverage. Bro hug me, if you see me there. Enjoy the games.
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