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Here are my Week 15 NFL Game Predictions, both straight-up and against the spread and my results from last week and the season.
You’ll also find an array of fantastic notes down below for Week 15 and the 2025 season courtesy of NFL Communications press releases.
There are 27 VFLs on 53-player rosters in the NFL. There are 5 on practice squads and 2 more on injured reserve, bringing the league total to 34 with NFL teams. Look for a VFL in the NFL, ex-Vol and local player update blog soon on this feed and website, 991TheSportsAnimal.com.
Vince’s Picks Results
Week 14: 9-5 straight-up & 9-5 spread
Season: 141-67 (68%) straight-up & 115-93 (55%) spread
Winners are in bold. Pick against the spread selection is listed to the side.
Week 15
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025
8:15pm
Atlanta at Tampa Bay (-5.5) – Atlanta +5.5
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
1pm
Cleveland at Chicago (-7.5) – Chicago -7.5
Baltimore (-2.5) at Cincinnati – Baltimore -2.5
Arizona at Houston (-10) – Houston -10
NY Jets at Jacksonville (-14) – Jacksonville -14
LA Chargers at Kansas City (-6) – LA Chargers +6
Buffalo (-1) at New England – New England +1
Washington at NY Giants (-2.5) – NY Giants -2.5
Las Vegas at Philadelphia (-12.5) – Philadelphia -12
4:25pm
Green Bay (-1.5) at Denver – Denver +1.5
Detroit at LA Rams (-6) – Detroit +6
Carolina (-2.5) at New Orleans – New Orleans +2.5
Tennessee at San Francisco (-12.5) – San Francisco -12.5
Indianapolis at Seattle (-13.5) – Seattle -13.5
8:20pm
Minnesota at Dallas (-3.5) – Dallas -3.5
Monday, Dec 15, 2025
8:15pm
Miami at Pittsburgh (-5.5) – Miami +5.5
AFC
CLINCHED:
None
Denver Broncos (11-2) vs. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Denver clinches a playoff berth with:
- DEN win OR
- DEN tie + LAC loss OR
- DEN tie + JAX loss OR
- DEN tie + HOU loss or tie OR
- DEN tie + IND loss or tie OR
- HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie as long as both games don’t end in a tie
New England Patriots (11-2) vs. Buffalo Bills (9-4); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
New England clinches AFC East division title with:
- NE win
New England clinches a playoff berth with:
- NE win OR
- NE tie + LAC loss OR
- NE tie + HOU loss or tie OR
- NE tie + IND loss or tie OR
- NE tie + JAX loss OR
- HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie as long as both games don’t end in a tie
NFC
CLINCHED:
None
Los Angeles Rams (10-3) vs. Detroit Lions (8-5); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Los Angeles Rams clinch a playoff berth with:
- LAR win
NEW YORK — Dec. 9, 2025 — The 2025 season marks the third time since realignment in 2002, also 2014 and 2021, that no playoff berths have been clinched entering Week 15.
Seven of the eight divisions have a team in first place or tied for first that did not win its division last season: AFC East (New England), AFC North (Pittsburgh), AFC South (Jacksonville), AFC West (Denver), NFC North (Green Bay), NFC South (Carolina) and NFC West (Seattle).
Five teams – Chicago, Jacksonville, New England, San Francisco and Seattle – are in playoff position after missing the postseason last year. Since 1990 – a streak of 35 consecutive seasons (1990-2024) – at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before.
Here’s a look at each division race entering Week 15:
AFC East: The New England Patriots (11-2) lead the AFC East after finishing last in their division in 2024. In 19 of the past 22 seasons (2003-24), at least one team finished in first place in its division the season after finishing in last or tied for last place. The Patriots are set to host the Buffalo Bills (9-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS) and with a win, can clinch their first division title since 2019.
- New England has won 10 consecutive games since Week 4, including a 23-20 win at Buffalo in Week 5. Additionally with a win, the Patriots can record their third 11-game winning streak in a single season in franchise history, previously winning all 16 regular-season games in 2007 and recording a 12-game winning streak in 2003.
- The Bills have won the AFC East in each of the past five seasons and can become the sixth team all-time with at least 10 wins in seven straight seasons, joining the 2003-19 New England Patriots(17 consecutive seasons), 1983-98 San Francisco 49ers (16), 2015-24 Kansas City Chiefs (10), 2002-10 Indianapolis Colts (nine) and 1975-81 Dallas Cowboys (seven).
AFC North: The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) lead the division after defeating the Baltimore Ravens (6-7), 27-22, in Week 14. Over the final four weeks of the season, the Steelers look to record their 22nd consecutive season with a .500-or-better record and surpass the Dallas Cowboys (21 consecutive seasons from 1965-85) for the longest such streak in NFL history.
- The Steelers and Ravens will also meet in Week 18. Pittsburgh can secure its first AFC North division title since 2020 while Baltimore can win the division for the third-consecutive season.
AFC South: The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) have won four consecutive games to take over first place in the AFC South, leading the Houston Texans (8-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-5). The Jaguars, along with the Patriots, are in playoff position after selecting in the top-five in the 2025 NFL Draft. In six consecutive seasons (2019-24) and in 21 of the past 23 seasons (2002-24), a team that chose in the top five of the NFL Draft has qualified for the postseason.
- Jacksonville, over the final four weeks, can secure their fifth division title in franchise history and first since 2022.
- Houston, looking to become the fifth team since 1990 to begin 0-3 and qualify for the postseason, has won five consecutive games entering Week 15. The Texans have won the AFC South in each of the past two seasons.
- Indianapolis, one of eight teams that has a .500-or-better record after missing the playoffs last season, searches for its first playoff berth since 2020 and is set to face Jacksonville in Week 17 and Houston in Week 18.
AFC West: The Denver Broncos (11-2) lead the AFC West and have won 10 consecutive games within a single season for the fourth time in franchise history (13 consecutive games in 1998, 11 in 2012 and 10 in 1984). With a win in Week 15, Denver can win 12 games in a season for the first time since 2015 and clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.
- The Los Angeles Chargers(9-4) look for consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since 2006-07 and can qualify for the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since four straight playoff appearances from 2006-09.
NFC East: Since 2005, there has been a new NFC East division champion in 20 consecutive seasons (2005-24). The Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) currently lead the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) for first place in the division and can become the first team to repeat as NFC East champions since they won four consecutive division titles from 2001-04.
NFC North: The Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) lead the Chicago Bears (9-4) and Detroit Lions (8-5) in the NFC North entering Week 15. The Packers defeated the Bears, 28-21, at home in Week 14 and are set to meet in Chicago in Week 16. Green Bay is 4-0 against the NFC North this season, one of three teams (the Los Angeles Chargers and New England) with a perfect record against its own division.
- The Packers can secure their first division title since winning three consecutive NFC North titles from 2019-21.
- The Bears can win the NFC North for the first time since 2018 and qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2020.
- The Lions look to win the division and qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
NFC South: The Carolina Panthers (7-6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) enter the final month of the season tied atop the NFC South. The Buccaneers have won four consecutive division titles since 2021 while the Panthers are seeking their first NFC South title since 2015 and first playoff berth since 2017.
- Tampa Bay and Carolina are set to meet twice in the final three weeks of the season (Week 16 at Carolina, Week 18 at Tampa Bay).
NFC West: The Los Angeles Rams (10-3), Seattle Seahawks (10-3) and San Francisco 49ers (9-4) each enter Week 15 in a playoff spot. Two matchups between the three teams remain this season – the Rams visit the Seahawks in Week 16 and Seattle visits San Francisco in Week 18.
- The Rams can win the NFC West for the second-straight season and qualify for the playoffs for the seventh time in nine seasons under head coach Sean McVay.
- The Seahawks can win the division for the first time since 2020 and reach the postseason for the first time since 2022.
- The 49ers can win the NFC West for the third time in the past four seasons and qualify for the postseason for the fourth time in the past five years.
MYLES GARRETT
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett leads the league with 20 sacks this season and ranks first in the NFL with 122.5 sacks since entering the league in 2017, the second-most by a player in his first nine seasons since 1982.
Garrett, who plays on Sunday at Chicago (1 p.m. ET, FOX), enters Week 15 2.5 sacks behind Michael Strahan (22.5 sacks in 2001 with the New York Giants) and T.J. Watt (22.5 in 2021 with Pittsburgh) for the most sacks in a season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.
The players with the most sacks in a season since 1982:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | SACKS |
| Michael Strahan | N.Y. Giants | 2001 | 22.5 |
| T.J. Watt | Pittsburgh | 2021 | 22.5 |
| Jared Allen HOF | Minnesota | 2011 | 22 |
| Mark Gastineau | N.Y. Jets | 1984 | 22 |
| Justin Houston | Kansas City | 2014 | 22 |
| Chris Doleman HOF | Minnesota | 1989 | 21 |
| Reggie White HOF | Philadelphia | 1987 | 21 |
| Myles Garrett | Cleveland | 2025 | 20* |
| *entering Week 15 | |||
MATTHEW STAFFORD
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 35 touchdown passes this season and has at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions in each of his past five home games.
With at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions at home against Detroit on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Stafford can join Aaron Rodgers (eight consecutive home games in 2014) as the only players in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions in six consecutive home games within a single season.
Additionally, with no interceptions in Week 15, Stafford can become the third quarterback all-time with no interceptions in 10 consecutive home starts, joining Aaron Rodgers (16 consecutive home starts from 2012-15) and Jalen Hurts (10 from 2024-25).
DRAKE MAYE
New England quarterback Drake Maye ranks second in the league with 3,412 passing yards and a 111.9 passer rating this season.
With a win on Sunday against Buffalo (1 p.m. ET, CBS), the Patriots would clinch the AFC East division title and Maye – who has led New England to 10 consecutive victories – can become the sixth quarterback in NFL history under the age of 24 with 11 consecutive wins in a single season.
The starting quarterbacks under the age of 24 with the longest winning streaks in a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | CONSECUTIVE WINS |
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 2004 | 13 |
| Lamar Jackson | Baltimore | 2019 | 11 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 1999 | 11 |
| Dan Marino HOF | Miami | 1984 | 11 |
| Dak Prescott | Dallas | 2016 | 11 |
| Drake Maye | New England | 2025 | 10* |
| *active streak | |||
With at least 250 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in Week 15, Maye can become the fourth quarterback under the age of 24 to record 10 such career games, joining Justin Herbert (13 games), Patrick Mahomes (13) and Jameis Winston (10).
The quarterbacks under the age of 24 with the most games with at least 250 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 13 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 13 |
| Jameis Winston | Tampa Bay | 10 |
| Drake Maye | New England | 9* |
| Matthew Stafford | Detroit | 9 |
| *age 23 | ||
JOSH ALLEN
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has 3,083 passing yards this season and ranks second in the NFL with 34 touchdowns, including 22 passing and 12 rushing.
With three touchdown passes on Sunday at New England (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Allen can become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes in six of his first eight career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (eight seasons), Patrick Mahomes (seven) and Russell Wilson (six).
Allen, who has five career seasons with at least 35 combined passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns, can join Tom Brady (seven seasons), Aaron Rodgers (seven) and Drew Brees (six) as the only players in NFL history with at least 35 combined passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns in six career seasons.
The players with the most seasons with at least 35 combined passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 7 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 7 |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 6 |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo | 5* |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 5 |
| *has 34 combined touchdowns in 2025 | ||
Allen has 85 regular season wins and with a win on Sunday, can tie Tom Brady (86 regular season wins) and Russell Wilson (86) for the second-most regular season wins by a quarterback in his first eight seasons in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (89 regular season wins) has more.
BO NIX
Denver quarterback Bo Nix ranks tied for third in the NFL with 673 completions since entering the league in 2024.
With a win on Sunday against Green Bay (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), Nix – who has 21 wins since entering the NFL last season – can tie Andrew Luck (22 wins), Dak Prescott (22) and Ben Roethlisberger (22) for the second-most wins by a quarterback in his first two seasons in NFL history, trailing only Russell Wilson (24).
With 27 completions in Week 15, Nix can become the fourth quarterback with at least 700 completions in his first two seasons in NFL history, joining Justin Herbert (839 completions), Trevor Lawrence (746) and Kyler Murray (724).
The players with the most completions in their first two seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | COMPLETIONS |
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 839 |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville | 746 |
| Kyler Murray | Arizona | 724 |
| Derek Carr | Oakland Raiders | 698 |
| Andrew Luck | Indianapolis | 682 |
| Bo Nix | Denver | 673* |
| *in second season | ||
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey leads all running backs with 85 receptions and 806 receiving yards this season and ranks third with 1,655 scrimmage yards.
With five receptions on Sunday against Tennessee (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), McCaffrey can become the first running back in NFL history with at least 90 receptions in three career seasons, surpassing Larry Centers and Austin Ekeler.
With 94 receiving yards in Week 15, McCaffrey – who had 1,005 receiving yards in 2019 with Carolina – can join Pro Football Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk (1,048 receiving yards in 1999 and 908 receiving yards in 1998) and Lenny Moore (938 receiving yards in 1958 and 936 receiving yards in 1960) as the only running backs all-time with at least 900 receiving yards in two career seasons.
Additionally, with 145 scrimmage yards on Sunday, McCaffrey can join Pro Football Hall of Famers Walter Payton (seven seasons), Marshall Faulk (five), Emmitt Smith (five) and LaDainian Tomlinson (five) as the only players with at least 1,800 scrimmage yards in at least five seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most career seasons with at least 1,800 scrimmage yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Walter Payton HOF | Chicago | 7 |
| Marshall Faulk HOF | Indianapolis, St. Louis Rams | 5 |
| Emmitt Smith HOF | Dallas | 5 |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | San Diego Chargers | 5 |
| Christian McCaffrey | Carolina, San Francisco | 4* |
| *has 1,655 scrimmage yards in 2025 | ||
JAHMYR GIBBS
Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the NFL with 47 scrimmage touchdowns (39 rushing, eight receiving) since entering the league in 2023 and ranks second with 16 scrimmage touchdowns (13 rushing, three receiving touchdowns) this season.
With a touchdown on Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Gibbs can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (47 touchdowns) for the most touchdowns by a player under the age of 24 all-time and the most touchdowns by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history.
Additionally, Gibbs can join Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (31 games), Randy Moss (31) and Gale Sayers (30) as well as Maurice Jones-Drew (30) as the only players in NFL history with at least 30 games in their first three seasons with a touchdown.
The players with the most games with a touchdown in their first three seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Barry Sanders HOF | Detroit | 31 |
| Randy Moss HOF | Minnesota | 31 |
| Gale Sayers HOF | Chicago | 30 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew | Jacksonville | 30 |
| Eric Dickerson HOF | L.A. Rams | 29 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit | 29* |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | San Diego Chargers | 29 |
| *in third season | ||
Gibbs has 11 games with multiple rushing touchdowns and with at least two rushing touchdowns on Sunday, can tie Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown (12 games), Earl Campbell (12) and Eric Dickerson (12) for the most games with multiple rushing touchdowns by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history.
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA
Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the league with 1,428 receiving yards and ranks tied for second with nine touchdown receptions this season.
With at least 72 receiving yards and a touchdown reception on Sunday against Indianapolis (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), Smith-Njigba can become the fourth player under the age of 24 with at least 1,500 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions in a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce (1995 with the St. Louis Rams), DeAndre Hopkins (2015 with Houston) and Justin Jefferson (2021 with Minnesota).
With at least 90 receiving yards in Week 15, Smith-Njigba can become the sixth player in NFL history with at least 90 receiving yards in 12 games within a single season, joining Cooper Kupp (16 games in 2021 with the Los Angeles Rams), Antonio Brown (13 in 2014 with Pittsburgh), Julio Jones (12 in 2015 with Atlanta) and Pro Football Hall of Famers Michael Irvin (13 in 1995 with Dallas) and Calvin Johnson (12 in 2012 with Detroit).
PUKA NACUA
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua ranks tied for first in the NFL with 93 receptions and second with 1,186 receiving yards this season.
With at least seven receptions and 14 receiving yards on Sunday against Detroit (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Nacua can become the fifth player all-time with at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in two of his first three seasons, joining Anquan Boldin, Justin Jefferson, Brandon Marshall and Michael Thomas.
AMON-RA ST. BROWN
Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has 81 receptions for 976 yards and is tied for the second-most touchdown receptions this season with nine.
With nine receptions on Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), St. Brown can become the first player ever with at least 90 receptions in each of his first five career seasons and the sixth wide receiver all-time with at least 90 receptions in five consecutive seasons, joining Antonio Brown (six consecutive seasons from 2013-18), Torry Holt (six from 2002-07, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (five from 1999-2003), Keenan Allen (five from 2017-21) and Demaryius Thomas (five from 2012-16).
JA’MARR CHASE
Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase ranks second in the NFL with 6,440 receiving yards since entering the league in 2021.
With 72 receiving yards against Baltimore on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Chase can surpass Odell Beckham Jr. (6,511 receiving yards) for the fourth-most receiving yards by a player in their first 75 career games in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Lance Alworth (7,532 receiving yards), Julio Jones (7,306) and Justin Jefferson (7,286) have more.
The players with the most receiving yards in their first 75 career games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | REC. YARDS |
| Lance Alworth HOF | San Diego Chargers | 7,532 |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta | 7,306 |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 7,286 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | N.Y. Giants, Cleveland | 6,511 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 6,440* |
| *in 74 career games | ||
JUSTIN JEFFERSON
Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson leads the NFL with 8,242 receiving yards since entering the league in 2020 and ranks second with 559 receptions.
With 134 receiving yards on Sunday Night Football at Dallas (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Jefferson can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (8,375 receiving yards) for the most receiving yards by a player in his first six seasons in NFL history.
Additionally, with six receptions in Week 15, Jefferson can surpass Jarvis Landry (564 receptions) for the most receptions by a player in their first six seasons in NFL history.
TREY MCBRIDE
Arizona tight end Trey McBride leads all tight ends in the NFL with 93 receptions, 937 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches this season.
With at least seven receptions on Sunday at Houston (1 p.m. ET, FOX), McBride – who had 111 receptions in 2024 – can become the first tight end in NFL history with at least 100 receptions in consecutive seasons and join Travis Kelce (three seasons) as the only tight ends all-time with at least 100 receptions in multiple career seasons.
McBride, who has at least five receptions in 15 consecutive games since Week 17 of the 2024 season, can surpass Travis Kelce (15 consecutive games in 2018) for the most consecutive games with at least five receptions by a tight end in NFL history.
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