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ESPN NFL Week 15 Predictions, Picks, And Schedule: Cowboys, Steelers, And Ravens Viewed As Consensus Winners

By Phillip Dengler
Published on: 16:10 PST, Dec 17, 2016

NFL predictions and picks for Week 15 from the experts at ESPN are now here, and there are quite a few interesting games scheduled for the weekend. With only a few games left to be played this year, quite a few teams are in desperation mode this week. In addition to the predictions by the experts at ESPN, the latest NFL odds from Vegas Insider were also used as reference points. Here are a few of the notable games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys – WINNER: Cowboys

With a record of 11-2 and a commanding lead in the tough NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys are the biggest surprise of the 2016 NFL season. While first-round draft pick Ezekiel Elliott was expected to make an immediate impact in the offense, no one could have predicted just how good he was going to be. In addition to Elliott, rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has filled in nicely for Tony Romo, and it looks like the Cowboys have a signal caller for the next decade.

Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has taken a step forward in his second season, and the team currently has a record of 8-5, which is good for a tie for first place with the Atlanta Falcons. While the Buccaneers are in desperation mode this week, the Cowboys are likely going to be too much for them. This should be a close one, but eight out of nine ESPN experts believe the Cowboys will ultimately come out on top.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – WINNER: Steelers

With a record of 8-5, the Steelers come into Sunday’s matchup with the Bengals as the leader of the AFC North. While their season has not exactly gone as planned, they are still in first place and have an excellent chance to take the division. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is still one of the best in the league, and wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell are among the best at their respective positions.

With a record of 5-7-1, the Bengals are not going to qualify for the playoffs this season. For a team that usually makes the playoffs and loses in the first round, this is a step back for an organization that just cannot find success when it counts. Injuries to wide receiver A.J. Green and running back Giovani Bernard have slowed down their offense considerably, and quarterback Andy Dalton has struggled to find his footing. Since this is a divisional game, it should be fairly close, but eight out of nine ESPN experts believe the Steelers will win this game.

Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens – WINNER: Ravens

After starting off the season with a record of 3-0, the Philadelphia Eagles have been nothing but a disappointment. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has been adequate, but the complete lack of talent at the wide receiver position and offensive line has stunted his growth. Rookie head coach Doug Pederson has also made numerous questionable decisions, and the Eagles have lost just about every close game this year.

While the Ravens are unlikely to make a lot of noise in the playoffs this year, their record of 7-6 means they are still alive in the average AFC North. Quarterback Joe Flacco is as solid as they come, and the team’s run defense is elite. This should be a fairly low-scoring game, but the Ravens, playing on their own field, are going to be too much for young Wentz and the Eagles. All nine ESPN experts believe the Ravens will win this game and improve their record to 8-6.

More ESPN NFL Picks for Week 15

  • Packers Over Bears
  • Texans Over Jaguars
  • Bills Over Browns
  • Chiefs Over Titans
  • Giants Over Lions
  • Vikings Over Colts
  • Cardinals Over Saints
  • Falcons Over 49ers
  • Patriots Over Broncos
  • Raiders Over Chargers
  • Redskins Over Panthers

[Featured Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images]

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