NFL Week 15 picks against the spread

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers shake hands after the Chiefs' 38-28 win against the Chargers on September 9, 2018, at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Houston Texans (-6) at New York Jets

The first Saturday game of the season has the Houston Texans trying to avenge their first loss since September. They still have a chance at a first-round bye if they can get past the Patriots, but they need a better record since they lost to them earlier in the season. They had that opportunity last week but blew it against the Indianapolis Colts. They just didn’t play well, and the Colts took advantage.

The Jets welcomed back Sam Darnold, and he led the Jets to a win. He tweaked his foot, but it looks like he’ll be able to suit up this weekend. The same can’t be said for Isaiah Crowell, who could miss the first game of his career. It would hurt the Jets offense, but wouldn’t be the end all be all.

The Texans are the clear favorite here. They are playoff bound, and the Jets only have Todd Bowles job to fight for. Darnold looks to forget the issues that made him the league leader in interceptions. That likely won’t happen against the defense of the Texans. They’ll put the pressure on Darnold that will cause him to make mistakes. That will lead to a big Texans win.

Houston 31, New York (J) 14

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (-3)

This one is hard to peg. Both these teams show up as different versions of themselves every Sunday. This time, they play on a Saturday. Will Case Keenum play like the QB that took a team to the NFC Championship last season? Will Baker Mayfield continue to look like the future at that position, or will his mistakes doom the Browns? Can either one of these teams avoid the mistakes that ruin this game?

The fact that this game is on short rest makes it even more unpredictable. The real matchup in this game comes down to rookies. Nick Chubb against Phillip Lindsey will decide this game. If either team can establish the run, they will win. It sounds too simplified, but that’s how both these teams win.

When looking at this matchup, it seems like the Broncos have the better of the two runners. Chubb has been very good, but Lindsey was at one point fighting Saquon Barkley for the Rookie of the Year award. The Broncos will win this game at home, while Vance Joseph tries to keep his job this offseason.

Cleveland 14, Denver 20