NFL Week 15 picks against the spread
By Nick Villano
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams (-9.5)
This line seems high until you learn that the Philadelphia Eagles will be without Carson Wentz on Sunday Night Football. He hasn’t been officially ruled out, but he’s not expected to play and could be shut down for the season. That means the Eagles go up against one of the best teams in the NFL with a cold Nick Foles.
The Eagles already had their issues with Wentz in the lineup. Their best running back has 400 yards on the year. Alshon Jeffrey barely has more than 500 yards. Their eight interceptions as a team is near the bottom, and they allow the third most passing yards in the league. This is just the matchup Jared Goff needs to get out of his Chicago funk.
This is a lot of points, but the Eagles might just be bad. The Rams will look to score early and often after last week’s debacle. The Eagles likely won’t be able to keep up with Foles under center.
Philadelphia 21, Los Angeles (R) 40
New Orleans Saints (-6) at Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers officially can’t stop the bleeding, and the New Orleans Saints come to Monday Night Football after figuring out their issues last week. The Panthers have an injured Cam Newton they keep putting out there, while the Saints have Drew Brees fighting for his only career MVP award.
The Panthers were an actual contender in Week 9. Then, the Pittsburgh Steelers scored two touchdowns within 13 seconds of each other and never looked back. After losing five games in a row, they now only have a five percent chance to make the playoffs. It could cost Ron Rivera his job if he’s not able to win out.
The Saints are fighting for the number one seed, so they can’t afford to look past the Panthers. Two months ago, we were circling this game on our calendars. Now? Now we are looking past it. It’s on Monday night, so we are going to watch, but getting less than a touchdown here is a gift. It’s a gift you all should take, and thank Santa Clause for leaving it under the tree.
New Orleans 41, Carolina 28