Congratulations to LUIS FRIAS from Hartford, who has gone back to back after winning Week 13. He clinched his Week 14 win thanks to being closest to the final score of the Philadelphia Eagles/Los Angeles Chargers game on Monday Night to break the tie.
It's Week 15 of the NFL season and no teams have clinched their spot in the postseason -- but there are some who are closing in on a January date. One of the biggest is in Foxboro where the New England Patriots will clinch the AFC East if they beat the Buffalo Bills.
Let's take a look at the games, and remember to participate on the Q101.7 app and you could win a $50 gift certificate to Bogie's Pub and Grill at Bay Meadows, Cronin Road in Queensbury.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Thursday, 8:15pm on Amazon Prime Video
Atlanta is now eliminated, which one may not have been expecting back in October when Buffalo fell to them when their defense could not contain Bijan Robinson. It's been a rough stretch for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who have lost 4 of their last 5. That one win was a narrow 3 point victory to the Arizona Cardinals and with Carolina lurking next week, matches like this will matter for the Bucs.
I wish I had more confidence in Atlanta to get the job done, but for now, I'm going with the home team.
Rick's Pick: TAMPA BAY
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears - Sunday, 1:00pm
Caleb Williams has had a mostly up season and a lot of the reason why is the various pieces surrounding Williams. Shedeur Sanders had a frustrating loss last week to the Tennessee Titans, including a questionable 2 point attempt at the end of the game where he was not utilized by the Browns. The Browns are in planning mode for 2026, while the Bears are trying to keep up with the Green Bay Packers after losing to them last week.
Rick's Pick: CHICAGO
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - Sunday, 1:00pm
Kansas City now cannot win the AFC West. But they can become the Broncos best friend ... at least for a week ... if they are able to hand the Chargers the loss that helps the Broncos solidify their grasp on the division. Despite Patrick Mahomes's troubles this season, you cannot count him out but he needs to throw a bit better than the 10 picks he's thrown this season. The Chargers were gift-wrapped a win thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles -- and Jalen Hurts's 4 picks. While LA won the first game in Brazil, this one might be harder to pull off.
Rick's Pick: KANSAS CITY
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - Sunday, 1:00pm, CBS 6 WRGB
I don't think the Bills have fully sorted out the ailments of their team, and New England is wanting nothing more than to clinch the division for the first time in 6 years on their home field in front of a division rival. I don't think the sports world was talking much about Drake Maye when the teams met first time, but they sure are talking about him now.
Two things work against the Buffalo Bills here, first being that the game is in Foxboro and that the Patriots are fresh off their bye week.
Rick's Pick: NEW ENGLAND
Washington Commanders at New York Giants - Sunday, 1:00pm, FOX 23 WXXA
The Giants may be the spread favorites, but I have little reason believing they would come away winners. They're in line for the #1 draft pick, and Washington will do their best to wreck the Giants "tank". Both teams are eliminated, and longing for better times.
Rick's Pick: NY GIANTS
Las Vegas Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, 1:00pm
Jalen Hurts may have had a night to forget on Monday night, throwing 4 of his 6 picks this season. He had an embarrassing play in the 2nd quarter where he not only threw a pick, but also fumbled the ball when the Chargers gave him back the ball on a fumble of their own. The best remedy for him and the Eagles is a home game against the Las Vegas Raiders who are eliminated and have a lot of question marks on offense... and defense.
Rick's Pick: PHILADELPHIA
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sunday, 1:00pm
It's been a weird season for Jacksonville, but when you look at their resume, the teams they have lost to you can understand why -- two of the best teams in the NFC, a surging Houston Texans team that could be battling for the AFC South in the closing weeks, and a Cincinnati Bengals team that had Joe Burrow in the lineup until his turf toe knocked him out midway through the game. The Jets ... well, the less said about them, the better.
Rick's Pick: JACKSONVILLE
Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans - Sunday, 1:00pm
One of the league's best defenses vs. a wounded Arizona squad. If the Texans offense was as good as their defense was, they would easily be one of the heaviest favorites of Week 15.
Rick's Pick: HOUSTON
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos - Sunday, 4:25pm CBS 6 WRGB
This one should be good. Green Bay doesn't offer many opportunities as Jordan Love only has 4 interceptions this season and is complimented well by Josh Jacobs with his 12 rushing touchdowns. But the Denver defense is relentless. They create opportunities. Bo Nix has 4th quarter magic, but one of these days the Broncos will need to play a full game. The home field advantage might be the difference here as the Broncos are undefeated at Mile High this season.
Rick's Pick: DENVER
Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams - Sunday, 4:25pm, FOX 23 WXXA
The Detroit Lions ... they are a mysterious team. They have quality talent, but a questionable secondary that has caused them to lose some games. But when you think to count them out, they come back with a game like they did against the Dallas Cowboys. The Los Angeles Rams are going to be a difficult foe for a team trying to fight their way into the NFC's convoluted playoff picture, And with the game being in Los Angeles, I'm going to side with the Rams here.
Rick's Pick: LA RAMS
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - Sunday, 4:25pm
The New Orleans Saints play tough, and Carolina knows that after losing the first game between these two teams in Carolina. Now with a chance to fight for an NFC South crown, the Panthers need learn from their loss to the Saints the first time around. They found that Rico Dowdle is a good compliment to Chubba Hubbard, but need Bryce Young to clean up his mistakes. I'm not sold on Carolina, but I can't trust New Orleans either.
Rick's Pick: CAROLINA
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49'ers - Sunday, 4:25pm
Tennessee may have won last week, but at the same time losing the control of the #1 draft pick for now to the New York Giants. San Francisco is not the Cleveland Browns, and I would be hard pressed to find the 49'ers falling here.
Rick's Pick: SAN FRANCISCO
Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks - Sunday, 4:25pm
The Colts are falling off the cliff and are so out of quarterbacks that they are bringing Phillip Rivers out of retirement. What a team to have to face for your first time back as a 40+ year old quarterback.
Rick's Pick: SEATTLE
Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys - Sunday, 8:20pm, NBC 13 WNYT
Safe to say this is not the season that Minnesota dreamed of at the start of the season. J.J. McCarthy has been very shaky but comes in after shutting out the Washington Commanders last week. However, Dallas has offensive weapons that will be tougher for the Vikings defense to stop.
Rick's Pick: DALLAS
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers - Monday, 8:15pm, ESPN + ABC 10 WTEN
Thankfully no recreation of that infamous mud bowl game in Pittsburgh years back that was best known for the punt that went splash in the mud. Aaron Rodgers looked better as he helped put Pittsburgh in position to lead the AFC North last week against Baltimore and the Steelers defense could have a field day with Tua if he continues his slightly better than 1 pick per game.
Rick's Pick: PITTSBURGH
Make sure you get your picks in on the Q101.7 app and you could be our Week 15 winner of a $50 Bogie's Pub and Grill gift certificate! Enter your picks by 15 minutes of the kick in order to have your picks count. Good luck this week!
