NFL Gridiron Guide: Week 15 picks

EAGLES (9-4) at GIANTS (9-4)

Line: Giants by 3

Over/Under: 46

TV-Radio: Ch. 5, WFAN (660), 1 p.m.

This is one of seven head-to-head games involving a combination of first- or second-place teams, making Week 15 the best regular-season slate of games in recent memory. The Giants did a good job against Michael Vick in their first matchup, but the Eagles capitalized on Giants' fumbles. Philly is second in the NFL with a +15 turnover margin. Philly is 7-1 ATS their last eight December road games.

The pick: Eagles

JETS (9-4) at STEELERS (10-3)

Line: Steelers by 6

Over/Under: 36

TV-Radio: Ch. 2, ESPN (1050), 4:15 p.m.

The tripping incident has garnered most of the attention this week, but what about the Jets' offense? It's run into a wall, not scoring a TD in nine quarters and needs a kick-start. I just can't see the Jets - with all the controversy swirling around them this week - boarding a plane to Pittsburgh and showing up.

The pick: Steelers

JAGUARS (8-5) at COLTS (7-6)

Line: Colts by 5

Over/Under: 48 1/2, 1 p.m.

Things you don't mess with: fire, a scorned woman, the IRS, and guys named Peyton Manning. A Colts loss and they're 7-7? It usually takes two seasons for Indy to lose that many games under Manning. The Colts' 29th-ranked rushing defense will have its hands full with Maurice Jones-Drew & Co. Jacksonville, 5-1 ATS in their last six trips to Indy, looks for its first division title since 1999 when some guy named Tom Coughlin was in charge.

The pick: Jaguars

SAINTS (10-3) at RAVENS (9-4)

Line: Ravens by 1 1/2

Over/Under: 43 1/2, 1 p.m.

Did you see the way Matt Schaub and Houston drove down the field in the second half against the Ravens defense Monday night? Wait till Drew Brees gets a crack at them. The Saints have won six straight and are 4-0 ATS vs. teams with a winning record. Baltimore is 1-3-1. New Orleans keeps it rolling.

The pick: Saints

BEARS (9-5) vs. VIKINGS (5-8) (in Minneapolis)

Line: OFF (Vikings QB)

Over/Under: OFF

TV-Radio: ESPN, WFAN (660), 8:30 p.m. Monday

One game. That's the best Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson could manage as far as a consecutive-start streak. The fifth-year pro was reportedly placed on IR with a turf toe injury. Somewhere, Brett Favre - he of the 297 straight starts record - is chuckling. Where they play won't affect the outcome of this one.

The pick: Bears

PACKERS (8-5) at PATRIOTS (11-2)

Line: OFF (Green Bay QB)

Over/Under: OFF

TV-Radio: Ch. 4, 8:20 p.m.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers most likely won't start after suffering his second concussion of the season last week. The Packers' playoffs hopes took a huge hit, too.

The pick: Patriots

CHIEFS (8-5) at RAMS (6-7)

Line: OFF (Kansas City QB)

Over/Under: OFF, 1 p.m.

Two of the NFL's biggest surprises meet in St. Louis. KC QB Matt Cassel is coming off appendectomy surgery last week; he needs to play for Kansas City.

The pick: Chiefs

REDSKINS (5-8) at COWBOYS (4-9)

Line: Cowboys by 6

Over/Under: 46, 1 p.m.

Mike Shanahan won't reveal whether Donovan McNabb or backup Rex Grossman will start. The Skins are what the Cowboys were under Wade Phillips: an absolute mess.

The pick: Cowboys

TEXANS (5-8) at TITANS (5-8)

Line: Titans by 1 1/2

Over/Under: 47 1/2, 1 p.m.

Remember the last time Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan faced off? If not, just ask Finnegan's face!

The pick: Texans

BROWNS (5-8) at BENGALS (2-11)

Line: Bengals by 1 1/2

Over/Under: 40, 1 p.m.

Will Terrell Owens just let his play - 72 catches, 9 TDs - do the talking instead of pointing the finger?

The pick: Browns

FALCONS (11-2) at SEAHAWKS (6-7)

Line: Falcons by 6

Over/Under: 45, 4:05 p.m.

Seattle is a tough place to play, but Atlanta, playing for the NFC's No. 1 seed, is up for the task.

The pick: Falcons

BILLS (3-10) at DOLPHINS (7-6)

Line: Dolphins by 5 1/2

Over/Under: 40, 1 p.m.

Win-win: Buffalo gets to play in some nice weather, and play well.

The pick: Bills

LIONS (3-10) at BUCCANEERS (8-5)

Line: Bucs by 5 1/2

Over/Under: 43, 1 p.m.

Can Tampa (1-4-1 ATS at home) avoid same wrath Green Bay endured against Lions (NFC-best 9-3-1 ATS)?

The pick: Lions

BRONCOS (3-10) at RAIDERS (6-7)

Line: Raiders by 6 1/2

Over/Under: 43 1/2, 4:15 p.m.

A win gives Oakland their first sweep of Denver since 2002 and a better record than them for the first time in eight seasons.

The pick: Raiders

CARDINALS (4-9) at PANTHERS (1-12)

Line: Panthers by 2 1/2

Over/Under: 38, 1 p.m.

What to root for: Cards QB and Fordham University alum John Skelton.

The pick: Cardinals