NFL Pick'em Pool Week 15 Confidence Rankings and Picks (2021)
After going 10-6 in both Week 1 and Week 2, we delivered a 15-1 Week 3 performance. We regressed slightly in Week 4 due to some late-week injuries and a few very surprising upsets, but rebounded for a strong 13-3 outing, including hitting each of our top 10 confidence plays in Week 5. We stayed hot with a 9-5 record in Week 6 and a 10-3 showing in Week 7. We had a disappointing 8-7 showing in Week 8. Despite three major upsets in Week 9, we still managed to post a 9-5 record. In Week 10, we finally had our first losing week, owing to the fact that there were a number of late-week injury reports that went against our Thursday expectations. In Week 11, we returned to having a winning week, even though late-week injuries continue to be a problem late in the season. In Week 12, we once again were burned by some late-week injury news in Dallas and Los Angeles, but still managed to hit successfully on five of our top six confidence plays. Better health around the league in Week 13 resulted in a strong 11-3 showing. We stayed hot in Week 14, delivering a 12-2 result. We will hope for good fortune on the injury report once again with our Week 15 analysis below! NFL Pick’em selections!
There are multiple formats for pick’em tournaments, including the picking against the spread and ranking selections in confidence intervals. In this column, we will touch on both the classic style and picking against the spread each week.
I will start by ranking each of my selections in order of confidence and provide reasoning on all of my top picks. Also, don’t miss my Week 13 Survivor Guide if you’re still alive in your eliminator pools!
NFL Week 15 Pick’Em Pool Confidence Rankings
Weekly Results
- Week 1: 10-6
- Week 2: 10-6
- Week 3: 15-1
- Week 4: 9-7
- Week 5: 13-3
- Week 6: 9-5
- Week 7: 10-3
- Week 8: 8-7
- Week 9: 9-5
- Week 10: 5-8-1
- Week 11: 8-7
- Week 12: 7-8
- Week 13: 11-3
- Week 14: 12-2
Week 15 Selections
111. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Minnesota Vikings
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Las Vegas Raiders
11. Denver Broncos
12. Miami Dolphins
13. New England Patriots
14. Los Angeles Chargers
15. Houston Texans
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Buccaneers (vs. Saints)
This is a matchup between two teams trending in opposite directions. The Buccaneers have won four consecutive games, including impressive victories over the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills. The New Orleans Saints have lost five of their last six matchups, with their lone win coming against the hapless New York Jets. Tampa Bay’s willingness to establish a running game in recent weeks has resulted in a more balanced offensive attack, which has translated to more sustainable drives–making an already dangerous offense even more lethal. The Buccaneers should roll in this one.
Bills (vs. Panthers)
In the NFL, it is difficult to win games without strong quarterback play. It is arguably even more difficult to win games when there is uncertainty as to who is the team’s quarterback. Head Coach Matt Rhule has taken a platoon approach, rotating Cam Newton on and off of the field. The early returns have not been promising. Even though the Bills have struggled in recent weeks, they are the far superior roster in this Week 15 affair. Buffalo is a double-digit favorite for a reason. Do not overthink this one.
Rams (vs. Seahawks)
The Los Angeles Rams delivered a dominant performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14, silencing those who started to doubt whether or not this team is capable of contending for a Super Bowl. The Rams have arguably the most complete defense in the entire NFL. If Matthew Stafford and the offense can continue to overcome the loss of Robert Woods, this is arguably the most loaded roster in the league. The Seattle Seahawks have won two games in a row, but bettors should not be mistaken to think of this team as a serious playoff threat. Expect Seattle to be humbled in this divisional showdown.
Packers (vs. Ravens)
The Green Bay Packers had an early scare in the first half on Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. However, they dominated the second half in a commanding victory. As Green Bay continues to get healthier and healthier on the defensive side of the ball, this becomes unquestionably an elite roster. The Baltimore Ravens have lost two of their last three games and are dealing with question marks at the quarterback position, regarding the health of Lamar Jackson. Even playing at home, this is going to be a difficult game for the Ravens to win. Take the Packers here.
Cardinals (vs. Lions)
Though the Cardinals lost in Week 14 to the Rams, they are likely to get back in the win column in Week 15 against a far inferior opponent. The Detroit Lions were the feel-good story of the NFL earlier this month when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings on a walk-off touchdown. Yet, it could be a while before anyone is celebrating a football win in the Motor City again. Last week, Detroit lost an entire week of practice time due to an illness outbreak in the locker room. Having players missing practice time is a problem, even for the best teams in the league. Detroit is likely to struggle mightily in this matchup. Take Arizona in this spot as they continue to fight for the top seed in the NFC playoff picture.
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