Broncos Seeding Scenarios and Week 15 Picks!

The Broncos have clinched the AFC West and a playoff spot, but now it is time to focus on what seed they will be come January. This game against Baltimore will have major implications down the road, but it will also be significant based on what New England does Sunday night. Forget about Houston and the number 1 seed because I can't see the Texans losing at home this week to Indy and next week to Minnesota. The focus for Denver should be on the 2 seed. If Denver can beat Baltimore and the Niners can beat the Patriots, then Denver can grab the number 2 spot if they win out. The Broncos host Cleveland and Kansas City at home to finish off the season. If the Patriots win Sunday night, then forget about the 2 seed because the Pats have Jacksonville and Miami the last two weeks. If Denver loses to Baltimore, they can still get the 3 seed because the Ravens have to play the Giants and at Cincy the last two weeks. Denver can still finish ahead of them in the won-loss category. If you are a Broncos fan and your are looking at the best path to get to the Super Bowl, then hope Denver wins on Sunday, and the Patriots get beat at home by the Niners on Sunday night.

Onto the picks for an epic Week 15........
Last Week's Record: 9-6-1
Overall Record: 96-101-9
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

CHICAGO (+3) over Green Bay: Packers-Bears with the NFC North on the line in December from Soldier Field. You really can't go wrong with this game. The Bears come limping in at 8-5, and they have lost four out of their last five games. The Bears look like they could be in full collapse mode, but they get the host the Packers and have a chance to somehow right the ship. The Packers come in at 9-4 with the division in their grasp, but the Packers still don't look like a dominant team. Maybe they are going to get it when the playoffs start, but they just don't seem like the same team. It is a tough game to call, but my instinct is telling me that the Bears will rise up and find a way to win this game. They looked out of sorts last week in Minnesota, but Chicago will pull of a mild upset.

ATLANTA (-1) over New York Giants: This game reminds me of a game that the Giants played back in December of 2005. The Giants went into Seattle for a huge game, and the Seahawks were the number one team in the NFC, but no one really believed that they were that good. The G-Men came in and completely outplayed the Seahawks, but they missed three field goals, and the Giants lost a heartbreaker in overtime. This game could be a carbon copy of that Seattle game, and I think the Falcons win it by at least a field goal.

NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Tampa Bay: The Bucs blew a 21-10 lead to the Eagles last week and lost on the last play of the game. That was a damaging blow to the Bucs playoff hopes. The Saints are pretty much done at 5-8, but I have a feeling that they will play really well down the stretch. With Paul Tagliabue overruling Roger Goodell's bounty ruling, don't you get the feeling that the Saints will somehow play inspired these last three weeks? I do and the Saints will take down the Bucs at home to put Tampa's playoffs hopes to rest.

Minnesota (+3) over ST. LOUIS: If I told you in September that the Vikings and Rams would be playing a game in December with playoff ramifications, then you would have thought that I was out of my mind. That is why you love the NFL. The resurgent Rams find themselves in the thick of the wild card race, and Minnesota comes off an impressive win over the Bears. Fun game to watch, and I think the Vikings get to 8-6 behind Adrian Peterson's legs.

CLEVELAND (+1) over Washington: Tough game to call because of the injury to Robert Griffin III. We won't know if he will start the game until Sunday, and right now it is up in the air. The Skins come in with four straight wins, and they are in the thick of the wild card hunt, and they even win the NFC East. The Browns come in with three wins in a row. Could the Browns actually win four straight? They might be able to because of the injury to RG III. Even if Griffin plays, the Browns could still win this game outright. Look for Cleveland to pull out a close one late in the Dawg Pound.

MIAMI (-7) over Jacksonville: The Dolphins have played way above their preseason expectations, but they still find themselves at 5-8. They should be able to feast on the hapless Jaguars in Miami this week to get to a respectable 6-8.

Indy (+9) over HOUSTON: The Texans will bounce back from their thrashing at New England Monday night and win this game, but look for it to be closer than the spread indicates. The Texans are still in line for the number one seed in the AFC, but the Colts are surging at 9-4. The Colts will get their 10th win next week at Kansas City, but they fall short of the upset in Houston this week. Nine points is too big of a spread for this game, and with Andrew Luck you always have the possibility of the backdoor cover. This feels like a 30-23 Houston win.

SAN DIEGO (-3) over Carolina: The Chargers upset the Steelers last week, and come into this game at 5-8. The Panthers are playing out the string at 4-9. Two teams that will most likely have new coaches next year battle in a meaningless contest. Look for the Chargers to get the win at home.

BUFFALO (+6) over Seattle: The Bills were a big disappointment for me this season. It is clear that they have to address their quarterback position in the offseason. Seattle will win this game outright, but don't be surprised if the Bills keep themselves hanging around late in the fourth quarter.

Detroit (-5) over ARIZONA: Easy game to pick because the Lions should have a better record that 4-9. They lost a lot of tough games late, and Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson can simply take the game over. The Cards are so bad at QB that it is going to cost Ken Whisenhunt his job. Look for an easy win by the Lions.

Pittsburgh (-1) over DALLAS: Fascinating game between two of the NFL's most popular franchises. Both come in at 7-6 and both teams need a win big time to stay in the NFL playoff hunt. Dallas is usually a big favorite at home, but this week they are home underdogs. It is kind of a toss up for me, but I'll take Big Ben and the Steelers to win a close one.

OAKLAND (-3) over Kansas City: Two shit teams at the bottom of the barrel in the AFC West. Maybe this is the week that the Raiders snap their losing streak.

San Francisco (+6) over NEW ENGLAND: Great game on Sunday Night Football. This line is too high. When you have a great offense going up against a great defense, you always side with the defense. Look at Super Bowl XLII when the Pats got suffocated all day by that Giants pass rush. Look at Super Bowl XXXVI when the Pats turned the tables on the Rams prolific offense. The Niners defense can bring it and they will on Sunday night.

TENNESSEE (-1) over New York Jets: The Jets find themselves alive in the playoff picture, but this could be a tricky one on Monday Night. I love how Mark Sanchez said that he likes where the Jets were headed and how he thinks they are on a hot streak right now. Really? They beat Arizona 7-6 at home, a game where Sanchez was benched, and they struggled to beat the Jags 17-10. Take the Titans and look for Chris Johnson to carve up the Jets defense.

BALTIMORE (+2) over Denver: Tough game for Denver for the following reasons: First, can't you see Joe Flacco coming out on fire the week after Cam Cameron gets fired as offensive coordinator? Second, the Ravens are a completely different team at home. Third, Ray Rice is due for a 29 carry 165 yard day against the Broncos defense. Lastly, Denver's offense has gone through stretches where they have been sloppy and out of sync, and this might be the week that it comes back to bite them in the ass. Look for the Ravens to put their best effort together on Sunday, and it might be too difficult for Denver to overcome.

Final Score: Ravens-27 Denver-17