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Ben Axelrod's Week 15 NFL Picks: Ravens cover vs. Jets, Jaguars upset Raiders

WKYC's Ben Axelrod makes his picks against the spread for Week 15 of the 2019 NFL season.

CLEVELAND — "We are not comfortable. We are not satisfied. We have to stay even-keeled" - LeBron James

After tallying my two best records of the season in back to back weeks, I fell a little bit back toward Earth in Week 14 -- although I'd hardly consider my performance a crash. Instead, my 7-7-2 record kept me right where I was a week ago in terms of being above .500, with my new record for the season now standing at 97-95-4.

With three weeks left in the regular season and the playoffs still to come after that, I still have plenty of work left. With that in mind, let's get back on track with my Week 15 picks.

All lines made available via Bovada

Baltimore Ravens (-15) vs. New York Jets

Pick: Ravens -15

There aren't many quarterbacks I'd feel comfortable laying 15 points with this season, but Lamar Jackson is one of them. Especially against a Jets team with little left to play for outside of its draft position.

Green Bay Packers (-4.5) vs. Chicago Bears

Pick: Packers -4.5

These two teams met in Week 1 and in the three months since, I've only grown to like the Packers more and the Bears less. As a result, I'll take Green Bay at home to cover the less-than-a-touchdown spread.

Carolina Panthers (+6.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Panthers +6.5

This isn't a case of me overreacting to the Seahawks' loss to the Rams last week, so much as it is me stubbornly sticking by the Panthers. Even as its season has fallen apart, I still think Carolina is talented enough to cover a 6.5-point spread at home.

Cincinnati Bengals (+10) vs. New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots -10

The Patriots are stuck in a rut and it's manifested itself in the form of two straight losses. But if there's one thing that can get New England back to its winning ways, it's the revenge tour that its latest cheating scandal will likely result in.

Credit: Bill Kostroun/AP
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Monday, October 21, 2019.

Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5) vs. Denver Broncos

Pick: Broncos +9.5

This isn't a bet on Drew Lock so much as it's one on the Broncos' ability to hang close. Plus, this seems like a potential letdown spot for the Chiefs after last week's big win in Foxborough.

New York Giants (-3.5) vs. Miami Dolphins

Pick: Dolphins +3.5

I know the Dolphins are bad, but this line seems to be giving the Giants at least a half-point too much credit. I think the Dolphins are clearly the better-coached team, while the Pat Shurmur era in New York appears likely to crash and burn.

Washington Redskins (+4.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Eagles -4.5

While the Eagles have been one of the NFL's more disappointing teams this season, they're still in the thick of the NFC East title hunt. And even if Washington has taken a step forward with Dwayne Haskins in the lineup, maintaining that momentum will be easier said than done against one of the league's more talented defenses.

Detroit Lions (+3.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers -3.5

Betting on Jameis Winston as a road favorite is always a tough pill to swallow. But even without Mike Evans, Tampa Bay's passing game should flourish inside Ford Field against a Lions team that won't be able to match its firepower.

Credit: AP
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans (-3) vs. Houston Texans

Pick: Titans -3

I've been riding the Titans the last couple of weeks and I see no reason to stop now. Even though the hype surrounding Tennessee is starting to concern me, I'll take Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and Mike Vrabel to put themselves in the driver's seat of the AFC South.

Los Angeles Chargers (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings -3

I'm not buying this Chargers team, no matter how much they beat on the Jaguars last week. Plus, if there's a less impressive home field advantage than Los Angeles' soccer stadium, I've yet to find it.

Arizona Cardinals (+3) vs. Cleveland Browns

Pick: Browns -3

I should know better than to take the Browns as a road favorite. But this feels like the type of game where Baker Mayfield and Cleveland's offense might finally put it together and keep the team's playoff hopes alive for at least one more week in the process.

Credit: AP
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws during the fist half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Oakland Raiders (-6.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars +6.5

I'm not sure there's a single team I would make the Raiders a 6.5-favorite against, even at home. For as poorly as Jacksonville has played lately, they still have more than enough talent to cover, if not win this game outright.

San Francisco 49ers (-11) vs. Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons +11

This 49ers team has been great all season, but this feels like a potential letdown spot. And while I don't expect the Falcons to win the game outright, I think the Falcons have both the offensive talent and experience to keep the final score closer than expected.

Dallas Cowboys (+1) vs. Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams -1

After what we've seen from the Cowboys the last three weeks, I don't see how I could justify taking them in what essentially amounts to a pick 'em, especially against a team as talented as the Rams, who are still trying to make the most of what's left of their dwindling playoff hopes.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5) vs. Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills +1.5

While the Steelers are riding a 3-game winning streak, I still have major questions about the sustainability of an offense being engineered by Duck Hodges. I'll take the Bills to win outright and clinch a postseason bid in the process.

New Orleans Saints (-9) vs. Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts +9

The Saints are one of the NFL's best teams but haven't shown much in terms of consistently blowing opponents out. And even with their playoff hopes fading, I think the Colts are well enough coached to keep this game competitive.

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