2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 15

Minnesota Vikings (9-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (5-8)

Sunday, December 15, 4:05PM ET

Speaking of the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings are squarely in the hunt as well. With a rematch with the Packers looming large in Week 15, they can’t afford to fall more than a game behind as we make our way through the final few weekends of the 2019 regular season.

A matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, while one worth taking seriously, shouldn’t be too dangerous for the Vikings. Sure, they’re coming off a 45-10 blowout of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they’ve been one of the league’s most erratic clubs of 2019. Philip Rivers is falling victim to age, the defense is inconsistent at best, and the team as a whole seems to crumble in crunch time.

Still, the Vikings need to come prepared on Sunday, especially on the road — where all four of their losses have come this season. Thankfully, it won’t exactly a hostile crowd. In fact, there may even be more Vikings fans there than Chargers fans.

Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook should do their part, putting up at least a couple of touchdowns to keep things competitive. What will really matter is the talents of Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter, who will need to make Rivers uncomfortable all game long. If they do that, Minnesota is nearly guaranteed a win in Week 15.

Prediction: Vikings win 24-14