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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 15

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL picks; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) leads his team onto the field before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
NFL picks; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) leads his team onto the field before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports /
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Another week, another very solid round of NFL picks and predictions. Although it wasn’t as good as our Week 13 predictions, you’ll take a 9-4 week anytime you can get it, especially with some of the upsets we projected. The biggest win of the week for our Week 14 NFL picks and predictions was definitely calling the Carolina Panthers to come away from Seattle victorious against the Seahawks.

The biggest whiff of the week ended up being predicting Tom Brady to go into San Francisco and beat the 49ers, which didn’t even come close to happening. How many times will we be fooled this season into picking the Brady-led Bucs as though they are the 2020 or even 2021 iteration? At any rate, every NFL team is off of a bye week this week. For fantasy football players out there, be warned that this week includes a whopping four games being played before Sunday, including three on Saturday.

Without any further ado, let’s get to our NFL picks and predictions for a loaded Week 15 schedule.

2022 NFL picks and score predictions for Week 15 schedule

NFL picks
NFL picks; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) returns to the locker room after the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers (9-4) at Seattle Seahawks (7-6)

Thursday, December 15, 8:15 PM ET

If we’ve learned anything through 13 games for the San Francisco 49ers, it’s to stop doubting DeMeco Ryans’ defense. My goodness, these guys.

At this point, the 49ers are averaging a nine-point victory per week with the NFL’s 8th-ranked offense averaging over 24 points per game and the defense allowing just a hair over 15 points per contest. The 49ers are getting things done regardless of who is playing quarterback, as well. Kyle Shanahan’s ability to maximize the quarterback position is very well-documented at this point, but we’ve reached a new height with this year’s Mr. Irrelevant destroying the 7-time Super Bowl champion Brady, who is famously known as the biggest NFL Draft steal of all-time.

The Brock Purdy-led 49ers whooped the Bucs to the tune of 35-7, forcing three turnovers to make it 2+ turnovers forced in four consecutive games. The 49ers have forced 12 turnovers in five games since their bye week, and have three games with 10 or fewer points allowed in that stretch.

That’s not good news for the Seattle Seahawks, who had been one of the NFL’s best stories in 2022 and are now potentially going to be on the outside looking in of the 2022 playoff picture. Seattle, playing at home, is fresh off of a loss to the Carolina Panthers.

I picked the Bucs over the 49ers last week, assuming there would be a dropoff with a full game of Brock Purdy at QB, but there wasn’t. The 49ers scored 35 points and their defense is good enough to win them games even if Purdy doesn’t play well.

Prediction: 49ers win 27-23

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