2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 15

Arizona Cardinals (4-9) at Denver Broncos (3-10)

Sunday, December 18, 4:05 PM ET

For the first time pretty much all season, we saw Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson “cooking” in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Broncos were down 27-0 against Kansas City as the offense failed to get really anything going in the first two quarters when an interception by Josey Jewell near the end of the first half set the Broncos’ comeback attempt in motion. Wilson found Jerry Jeudy for a pair of touchdowns before the end of the half, and came out with a perfect blitz-beating screen to Marlon Mack in the third quarter to help the Broncos score 21 unanswered points.

Wilson then drove the Broncos down the field once again later in the game and on a 3rd-and-11 inside the red zone, he took off running and picked up a first down, but he paid the price. Wilson got hit hard from behind by Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark, and wound up leaving the game with a concussion.

That play set up the Broncos for their fourth touchdown of the game but it also has Wilson’s status for Week 15 in jeopardy. Was that game against Kansas City a sign of things to come for Wilson? Even though the Broncos ultimately lost, the signs of life from the offense were like an oasis in the desert to Broncos Country.

Speaking of the desert, the Broncos are welcoming the Arizona Cardinals to town this week in a battle of two teams who have failed — miserably so — to live up to expectations in 2022.

If Wilson doesn’t play, what kind of a chance does Brett Rypien have in this game? Can Denver’s defense lift this team once again?

Although it may be a long shot, these are two pretty bad teams this season and the Broncos are playing at home. You could flip a coin for this game if Rypien plays, but if Wilson is playing, I think it’s a decent bet to go with the Broncos in this week’s NFL picks.

Prediction: Broncos win 24-16