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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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NFL picks, Falcons, Drake London. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons (5-8) at New Orleans Saints (4-9)

Sunday, December 18, 1:00 PM ET

Looking at this matchup a week ago, the intrigue simply wasn’t there. These two teams are playing in one of the worst divisions in football this year — the NFC South — so believe it or not, there are actually some potential playoff implications for the winner here.

Let’s take a look at the dismal NFC South for the moment.

NFC South standings in Week 15

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
  2. Carolina Panthers (5-8)
  3. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
  4. New Orleans Saints (4-9)

Believe it or not, both of these teams have a lot to play for still, especially so when you consider the fact that the Bengals have a matchup this coming week against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are firing on all cylinders at the moment.

If some team is going to back into the playoffs in the NFC South, the Falcons and Saints have to go into this week wondering — why not us?

The jolt of intrigue I mentioned previously actually has nothing to do with the playoff implications of a bad division, but everything to do with the change the Falcons made at the quarterback position. They are going to start rookie Desmond Ridder in this game against the Saints and that’s going to, at the very least, be fun to see. Ridder showed some really nice things in the preseason for the Falcons and although this is an entirely different beast, you can’t help but like the timing of it, giving Ridder the bye week to prep for New Orleans.

I think the Falcons’ offense will be dynamic with Ridder under center. Sometimes these things take a couple of weeks to get going, but with the way Arthur Smith’s offense has performed at times this season, don’t be shocked if the Falcons come out and put up some points against the Saints with Ridder under center.

Prediction: Falcons win 24-23

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