Saturday games return to the NFL schedule in Week 15 with two important matchups. Both contests feature a pair of AFC teams and have major playoff implications.

The Saturday games kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET when the Cleveland Browns host the Las Vegas Raiders. Cleveland is a tiebreaker away from being in the latest 2021 playoff bracket, and a victory would likely give the Browns possession of a wild-card spot. The Raiders are a game out of the wild-card race. A loss would make it difficult for Las Vegas to reach the postseason.

The New England Patriots visit the Indianapolis Colts at 8:15 p.m. ET. A win would keep the Patriots at the top of the AFC playoff picture and put them one step closer to an AFC East championship. Indianapolis is the conference’s No. 6 seed, hoping to stay near the top of the wild-card standings and in contention for the AFC South.

Here are predictions against the spread for the Week 15 Saturday schedule. Betting odds come from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Las Vegas Raiders (+6) at Cleveland Browns, 42.5

The odds suggest that the one game separating these teams in the standings doesn’t reflect how much better Cleveland is than Las Vegas. The Browns are coming off a big win over the Baltimore Ravens, putting them within a game of the AFC North lead. Las Vegas was embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs 48-9 in Week 14, suffering its fifth loss in six games.

Cleveland has alternated wins and losses since Week 6, and it has struggled to win comfortably. Over their last nine contests, the Browns have beaten one opponent by more than a field goal. It’s a product of the team’s struggling offense, which has been a theme as Baker Mayfield continues to play through serious shoulder injuries.

The Raiders and Browns are 18th and 19th, respectively, in scoring, both averaging fewer than 22 points per game. Cleveland should find a way to win a relatively close, low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Cleveland over Las Vegas, 20-16

New England Patriots (+2) at Indianapolis Colts, 46

The Patriots are underdogs. despite being the hottest team in the NFL. New England is on a seven-game winning streak, outscoring its opponents 225-73. During that stretch, the Patriots have beaten three teams in the Week 15 playoff picture.

The Colts have entered the playoff picture by winning four of their last five games with their only loss coming at the hands of the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jonathan Taylor leads the league with 1,348 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Indianapolis is first in the AFC with 28.5 points per game.

New England has the NFL’s best scoring defense, allowing just 15.4 points per game. Expect Bill Belichick and the Patriots to focus on stopping Taylor, putting the onus on Carson Wentz. The Colts’ quarterback could be in trouble if he’s forced to make big plays against New England’s secondary.

Prediction: New England over Indianapolis, 23-20

Baker Mayfield Derek Carr
Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders talks with Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns after their game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
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