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Sam Farmer’s Week 15 NFL picks

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Lines according to Glantz-Culver (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record: 10-6; season 121-87 (.582). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the handicapped record would have been 7-9; season 103-105 (.495).

Kansas City at St. Louis
Records: 8-5; 6-7.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 704.
Line: Off board. O/U: Off.
With playoff spots within reach, motivation won’t be a problem. The Chiefs are much better at home than on the road. Can Matt Cassel pick up where he left off? Rams 21, Chiefs 20

Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Records: 8-5; 7-6.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 705.
Line: Colts by 5. O/U: 48.
Peyton Manning has a way of winning at home, but it will take a lot to knock off the playoff-minded Jaguars because the Colts are so one-dimensional. Colts 21, Jaguars 17

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Buffalo at Miami
Records: 3-10; 7-6.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 706.
Line: Dolphins by 5. O/U: 40.
The Dolphins are 1-5 at home. That’s a troubling trend, especially against an opponent that can be surprisingly tough. Bills 17, Dolphins 14

Cleveland at Cincinnati
Records: 5-8; 2-11.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 707.
Line: Bengals by 1. O/U: 40.
The Browns’ defense is third in interceptions. That could be a big problem for Carson Palmer, who leads the AFC with 18 picks, many at the worst time. Browns 21, Bengals 14

Houston at Tennessee
Records: 5-8; 5-8.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 708.
Line: Titans by 1. O/U: 47.
Round Two for Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan. The Texans won the last meeting, 20-0, and things haven’t gotten much better for the Titans. Texans 23, Titans 17

New Orleans at Baltimore
Records: 10-3; 9-4.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 709.
Line: Ravens by 1. O/U: 43.
The Saints’ offense just isn’t the same outside a dome, especially in the cold against a defense as stout as Baltimore’s. Ravens 24, Saints 21

Arizona at Carolina
Records: 4-9; 1-12.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 710.
Line: Panthers by 2. O/U: 38.
This is a matchup of two bad teams, both with quarterback problems. There’s some infighting among the Panthers, and they look to have given up. Cardinals 20, Panthers 17

Washington at Dallas
Records: 5-8; 4-9.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 711.
Line: Cowboys by 6. O/U: 46.
The Cowboys will have ample opportunity to roll up yards against a league-worst Redskins defense that’s giving up almost 400 yards per game. Cowboys 28, Redskins 20

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Philadelphia at New York Giants
Records: 9-4; 9-4.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 712.
Line: Giants by 3. O/U: 46.
The Giants have knocked five quarterbacks out of games this season. Their problem, though, will be getting to Michael Vick. That’s not easy. Eagles 28, Giants 24

Detroit at Tampa Bay
Records: 3-10; 8-5.<br>

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 713.
Line: Buccaneers by 5. O/U:43.
The Lions haven’t won a road game since 2007, and the Buccaneers are 8-0 against teams with sub-.500 records. Buccaneers 24, Lions 20

Atlanta at Seattle
Records: 11-2; 6-7.
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 714.
Line: Falcons by 6. O/U: 45.
With no running game and a porous offensive line, the Seahawks will have big problems keeping the Falcons from swarming Matt Hasselbeck. Falcons 31, Seahawks 20

Denver at Oakland
Records: 3-10; 6-7.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: none. DirecTV: 715.
Line: Raiders by 6. O/U: 43.
This isn’t likely to be 59-14 like the first time around, but the Broncos are in a downward spiral and the Raiders have incentive. Raiders 35, Broncos 17

New York Jets at Pittsburgh
Records: 9-4; 10-3.
When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 716.
Line: Steelers by 6. O/U: 36.
Mark Sanchez is struggling, and the Jets haven’t scored an offensive touchdown in nine quarters. Troy Polamalu and the Steelers are no cure for that. Steelers 14, Jets 10

Green Bay at New England
Records: 8-5; 11-2.
When: Sunday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 4.
Line: Off board. O/U: Off.
Even if Aaron Rodgers is ready to return to action, the Packers -- like everyone -- face a stiff challenge in beating Tom Brady on his home turf. Patriots 28, Packers 21

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Chicago at Minnesota
Records: 9-4; 5-8.
When: Monday, 5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN.
Line: Off board. O/U: Off.
The Bears won by two touchdowns the first time they played this season -- and that’s when the Vikings had Brett Favre at quarterback. Bears 35, Vikings 14

sam.farmer@latimes.com

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