Schein 9 NFL Week 15:

Another week, another monster DFS performance from Theo Schein. This time, he rode Charbonnet, Lamb, Guerendo, Jefferson, and Nacua to a stunning 205 points on DraftKings. From now on, I’m sticking to his picks—and, for college games, consulting the oracle that is Timothée Chalamet.

Here are this week’s midweek musings, picks, and takes, Schein-9 style:

 

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1. Ram Tough

The Rams are back! Cue Sia and let’s dream of California playoffs. Our preseason prediction of their win total staying alive got a huge boost with their thrilling 44-42 victory over the Bills. Now sitting at 7-6, I’m doubling down on LA to win the NFC West.

It’s not crazy to think they could run the table: at the 49ers this Thursday, then the Jets, Cardinals, and Seahawks to close the season. When healthy, this team can beat anyone, and Sunday proved it. With Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams all playing, the Rams are 11-5. In those games, Stafford has racked up 35 touchdowns, just seven picks, and 4,381 passing yards.

Right now, Stafford is playing Hall of Fame-level football: 10 TDs, 0 picks over his last four games. Add in Sean McVay’s brilliance and Nacua putting up video-game stats, and the Rams look unstoppable. Sure, Kyle Shanahan has dominated McVay in their regular-season matchups, but this Rams team is too sharp. I’m taking Rams +2.5, and now’s the time to jump on their playoff and division odds.

2. Top Bill-ing

The Bills lost, but let’s end the MVP conversation: Josh Allen is your guy. Despite Sean McDermott’s late-game mismanagement and a shaky defense, Allen continues to shine. His stat line—3 passing TDs and 3 rushing TDs—made him the first QB since Otto Graham (1954 NFL Championship) to pull that off.

Allen is also the only QB in history with 10 combined passing, rushing, and receiving TDs in a two-game span, including one of each. He hasn’t committed a single turnover or taken a sack in his last two games. It’s mind-blowing that this same guy was once voted “most overrated.” This year, Allen could become the first QB to win both MVP and “most overrated” in the same season. Vegas agrees—he’s now the -450 MVP favorite.

3. Super Bowl Preview?

The Bills and Lions might just meet in February. SportsLine says this is the most likely Super Bowl matchup, and Sunday’s showdown (Bills at 10-3 vs. Lions at 12-1) features two of the league’s best teams. It’s tied for the second-best combined record in an AFC-NFC Week 15-or-later matchup since 1970.

Both teams lead the league in point differential, and while neither franchise has won a Super Bowl, that only adds to the stakes. The Lions are favored by 2.5, with the Over/Under set at 54.5. I expect a close, high-scoring game where the over hits. Circle this one.

4. Super Bowl Preview, Part II?

Week 15 offers a rare treat: two AFC-NFC matchups between 10-win teams. While Bills-Lions grabs headlines, don’t overlook the Eagles hosting the Steelers. Pittsburgh (10-3) and Philadelphia (11-2) have been stellar against the spread, but the Eagles are favored by 5.5.

George Pickens’ likely absence hurts the Steelers, and I lean toward the Eagles covering. This week is a feast for football fans.

5. Giant Disaster

The Ravens are favored by 15 points against the Giants—the largest spread in the league this year and the biggest home-dog spread for the Giants since the 1970 merger. It’s been a historically bad season for Big Blue, who are 0-7 at home, averaging just 10.1 points per game there.

How do they stop Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry? Answer: They don’t. The Ravens, fresh off a bye, will find their rhythm again. Meanwhile, the Giants’ struggles highlight a disastrous offseason. I still believe in Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll long-term, but the 2023 season is a dumpster fire. Wait until the stands are empty by the fourth quarter.

6. Viking Quest

Sam Darnold delivered in a big way, throwing five touchdowns to crush Kirk Cousins’ revenge game. The Vikings are still alive in the NFC North race, and if the Lions stumble on Sunday, Monday Night Football against the Bears becomes massive.

Don’t sleep on Kevin O’Connell for Coach of the Year. And as for Darnold? He’s making a sneaky case for Comeback Player of the Year. The Jets nearly ruined him, but he’s thriving now—a testament to resilience.

7. Nothing Finer Than Betting on… Carolina!

Stop the presses: The Panthers are favored! This marks Bryce Young’s first game as a favorite after 24 straight games as an underdog. Better yet, Carolina is 5-0 ATS in their last five games.

Young has shown real promise, and Dave Canales deserves credit for steadying this team. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ Monday Night meltdown was one for the ages. The Panthers are trending up.

8. Nix Tape

The Offensive Rookie of the Year race between Bo Nix, Brock Bowers, and Jayden Daniels is razor-thin. Right now, I’d give the edge to Nix, who’s been lights out for the Broncos. Denver faces the Colts this week, and I’m betting on Nix throwing three TDs as the Broncos cover the four-point spread.

9. Chief Concern

The Chiefs’ 12-1 record feels like smoke and mirrors. Their +56 point differential is the lowest ever for a team with this record. Over their last five games, they’re 4-1… with a point differential of zero.

Kansas City is also 0-7 against the spread in their last seven games. I’m taking the Browns and the points this week. Let’s see if the Chiefs’ magic finally runs out.

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