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NFL Upset Picks, Predictions Week 15: Will Panthers Notch Second Win?

Allen Byron

Updated as of December 17, 2026 at 1:50 PM EST. Read time: 4 minutes and 3 seconds. Links to Twitter and Google News provided.

Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the second quarter as we look at our NFL upset picks for Week 15.
Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the second quarter. Eakin Howard/Getty Images/AFP

After a successful 2-1 Week 14, we aim to continue our winning streak with our top three NFL upset picks for Week 15, chosen from the top NFL odds on our preferred sports betting apps.

The Miami Dolphins, who were favored to win for the second week in a row and only the second time all season, were upset at home during Monday Night Football by the Tennessee Titans despite being heavily favored with -900 odds.

During Week 14, favorites had a disappointing 7-8 record, with four of the top six favorites losing. This unexpected turn of events provided bettors with plenty of chances to profit by betting on underdogs to win outright, highlighting the unpredictability and potential rewards in NFL betting during this week’s games.

The Las Vegas Raiders were the only one of our top three picks in Week 14 to lose. Despite allowing just three points, they were part of the lowest-scoring NFL game since 2007.

Alongside our NFL Week 15 predictions and player props, we present our top NFL upset picks for Week 15, graded on a 1 to 5-star scale, with odds sourced from our preferred NFL betting sites.

NFL upset picks: Week 15

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NFL upset predictions

Steelers vs. Colts (+125 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Pittsburgh Steelers set an unfortunate record by losing to the New England Patriots on Thursday night, becoming the first team with a winning record to lose back-to-back games to opponents with at least eight losses. Despite this, Pittsburgh is one of four teams with a winning record and a negative point differential, with Indianapolis being another team on that list. The Colts have performed better on the road (5-2) than at home (2-4) in the 2026 season.

Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. have developed a strong connection, with Minshew boasting a 95 QBR and Pittman Jr. averaging 90 yards per game in the last four games leading up to Week 14. This performance ranks them as the fifth-highest QB-WR duo (minimum 25 targets).

Nevertheless, Pittsburgh has a strong complement to Pittman in cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who has only allowed one reception for every 21 coverage snaps going into Week 14, the best in the league. Despite a 1-2 record in their last three games, the Steelers have outgained their opponents twice in that span, a significant improvement from their start to the season where they had fewer total yards than their first 10 opponents. As a result, there is optimism for Pittsburgh to have better days ahead as they aim to maintain a .500 or better record for the 17th consecutive season under head coach Mike Tomlin.

When it comes to placing this bet, our top choice is BetMGM. It stands out among our top sportsbooks by providing odds of over +120 for betting on the Steelers.

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Bears vs. Browns (+145 via BetMGM, DraftKings, bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

The Cleveland Browns are currently enjoying their longest home winning streak in two years, with four consecutive victories. They also have their best home start since 2007, boasting a record of 6-1 at home. Despite these impressive stats, the Browns have had four different quarterbacks win a game this season, a feat not seen since the Texans in 2015. Joe Flacco recently achieved his 100th career regular-season victory. However, the inconsistency at the quarterback position is likely to catch up with the Browns sooner rather than later.

The Chicago Bears are a formidable opponent in this upcoming game, especially after their impressive performance against the Detroit Lions. Chicago held the Lions to their lowest total yards and points of the season, showcasing their defensive prowess. With a two-game winning streak for the first time since 2021, the Bears have momentum on their side. Additionally, entering Week 14, they had the second-lowest success rate on rushing attempts in the league. Despite giving up some rushing yards to the Lions last week, the Bears countered by sacking Jared Goff four times, hitting him nine times, and limiting his QBR to one of his lowest of the season.

Chicago has a stronger record at home (3-3) compared to on the road (2-5), but they have the potential to pull off an upset. Those supporting the Bears will have a choice between three top sports betting platforms, with FanDuel (+144) and Caesars (+143) offering similar odds.

Our expert Green Finnian delves deeper into this game in our Week 15 NFL parlay picks.

Panthers vs. Falcons (+148 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In 2026, the Carolina Panthers have been favored by a field goal or less in three games, losing by three points twice. To improve their performance, the team must focus on protecting rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who has been sacked 47 times this season, the third-highest in Panthers history. Despite their struggles on the road, with an 0-8 record, the Panthers are facing the Falcons at home, who rank in the bottom seven of the league with only 27 sacks. This gives us confidence in Young and the Panthers to perform well in front of their home crowd.

In Young’s debut professional start in Week 1, the Panthers faced off against the Falcons and suffered a 24-10 loss in Atlanta. Despite the outcome, Carolina managed to record 20 first downs compared to Atlanta’s 13 and outgained the Falcons by 60 yards. If the Panthers can limit their turnovers in the next game, they are expected to put up a tough fight once again. Additionally, Carolina has shown competitiveness at home, with two of their four losses being decided by one possession.

Desmond Ridder, the Falcons quarterback, has a strong record of 5-1 against the spread in division games, but struggles with a 2-5 straight up record in road starts. The team, under coach Arthur Smith, has a disappointing 4-9 ATS record in 2026 and a lackluster 8-15-1 ATS record in games played in November or later throughout his coaching career.

Caesars offers excellent value on Carolina’s moneyline odds compared to other top live betting sites. FanDuel is the only other sports betting site offering better than +140 odds at +142.

NFL upset predictions were made on 12/12/2026 at 6:11 a.m. ET.

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Written By:
Allen Byron
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he’s especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike’s a big advocate of “fading the public” and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that “there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas.” When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He’s tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”