| Saints |
over |
Falcons |
The Saints thrashed the Falcons two weeks ago in Taysom's first start. This will be trickier on the road after the Falcons stopped the run well against the Raiders and Ryan will provide more offensive resistance. The problem is, the Saints' passing game and defense will continue to come through when needed and has too much at stake with the #1 seed to let up against their archrivals. |
| Bears |
over |
Lions |
The Lions fired Patricia, and the Bears might also soon be done with Nagy. There should be some motivation of the players to play harder on both sides with their respective fading seasons at stake. Crazy things tend to happen when both teams are mediocre. |
| Titans |
over |
Browns |
The Browns and Titans both want to run the ball well to control the clock and set up favorable play-action passing opportunities for Baker and Tannehill. This becomes more of a grinding battle between Chubb and Henry with a few big pass plays to the talented receivers against weak secondaries. Trust Henry and Tannehill a little more at home. |
| Dolphins |
over |
Bengals |
The Bengals played over their heads last week and also got a special teams TD against the Giants. Whether it's more of Fitzpatrick or Tua, there will be a limited burden on Miami's QBs. Look for the Dolphins to grind this out with whoever's running the ball with a few pass plays to score enough. |
| Vikings |
over |
Jaguars |
The Vikings had two fluky fumbles go for TDs from the Panthers, making the game much closer than it should have been. The Jaguars simply cannot stop the Vikings' playmakers for Cousins, led by Cook and Jefferson. The Vikings' D will contain any looming threat of a Glennon comeback. |
| Raiders |
over |
Jets |
The Raiders will try this again after falling flat against the Falcons. The Jets also can contain their running game, but look for Carr to get refocused in spreading the ball around downfield with fewer mistakes. The Jets continue to show less life with Gase and Darnold, so it's hard to expect them to get off the mat with Gruden pushing his team to play a lot better. |
| Colts |
over |
Texans |
The Colts are becoming a hard team to predict each week. They took enough defensive hits last week to roll over against the Titans. This week, they should go back to establishing the run well against a weak Texans front to ease the pressure on Rivers. Their secondary and linebackers can contain Watson's deep passing and scrambling just enough to avoid the upset. |
| Cardinals |
over |
Rams |
The Rams' D is rolling. The Cardinals' offense slowed down with Murray's bad shoulder. But I can trust Murray to rebound at home over Goff and his boom-or-bust nature to be better on the road. L.A. will try to use Donald and Ramsey to rattle Murray and shut down Hopkins. The Cardinals get it done with reliable running and short passing game. |
| Seahawks |
over |
Giants |
The Seahawks will likely face McCoy instead of Jones. That gives their defense and running game a chance to take care of business at home, where they have yet to lose this season. Willson will play off the run well as usual with shots downfield away from Bradberry. The Giants will see the run contained and won't have enough firepower to keep up. |
| Packers |
over |
Eagles |
The Eagles are coming off a short week as they try to salvage a second straight NFC East title. Their success in the running game and throwing to their backs will keep them hanging around, but eventually Rodgers will easily outduel Wentz to ensure the Packers get a win at Lambeau Field. |
| Patriots |
over |
Chargers |
The Patriots travel cross country to try and breathe life into their playoff hopes. Look for them to grind the game out with Cam and their traditional running game and lean more on their defensive playcalling for Herbert. |
| Chiefs |
over |
Broncos |
The Broncos hope to have a QB in Week 13, but it doesn't really matter when the best QB in the league, is playing on the other side. Lock will be eager to get back in there in his home state, but he'll be taking major lumps against an aggressive pass rush playing with a big lead. |
| Steelers |
over |
Washington |
The Steelers are coming off a short week having played Wedsnesday. Washington has had a long week to recover since Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, Washington's offense doesn't match up well against the Steelers' run-stopping and pass-rushing defense up front. Big Ben will be very comfortable getting the ball out and spreading it around, while Smith won't have that kind of time. |
| Bills |
over |
49ers |
San Fran is finally playing some good football, sweeping the Rams and showing they are not out of the fight. They'll get after Allen after stifling the run, but the bills QB will make just enough plays to pull off a road win on the west coast. |
| Ravens |
over |
Cowboys |
The Cowboys will have a long layoff from Thanksgiving playing this game four days later than expected. The Ravens will hope to have enough healthy bodies to resemble their best self. It's hard to think Harbaugh will get out-coached by the mess McCarthy is operating in Dallas. Baltimore will lean much on its running game and defense here. |