| Bills |
over |
Dolphins |
We start off with a pretty great matchup. The Bills could rest players knowing they can't get the #1 seed. But for a young playoff team, it's important they keep playing with that winning mentality against Miami, who will be fighting hard to join them in the playoffs. The Bills will continue to deliver for McDermott. The Dolphins were able to beat the Raiders but they won't have the same luck this week. |
| Ravens |
over |
Bengals |
The Ravens are back to normal with Jackson and the running game and more pop in passing. The Bengals worked hard to get their wins over the last two opponents, but Baltimore is focused on keeping a playoff berth after its division disappointment. The Bengals are more about how they can help Burrow in the 2021 draft. |
| Browns |
over |
Steelers |
The Steelers are hard to read in knowing what they'll do for the #2 seed over the Bills. They will lean towards resting players, given how many veterans they have on their team and the injury issues they've had over the season. The Browns will welcome that, after their WR outbreak proved to be very costly against the Jets. |
| Vikings |
over |
Lions |
The Vikings' offense keeps doing its best to light up the scoreboard with Cousins and Cook. The defense, because of inexperience and injuries, has hit new lows with Zimmer. But that doesn't compare to how bad the Lions are defensively after firing Patricia. The Vikings will move the ball at will with Cook, Thielen and Jefferson. The Lions cannot match that with Swift and the rest of their skill players. |
| Patriots |
over |
Jets |
Gase is doing his late-season sudden-winning thing again for the Jets, which is too little too late for retaining his position. The Patriots have looked terrible since obliterating the Chargers. Belichick can't possibly lose to a lame-duck Gase, who won't be able to outwit Belichick after getting the better of McVay and Stefanski, can he? |
| Cowboys |
over |
Giants |
These two teams will battle to see who would be in position to steal the NFC East should Washington lose. The Cowboys have finally found their groove with Dalton as the play-calling of Moore has been on fire the past two weeks. The defense is bending more without breaking again. The Giants' offense is in the tank regardless of QB play. Dallas, through all their troubles without Dak and with McCarthy, somehow get into the playoffs. |
| Buccaneers |
over |
Falcons |
The Falcons keep "falconing" every week, losing on a game-tying FG miss by their newly appointed Pro Bowl kicker. They blew a 17-0 lead against the Bucs in their last meeting. Tampa has rolled since the second half of that game, also destroying the Lions. Ryan is playing better, but Brady looks to be loaded with more reliable weapons |
| Packers |
over |
Bears |
Personal preferences aside, unless something crazy happens the Packers should have this one. Rodgers is arguably playing the best football of his career. The Bears have found their offense with Trubisky to rally back into playoff contention. Rodgers can't afford to slouch this week as a loss here will swap Green Bay and NOLA for the #1 seed with help from Seattle. |
| Raiders |
over |
Broncos |
Carr and Lock are hard to trust each week. They can look like franchise QBs at times but then they force the plays that aren't there. Denver will focus on running over the Raiders, but Carr has more trusty skill players around him. Gruden saves some face with a narrow win over Fangio. |
| Colts |
over |
Jaguars |
The Colts need a win and hope for some help to make the playoffs after their meltdown against the Steelers. Indy will keep things simple here with a heavy running and timely big plays from Rivers. It's hard to believe Jacksonville hasn't won anything since their last matchup. |
| Chiefs |
over |
Chargers |
The Chiefs will most likely rest key players, including Mahomes. Getting almost two weeks off from action is more important than a win. That said, the Chiefs are still talented enough to win this game against the Chargers, who may be a little shorthanded on both sides of the ball again and tend to lose close games they should win. |
| Cardinals |
over |
Rams |
Goff will be out for the Rams with his broken thumb, with Wolford starting. Meanwhile, Murray is expected to play with his leg injury with a Wild Card spot on the line. The Rams also will be down young RBs Akers and Henderson, so they can't bail out Wolford on the ground. Murray finds enough holes in the Rams' defense with his running and short passing to make the playoffs. |
| Seahawks |
over |
49ers |
The Seahawks are putting it together with both sides of the ball slowly fighting through some recent issues around Wilson. Getting back to an NFC West title was huge last week. The 49ers have more injuries piling on after their impressive performance against Arizona. Seattle will use this game as a tuneup and hope they get some breaks elsewhere to steal the #1 seed. |
| Saints |
over |
Panthers |
No resting starters for NOLA. The Saints will be playing for the #1 seed, hoping the Packers stumble and Seahawks win at the same time to create a three-way tie. Their running game is rolling with Kamara and Murray. The Panthers remain weak in run defense. Teddy B. will see his weapons limited again without the help of CMC. New Orleans wants to march into the playoffs with some momentum, whether or not it has a bye. |
| Titans |
over |
Texans |
The Titans will rebound from getting ripped in Green Bay but it won't be easy with Watson determined to play. Houston's defense is terrible all-around and that will help Henry and Tannehill get back on track. But Watson, Johnson and Cooks will bring it again and the defense will respond to J.J. Watt's call to save some face |
| Eagles |
over |
Washington |
There's a good chance Smith returns at QB to start over Heinicke, but Washington will likely be without McLaurin. The Eagles came down to earth with Hurts in Dallas and having their defense fall apart. Philly needs a strong showing at home for the sake of Pederson. Washington will keep playing hard defensively for Rivera but the offensive shortcomings keep hurting it as the Eagles gift a division win to Dallas. |