JO_75
Hall of Famer
Thursday Night Football
Steelers @ Vikings: The Steelers head to the Twin Cities to take on the Minnesota Vikings in what should be a very good defensive matchup. Both teams lead the way in sacks this season as they rank first(Steelers, 37) and second(Vikings, 36) in the NFL. Expect TJ Watt to continue his march toward the sack record while the Vikings have had 16 different players account for at least a half of a sack. Patrick Peterson was removed from the COVID list giving a big boost to the Vikings secondary while Joe Haden continues to miss practice for Pittsburgh. Big Ben may be retiring but he found a way to have one of his best games all season when it mattered most last week. Minnesota found another way to lose and gave the Lions their first win of the season despite the offense putting up 400+ yards of offense. Both are caught in the middle of the wild card race in their conferences, and at the end of Thursday Night one of these teams will lose ground.
Sunday 1PM Early Games
Jaguars @ Titans: The Titans have lost two straight and look to get back on track in order to hold off a Colts team that is building late season momentum. The question now is whether or not Urban Meyer lasts beyond this season in Jacksonville as the rebuilding process with Trevor Lawrence has definitely hit a rookie wall. The Titans are hoping to get Derrick Henry back for the postseason but may get Julio Jones back this week. Coming off their bye refreshed, Tennessee should get back on track against a lowly Jaguars team.
Raiders @ Chiefs: As the season comes to a close, the saying the cream rises to the top is true. After starting 1-2, the Chiefs have found their way back on top of the AFC West with a five game win streak. Part of the reason they have won five straight is their defense, which has allowed only 11.2 points per game. The Raiders seem to be falling off as the season winds down, something that happened to them last season as well. If the Raiders want a shot at the playoffs, they will need to win this game and I just don't see them doing so given the Raiders offensive struggles lately verus a good Chiefs defense.
Saints @ Jets: Take the under in this one, the way these two offenses have been lately I wouldn't count on a high scoring game. Taysom Hill's first ever start went wrong last week in Dallas as he threw four interceptions in the loss to Dallas. The Jets continue to struggle as first year Head Coach Robert Saleh and rookie Quarterback Zach Wilson continue to find their footing in the NFL.
Cowboys @ Washington: The Washington Football Team is gaining momentum toward a playoff push as they have won four straight games heading into Sunday's big divisional showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. Taylor Heinicke continues to prove doubters wrong and has even gained support from Cowboys' Hall of Famer Troy Aikman. A win on Sunday coupled with a good showing against one of the best pass defenses in the league should end all doubt he is the future in Washington. Unfortunately Washington will now be without Montez Sweat who was put on the COVID list and is out for 10 days. Dallas defensively should be getting Randy Gregory and Neville Gallimore back which will be a big boost on the defensive line. Dallas looks to take another step closer toward the NFC East crown but Washington is right there ready to strike if Dallas slips up and is able to win their fifth straight game.
Falcons @ Panthers: The Panthers made headlines during their BYE as they fired Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady for what seemingly has been a mishandling of the quarterback situation since Matt Rhule was hired. While having Cam Newton home is nice, they fell off after that win in Arizona and now look for a spark on offense. Atlanta meanwhile has struggled offensively, only putting up 41 points in the last four games.
Seahawks @ Texans: A game that surprisingly doesn't have playoff implications, the Seahawks travel to Houston to take on the rebuilding Houston Texans. Tyrod Taylor once again got hurt as he injured his wrist and the likely hood that Davis Mills starts is increasing by the day. Seattle's offense hasn't been the same since Russell came back from injury, perhaps they rushed him back too soon? Seattle's dim playoff hopes are on the line following an upset win over the 49ers last week. Can Seattle find a way to turn this season into a winner before the season ends?
Sunday 4PM Late Games
Lions @ Broncos: Jared Goff pulled off a comeback drive that saw the Lions finally get their first win of the season last week against the Vikings. This means the Lions are still mathematically eligible for the playoffs with three players already ruled out, including D'Andre Swift, and TJ Hockenson listed as doubtful, the Lions quest for two in a row will be in jeopardy. The Broncos meanwhile sit 6-6 still in the wild AFC playoff picture and look to stay in the hunt. The Lions finally won after losing some heartbreakers, is Denver about to deal the final blow to Dan Campbell and company?
Giants @ Chargers: The New York Giants head out west to take on Justin Herbert and the Chargers as LA looks to keep up with the Chiefs in the AFC West. With Daniel Jones ruled out, Mike Glennon will once again start while first round pick WR Kadarious Toney and CB Adoree' Jackson have been ruled out as well. This is a typical trap game for the Chargers that they must avoid to keep their playoff hopes alive. Is this the end of Joe Judge and Dave Gettlemen on Monday?
49ers @ Bengals: A rough week for these two teams last week as they both lost in crucial games that are now becoming even more important as the season winds down. The Bengals will be without LB Logan Wilson due to a shoulder injury while Joe Mixon will be a game time decision. The 49ers meanwhile declared four players out including rookie Elijah Mitchell who has been a star for San Fran this season. A game in which both teams need the win, who wants the win more and who wants to keep playing into January?
Bills @ Buccaneers: The Patriots have risen from their grave and ran their way to the top of the AFC East, 46 times to be exact. The Bills had no answer for the Patriots ground attack and now head to Tampa to take on old nemesis Tom Brady. Tampa Bay can be the first team to clinch a division title this season if they win, the Jets beat the Saints and Falcons beat the Panthers. It will be interesting to see how the Bills plan to stop Leonard Fournette who ran for four touchdowns last week who will be without Defensive Tackle Star Lotulelei on Sunday. While the weather will be much better in Tampa for Josh Allen and the offense, Tampa will be getting back Corner Jamal Dean with Sunday being a rare occasion that they have all three starting corners on the field at once.
Sunday & Monday Night Football
Bears @ Packers: The Packers can no longer clinch the NFC North following Minnesota's win over Pittsburgh but can still clinch a playoff spot depending the results of the 49ers and Saints games. Justin Fields returns for this game after missing the last two games due to cracked ribs, NT Akiem Hicks returns for the first time in a month but the Bears defense will be without Linebacker Cassius Marsh. Green Bay will be without Randall Cobb and Jaire Alexander while we see if at all, how much Aaron Rodgers' toe impacts his mobility against a Bears defense who ranks third in sacks.
Rams @ Cardinals: The Arizona Cardinals continue to surprise a lot of people as they continue their dominance over the NFC West and look to secure Home Field in the playoffs. With a healthy Kyler Murray back, the Cardinals need a win on Monday Night to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015. Unless of course a couple games goes their way early Sunday then they can clinch before Monday. The Rams meanwhile can not afford to keep losing games if they hope to snatch the NFC West Crown from Arizona. In a crucial divisional showdown, can Arizona put a damper on the Rams playoff hopes or will LA close the gap in the NFC West?
Steelers @ Vikings: The Steelers head to the Twin Cities to take on the Minnesota Vikings in what should be a very good defensive matchup. Both teams lead the way in sacks this season as they rank first(Steelers, 37) and second(Vikings, 36) in the NFL. Expect TJ Watt to continue his march toward the sack record while the Vikings have had 16 different players account for at least a half of a sack. Patrick Peterson was removed from the COVID list giving a big boost to the Vikings secondary while Joe Haden continues to miss practice for Pittsburgh. Big Ben may be retiring but he found a way to have one of his best games all season when it mattered most last week. Minnesota found another way to lose and gave the Lions their first win of the season despite the offense putting up 400+ yards of offense. Both are caught in the middle of the wild card race in their conferences, and at the end of Thursday Night one of these teams will lose ground.
Sunday 1PM Early Games
Jaguars @ Titans: The Titans have lost two straight and look to get back on track in order to hold off a Colts team that is building late season momentum. The question now is whether or not Urban Meyer lasts beyond this season in Jacksonville as the rebuilding process with Trevor Lawrence has definitely hit a rookie wall. The Titans are hoping to get Derrick Henry back for the postseason but may get Julio Jones back this week. Coming off their bye refreshed, Tennessee should get back on track against a lowly Jaguars team.
Raiders @ Chiefs: As the season comes to a close, the saying the cream rises to the top is true. After starting 1-2, the Chiefs have found their way back on top of the AFC West with a five game win streak. Part of the reason they have won five straight is their defense, which has allowed only 11.2 points per game. The Raiders seem to be falling off as the season winds down, something that happened to them last season as well. If the Raiders want a shot at the playoffs, they will need to win this game and I just don't see them doing so given the Raiders offensive struggles lately verus a good Chiefs defense.
Saints @ Jets: Take the under in this one, the way these two offenses have been lately I wouldn't count on a high scoring game. Taysom Hill's first ever start went wrong last week in Dallas as he threw four interceptions in the loss to Dallas. The Jets continue to struggle as first year Head Coach Robert Saleh and rookie Quarterback Zach Wilson continue to find their footing in the NFL.
Cowboys @ Washington: The Washington Football Team is gaining momentum toward a playoff push as they have won four straight games heading into Sunday's big divisional showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. Taylor Heinicke continues to prove doubters wrong and has even gained support from Cowboys' Hall of Famer Troy Aikman. A win on Sunday coupled with a good showing against one of the best pass defenses in the league should end all doubt he is the future in Washington. Unfortunately Washington will now be without Montez Sweat who was put on the COVID list and is out for 10 days. Dallas defensively should be getting Randy Gregory and Neville Gallimore back which will be a big boost on the defensive line. Dallas looks to take another step closer toward the NFC East crown but Washington is right there ready to strike if Dallas slips up and is able to win their fifth straight game.
Falcons @ Panthers: The Panthers made headlines during their BYE as they fired Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady for what seemingly has been a mishandling of the quarterback situation since Matt Rhule was hired. While having Cam Newton home is nice, they fell off after that win in Arizona and now look for a spark on offense. Atlanta meanwhile has struggled offensively, only putting up 41 points in the last four games.
Seahawks @ Texans: A game that surprisingly doesn't have playoff implications, the Seahawks travel to Houston to take on the rebuilding Houston Texans. Tyrod Taylor once again got hurt as he injured his wrist and the likely hood that Davis Mills starts is increasing by the day. Seattle's offense hasn't been the same since Russell came back from injury, perhaps they rushed him back too soon? Seattle's dim playoff hopes are on the line following an upset win over the 49ers last week. Can Seattle find a way to turn this season into a winner before the season ends?
Sunday 4PM Late Games
Lions @ Broncos: Jared Goff pulled off a comeback drive that saw the Lions finally get their first win of the season last week against the Vikings. This means the Lions are still mathematically eligible for the playoffs with three players already ruled out, including D'Andre Swift, and TJ Hockenson listed as doubtful, the Lions quest for two in a row will be in jeopardy. The Broncos meanwhile sit 6-6 still in the wild AFC playoff picture and look to stay in the hunt. The Lions finally won after losing some heartbreakers, is Denver about to deal the final blow to Dan Campbell and company?
Giants @ Chargers: The New York Giants head out west to take on Justin Herbert and the Chargers as LA looks to keep up with the Chiefs in the AFC West. With Daniel Jones ruled out, Mike Glennon will once again start while first round pick WR Kadarious Toney and CB Adoree' Jackson have been ruled out as well. This is a typical trap game for the Chargers that they must avoid to keep their playoff hopes alive. Is this the end of Joe Judge and Dave Gettlemen on Monday?
49ers @ Bengals: A rough week for these two teams last week as they both lost in crucial games that are now becoming even more important as the season winds down. The Bengals will be without LB Logan Wilson due to a shoulder injury while Joe Mixon will be a game time decision. The 49ers meanwhile declared four players out including rookie Elijah Mitchell who has been a star for San Fran this season. A game in which both teams need the win, who wants the win more and who wants to keep playing into January?
Bills @ Buccaneers: The Patriots have risen from their grave and ran their way to the top of the AFC East, 46 times to be exact. The Bills had no answer for the Patriots ground attack and now head to Tampa to take on old nemesis Tom Brady. Tampa Bay can be the first team to clinch a division title this season if they win, the Jets beat the Saints and Falcons beat the Panthers. It will be interesting to see how the Bills plan to stop Leonard Fournette who ran for four touchdowns last week who will be without Defensive Tackle Star Lotulelei on Sunday. While the weather will be much better in Tampa for Josh Allen and the offense, Tampa will be getting back Corner Jamal Dean with Sunday being a rare occasion that they have all three starting corners on the field at once.
Sunday & Monday Night Football
Bears @ Packers: The Packers can no longer clinch the NFC North following Minnesota's win over Pittsburgh but can still clinch a playoff spot depending the results of the 49ers and Saints games. Justin Fields returns for this game after missing the last two games due to cracked ribs, NT Akiem Hicks returns for the first time in a month but the Bears defense will be without Linebacker Cassius Marsh. Green Bay will be without Randall Cobb and Jaire Alexander while we see if at all, how much Aaron Rodgers' toe impacts his mobility against a Bears defense who ranks third in sacks.
Rams @ Cardinals: The Arizona Cardinals continue to surprise a lot of people as they continue their dominance over the NFC West and look to secure Home Field in the playoffs. With a healthy Kyler Murray back, the Cardinals need a win on Monday Night to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015. Unless of course a couple games goes their way early Sunday then they can clinch before Monday. The Rams meanwhile can not afford to keep losing games if they hope to snatch the NFC West Crown from Arizona. In a crucial divisional showdown, can Arizona put a damper on the Rams playoff hopes or will LA close the gap in the NFC West?
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