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| Courtesy of Don Wright/Associated Press |
Written by Sam DeCoste
Take a deep breath and exhale. Week 13 produced wild upsets and turned the 2020 regular season upside down. The week was headlined by Cleveland's road win over Tennessee, the benching of Carson Wentz, Josh Allen showing out against the 49ers on Monday night, and the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers undefeated season. Week 14 is even more loaded, beginning with a bang on Thursday night with a rematch of Super Bowl LIII between the Patriots and Rams. The primetime schedule continues with a matchup between the Steelers and Bills, and a critical AFC North battle between the Ravens and Browns. With only four weeks left, the schedule is delivering to say thee least.
In the past two weeks, my record is 21-10. I have produced double digit wins in back to back weeks, and my incorrect picks are evening out at just five from the past two weeks as well. I am heating up to say the least, and now is the time to heat up with Thanksgiving in the back-burner, and the playoffs on the horizon. With such a heavyweight schedule on tap for Week 14, it's crucial to not let up. I don't plan on letting up this week. There's no time to waste, so let's get right into the Predix!
Here are my records from this season:
Week 13 record: 10-5
Regular season record: 121-70-1
Lock of the Week record: 9-4
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| Patriots @ Rams |
The NFC West leaders look strong coming off a comfortable Week 13 win over the Cardinals. Jared Goff responded with one of his best performances of the season, and the Rams stout defense held Kyler Murray in check. Now they seek revenge from their Super Bowl defeat to the New England Patriots on Thursday night. The Rams will roll to victory if their offense replicates their execution from their trip to Arizona. The running game was dynamic with the double-headed monster of Darrell Henderson and the emerging Cam Akers, and the passing game controlled the Cardinals for 60 minutes. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are the best slot receiver duo in the NFL, and if they can extend possessions on third downs and red zone situations, they will be unstoppable on Thursday night. The Patriots only hope of slowing the offense down is if they can rattle Jared Goff in the pocket. On the other side, if the Rams defense keeps Cam Newton inside the pocket and mitigates his ability to extend plays with his legs, the Rams will be in position.
While the Rams are looking for revenge for their Super Bowl loss two seasons ago, their opponents look much different than they did before. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are gone, and Cam Newton is running the show in New England. The offense ran rampant over the Chargers on the ground with 165 yards rushing, but the passing game was less than threatening. Against a stiff Rams defense, the Patriots may be forced out of their element if Damien Harris is stuffed early, or if they put a linebacker in to spy Newton in the pocket. The Rams will be confident they can slow down the Patriots receiving core, especially after Jalen Ramsey's shutdown performance against DeAndre Hopkins a week ago. If Newton can replicate his performance against the Seahawks back in Week 2, the Patriots have a shot. But the vetera averages 171 passing yards on the season. That total is not near enough to knock off the Rams top level defense. Bill Belichick will have a plan to contain Aaron Donald, but his impact could be decisive.
The Patriots are confident they can run the table after winning 4 of their last 5, but the odds are stacked against them. They are a one-dimensional football team, and the Rams will put them on blast. The Rams will have their revenge.
Prediction: Patriots 7, Rams 20
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| Chiefs @ Dolphins |
When the Chiefs score just 22 points, people think there is something wrong. The Broncos were able to slow down the Chiefs on Sunday night, but the offense still racked 447 total yards of offense and Patrick Mahomes was on his game once again. However, between their game against the Bucs and the Broncos match, the Chiefs went three quarters without scoring a touchdown, including half a dozen red zone possessions which all yielded field goals. The Dolphins defense is physical, talented, and they love turnovers. Miami has forced a turnover in 18 consecutive games going back to last season. That being said, the Dolphins do not stack up against the speed of Tyreek Hill, or Mecole Hardman, or even Sammy Watkins, who cooked the Dolphins for years during his time in Buffalo. Even for a well-coached unit like the Dolphins, it is going to be challenging to cover their speedy receiving core and account for Travis Kelce over the middle, and slow down the Super Bowl MVP.
With four games to go, the Miami Dolphins are 8-4. While this team has shrugged aside the likes of the Rams and Cardinals, the Chiefs will be their most challenging test yet. It's the time for Tua Tagovailoa to show out against the best quarterback in football, but he will have to keep pace for 60 minutes. The rookie is going to have to be more aggressive with the pigskin and stretch the Chiefs defense out. Tagovailoa has 7 touchdown passes to no interceptions this season, but he averages 178 passing yards per game. The Dolphins will not win by scoring 20 points, they have to score on consecutive drives all game long to keep up. Tagovailoa will lean on Mike Geisicki who has become his favorite target, and Devante Parker will be Miami's first, second, and third option in the passing game in third down and red zone situations. The defense will have to hold up their end of the stick as well, but that is much easier said than done against the champs.
Dolphins skeptics have criticized the team for its strength of schedule, but a win over the Chiefs would change everything. If they steal a handful of possessions from the Chiefs and light it up on offense, they have a shot. But the Dolphins are not ready to compete with the Chiefs, not yet.
Prediction: Chiefs 33, Dolphins 16
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| Vikings @ Buccaneers |
Two NFC playoff contenders square off in Tampa, although these squads are trending in remarkably different directions. The Vikings have won 5 of their last 6 games after a 1-5 start to insert themselves right into the NFC playoff picture, while the Bucs have lost 3 of their last 4.
The bye week came at the right time for the Bucs, who need to hit the reset button. Tom Brady is in a funk, and has thrown 7 interceptions in the last 4 games. The offense starts slow, turns the ball over on short possessions, and digs themselves an insurmountable deficit. To finish the regular season strong, the Bucs must start fast. The ground game has been productive all season long, and Ronald Jones is quietly one of the most prolific ball carriers in the NFL. When Jones runs for over 100 yards, the Bucs are 3-1 this season. The Vikings defense gives up 121 yards per game on the ground, and that presents the perfect opportunity for the Bucs to settle down. The arsenal of weapons on the outside including Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown will see their fair share of targets, but the high octane vertical offensive scheme of Bruce Arians has been inconsistent all season. The Bucs can play winning football by starting fast with Jones, and letting Brady go to work on play-action passing.
It was ugly, but the Vikings outlasted Mike Glennon's Jaguars in overtime a week ago. The Vikings scraped by last time out against a 1-10 squad, with a formidable opponent in front of them. To pull off the upset and extend their winning streak, the Vikings just need to feed the hot hand. Rookie sensation Justin Jefferson is lighting up the NFL, and has 27 catches in the last 4 games. Jefferson alongside Adam Theilen are uncontainable. With Davin Cook seeming to cool down of late, Kirk Cousins will be paramount if the Vikings have hope of returning to the playoffs. On defense, the Vikings have to earn their money with turnovers. Considering Tom Brady has been reckless with the ball lately, that may not be so difficult. The Vikings rank 23rd in yards allowed this season but they have forced 17 turnovers on the year. If the Vikings steal a couple possessions from the Bucs offense and capitalize on offense, they are stacked up well to move to 7-6.
The quarterback who makes the fewest mistakes will lead their team to a win. Despite Tampa's cold streak, they are primed to correct their mistakes from November and come out firing to reset their season. The Bucs are a much better team. Tom Brady will be on target, and the Bucs defense will make key plays to catapult them to 8-5. This is my Lock of the Week.
Prediction: Vikings 17, Buccaneers 26
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| Cardinals @ Giants |
Don't look now, but the New York Giants sit atop the NFC East, and Giants fans are beginning to believe this is their year to return to the NFL postseason. They shocked the world a week ago by handing the Seahawks their first home defeat of the season, and shutting down Russell Wilson. Giants head coach Joe Judge has reinvigorated the team after a 1-7 start, and they have rattled off 4 straight wins. If they play the way they did against the Seahawks, they will defeat the Cardinals. They must keep Kyler Murray inside the pocket and force him to use his arm and throw over the Giants defensive line, and force receivers not named DeAndre Hopkins to make an impact. Daniel Jones is slated to return from injury and start this week, but he must protect the football. His bugaboo all year has been throwing interceptions, and letting Murray have extra possessions could bite the Giants in the butt.
Arizona's losing streak extends to 3 straight, and 4 of their last 5. Defenses have figured out how to slow down Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense. It is time for Kiff Kingsbury to show what he's made of and start being creative. The Cardinals need to scheme Murray outside the pocket and reintegrate his legs into the game plan. The ground game is stalling, and a substantial component of Arizona's running game runs through the quarterback. DeAndre Hopkins will be guarded by James Bradberry this week after being shut down by Jalen Ramsey, but the Giants cornerback neutralized D.K. Metcalf a week ago. The only way Arizona wins is if Murray runs for over 50 yards, and Hopkins is dominating the Giants secondary. They must regain their mojo on offense, and exploit New York's giveaway problem.
The NFC playoff race is heating up, and the Cardinals are facing a must-win to keep themselves in the Wild Card conversation. The Giants are a strong side and they are rolling on momentum, but the Cardinals desperately need this one. Murray will outplay Jones, and turnovers will be the tale of Arizona's first victory in 4 weeks.
Prediction: Cardinals 24, Giants 13
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| Texans @ Bears |
Chicago was on the cusp of their first win since October 18th. And then, the Bears blew a double digit lead in the final minutes. The sky is falling in Chicago. The Bears played well against the Lions for three quarters. They ran the ball for 140 yards, Mitch Trubisky was on target, and the defense slowed down Matt Stafford. The Texans are not as easy a matchup as the Lions. Deshaun Watson is on fire, and he will look to start fast. The Bears will likely not be able to control the game from the outset, but they can turn to the ground game to generate a spark. The Texans rank 30th in total defense and 31st against the run. The problem is the Bears rank 30th in total offense and 31st on the ground. You just can't make this stuff up. The matchup is intriguing given it presents weakness versus weakness. The Bears must open running lanes for David Montgomery with consistency to slow the Texans offense down, and sustain any chance for Chicago to keep the season alive.
Speaking of fourth quarter slip ups, a low snap from center Nick Martin could not be handled by quarterback Deshaun Watson, and the Colts recovered a fumble in the red zone trailing by 6. If not for the low snap, the Texans could have prevailed. To beat the Bears, Deshaun Watson just needs to keep doing what he's been doing. Watson has thrown for at least 318 yards in his last 3 games, and the team has won 3 of its last 5 games. David Johnson is back as well, and he will be Houston's primary threat in the red zone. Without Will Fuller, the Texans need to be more creative in ball distribution, and it begins with Johnson. He is a capable pass catching back and a hard-nosed runner who can control a game if the Texans feed him.
Deshaun Watson is on a tear, as the Bears are unfolding. The Texans are the clear favorites, and they could win big in Chicago.
Prediction: Texans 31, Bears 13
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| Titans @ Jaguars |
The Cleveland Browns put the Tennessee Titans on notice a week ago. At halftime, thee Titans trailed 35-7, and could not rally in time to overturn the deficit. Derrick Henry carried the ball a season-low 15 times for 60 yards, and he became obsolete in the second half as the Titans threw the ball 45 times to come back. Despite the loss, the Titans still have the AFC South within grasp, and the Jaguars are the perfect opponent for a bounce-back performance. It is Week 14, and that is Derrick Henry season. Historically, Henry loves to play the Jaguars. Some of the running back's greatest career performances have come against the Jaguars, and this week should be no different. The Titans can win through the air with Ryan Tannehill, but the ground game will do just fine against their AFC South foes.
With Mike Glennon starting under center, the Jaguars have clawed and fought hard. The team came close to knocking off the Browns and Jaguars in back-to-back weeks, and Glennon is playing the best football of his career. James Robinson continues to kill it from the backfield as a rookie running back, and he could be Jacksonville's number one for years to come. He will leaned on heavily to begin this game with Derrick Henry lining up on the other side. A strong start from the Jaguars could negate Henry's later involvement and force Tannehill to win the game with his arm, but the Titans are capable of doing that as well. It will take a complete performance on all 3 sides of the ball for the Jags to buck their 11 game losing streak.
Last week was one of those weeks for the Titans, but they are still the class of the AFC South. The gap between them and the Jaguars is wider than ever, and the Titans have more than enough to cruise out of Jacksonville with a comfortable win.
Prediction: Titans 33, Jaguars 14
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| Broncos @ Panthers |
Step aside, Patriots-Rams.This is the Super Bowl rematch we have all been waiting for. Haha, just kidding. Both teams just want their seasons to be over, and use the remaining 4 games to build on the future. But they will each by notably shorthanded.
After Carolina's bye week, 8 Panthers have been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list, including D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, Shaq Thompson, and Derrick Brown among others. The Panthers will be missing key impact players across the board. The possible return of Christian McCaffrey would be massive, but he did not practice on Thursday, and it looks like he will be sidelined once again. The shorthanded Panthers will ride Mike Davis as they have all season long, but the receiving core is down to just Robby Anderson. The Panthers are best positioned to chew the clock and take the ball away from Drew Lock, setting up for a low scoring affair.
Surprisingly, the Broncos pushed the Chiefs all the way a week ago. The Chiefs were held out of the end zone in the first half, and the Broncos were positioned to go down the field and win if Vic Fangio was aggressive on fourth down. Nonetheless, the game ended as most Broncos games have in 2020, with a loss and a pair of Drew Lock turnovers. Lock will be facing a Panthers defense missing key pieces on all three levels, but he must protect the football. Lock trails just Carson Wentz in interceptions, QBR, and quarterback rating in 2020. It is time to lean on the running backs in Denver, especially following Melvin Gordon carrying the ball for a season high 131 yards a week ago. Gordon along with Philip Lindsay can wear down the Panthers defense, and settle down Lock and the passing game.
At full strength, the Panthers are a much better football team than the Broncos. But the Panthers will be lacking their explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball, and the Broncos are equipped to win with a strong ground game. The Broncos should win a close one, but neither team will be scoring a lot of points.
Prediction: Broncos 20, Panthers 13
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| Cowboys @ Bengals |
The highlight revenge game of the week features Andy Dalton returning to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals as the Cowboys try to make up ground in the NFC East. The Cowboys have lost 6 of their last 7, and they are now two games behind the top of the division. Surprisingly, the Cowboys offense moved the ball with efficiency against a stout Ravens defense, and Andy Dalton played well in the first half. With consistency, this unit can improve down the stretch. But their defense against the run is historically terrible. The Ravens totaled 294 rushing yards against this Cowboys defense, and that is not even their season-high for rushing yards allowed in 2020. If the Cowboys defense can step up their game against the 27th ranked offense in the NFL, it will make Dalton's job much easier. This Sunday would be an appropriate time to hand the ball to Ezekiel Elliott 25 times, and burn the Bengals secondary on play-action with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.
The Bengals held their own against the Dolphins for three quarters, but the team could not overcome their offensive deficiencies. Brandon Allen and the Bengals offense moved the ball for just 196 yards, and converted just 3 of 12 attempts on third down. The Bengals must convert on third down against the Cowboys to keep Dalton on the sideline and control the game. Joe Mixon is still recovering from a foot injury, so he will not be available to aid Cincinnati's struggling ground game. Giovani Bernard will be the focal point of Cincinnati's game plan, and he is poised for a breakout game against the bottom ranked rush defense in professional football. The Bengals have weapons on the outside who can burn the Cowboys secondary, but Brandon Allen is not the quarterback to distribute the ball properly. Against the Cowboys, the Bengals have to ride or die with Bernard from the backfield. The Cowboys' historically awful rushing defense gives the Bengals a shot, but the quarterback could prove to be a liability.
The NFC East is still within striking distance, but the Cowboys have to beat the Bengals to stay in the race. As long as Giovani Bernard doesn't have 200 yards rushing, the Cowboys should be fine.
Prediction: Cowboys 23, Bengals 16
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| Colts @ Raiders |
Only a game separates the Colts and Raiders, but the winner on Sunday is in pole position to make the postseason with a crucial AFC tiebreaker under their belt.
Even entering Week 14, it is impossible to decipher what version of the Las Vegas Raiders are going to show up on a weekly basis. The Raiders squad which handed the Chiefs their lone defeat of the season can beat anyone. The team that was 15 seconds away from handing the winless Jets their first win of the year is far from a contender. Against the Colts, Derek Carr will protect the football first and foremost. Carr has completed 68 percent of his passes in 2020, and he has been much more aggressive downfield this season with the likes of Nelson Agholor, Henry Ruggs, and Darren Waller on the perimeter. Without Josh Jacobs for the second consecutive week, the Raiders will need to rely on the passing game to beat the fifth ranked defense in the league. If the Raiders can extend drives consistently with Waller over the middle, and find Agholor or Ruggs on the deep ball, they can win.
The Colts took care of business against the Raiders, but it wasn't always pretty. Deshaun Watson picked Indy's defense to pieces for 60 minutes, and the Colts were a botched snap away from potentially losing. Philip Rivers was on the money, and he will need to be on the money again to lead the Colts to a monumental win. The reemergence of star receiver T.Y. Hilton has opened up the offense, and the likes of Michael Pittman, Jr. and Nyheim Hines are playing better and better every week. The Colts are built to dominate on offense against the Raiders defense which was carved by the Jets a week ago. They should not struggle extending drives or scoring points, but the X-factor is the Colts defensive line. Disrupting Derek Carr in the pocket could tip the scales in their favor.
The loser of this contest will not be out of the running, but this has the makings of a playoff game. Both teams really need to win this game. In what should be a high scoring affair, the Colts are in better shape to pull out of Vegas with the win. Derek Carr will make one too many mistakes, and the balanced Colts offense will make enough game-changing plays.
Prediction: Colts 30, Raiders 24
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| Jets @ Seahawks |
The Seahawks are fizzing out. Ever since their 5-0 start, the Seahawks have lost 4 of their last 7, including a shock loss to Colt McCoy's Giants. Teams are finding ways to slow down Russell Wilson, and the offense is cooling after scoring 34 points per game in their 5-0 start. But they are set up to rebound against the winless Jets, and regain their offensive mojo going into the playoffs. Wilson will look in D.K. Metcalf's direction all day long, and he is poised to dominate Jets secondary. The Seahawks would also be wise to start leaning on the ground game with Cris Carson healthy. Going into January, the Seahawks need to diversify their offense as best they can to keep opposing defenses on their toes.
Don't let the Jets record fool you. Despite their 0-12 campaign, the Jets have been competitive in the second half of the season. They were in position to win a week ago if former Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams blitzed 4 fewer players on Derek Carr' Hail Mary pass to Henry Ruggs. That being said, their West Coast trip to Seattle is treacherous. Sam Darnold is facing an improving Seahawks defense, and the Jets defense will be tasked with slowing down Russell Wilson. The formula for the Jets rests on takeaways, and a standout performance from Darnold. Stealing extra possessions will be decisive, and Darnold needs to catch every break he can with his shorthanded supporting cast. Denzel Mims will not be available for the Jets due to personal reasons, which puts the likes of Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman in the spotlight. The Jets need to muster big plays down the field and keep up with Wilson, otherwise it will be another long day.
This one will not be close. The Seahawks may have to dig themselves out of a funk and take slower to find their grove, but they will win decisively.
Prediction: Jets 9, Seahawks 27
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| Saints @ Eagles |
Jalen Hurts will be making his first career start on Sunday against the number one defense in the NFL. Again, a rookie quarterback is debuting against the number one defense in the NFL. The Eagles are hoping to harness the same spark Hurts brought the offense when Carson Wentz was benched, but the same issues remain even with Hurts. The Eagles offensive line has allowed the most sacks in the NFL this season, and a quarterback change will not change that. Hurts is faster than Wentz and can buy time in the pocket, but the Saints will bring the house on blitz packages all afternoon that could overwhelm the rookie. The Eagles rank 29th in yards per game on offense. Doug Pederson will need to be creative in his play-calling to extend drives and score in the red zone.
Taysom Hill will make his fourth career start against the Eagles, which could be his toughest test yet. In two games against the Falcons, Hill played admirably. But on the road against the Broncos, he was unwatchable. Hill will need to rely on the ground game all afternoon, and lean on Alvin Kamara. The Saints totaled 207 rushing yards a week ago, and a similar output against the Eagles would be more than enough. That being said, the Saints cannot ignore the passing game. With Darius Slay questionable for Sunday, Michael Thomas is a prime target for a breakout game. Thomas has steadily improved his performances in the second half of the season, and his involvement will stretch the Eagles secondary out thinner than it can go. A fast start will be decisive as well for New Orleans. Keeping Jalen Hurts in a deficit will increase his sense of urgency, and opens the door for blitz packages, confusing looks on defense, and a myriad of turnovers.
It will take more than a spark from Hurts to see this game through. Don't be surprised if Doug Pederson throws Wentz back out to generate another spark, but the Saints are far and away the better team. The scoreline will show just that.
Prediction: Saints 26, Eagles 13
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| Packers @ Lions |
Aaron Rodgers is now the frontrunner to win MVP alongside Patrick Mahomes, and he faces a reeling Lions defense in Week 14. The Packers defeated the Lions soundly in Week 2 by a scoreline of 42-21, and Packers fans should expect more of the same against the Lions. Rodgers is locked in, and is playing the best football of his career. Aaron Jones will see a heavy volume of touches as well, after totaling 130 yards on the ground against the Eagles. Jones also rushed for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Lions in their first meeting, and is poised for another breakout game against Green Bay's rivals. The Packers can dominate on the ground with Jones, or with Rodgers dropping back 40 times.
Despite the lack of a head coach, the Lions roared back in the fourth quarter to beat the Bears a week ago. Matt Stafford threw for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Detroit to a comeback win. Stafford is still a top quarterback, and will rally the troops against Rodgers and the Packers. That being said, the running game needs to improve. It has been wildly inconsistent from week to week all year long, and has made the Lions offense extremely one-dimensional. If D'Andre Swift returns this week, he will see an increased volume of carries, and the Lions can balance themselves out. Stealing the ball from Aaron Rodgers on turnovers would go a long way for Detroit, but it is going to be near impossible stop him while he's playing the way he is.
The Lions typically give the Packers a good fight, but the Packers are bound to brush the Lions aside without much of a challenge.
Prediction: Packers 35, Lions 17
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| Falcons @ Chargers |
If NFL games lasted just three quarters, the Falcons and Chargers would feature in the Super Bowl. They share the undesirable characteristic of snatching defeat at the hands of victory, and losing control of the game when they are firmly in the driver's seat. That being said, this game features an intriguing quarterback matchup.
Against opponents not named the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons are 4-1 under interim head coach Raheem Morris. The offense averages 33 points in those contests, and they played without Todd Gurley and Julio Jones in spurts as well. Jones has not practiced this week as he recovers from a hamstring injury, but the offense should be fine without him. Calvin Ridley is still a number one wideout, and the running game should take off against a Chargers defense which gives up 124 yards per game on the ground. If the Falcons score in bunches, they can put the pressure on Justin Herbert. Pressuring the rookie quarterback will critical as well, unless they allow this game to develop into a track meet.
After posting a donut against the Patriots, the Chargers have to start fast against the Falcons. The Chargers have been outscored 45-6 in the first half of their last two contests, ending their hopes for victory before the third quarter. Justin Herbert has also played like a rookie for the first time all season against the Bills and Patriots, but the Falcons defense is a great matchup for him to bounce back and regain confidence. Hebert will feed Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen all game long, and they will wear down Atlanta's defense, especially on third downs. On defense, Joey Bosa has been on a tear, and can turn up the heat on Matt Ryan. Chris Harris, Jr. is bound to match up against Calvin Ridley, and he can slow down the Falcons offense from the core if Julio Jones is inactive.
Knowing the Falcons and Chargers, this will be a back and forth contest. Even under an interim head coach, the Falcons are a better coached football team, and they have the mental fortitude to come away from SoFi Stadium with the win.
Prediction: Falcons 30, Chargers 27
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| Football Team @ 49ers |
The going has been tough for the San Francisco 49ers of Glendale, Arizona, and Josh Allen put their defense on blast on Monday night. With Jimmy Garappolo and George Kittle hoping to return in Week 16 and finish the season off with a playoff push, the 49ers must beat the Football Team. It's a must-win. But they face a top 5 defense, and Nick Mullens will need to improve from an inconsistent performance against the Bills. They cannot afford to turn the ball over, and they have to sustain drives over 60 minutes. Raheem Mostert and Jeffrey Wilson will be the focal points of the offense, but Kyle Shanahan needs to target Deebo Samuel with more frequency against Washington. Samuel was targeted zero times against the Bills in the first half, and the score became insurmountable by the time Samuel became involved. He is San Francisco's most explosive threat on offense without George Kittle, and he can change the game if the ball is in his hands.
The Washington Football Team enter Arizona riding a 3 game winning streak, including an upset win over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. With the division title at play, Washington is confident they can rattle the 49ers coming off a Josh Allen battering. However, the Football Team's offense mismatches with the 49ers sixth ranked defense. Washington ranks 26th in yards per game on offense, and they will be without Antonio Gibson, who is recovering from turf toe. Without Gibson, Washington's running game is down to J.D. McKissic, and it puts the pressure on Alex Smith to win the game with his arm. Terry McLaurin will be ready for the challenge, but role players like Cam Sims and Logan Thomas need to carry their momentum from Pittsburgh into this week to handle the 49ers stout defense.
Fans should expect a low scoring, cagey affair in the desert this week. With so much on the line for both teams, the 49ers are the favorites. Washington is falling into a trap door, and they are bound for an emotional letdown after beating the Steelers a week ago. Nick Mullens will outplay Alex Smith in a field goal contest.
Prediction: Football Team 13, 49ers 16
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| Steelers @ Bills |
Josh Allen broke through the glass ceiling on Monday night. Against a top 5 San Francisco defense, Allen scorched the NFC Champions in primetime and firmly established himself as an elite NFL quarterback. Now the Steelers are in town, along with their third ranked defense. If Allen plays the way he did last week, the Steelers are in for a horrific night in Orchard Park. Stefon Diggs is not the only threat Allen has in the passing game anymore, as Cole Beasley is having a career season. With 37 receiving yards against the Steelers, Beasley would set a new career high in yards in one season. Allen will target Beasley on third down situations, and Buffalo's creative play calling will hope to offset Pittsburgh's ferocious pass rush led by T.J. Watt. Allen and the Bills could play themselves out of the game with turnovers, which have to be avoided at all costs. The Steelers defense lead the NFL in sacks, takeaways, and points allowed per game in 2020. If the Steelers pass rush wins the line of scrimmage, there is no protection for Allen, and they will be punched in the mouth.
The Steelers are on edge. Last week, they were playing uptight, and they were caught by a mentally tougher, well-coached Football Team. The Steelers have nobody to blame but themselves for blowing a 14 point lead at home, but they can correct their errors from a week ago with play calling. The offense must regain balance with the ground game. Over the past 5 weeks, Ben Roethlisberger averages 48 passing attempts per game. This team ranks 21st in overall offense, and dropping back with a 38 year old quarterback coming off a season-ending elbow injury 50 times per contest is not a sustainable formula for winning football. Buffalo's defense struggles against the run, and James Conner's return from the COVID list could spell a much more explosive attack for the Steelers if they properly utilize the running game. It is also critical for the Steelers third ranked defense to disrupt Josh Allen. If Allen is locked in like he was against the 49ers, the Steelers have no shot. But blitz packages, collapsing the pocket, and turning the ball over will be instrumental in slowing down the Bills high-powered offense.
A Bills win could turn the AFC upside down, and they feel confident now is their time. The Bills defeated the Steelers last year on Sunday Night Football, and they will do it again this year. Josh Allen is ready for the spotlight, and he will seal another signature win on Sunday night.
Prediction: Steelers 21, Bills 26
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| Ravens @ Browns |
Since Cleveland's Week 1 defeat in Baltimore, the Browns are 9-2. The Browns rank right behind the Ravens in yards per game on the ground, and they will lean on Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt all night long. While the running backs are Cleveland's focal points on offense, Baker Mayfield showed out in his last game. Mayfield threw 4 touchdown passes against the Titans in the first half, and buried his opponents with his arm. The former number one overall pick has been inconsistent in 2020, but his production through the air could be the X-factor to beating the Ravens, and a potential deep playoff run. If the Browns start fast as they did in Tennessee, and they can bury the Ravens into an early deficit, the Ravens are not built to come from behind.
The running backs will feature heavily on Monday night in what should be a spectacular divisional game. With the spotlight shining on them, the Ravens feel like a safe bet to march into Cleveland and send a statement to the rest of the NFL. The Browns still have to prove that they can show out in primetime showdowns, and the Ravens are a safer bet than them.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Browns 21
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