2020 Week 15 Predix: Clinching Scenarios Galore

Courtesy of Steven Senne/Associated Press

Written by Sam DeCoste

Snow is falling, which means we have reached December football. Only 3 games remain in the 2020 NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is finally beginning to take shape. And while the temperature is dipping, and snowstorms are engulfing the East Coast, my Predix record is heating up. Over the past 3 weeks, I am 33-14 in picks, including my 12-4 record from Week 14. That right there is playoff caliber. It has been an up and down season for me, which started hot, and fizzled out midseason for weeks on end. But I am in playoff form, and I am hitting my stride at just the right time. 

Week 15 is headlined by a potential Super Bowl preview in New Orleans, featuring the Chiefs and the Saints. The slate also features an AFC East clash between the Patriots and Dolphins, and a Sunday Night Football affair between the playoff-ready Browns and the playoff-hopeful Giants. There are also a myriad of clinching scenarios for teams to earn their playoff tickets this weekend, including the Bills, Titans, Rams, Seahawks, and Buccaneers. There's no time to waste, so let's dive right in. Week 15, let's go!

Here are my records from this season:

Week 14 record: 12-4

Regular season record: 133-74-1

Lock of the Week record: 10-4

Chargers @ Raiders

Las Vegas' season is on life support. At 7-6, the Raiders are on the outside looking in, and they need to win out to break into the playoffs. A win over the Chargers would sweep their division rivals and move the Raiders to 8-6. Their 44-27 loss to the Colts a week ago marked the end of Paul Guenther's 3 year spell as defensive coordinator, in hopes of revitalizing the defense with 3 games left in the regular season. The Raiders allowed 456 yards of offense to the Colts, and 150 points in their last 4 games. This is forcing Derek Carr into uncomfortable situations, mainly playing from behind, and keeping pace in shootouts. Carr is a game manager, and he cannot keep the Raiders in shootouts in the playoffs. With Josh Jacobs back, the Raiders can roll with the ground game and settle Carr down under center. Jacobs can open up the play-action game with Nelson Agholor and Darren Waller. With Henry Ruggs on the COVID list, the Raiders role players on offense need to step up to outscore an electrifying Chargers offense. 

Since Week 12, Justin Herbert has played like a rookie. The Rookie of the Year favorite has thrown 4 interceptions and posted an average quarterback rating of 71.5. Herbert is in a slump, but the Raiders defense is the perfect opportunity to bounce back. Herbert threw for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns in his Week 9 performance against the Raiders, and a similar output could be enough for the Chargers to pull off an upset. The Chargers offense will lean on screen passes to Austin Ekeler, and short hitches to Keenan Allen to churn the clock and assert their control on the contest. As long as Herbert protects the football, and if the offense can harness the mojo they had at midseason, the Chargers will move the ball with ease against the Raiders defense. They will need to win on third down and red zone situations as well, and collapse the pocket on Derek Carr to force him to turn the ball over. 

It's put up or shut up time for the Raiders. They handled the Chargers in a close one in Week 9, and they are set up to do it again. But Justin Herbert will remind the nation that he is the Offensive Rookie of the Year in the process.

Prediction: Chargers 24, Raiders 28

Bills @ Broncos

The Buffalo Bills sent shockwaves across the NFL on Sunday night. Their 26-15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers firmly asserts them as a Super Bowl contender in the AFC, and Josh Allen as an MVP candidate. They have a chance to make history on Saturday with a win, which would seal their first AFC East title since 1995. The Bills have shown this season they can win games in multiple ways, without Allen passing for 350 yards per game. Allen was not at his best against the Steelers, but his strong second half performance was electrifying and dependable when he needed to be. Going into the playoffs, the Bills will look to lean on the ground game early and establish a multi-dimensional attack with Zach Moss and Devin Singletary. A strong ground game opens up for an unstoppable play-action attack, and for Stefon Diggs to dominate Denver's secondary without A.J. Bouye. The Bills have too many weapons for Denver to worry about, which includes John Brown coming off the injured reserve list. Diggs, Brown, and Cole Beasley will roam wild in Denver on Saturday, and Josh Allen is poised for another stellar performance.

It goes without saying that Drew Lock is coming off the best game of his young NFL career. Against the Panthers, the second year quarterback completed 21 of 27 pass attempts for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Broncos were also able to shut the door on the Panthers and hold on for their 5th win of 2020. That being said, a mediocre rushing attack will not cut it against a revitalized Bills defense which allowed 224 yards of offense to the Steelers a week ago. The Broncos must feed Philip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon to wear down Buffalo's defensive line and let Lock stretch their secondary thin with the speedy duo of Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. The Broncos have a sneaky explosive offense, and they can disrupt the Bills defense if their quarterback is on target. But Lock has been intercepted 13 times this season, and the Broncos can ill afford to feed Josh Allen more possessions. 

On paper, this is a lopsided contest. But the Broncos will be ecstatic to play spoiler to the playoff-bound Bills, who are looking to win the division title once and for all. That being said, the Bills are playing their best football. The Broncos will not have an answer for Josh Allen. 

Prediction: Bills 29, Broncos 16

Panthers @ Packers

Another week, another vintage Aaron Rodgers performance. The MVP favorite tossed 4 more touchdowns in a 31-24 win over the Lions, and he faces a Panthers defense which was toasted by the turnover-savvy Drew Lock. It will be a breakout afternoon for Davante Adams once again, who has caught 23 balls for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns in his last 3 games. Adams has also scored a league high 14 touchdowns in the NFL this season, and has scored at least once in 8 straight games. Adams is the focal point of Green Bay's second ranked offense in the NFL this season, and Rodgers is poised to pick Carolina's secondary to pieces. Aaron Jones is there to compliment the passing game from the backfield, but the Packers may not even need him. Most of Jones' touches will come in the second half when the Packers are winning by double digits.

It appears Christian McCaffrey will not suit up Saturday against the Packers, meaning the Panthers will have to go on once again without their most talented player on offense. The Panthers would be wise to shut him down with 3 games left, but there is a possibility for his return next week. On defense, the Panthers must turn the tide with turnovers. The Panthers defense has allowed 106 points in their last 4 games, and they were shredded by Drew Lock in Week 14. Aaron Rodgers is inevitably going to have his way, and the defense needs to find ways to steal possessions from him to give Teddy Bridgewater extra chances to score. The Panthers offense is explosive in their own right, but they are much more methodical in their approach. They need to churn the clock out and keep Rodgers on the sideline consistently, convert on every third down, and punch the ball in when they reach the red zone every time. 

Rodgers and the Packers will be licking their lips at this matchup. It will take a complete performance from the Panthers to keep this one close, but they will not have enough. Go Pack Go. 

Prediction: Panthers 14, Packers 34

Seahawks @ Football Team

There's no better cure to a struggling football team than a clash against the 2020 New York Jets. After a 40-3 win over the Jets, the Seahawks face one of their toughest tests of the season in a potential playoff preview. Washington boasts the number four defense in the NFL, and they rank 3rd in passing defense. The Seahawks have to protect Russell Wilson to have any chance, and keep him clean against Washington's ferocious pass rush. Washington ranks 4th in the NFL in sacks on the year, and they will chase down Wilson all afternoon. The Seahawks can offset the pass rush with a strong running game led by Cris Carson, and finding Tyler Lockett on play-action. D.K. Metcalf has cooled down lately, but he is a top deep threat in the NFL, and the Washington corners do not match up with him in any way. Wilson will target Metcalf all game, and he can sway the game in Seattle's favor if Wilson has enough time to find him.

The Football Team is optimistic that Alex Smith will play, who exited Washington's Week 14 win over the 49ers early. For Washington to pull off the win, the quarterback needs to be healthy. They need to score points, punch the ball in the end zone as opposed to kick field goals, and convert on third down. J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber will be busy early, and Ron Rivera will hope the rushing attack thrives against the Seahawks defense. But the quarterback is the difference maker in a game like this one. Whether Alex Smith or Dwayne Haskins starts, they will need to stretch the field. The likes of Terry McLaurin, Cam Sims, and Logan Thomas are all capable of paying Seattle's defense pay. But even if Smith is active, he has not proven he can be trusted to throw throw the ball when the ground game isn't working.

Offense wins in 2020. If Washington's offense can consistently push the ball downfield against Seattle's defense, and batter Russell Wilson for 60 minutes, the Football Team has a great shot. But we have reached crunch time, and the Seahawks can be trusted in a must-win game more so than their opponents this week. It will be a nail-biter.

Prediction: Seahawks 20, Football Team 14

Patriots @ Dolphins

There are no moral victories in the NFL, but the Dolphins can be proud of forcing 4 turnovers against the Super Bowl champs a week ago. That being said, the Dolphins offense did not put up a fight. They could not move the ball until the fourth quarter, but by then, it was too late. The Dolphins need to start fast and boost Tagovailoa and the offense's confidence early on. It will be difficult with Miami's injuries, as Myles Gaskin, Mike Geisicki, DeVante Parker, and Jakeem Grant each questionable for Week 15. Those are pivotal game changers for the Dolphins offense, and if any of them are absent against the Patriots, Tagovailoa will be thrown into a raging fire named Bill Belichick's defense. The Dolphins defense is poised to extend their takeaway streak and steal a possession from Cam Newton, but it may take one or two defensive touchdowns and a stellar special teams performance to overcome the offensive injuries and inexperience. 

The AFC East is officially outside of New England's grasp this season, snapping an 11 year run for the Patriots. Their season is on life support at this point, and the best they can achieve is playing spoiler for Miami or Buffalo. While the Patriots traditionally struggle in Miami, the Dolphins are battling quite the injury bug this week. The Patriots can capitalize and catch the Dolphins reeling with a number of key positions questionable. In their Week 1 meeting, the Patriots rolled to a 21-11 win in Cam Newton's debut. The Patriots totaled 217 rushing yards in the opener, and it will take a similar tally this time around to play upset. Cam Newton will not change the game with his arm, but he can escape the pocket and make it a long day for the Dolphins defense if he finds space. On the other side, Bill Belichick will be ready to fluster Miami's rookie quarterback. Just two weeks ago, the Patriots shut out the Chargers led by Justin Herbert, and they will have a plan in place to confuse and pressure Tua Tagovailoa for 60 minutes. 

Miami's injuries are concerning, and Tagovailoa is in for his stiffest test yet as an NFL quarterback. Considering what the Patriots did to Rookie of the Year favorite Justin Herbert, it is unfathomable to imagine Tagovailoa escaping this game unscathed. It will be ugly, but the Patriots will prevail in a one-score contest.

Prediction: Patriots 20, Dolphins 13

Texans @ Colts

The Colts put on a clinic against the Raiders last week. Philip Rivers was dishing all day, Jonathan Taylor frolicked all afternoon, and T.Y. Hilton carved the defense to pieces. The likes of Taylor and Hilton have been very quiet this season, but they are heating up at just the right time, and they are delivering. The Colts have achieved a level of balance on their team, with a strong ground game and a trending aerial attack, and their elite defense. Taylor, Nyheim Hines, and Jordan Wilkins are a prolific backfield trio that can control any game, and they can control the line of scrimmage all day against the 31st ranked rushing defense in the Texans. Philip Rivers will not be too busy with the running game expected to take off for Indy, and he just needs to be on the money when he dials up Hilton and Michael Pittman, Jr. on a deep ball. 

Houston's season is over. Their loss to the Bears in Week 14 eliminated them from playoff contention with 3 games to go. With a quarter season of football left, the Texans have nothing to lose. They can play loose, be daring, and play spoiler against their divisional opponent. The Texans were a botched snap away from possibly beating the Colts 2 games ago, and they feel confident they can disrupt Indy's rhythm. Protecting Deshaun Watson is top priority. The Texans allowed 7 sacks to the Bears, and they cannot afford to let Watson take as many hits as he has week to week. David Johnson is unlikely to be back in time after being placed on the COVID list, which leaves Greg Howell, Jr. as the lead tailback. The ground game is going to stall, and Watson will need to deliver with his arm all game long. But the Colts defense ranks 6th in yards allowed this season, and they battered Watson 5 times in the firs meeting.

Deshaun Watson gives the Texans every chance to win when he is on the field, but the Texans have nothing to play for. The Colts have their sights set on a playoff spot, and they will not waver. 

Prediction: Texans 9, Colts 24

Bears @ Vikings

A pair of 6-7 NFC North squads take the field in Minneapolis desperate for a win. The winner will keep pace with the Arizona Cardinals right in front of them, but the loser will be staring playoff elimination in the eyes at 6-8. 

Chicago bucked their losing streak at last a week ago against Houston in dominant fashion. Mitchell Trubisky threw 3 touchdown passes, the ground game totaled 169 yards, and the Bears defense sacked Deshaun Watson 4 times. That'll do. That will have to do against the Vikings as well. Trubisky will need to carry his momentum from a week ago and maintain his production to keep pace with the Vikings. A strong ground game is paramount as well, but the Vikings are not as promising a matchup as the Texans were a week ago. David Montgomery ran wild against a Texans defense which gives up an average of 152 yards per game on the ground. The Vikings are considerably stiffer, as is the rest of the NFL at that. They also have to shut down Justin Jefferson, who has emerged as the best rookie wideout in football. Kirk Cousins will target him all game long, after he caught 10 balls for 135 yards in their win over the Bears 5 games ago. 

The Vikings handled the Bears in Week 11, and they feel confident they can complete the sweep. To do so, they need to protect Kirk Cousins, and ride with Dalvin Cook. Against Tampa Bay's stiff defense against the run, Cook totaled over 100 yards and scored a touchdown. Cook is an electrifying back capable of changing the game by himself, and Cousins needs to feed him as much as possible. Cousins can also rely on Justin Jefferson and Adam Theilen on the perimeter, and they can stretch Chicago's secondary out. Minnesota's offensive production will be crucial to keeping the Bears offense at bay on the other side, and forcing Mitchell Trubisky to beat them with his arm. 

There is no room left for error, and the Bears and Vikings know it. This should be a dog fight for 60 minutes, but the Vikings will win when it's all said and done. Mitchell Trubisky will make one costly mistake too many, and Dalvin Cook will frolic against the Bears defense all afternoon.

Prediction: Bears 17, Vikings 23

Buccaneers @ Falcons

Entering Week 15, the Buccaneers are still configuring their identity on offense. At this point, they just need to win. Against the Falcons, the Bucs can experiment and fiddle with the offense a bit more than usual, because Atlanta ranks 28th in total defense. It is the perfect time for Tom Brady to refine his deep ball, which has been inconsistent all year. Brady can afford to spread the ball out, but he must also be careful and avoid forcing a pass in to Antonio Brown or Mike Evans just to feed his best weapons. Bruce Arians will want to throw the deep ball all afternoon, but the Bucs are strong on the ground. Ronald Jones is questionable to play with a fractured pinky, but the Bucs can still lean on Leonard Forunette, and even LeSean McCoy if they choose to integrate him as they did against the Vikings.

Matt Ryan faces Tom Brady for the second time since Atlanta's Super Bowl "incident" after a horrid Week 14 performance. Ryan turned the ball over 3 times against the Chargers, costing the Falcons a win in the dying moments. It was an uncharacteristic performance from the veteran quarterback, who atypically lets his team down. The running game will be prioritized to help Ryan settle down after last week, and the Falcons will lean on Brian Hill and Todd Gurley at the outset. The return of Julio Jones would be decisive for Atlanta, and would set Ryan up to give Tampa's defense fits. But the Buccaneers allow just 81 yards per game on the ground, which ranks top in the NFL. The Falcons may find the ground game stifled early on, and throw Ryan out to do it all on his own in the second half. That would be worst-case scenario for the Falcons, considering the Bucs have sacked opposing quarterbacks 40 times this season, which ranks 4th in the NFL.

As long as the Bucs stop Brian Hill and Todd Gurley, this game will be over quickly. Bucs win. 

Prediction: Buccaneers 26, Falcons 16

Lions @ Titans

It's Derrick Henry season. The NFL's rushing leader steamrolled the Jaguars for 215 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, and is looking to win back-to-back rushing titles with a strong finish to the 2020 campaign. Henry is poised for another standout performance against Detroit's 29th ranked rushing defense. Titans fans should expect more of the same as a week ago when the Titans ran the ball 40 times against the Jaguars. The Titans will not steer away from the ground game as long as it is working, but it will be important to integrate the passing game frequently on third downs to keep Ryan Tannehill fresh, and to let A.J. Brown go to work against the Lions defensive backs. Against the Lions, the Titans can let Henry carry the ball 30 times and win comfortably. But the Titans would be wise to keep the offense as mutli-dimensional as possible with the postseason on the horizon. 

Matt Stafford is trending towards missing this week's contest against the Titans. The veteran signal caller suffered damage to his ribs cartilage against the Packers, and the Lions are pessimistic he will be ready to go against the Titans. Chase Daniel will make the start if Stafford is not healthy, and he will be thrown right back into the fire. The Lions offensive line has allowed 37 sacks this season, which ranks as the 7th most in the NFL. Daniel needs protection in the pocket to find Marvin Jones and T.J. Hockenson, otherwise this contest will unravel in a hurry. With D'Andre Swift back from his own injury, the Lions need to feed him. Swift is an electrifying back, and the Lions tend to ignore the running game when they find themselves trailing this season. The ground game must be established from the outset to keep pace with Derrick Henry on the other sideline, but the Titans will look to shut him down and force Daniel to beat them with his arm. 

Tennessee's path to the playoffs is a gold brick road, especially against a Stafford-less Lions squad. The Titans will win comfortably, and Derrick Henry fantasy owners will feast. 

Prediction: Lions 10, Titans 31

Jaguars @ Ravens

Just 6 days removed from the wildest win of 2020, the Ravens are back in action. Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to win for the ages against the Browns in a Monday Night Football classic, and he faces a Jaguars squad which has lost 12 straight. The Jaguars rank 32nd in yards allowed this season, so the Ravens should be able to pull off whatever they want on offense, whether it is through the air or on the ground. The Ravens still rank number one in rushing offense this season, so it is expected that the Ravens will stick with what has worked. Jackson ran for 124 yards and 2 scores against the Browns, and he will look for more of the same this week. Over the course of the season, Jackson is reverting back to quick reads and tucking the ball if his first read is not open, making for an increasing load for Jackson's carries. While it worked last week, it is an unsustainable winning formula. The Ravens need to spread the wealth to Marquise Brown, Willie Snead, and Mark Andrews and take pressure away from the ground game going into the playoffs. Considering Jacksonville's defensive ranking, there is no better week for experimentation on offense for the Ravens than this one. 

After a 7 week hiatus, Gardner Minshew returns for the Jacksonville Jaguars and will start against the Baltimore Ravens. It is hard to remember, but Minshew was playing at a high level in the first half of the season. Minshew threw 14 touchdown passes to just 5 interceptions in 8 games. With 3 games to go, Minshew is fighting for a spot on the roster, and possibly for his trade value. He faces a daunting Ravens defense with a formidable pass rush, a young and speedy linebacking core, and a shutdown secondary. If Minshew can extend plays with his legs, and his receivers can come down with contested catches, the Jaguars can give the Ravens trouble. The Jaguars must still lean on James Robinson, who is their best player this season. 

If the Jaguars start fast, and Minshew is at his best, this one will be fun to watch. But the Ravens are far superior, and they are gearing up for their playoff push. Ravens win. 

Prediction: Jaguars 13, Ravens 27

49ers @ Cowboys

The Cowboys' playoff hopes are still alive, but just barely. They took care of business against the Bengals, and they kept Brandon Allen in check for 60 minutes. But the 49ers are not the Bengals. Even when the 49ers are not at full health, they still match up well with the Cowboys defense. The pressure is on Andy Dalton this week to put the offense on his back against San Francisco's 5th ranked defense in yards allowed. It would be wise of the Cowboys not to steer away from the running game as they have all season long. Ezekiel Elliott has 12 carries or fewer in 2 of his last 3 games, and has fewer than 50 yards in each contest as well. The Cowboys are one-dimensional when they stop running the ball. Without a strong ground game, Andy Dalton is stranded. He needs the protection from the 49ers pass rush to stay upright and find CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper in space. 

There is virtually nothing left to play for in San Francisco. At 5-8, the playoffs are a mathematical impossibility. But they have the means to spoil the party for Dallas. The Cowboys are the worst defense in the NFL against the run, and that is San Francisco's bread and butter. Raheem Mostert will be the focal point of the 49ers game plan this week, and he could see a breakout performance. Jeff Wilson will carry the ball over 10 times as well and play a change of pace role to Mostert. The ground game can flourish against the Cowboys defense, and set up Nick Mullens to burn them on play-action. With Deebo Samuel out for the season, Brandon Aiyuk steps in as the WR1. Aiyuk caught 10 balls against Washington last week, and he will see a similar volume of targets against the Cowboys. Along with Aiyuk, the 49ers role players on offense need to step up and make plays of their own against a horrid Cowboys defense to make up for Samuel's absence. 

A Cowboys defeat virtually seals their playoff elimination. They have the means to beat a hampered 49ers squad, but the road team is significantly better coached, and much stingier on defense. Niners win.

Prediction: 49ers 23, Cowboys 15

Eagles @ Cardinals

The Cardinals halted their 3 game skid with an impressive win on the road against the Giants, and their season is back on track. They face the Eagles in a game they need to win with the Vikings breathing down on their necks. The Cardinals can attribute their Week 14 win to their defense, which sacked Giants quarterbacks 8 times. If the Cardinals pass rush is as explosive as that against the Eagles, it will be a long day for rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts. On the other side, Kyler Murray has to improve. Murray struggled against the Giants in situational football, and could not integrate weapons in the offense not named DeAndre Hopkins. Murray needs to stretch Philly's defense as much as he can, with Hopkins being guarded by Darius Slay. The Cardinals need to diversify their aerial attack to beat the Eagles, and to keep defenses honest if they make it to the playoffs. 

Doug Pederson wanted to generate a spark for the Eagles, and he certainly did by naming Jalen Hurts the starting quarterback. The Eagles defeated the Saints, then riding a 9 game winning streak, and controlled the game for 60 minutes. Hurts was accurate, extended plays with his legs, and delivered when he was counted on. The ground game exploded as well, totaling 246 yards on the day. They will hope to produce a similar output against the Cardinals, one of the most explosive scoring units in football. Hurts under center embodies a noteworthy transition for Philly's offensive identity, that of a run-first football team. The Eagles will lean on the run-pass option all game long, and test Arizona's rushing defense all afternoon. On defense, the Eagles need to keep Kyler Murray inside the pocket and force him to beat them with his arm. They will need to deliver with key takeaways as well, to feed Hurts more possessions in shorter fields to give the Eagles the best chance to win on the road.

Jalen Hurts impressed in his first career start, but he may not be able to replicate that type of performance consistently. The Cardinals will be ready to slow Hurts down. This is my Lock of the Week.

Prediction: Eagles 17, Cardinals 24

Jets @ Rams

Running the football and playing great defense is the perfect formula to win Super Bowls. The Rams are built to win in January, and they are humming at just the right time. While Jared Goff was not spectacular against the Patriots, the running game was. Rookie Cam Akers has overtaken Darrell Henderson as the top back in Los Angeles, and Sean McVay is bound to ride the hot hand going against the Jets. That being said, the Rams could spread the wealth between Akers and Henderson, then let Goff eat on play-action. The Rams are built to control this game comfortably, with Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods as reliable third down targets. Whether Goff drops back 50 times or the running backs combine for 50 carries, the Rams will roll.

As horrible as 2020 has been for the New York Jets, their 40-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks may have plummeted them to rock bottom. The Jets amassed 185 yards of offense, and their offense did not stand a chance. Russell Wilson dominated the game on the other side of the ball, which was extremely predictable. The Jets have a chance to slow down the Rams offense if they collapse the pocket on Jared Goff, who is the weak link of that unit. But if they can't stop the run with Cam Akers surging, the Jets will be dominated once again, and it will be the same old story. But there are only 3 games left for the Jets to avert infamy by a winning just one game and avoid 0-16. The players need to dig deep and fight if they want to flip the script on a winless season.

This is the most lopsided mismatch of Week 15. The Rams will win big. 

Prediction: Jets 0, Rams 37

Chiefs @ Saints

The Chiefs spotted the Dolphins a 10 point lead in Week 14 before steamrolling Miami's secondary. Even in a game when Patrick Mahomes turned the ball over 3 times, the Chiefs were in firm control against a worthy playoff opponent. That being said, Mahomes will not turn the ball over 3 times again this week. The Chiefs do not beat themselves, and they will protect the ball. They will also overwhelm the Saints defense with their speed and explosiveness at every level. Travis Kelce leads the NFL in receiving yards as a tight end, and he will be the quarterback's primary read on every snap. Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, and Mecole Hardman will stretch New Orleans' secondary all game, and the Saints will struggle to contain all of them. Even going up against the NFL's number two ranked defense, the Chiefs stack up with any defense in football. The only way the Chiefs lose is if the Saints outscore them, but nobody can outscore the Chiefs, and certainly not the Saints. 

The Taysom Hill experience has been up and down, up against teams named the Atlanta Falcons, and down against the rest. Drew Brees is trending towards making his return from injury against the Chiefs, which elevates New Orleans to a much higher level tan with Hill under center. But even though Brees is a natural passer, his arm strength is shot, and he is not the same quarterback he was even two seasons ago. To keep up with the Chiefs, the game plan needs to revolve around Alvin Kamara. The star tailback has cooled down since Brees hurt his ribs, and the Saints have lacked an explosiveness as a unit since. Kamara needs to touch the ball 20 times to give the Saints a chance to keep up on the scoreboard. Michael Thomas needs to dominate the contest as well, and whoever quarterbacks needs to feed him consistently. On offense, the Saints need to score on virtually every possession, and hope the defense can fluster Patrick Mahomes even just a little bit. 

Barring the defensive performance of the year, and a miraculous MVP performance from whoever quarterbacks for the Saints, the Chiefs will win in flying colors. The Chiefs will move to 13-1, but the Saints will keep within one score, as Chiefs opponents have been able to do in their last 5 games.

Prediction: Chiefs 33, Saints 26

Browns @ Giants

The primetime Browns are back in the national spotlight for the second consecutive week, looking to win their 10th game of the year in New Jersey against the Giants. As heartbreaking a defeat the Browns suffered against the Ravens in a Monday Night classic, the Browns proved they have what it takes to win in the playoffs. The Browns can win in a multitude of ways, and they can rely on Baker Mayfield to deliver in the crucial moments. Going against a surging Giants defense will be a challenge for the Browns, and they will look to slow down New York's pass rush to keep Mayfield upright. But the ground game will be the great equalizer for the Browns. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combined for 115 yards on the ground in Week 14, and they will be Cleveland's driving force all night. The Giants defense ranks 7th against the run, and they will feel confident they can slow Cleveland's rushing attack down. But the Browns won't be scared one bit. Their multi-dimensional attack with Chubb and Hunt, compiled with a surging passing attack, should be more than enough against the Giants defense.

Daniel Jones returned from injury against the Cardinals a week ago, but he was not the same player. Jones couldn't move the way he has all season, and his immobility from the pocket saw him take 8 sacks. Jones is questionable against the Browns, but the Giants will make every effort to help him recover in time for Sunday night. Cleveland's defense can be picked apart and exploited with a strong game plan. The attack begins with Wayne Gallman, who has ascended into a prolific running back this season. On the outside, the Giants have weapons who can stretch the field if their quarterback is upright. The Browns average 33 points in their last 4 games, and the Giants could easily find themselves in a shootout in which they must keep up the pace. On defense, the Giants need to contain Chubb and Hunt to a degree which forces Mayfield to win the game with his arm. If the Giants can force the Browns out of balance on offense, Cleveland's rhythm can be disrupted. 

In a high stakes game with significant playoff ramifications, the Browns are considerable favorites. Cleveland's high octane rushing attack is built to overwhelm the Giants all night long and lead the Browns to their 10th win of the year. 

Prediction: Browns 27, Giants 17

Steelers @ Bengals

The wheels are falling off Pittsburgh's 2020 season. With the postseason beckoning, the Steelers are playing their worst football of the season, particularly on offense. In 5 of their last 8 games, the Steelers have under 50 yards rushing, and they have lost their last 2 games. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has attempted 521 passes this season, which leads the NFL. With 3 games to go, the Steelers need to restore balance into their offense by reintroducing James Conner into the fold. Every Steelers Super Bowl win in their history can be attributed to a strong ground game complimented by prolific defense. The Steelers defense will deliver, they have not been the problem the past 2 weeks. They lead the NFL in sacks, takeaways, and they allow the fewest yards and points per game. They will contain whoever is quarterbacking for the Bengals, but the offense needs to hold up their end of the bargain going into the playoffs.

Brandon Allen is day to day with a knee injury, but he will start if healthy according to head coach Zac Taylor. Truthfully, the Bengals are far off the caliber of the Pittsburgh Steelers, even if they are riding a losing streak. The quarterback situation without Joe Burrow is cringeworthy, the running game has been stifled by Cincinnati's opponents, and the defense can't stop a cold. The Bengals defensive backs do not match up well with the Steelers receiving core, which is loaded with home-run threats. While Cincinnati boasts their own talented receiving core, the Bengals have one of the worst offensive lines in the game. The Bengals have allowed 46 sacks this season, second-most in the NFL, and Burrow was sacked 4 times against the Steelers in their first meeting this season. Whether Allen or Ryan Finley starts for Cincy, they will be running for their lives all night long. 

Pittsburgh is perfectly set up to bounce back from their December skid against Cincinnati. The Steelers could win big, but their offensive woes may keep the scoreline lower than others expect.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Bengals 10