Thursday Night Football: Commanders @ Eagles 7:15PM (Prime)

The Washington Commanders will look to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the Steelers last week, which came down to a late offsides penalty that sealed the game and handed Washington just its third loss of the season. A key challenge for the Commanders in this matchup will be containing the Eagles’ rushing attack; Washington’s defense has struggled against the run, allowing an average of 4.9 yards per carry to running backs—the fourth-worst mark in the league.

The Eagles, meanwhile, rolled to a 34-6 victory over a shorthanded Cowboys team, though it took longer than expected to pull away. Philadelphia’s offense proved too much for Dallas, with both the ground game and passing attack contributing two touchdowns apiece. One area of concern, however, was the five sacks allowed on Jalen Hurts’ 22 pass attempts.

After a rocky start to the season, the Eagles have found their stride, winning five straight games and positioning themselves to widen the gap between them and Washington. While not at their 2022 level of dominance, Philadelphia’s defense has improved, ranking in the top five for both rushing and passing yards allowed, and surrendering only 17.9 points per game. For Washington to pull off an upset, it will require a strong defensive performance and another stellar showing from quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Prediction 28-23 Eagles

 

Sunday Noon Window

Packers @ Bears (FOX)

The Chicago Bears are struggling. Before their recent bye week, some still held hope for the team, but tougher competition has laid bare their flaws. Although the Bears’ defense is solid, it hasn’t been able to cover for an offense that’s failing to produce, especially against stronger opponents. Quarterback Caleb Williams has shown little development, and with the recent firing of their offensive coordinator, the Bears face a daunting task against a Packers team known for forcing turnovers.

The Packers, coming off a tough loss to the Lions, may benefit from their bye week, as fans hope quarterback Jordan Love used the time to address his costly turnovers. While Green Bay’s defense may not be “elite,” it’s solid enough to keep the Bears’ offense contained—especially if they avoid giving up big plays.

This game is critical for the Packers, who hold the NFC’s seventh seed with the 49ers just one game behind. For the Bears to have a chance, they’ll need Love to make mistakes that set up easy scoring opportunities. Expect the Packers to emphasize their ground game to control the tempo and limit errors.

Prediction: 24-13 Packers

 

Jaguars @ Lions (CBS)

The Detroit Lions managed to escape Houston with a hard-fought 26-23 victory last week, despite Jared Goff throwing five interceptions that likely derailed his MVP hopes. Still, Goff made key plays when it mattered, and credit goes to the Lions’ defense, which held strong under pressure, keeping the Texans to under 24 points despite five extra possessions. This week, they’ll face a struggling Jaguars team coming off a 12-7 loss to the Vikings.

While the Jaguars’ defense has been inconsistent this season, they put in an impressive performance against Minnesota, holding them to 12 points and intercepting Sam Darnold three times. With Trevor Lawrence still sidelined, Mac Jones will start again and face a Lions defense ranked first in quarterback rating allowed.

For the Jaguars to have any chance, their defense will need another inspired showing. However, given Mac Jones’ struggles and inability to perform at an NFL level over recent seasons, it’s difficult to see Jacksonville pulling off a win without exceptional defensive support.

Prediction: 33-13 Lions

 

Vikings @ Titans (CBS)

Sam Darnold’s three-interception outing against the Jaguars would typically spell disaster, but thanks to a resilient Vikings defense and Jacksonville’s offensive struggles, Minnesota emerged with a win, improving to 7-2 and staying firmly in the NFC North race. After four straight nail-biters, Vikings fans are hoping for a smoother performance this week to ease their nerves.

The Titans, on the other hand, have been a major disappointment. Expected to contend for an AFC Wild Card spot, Tennessee has struggled, with Will Levis failing to develop as hoped and ranking among the league’s poorest-performing starters. Meanwhile, the Titans’ defense appears worn down, allowing 27 or more points in three of their last four games.

For the Vikings, the game plan is straightforward: avoid red-zone turnovers and bring heavy pressure on Levis. Red-zone miscues nearly cost them against Jacksonville, and if they can put up at least 24 points, it’s unlikely Tennessee’s offense—whether led by Levis or Mason Rudolph—will be able to keep up.

Prediction: 26-10 Vikings

 

Raiders @ Dolphins (CBS)

If you’re looking to place a small wager on a team with a losing record to make a playoff push, the Miami Dolphins might be worth considering. Despite sitting at 3-6 and in 10th place in the AFC playoff race, they could easily be 5-4 if not for back-to-back walk-off losses on field goals. While the Dolphins are not without flaws, a 9-8 record might be enough to secure the seventh seed, so winning this game is crucial for keeping their hopes alive.

The Las Vegas Raiders, on the other hand, are struggling. Once touted as having one of the league’s toughest defenses, they’ve allowed 27 points in four of their last five games, while their offense has failed to surpass 21 points in four of those outings. Maxx Crosby continues to shine as an All-Pro-caliber talent, but he’s one of the few bright spots on a team that seems largely uninspired.

Although I have some doubts about Mike McDaniel as a head coach, he has the offensive creativity to exploit a vulnerable Raiders defense. Unfortunately for Las Vegas, their team often looks disorganized and unmotivated—a letdown for fans who hoped for a spark with Antonio Pierce being named as head coach.

Prediction 27-14 Dolphins

 

Rams @ Patriots (FOX)

The Patriots have gone from easy prey to an unexpectedly pesky opponent since naming rookie Drake Maye their starting quarterback. The former North Carolina standout is still a work in progress, and while he hasn’t transformed New England’s offense into a powerhouse, he’s injected some much-needed optimism in Foxborough. Aside from a rough two-week stretch against the Texans and Jaguars, the Patriots’ defense has been consistently strong, giving their young quarterback a shot to compete each week.

This week, they face a Rams team eager to claw back to .500 after a lackluster Monday night loss to the Dolphins. Ironically, the Rams entered that game healthier than they’d been all season, only to deliver a dismal performance, failing to convert any of their three red-zone trips into touchdowns. Still, the Rams’ defense has been trending upward, holding their last four opponents to under 24 points.

The key factor in this matchup will be New England’s pass rush. They sacked Caleb Williams nine times last week, but the question is whether that was a standout performance or a one-off against a vulnerable offensive line. The Rams will be banking on the latter as they aim to improve on third downs after converting just three of twelve attempts against Miami. Execution on critical downs will be essential if Los Angeles hopes to come away with the win.

Prediction: 21-20 Rams

 

Browns @ Saints (FOX)

The Saints snapped a seven-game losing streak with a surprising win over the Falcons last week, showing unexpected emotion on the sideline—proof that they haven’t mentally checked out just yet. However, their offensive struggles continue, as they’ve surpassed 23 points only once in their last six games, and their defense allowed over 450 yards to Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the Browns come off a bye, having seen their playoff hopes fade after a 27-10 loss to the Chargers. Expect them to lean heavily on tight end David Njoku, as a steady target to keep Jameis Winston in rhythm and limit turnovers. The Browns’ defense remains a top-tier unit, though they’ll aim to tighten up their pass coverage after allowing big plays to Justin Herbert a few weeks ago.

With Las Vegas sportsbooks marking this game as a near toss-up, and the Saints listed as slight favorites, the deciding factor may come down to motivation. With little on the line besides pride, this matchup could swing based on whichever team has more fire left. The Saints’ “new coach boost” may have enough fuel left to carry them through another week, which could be just enough to edge out a win.

Prediction: 21-17 Saints

 

Colts @ Jets (CBS)

This’ll be a matchup of two aging, over the hill quarterbacks who’ll probably be planning their retirement parties after the end of this year. Joe Flacco just doesn’t have it anymore as an already lackluster Colts offense, has failed to take a step forward after the franchise decided to bench former top-five pick Anthony Richardson. Five straight weeks Indianapolis has been held under 21 points, and seeing as they’ll be facing a top-10 scoring defense in the Jets, I don’t anticipate that changing this week either.

That being said the Jets are coming off a crushing defeat to the Cardinals 31-6, as Aaron Rodgers continues to search for answers. Especially abysmal in their loss last week was their performance against running backs, allowing close to 200 yards of total offense between James Conner, and Trey Benson. A key factor in this game will be how well a job the Jets O-Line does at protecting Aaron Rodgers, allowing three sacks last week to a middle of the road Cardinals unit.

The good news for whoever looses this game, is that they can get a head start on booking on a offseason getaway because their chances at making the playoffs will be close to zero. The Colts have confirmed that they will be going with Richardson underneath center again, claiming that they benched him so that he could focus on fine tuning his game.

Prediction: 21-20 Colts

 

Ravens @ Steelers (CBS)

First place in the AFC North will be on the line as the Ravens and Steelers clash in one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries. The Steelers are coming off a thrilling comeback win over the Commanders, with Russell Wilson connecting with Mike Williams for a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown. It was an unusual game for Pittsburgh’s defense, which held Washington to under 300 yards and contained their running game but still allowed a season-high 27 points.

The Ravens, meanwhile, edged out the Bengals 35-34 to keep their playoff hopes alive. While Baltimore’s defensive struggles have been apparent, their high-powered offense has often masked these issues. The Steelers, one of the league’s top teams against the run, will be tested as Lamar Jackson continues to excel both in the air and on the ground, making Pittsburgh’s defensive readiness key in slowing him down.

An X-factor in this matchup will be George Pickens against the Ravens’ secondary. Since Russell Wilson took over as the Steelers’ quarterback, Pickens has emerged as one of the league’s standout receivers, now facing a Ravens pass defense that has been vulnerable. Last week, Ja’Marr Chase torched Baltimore for 264 yards and three touchdowns, so it will be intriguing to see how Pittsburgh’s offense leverages Pickens against this shaky secondary.

Prediction: 28-27 Steelers

 

Sunday Afternoon Window

Falcons @ Broncos (FOX)

The Atlanta Falcons continue to be plagued by inconsistency. Last week should have been a statement win, but instead, they found a way to drop a winnable game to the Saints. Despite a strong defensive performance, 300+ passing yards from Kirk Cousins, and 180 rushing yards, Atlanta still lost due to three missed field goals and an interception. Games like this are frustrating and can derail momentum, especially when a team has so much potential.

Meanwhile, the Broncos fell short of upsetting the Chiefs, with a 35-yard field goal attempt getting blocked on what could have been a game-winner. Denver’s offense struggled mightily, producing just over 10 total yards in the second half before their last drive. The Chiefs’ missing scoring opportunities kept the game closer more than anything Denver’s defense managed to do. Still, they held Kansas City to 17 points—a notable feat.

This matchup feels like a must-win for Denver, who needs to start creating separation from the pack in the race for the AFC’s final Wild Card spot. For the Falcons, it’s a chance to rebound from their self-inflicted loss and keep pushing for a potential top-two seed in the NFC. Both teams are desperate for consistency, and this game could have significant playoff implications as the season progresses.

Prediction: 21-17 Falcons

 

Seahawks @ 49ers (FOX)

 

Chiefs @ Bills (CBS)

In what could be this generation’s answer to Brady vs. Manning, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes will face off in Buffalo after the Chiefs eliminated the Bills in last year’s AFC Divisional Round. Buffalo enters as slight favorites, with many experts predicting this will be the Chiefs’ first loss of the season. For Buffalo, this is arguably the most significant game ever played on their home turf, carrying major playoff implications.

The Chiefs narrowly escaped Denver last week, clinching a win with a blocked field goal at the buzzer, exploiting a breakdown in the Broncos’ special teams unit. Kansas City’s defense rebounded in the second half, shutting down Denver’s offense after allowing two early touchdowns. However, concerns linger over the Chiefs’ offense, as Mahomes missed two wide-open scoring opportunities with Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy that could have added 14 points.

The Bills, on the other hand, are coming off a 30-20 win over the Colts, though the victory wasn’t as dominant as the score suggests. Josh Allen threw two interceptions with no touchdowns, and 10 of the Bills’ points came from a pick-six and a short-field field goal. While Buffalo’s four consecutive games scoring 30 or more points is impressive, this performance showed a few cracks in their armor.

As noted, Josh Allen’s recent interception woes have surfaced again, with four picks in his last three games. The Chiefs’ defense will need to capitalize on this, creating turnovers to help neutralize a strong Bills defense.

Buffalo is 7-0 against teams with losing records but 1-2 against winning teams, allowing an average of 28 points in those matchups. With most of the country rooting for Kansas City’s unbeaten streak to end, all eyes will be on Buffalo to see if they can finally dethrone the Chiefs in this high-stakes showdown.

Prediction: 24-23 Bills

 

Sunday Night Football: Bengals @ Chargers 7:20 PM (NBC)

Usually, when a team with a losing record gets the Sunday Night Football spotlight, it raises questions about why the game wasn’t flexed out for a more exciting matchup. But not this time, because this Bengals-Chargers showdown brings some surprisingly high stakes. Sitting at 3-6, the Bengals are hanging onto slim playoff hopes, while the 6-3 Chargers are looking to solidify their standing in the competitive AFC playoff race.

Joe Burrow is on a tear, playing some of the best football of his career with 17 touchdowns to just three interceptions over his last six games, averaging over 280 passing yards per contest. Yet, despite his stellar play, Cincinnati has only gone 3-3 in that stretch, hampered by a defense giving up nearly 27 points per game.

The Chargers, though not flashy on offense, are disciplined and can grind out wins, content with scores like 21-14 if that’s what it takes. Anchored by the league’s top defense, the Chargers present a challenging matchup for the Bengals, who boast the fourth-highest passing yards per game. Recently, the Chargers’ offense has shown signs of life too, scoring 26+ points in each of their last three games.

For the Bengals, this game is do-or-die in their playoff pursuit, while the Chargers are entering a critical four-game stretch against the Bengals, Ravens, Falcons, and Chiefs that will reveal just how serious of a contender they really are.

Prediction: 24-23 Bengals

 

Monday Night Football: Giants @ Steelers 7:15 PM (ESPN/ABC)

Everything is bigger in Texas—including the frustration with its two NFL franchises. Despite leading the AFC South, the Texans have shown they aren’t at the level of other top AFC teams, especially after failing to capitalize on a game where their defense handed the offense five interceptions. As mentioned last week, the Texans may be one of the most overrated teams in football, but thanks to the division they’re in, they’re likely on track for a home playoff game.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ struggles are almost enough to make you feel for the fans who jumped on the bandwagon in the 1990s. The defense, giving up nearly 30 points a game, recently surrendered 34 points to the Eagles. Though the Texans’ offense is not particularly dynamic right now, they do feature Joe Mixon, who has been in a slump, failing to score a touchdown in five games and managing only 46 rushing yards the last time he faced Detroit.

One bright spot for Dallas is Micah Parsons, who recorded two sacks in his return from injury, theoretically giving their defense some edge against Houston’s shaky offensive line. If Nico Collins returns this week for Houston, C.J. Stroud could finally get some relief in the passing game, as Collins has been a key missing piece. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Cooper Rush will be at quarterback for the rest of the season after Dak Prescott was ruled out for the year.

The Cowboys are 0-4 at home this season, being outscored 153-59 in those matchups. Another blowout loss might just push Jerry Jones to consider serious changes to the organization.

Prediction: 26-17 Texans

 

Overall Record: 102-50 (Last Week 11-3)