Thursday Night Football: Broncos @ Saints 7:15 PM (Prime Video)
Bo Nix might be the best garbage-time quarterback in the league. In a 23-16 loss to the Chargers, he produced 277 yards of total offense, with 217 of those yards coming after his team was down 23-0. When nothing is on the line, that’s when Nix shines. Unfortunately, to win in this league, your quarterback needs to be more than a glorified stat-padder.
As for Spencer Rattler, he had his moments for the Saints in their loss to the Buccaneers, but for the most part, he looked like a rookie making his first start. Unfortunately for him, he’ll be going up against one of the better defensive units in the game. Even if Broncos All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain is out, this will certainly be a trial by fire for the rookie. The Saints also need more production from their run game, as Alvin Kamara was held to just 40 yards against Tampa Bay.
In a matchup of rookie quarterbacks, this game will be decided by which one minimizes mistakes. Expect defense to be the driving force, and if New Orleans wants any chance of winning, they’ll need to find answers fast.
Prediction: 23-17 Broncos
Sunday London Game: Jaguars vs Patriots 8:30 AM (NFL Network)
For the second week in a row, the Jaguars will be “gracing” the U.K. with their presence, and I use the word lightly. Trevor Lawrence played better than his numbers against the Bears, and it’s not his fault his receivers dropped multiple touchdown passes that could’ve kept the game from slipping away. The run game, however, was a non-factor, but they’ll be facing a New England defense that’s allowing five yards per carry to running backs this season.
The Patriots, despite their loss to the Texans, must feel some optimism after rookie quarterback Drake Maye finished with three touchdowns in his first start. The problem was the relentless pressure—he faced it nearly 50% of the time and was sacked four times. The good news for New England is that Jacksonville generates pressure at one of the lowest rates in the league.
This game is do or die for the Jaguars. If they don’t win, there’s a good chance Doug Pederson will join Robert Saleh in the unemployment line, ironically with both firings coming after games in London. The desperation, the slightly better defense, the more experienced quarterback, and the advantage of not having to travel are factors that could give the Jaguars the edge in this matchup.
Prediction: 24-20 Jaguars
Sunday Noon Window
Seahawks @ Falcons (FOX)
The Atlanta Falcons have seemingly righted the ship after their early-season struggles, rattling off three straight wins to put themselves atop the NFC South with a 3-0 record. Last week against the Panthers, they dominated on the ground, with both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier eclipsing 90 yards and combining for three touchdowns. They’ll now face a Seahawks squad that just allowed 228 rushing yards at nearly seven yards per carry.
That run defense was the reason the score was more lopsided than it should have been against San Francisco. After allowing a last-second, three-play, 81-yard drive—all on the ground—the loss inflated to 36-24. The Seahawks’ offense, meanwhile, is an enigma. On one hand, Geno Smith is averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game, but on the other hand, he has thrown six touchdowns alongside six interceptions. Still, their offense has been held under 23 points only once this season.
The issue with Seattle is that they haven’t won a game like this all year. They’ve beaten up on weaker teams like the Broncos and Patriots and took advantage of a Tua-less Dolphins squad, but they’ve been overmatched against playoff-caliber teams. The Falcons are a playoff team and are beginning to look like the squad many expected at the start of the season. I expect this game to be another shootout given both defenses, but the Falcons’ balance will be too much for Seattle to handle.
Prediction: 28-23 Falcons
Titans @ Bills (CBS)
The Titans aren’t a good football team. They have a strong defense, but their offense won’t do enough to win games against teams with competent quarterback play. The sooner I accept this reality, the sooner I’ll stop wasting time picking them to win. In previous years, the Titans could lean on a run game that masked their subpar quarterback play. But with Derrick Henry no longer reigning in Tennessee, their offense has been a mess.
The Bills, meanwhile, snapped their two-game skid by outlasting the Jets at MetLife Stadium. While some will point to the Jets’ two missed field goals and argue Buffalo should have lost, if you remove the fluky Hail Mary before halftime, 19-20 points is about what the Bills should have given up. I’m curious to see how the arrival of Amari Cooper impacts Josh Allen’s play. On one hand, it gives him a true No. 1 option; on the other, it might encourage him to fall back into the bad habits that have made him one of the most turnover-prone quarterbacks in the league.
The Bills will win this game if they can score 20 points, and they have too much talent on offense not to reach that mark. The Titans simply don’t have the firepower to keep up with Buffalo, and they’ve shown they’re unwilling to take the ball out of Will Levis’ hands and run it 40 times a game.
Prediction: 24-14 Bills
Bengals @ Browns (CBS)
Remember when Joe Burrow was 3-1 against Patrick Mahomes, and people used that stat to argue he was the best quarterback in the league? There’s a reason not to take stats like that too seriously—despite Burrow’s greatness, he’s 1-5 in his career against the Cleveland Browns. What can I say? The Battle of Ohio gets weird sometimes.
The Browns are a rudderless ship, led by a coach seemingly waiting for his pink slip, and quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson, who looks more cooked than a hockey puck. The Browns’ defense will need to find a way to pressure Joe Burrow, as their secondary isn’t equipped to handle the two-headed monster of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
With the Bengals boasting one of the stingiest pass defenses in the league and the Browns’ run game banged up, I don’t see a logical path for Cleveland to win this game. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but logically speaking, the Bengals should be able to leave Cleveland with the win.
Prediction: 23-17 Bengals
Texans @ Packers (CBS)
We’re about to find out how legitimate both of these teams are. The Texans have always been considered one of the favorites in the AFC, but they had yet to deliver a convincing statement. That was until their dominant 41-21 win over the Patriots, where everything seemed to come together. C.J. Stroud continues to be one of the most efficient passers in the league, spreading the ball to his wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. This three-level approach makes the Texans’ passing game hard to contain, especially when paired with Joe Mixon on the ground.
The Packers’ offense will perhaps be the biggest test for the Texans this season, coming into the game ranked in the top five in total yards and averaging a solid 27 points per game. Defensively, Green Bay excels at taking the ball away, leading the league with an impressive 17 takeaways in just six games. The key for the Packers will be to minimize turnovers and prevent short fields, as the Texans scored 24 points on drives that began on their opponents’ side of the field.
How this game didn’t land a primetime spot is beyond me, but it will certainly make for an entertaining early window game. Both of these teams are on the verge of breaking into the upper tier of their respective conferences. While one will face a setback after this week, both teams still have bright futures ahead.
Prediction: 26-24 Packers
Dolphins @ Colts (FOX)
The Colts, despite their own best efforts, keep finding ways to win and currently sit at 3-3. Joe Flacco has shown that he still has some fuel left in the tank. Rumor has it that if Anthony Richardson avoids setbacks, he’ll reclaim his starting job under center for the Colts this week, which makes predicting their performance much harder. Richardson has the ability to make special plays with his legs and his powerful arm, but his lack of consistency was part of the reason the team was 1-2 before Flacco took over.
The Dolphins will still be without Tua Tagovailoa for this game, and whether it’s Flacco or Richardson starting for the Colts, I don’t love this matchup for Miami’s defense. The Dolphins’ porous run defense has been an issue all year, and even though the Colts will be without running back Jonathan Taylor, backup Josh Downs is respectable, averaging over six yards per carry last week against the Titans. If Richardson starts, his running ability will also need to be accounted for—something the Dolphins haven’t had to worry about much this season.
The Colts are in a strange position. Joe Flacco gives them the best chance to win now, but Anthony Richardson needs to play because they invested a top-five draft pick in him last year. The Dolphins are coming off a much-needed bye week, but without Tua, their offense isn’t much of a threat, and I don’t believe their defense can hold the Colts in check enough to win this game.
Prediction: 23-17 Colts
Lions @ Vikings (FOX)
Another thriller is brewing in what might be the best division in football. The Lions and their red-hot offense travel to Minnesota to take on the undefeated Vikings.
Detroit comes off a 47-9 win over the Cowboys, where they got so comfortable they even tried getting their offensive linemen touchdowns. This week’s matchup, however, will be more challenging, as the Vikings boast one of the best run defenses in the league. They’ll be facing the league’s top running back duo in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The X-factor will be the Vikings’ pass defense, which is allowing the third-most passing yards per game but leads the league with 11 interceptions.
The Vikings enter this game off a bye week, looking to add to their already impressive resume, which includes wins over the Texans, 49ers, and Packers. The Lions’ defense, while dominant against Dallas, lost its best player, Aidan Hutchinson, for the season with a broken leg. If Detroit can’t pressure Sam Darnold, it could open things up for Justin Jefferson to show once again why he’s the league’s top receiver, with Jordan Addison playing sidekick.
If Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores can keep the Lions under 23 points, he might find his name back in head coaching conversations. His defense has been a menace to opposing offenses this season. Vikings fans, meanwhile, will be hoping that Darnold’s struggles against the Jets aren’t a sign of things to come, as his standout performance is a key reason why they sit atop the NFC.
This game has the potential to be an NFC Championship preview, and fans will be hoping it lives up to the hype.
Prediction: 28-24 Vikings
Eagles @ Giants (FOX)
In one corner, we have the Eagles, coming off one of the most uninspiring wins of the season, led by head coach Nick Sirianni, who used his kids at last week’s postgame press conference to deflect criticism. In the other corner, we have the Giants, who are just lucky the Bengals didn’t get their act together on Sunday night, only losing 17-7. It’s truly a matchup of bumbling buffoonery that should be tucked away in the noon window, out of sight.
There’s no doubt which team has the better offense. The Eagles finally got both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith back last week, and both secured touchdown catches in their win over the Browns. The Giants held Joe Burrow to 205 passing yards but allowed a long touchdown run, which plays right into Jalen Hurts’ strengths. Defensively, the Eagles have proven to be the more consistent unit this season, even though the Giants lead the league in sacks with 26.
Saquon Barkley will return for New York, in what should be a routine win for the Eagles. I say “should be” because, with Sirianni at the helm, nothing is ever routine with this underachieving bunch. Daniel Jones will need a breakout game if the Giants want any hope of pulling off the upset.
Prediction: 24-13 Eagles
Sunday Afternoon Window
Raiders @ Rams (CBS)
The only exciting thing surrounding the Raiders right now is that Tom Brady is a minority owner, which could force him to step away from his TV duties due to ownership restrictions. Other than that, the Raiders are uninspiring on both sides of the ball. They’ve traded their best player, Davante Adams, to the Jets for a third-round pick. On the bright side, Brock Bowers might be the best tight end in fantasy football, so there’s at least that.
As for the Rams, it’s hard to criticize them too much given the slew of injuries they’ve dealt with. Matthew Stafford is doing his best behind a porous offensive line and with a receiving corps that would be practice squad material for most other teams. The good news? Cooper Kupp might return soon, which would be a significant boost for Stafford and the Rams’ offense.
Despite their 1-4 record, the Rams have only lost one game by multiple scores. They’ve been scrappy and are well-coached. The Raiders, on the other hand, are just scrappy. It’s clear this is shaping up to be another lost season for the silver and black. This is a do-or-die game for both squads as they cling to whatever slim playoff hopes they have.
Prediction: 24-16 Rams
Panthers @ Commanders (CBS)
Despite suffering a loss last week, the Commanders emerged from Baltimore with their heads held high, knowing they can compete with some of the top teams in football. Now, they’ll face the opposite end of the spectrum in the Carolina Panthers, who, while improved, remain underwhelming. The Commanders might be considered a poor man’s version of the Baltimore Ravens, but they’re facing one of the league’s worst rush defenses in the Panthers, which could be more than enough to exploit.
The Panthers have shown some ability to move the ball with Andy Dalton at quarterback, but scoring points has proven to be a challenge. Carolina’s defense has allowed over 30 points in each of their last three games, a troubling trend when facing one of the highest-scoring teams in the league in the Commanders. There’s little reason to expect that the Panthers will be able to contain Jayden Daniels and Washington’s offense.
Their only glimmer of hope lies in the fact that Washington is nearly as defensively inept. However, with a lack of offensive weapons on the Panthers’ sideline, it will be difficult for Carolina to keep up. This is the most momentum and optimism surrounding the Commanders in some time, but one has to wonder if they might get caught reading their own press clippings.
Prediction: 33-24 Commanders
Chiefs @ 49ers (FOX)
There is usually nothing more dangerous than an Andy Reid team coming off a bye week. The future Hall of Fame coach boasts a 21-4 record in his career when given extra time to prepare for a regular season game. Despite what some may say, the Chiefs’ offense isn’t broken; they were the only team in Week 5 to average over 50 yards per drive in regulation. The real issue for Kansas City has been red-zone holding penalties and dropped or miscommunicated passes.
However, the 49ers’ offense will present a step up in competition for what has been a dominant Chiefs unit. It’ll be strength versus strength as Kansas City has smothered running backs all year, while San Francisco seems to scheme anyone into a 100-yard game. The key X-factor in this matchup will be George Kittle; the Chiefs have struggled against tight ends all season, yet Kittle was held to just four yards in last year’s Super Bowl.
This game marks the tail end of a brutal stretch for the Chiefs. If they can emerge from the Bay Area with a win, a three-peat will start to feel more realistic. The 49ers need this game not only to maintain their top spot in the NFC West but also to prove they can beat the team and the man who has denied them championships not once but twice. You won’t see the Chiefs listed as underdogs often, but this is one of those times. When given the opportunity to play the “nobody believes in us” card, they typically find a way to win.
Prediction: 24-21 Chiefs
Sunday Night Football: Jets @ Steelers 7:20 PM (NBC)
The question is whether the Steelers will bench Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. Despite all the unnecessary hoopla surrounding this decision, it’s clear that while Justin Fields is talented, he puts a very clear ceiling on the Steelers’ potential. If you remove all short-field scoring drives from the Steelers’ season, their offense is averaging a meager 16 points per game. Wilson might be a bit corny, and his ego may have inflated in Denver, but he can still play at a much higher level than Fields.
Meanwhile, the Jets continue to be the NFL’s clown car. Their loss to the Bills highlighted everything wrong with the team—lack of leadership and discipline. Aside from the Hail Mary at the end of the half, their offense was abysmal against Buffalo, and I don’t expect it to look much better against the Steelers. The addition of Davante Adams does nothing for me, because it’s not 2021 anymore, and Aaron Rodgers thorwing the ball more isn’t going to lead to more wins. Need proof? On this three game skid, Rodgers has thrown the ball an average of 43 times a game.
In my opinion, the first team to 17 points will win this game, as both defenses should feast on subpar offenses. If the Jets lose this game, things could get really bad, really fast. If the Steelers want to give themselves the best chance to win, they’ll start Russell Wilson and not rely on the smoke-and-mirrors act that is Justin Fields.
Prediction: 20-17 Steelers.
Monday Night Football: Ravens @ Buccaneers 7:15 PM (ESPN/ABC)
The Cleveland Browns must be feeling regret about giving up on Baker Mayfield. While Mayfield isn’t perfect, he’s the type of vibrant leader who can inspire those around him and provide a spark to what looked like a lifeless franchise in the Buccaneers after Tom Brady left following a losing season. The Buccaneers have one of the more balanced offenses in the league, but their now porous defense raises concerns about their ability to compete against the NFL’s elite teams.
One of those elite teams is the Baltimore Ravens, who are storming through their last four games, scoring over 30 points per game and rushing for more than 200 yards a contest during that span. However, like the Bucs, their defense is a concern, especially as they currently have the league’s worst pass defense, allowing nearly 25 points per game.
This game could turn into an all-out shootout, spawning highlight after highlight. The X-factor will be Derrick Henry, who has been perhaps the most lethal non-quarterback this season. However, he’ll be up against one of the league’s better units at stopping the run. If the Ravens can control this game through both the air and the ground, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
Prediction: 33-27 Ravens
Monday Night Football: Chargers @ Cardinals 8:00 PM (ESPN+)
For those of you thinking I made a typo by putting a plus sign next to ESPN, fear not—this game is one of those streaming exclusives that nobody asked for. Usually, when you want to debut your product on a new platform, you put your best foot forward. Not the NFL, though. They decided this uninspired matchup should not only be a Monday Night Football game but also the debut NFL game available exclusively on ESPN+.
The Cardinals remain the most hot-and-cold team in the league, and they’re coming into this matchup banged up after getting dominated by the Packers last Sunday. The only thing consistent about the Cardinals is their inconsistency—they now have as many games with 14 points or fewer as they do with 24 or more. There’s no middle ground with the Cardinals; it’s either fireworks or a dumpster fire every week.
The Chargers played three solid quarters of football against the Broncos before Denver made it respectable by rattling off 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Their defense continues to be stingy against both the run and pass, and with the Cardinals’ aforementioned injuries, they’ll be looking to contain Kyler Murray and his offense. There’s a very real possibility that, with a win, they could move to just one game back of the Chiefs and two games ahead of the Broncos and Raiders, so this is an important game for the Bolts.
The real question will be whether the Chargers’ offense can take advantage of a subpar Arizona defense. When given the chance, Justin Herbert can light up opposing defenses. However, the rigid, run-first nature of Jim Harbaugh’s scheme doesn’t usually allow him to flourish against teams like this.
Prediction: 23-17 Chargers
Overall Record: 59-33 (Last Week 12-2)