Thursday Night Football: Packers @ Lions 7:15PM (Prime)
Both the Packers and Lions enter this week’s game riding the momentum of Thanksgiving Day victories. The stakes are high, as Green Bay aims to reach the critical 10-win mark, a virtual playoff lock, while Detroit looks to complete a season sweep of its division rival. A win for the Lions would secure a crucial tiebreaker and solidify their place atop the NFC North standings.
Detroit showed vulnerability last week, barely escaping the Bears in a game decided by questionable late-game management from Chicago. The Lions’ offense has cooled significantly, scoring under 30 points in four of their last five games.
That trend could play into the hands of the Packers, whose defense hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in its last three outings. However, Green Bay did surrender over 300 passing yards to Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa—though much of it came after the Packers built a comfortable lead. On offense, Jordan Love has been in rhythm, avoiding turnovers and leading the Packers to back-to-back 30-point performances.
A Green Bay win would dramatically shift the NFC playoff picture, potentially leaving the Lions tied with the Eagles and Vikings with just four games remaining. The key question for the Packers is whether their running game can balance the offense and keep Detroit’s aggressive defense from pinning its ears back against Love.
Prediction: 24-23 Packers
Sunday Noon Window
Jaguars @ Titans (CBS)
With Trevor Lawrence likely sidelined for the season after suffering a concussion against the Texans, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus has shifted to damage control. Now led by Mac Jones, Jacksonville appears more intent on securing the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft than competing for wins.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans, though also in contention for the top draft pick, have shown some resilience. Rookie quarterback Will Levis has turned in solid performances over the past month, throwing seven touchdowns against just two interceptions. While the Titans’ defense remains inconsistent, facing a Jaguars team without its star quarterback should ease the burden.
For Tennessee, this game is an opportunity to evaluate Levis further as they consider their long-term plans at quarterback. Continued progress from the rookie could persuade the team to pass on drafting a quarterback next year.
As for the Jaguars, their primary goal may simply be to get through this matchup without adding to their already mounting list of injuries.
Prediction: 17-13 Titans
Jets @ Dolphins (CBS)
Aaron Rodgers’ struggles have reached a boiling point. The veteran quarterback has failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in three straight games, and with excuses running thin, the pressure is mounting for him to face the reality that he’s become more of a hindrance than a help. Despite this, Rodgers seems poised to continue playing, likely driven by ego rather than results. Meanwhile, the once-vaunted Jets defense has spiraled into mediocrity, surrendering 26 or more points in three consecutive games.
The Dolphins, coming off a frigid loss in Green Bay, return to the warmth of South Florida with their playoff hopes still faintly alive. The path forward is clear: win out and hope Denver falters. While they can’t control the latter, dispatching the Jets is a must to keep their postseason aspirations afloat.
For Miami, a fast start will be critical. With a healthy offense and favorable conditions, the Dolphins have every reason to exploit a Jets defense that appears deflated and disengaged.
As for the Jets, morale has hit rock bottom. With the coaching staff all but guaranteed to be shown the door and a quarterback seemingly more committed to off-field distractions than preparation, the outlook is bleak. It’s hard to imagine New York mounting any meaningful resistance against a motivated Miami squad.
The Dolphins need this win to stay alive, and the Jets look primed to offer little more than token opposition.
Prediction: 27-17 Dolphins
Falcons @ Vikings (FOX)
The Vikings have had this game circled for months, and the storyline is rich with drama. Kirk Cousins makes his return to Minneapolis after a controversial offseason, marked by reports of illegal tampering from the Falcons as they attempted to lure him in free agency. While Cousins is likely to receive a mix of cheers and jeers from the crowd, some fans remain bitter over his perceived lack of commitment during his final season in Minnesota.
Cousins enters the game in a slump, playing arguably the worst football of his career. He threw four interceptions against the Chargers last week and hasn’t tossed a touchdown in over a month. The Falcons still have Bijan Robinson as their offensive cornerstone, but facing the league’s top-ranked run defense in the Vikings, Atlanta will need Cousins to deliver through the air to have a shot.
Both teams’ passing defenses have struggled this season, setting the stage for a potential shootout if the passing games catch fire. For the Vikings, a win could cement their position atop the NFC North standings, while the Falcons risk sliding out of the playoff picture entirely with a loss, especially if Tampa Bay secures a win this week.
With playoff hopes and personal pride on the line, expect emotions to run high in this pivotal NFC showdown.
Prediction: 30-24 Vikings
Saints @ Giants (FOX)
The New Orleans Saints find themselves trapped in the cycle of mediocrity, emblematic of their current season. After starting 2-7, they’ve managed to win two of their last three games, but with playoff hopes extinguished, their late surge only ensures another mid-round draft pick—far from the game-changing talent they need to turn things around.
The New York Giants, on the other hand, are in freefall, mired in a seven-game losing streak. Their Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys was emblematic of their season: an anemic offense that couldn’t sustain drives and a porous defense that allowed Dallas running back Rico Dowdle to notch his first career 100-yard rushing game. With both teams seemingly aware their coaching staffs are on borrowed time, the Giants and their cross-town rivals, the Jets, share a similar sense of despair.
Despite being on the road, the Saints enter this matchup as four-point favorites, thanks in part to the Giants’ winless 0-5 record at MetLife Stadium this season. The environment is unlikely to pose much of a challenge for New Orleans, as MetLife has felt more like a mausoleum than a home-field advantage for the struggling Giants.
While the Saints have little to play for but pride, the Giants seem resigned to finishing out the season and beginning the process of a complete overhaul. Expect New Orleans to have the upper hand in this battle of teams simply looking ahead to next year.
Prediction: 24-13 Saints
Panthers @ Eagles (FOX)
Is Bryce Young starting to turn the corner? That’s the question the Carolina Panthers are asking as their rookie quarterback has gone three straight games without an interception. Young has even come close to orchestrating back-to-back wins over playoff-caliber opponents. However, Carolina’s porous defense continues to be its Achilles’ heel, consistently allowing big point totals and leaving an already undermanned offense in a constant uphill battle.
The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile, solidified their Super Bowl credentials with a statement win over the Ravens last week, extending their win streak to eight games. Both the Eagles’ offense and defense rank in the top ten in yards and points, showcasing a balanced dominance on both sides of the ball. While questions about head coach Nick Sirianni’s game management linger, he has kept a steady hand on the wheel, guiding Philadelphia to one of the league’s best records.
The talent gap between these two teams is vast, and Philadelphia has the firepower to win this game on that advantage alone. However, the real storyline lies with Young. With a shallow quarterback class in the upcoming draft, the Panthers are hoping their No. 1 overall pick can continue to show enough growth to convince them he’s the long-term solution under center.
The Eagles are heavy favorites, but this matchup will provide Carolina with another chance to evaluate its signal-caller as they look toward the future. For Philadelphia, it’s about maintaining momentum on their march toward the postseason.
Prediction: 33-20 Eagles
Browns @ Steelers (CBS)
Last week provided the full Jameis Winston experience for the Cleveland Browns. The veteran quarterback threw six touchdowns—four for his team and two for the Broncos—turning a solid offensive performance into a costly loss. The Browns’ defense struggled as well, surrendering nearly 300 passing yards to Denver’s rookie quarterback but managed to snag two interceptions in a game that ultimately slipped away.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, meanwhile, outlasted the Bengals in an uncharacteristic AFC North shootout to maintain their division lead. Now two games ahead of the Ravens, Pittsburgh knows they can all but clinch the division with a couple more wins. However, a brutal upcoming schedule that includes the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs leaves little room for error, making this matchup against the 3-9 Browns a must-win.
Cleveland’s passing attack has shown it can pile up yards, much like the Bengals’ offense, which could pose a challenge for Pittsburgh’s defense. But with the Steelers lying in wait for potential slip-ups from the Bills and Chiefs, their sights are set not just on the division but also the top seed in the AFC.
For the Steelers, this game is critical—not only for keeping the Ravens at bay but also for sustaining their hopes of a first-round bye. Expect Pittsburgh to bring urgency and focus as they aim to avoid any slip-ups against a struggling Cleveland team.
Prediction: 28-24 Steelers
Raiders @ Buccaneers (CBS)
The Las Vegas Raiders joined the growing list of teams lamenting missed opportunities against the Kansas City Chiefs. A botched snap off Aidan O’Connell’s shoulder pad proved costly, as did a trio of missed field goals from beyond 50 yards. Despite the miscues, O’Connell connected on two deep touchdown passes and found some rhythm with his receivers against a struggling Chiefs secondary. For the first time this season, the Raiders also showed signs of life in their run game, a positive development for an offense that has lacked balance.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on the other hand, are coming off a thrilling overtime win against the Panthers. Sitting at 6-6, the Bucs are tied with Atlanta for the NFC South lead but trail the Falcons due to a head-to-head tiebreaker. With little margin for error, Tampa Bay knows it must win out to keep its division title hopes alive.
Stopping rookie tight end Brock Bowers will be key for the Buccaneers. Bowers has already cemented himself as one of the league’s premier tight ends, falling just shy of the 1,000-yard mark on the season. He was O’Connell’s go-to target last week, carving up Kansas City’s defense. Tampa Bay will also need to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield from a Raiders pass rush that sacked Patrick Mahomes five times and kept the Chiefs’ offense largely in check. However, Tampa’s sturdy offensive line presents a much tougher challenge for the Raiders’ front.
The Bucs are fighting for playoff survival, while the Raiders look to play spoiler and build on the flashes of potential they showed last week. This matchup could hinge on whether Tampa Bay can contain Las Vegas’ rising offensive weapons and avoid falling victim to the same mistakes that nearly tripped up Kansas City.
Prediction: 27-17 Buccaneers
Sunday Afternoon Window
Seahawks @ Cardinals (CBS)
The Seattle Seahawks claimed sole possession of the NFC West lead after outlasting the New York Jets and benefitting from the Cardinals’ loss to the Vikings. While Seattle’s performance this season epitomizes NFC mediocrity—marked by inconsistency on both offense and defense—they’ve strung together three straight wins and can tighten their grip on the division with another victory over Arizona. Despite their current standing, the Seahawks face long odds of advancing deep in the playoffs, with NFC powerhouses like the Packers, Vikings, and Lions looming.
For the Cardinals, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Once division leaders, Arizona now finds itself in a must-win situation against Seattle. A loss would effectively put the Cardinals three games behind the Seahawks when factoring in the head-to-head tiebreaker, with only four games remaining. While Arizona’s remaining schedule is more forgiving than Seattle’s, a defeat on Sunday would extinguish their division title hopes.
In their last meeting, the Seahawks dominated the line of scrimmage, holding the Cardinals to just 49 rushing yards. For Arizona to turn the tide, they’ll need a much stronger ground game and for Kyler Murray to live up to his franchise quarterback status. The Cardinals will look to Murray to lead the way as they fight to keep their playoff and division aspirations alive.
Prediction: 24-21 Seahawks
Bills @ Rams (FOX)
The Buffalo Bills continue to solidify their status as the hottest team in the AFC with another commanding performance, this time a 35-10 dismantling of the San Francisco 49ers. A revitalized run game, no longer reliant solely on Josh Allen, has been key to their success, along with Allen playing the cleanest football of his career. Despite injuries and offseason departures—including the loss of Matt Milano for the year—the Bills’ defense has exceeded expectations, bolstering their claim as favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
The Los Angeles Rams, at 6-6, remain in the hunt for the NFC West crown, but a loss to Buffalo could derail their postseason hopes. After a win over the Saints last week, the Rams have now taken five of their last seven games and might tempt some as an underdog pick.
However, their 37-20 loss to the Eagles a few weeks ago raises questions about their ability to contend with top-tier opponents. The Eagles’ style closely mirrors Buffalo’s, and the Rams’ inability to slow them down could spell trouble against a Bills offense firing on all cylinders.
For the Rams to pull off the upset, they’ll need to contain Josh Allen and force him into the kind of turnover-heavy game he’s avoided all season. But if Allen maintains his current form, there’s little reason to believe the Bills won’t extend their winning streak and continue their march toward the playoffs.
Prediction: 30-20 Bills
Bears @ 49ers (FOX)
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be battling a Super Bowl hangover. Whether it’s injuries or the toll of repeated deep playoff runs ending in heartbreak, something seems off with the team that dominated the NFC last season. Brock Purdy managed fewer than 100 passing yards in last week’s 35-10 loss to the Bills, as the offense sputtered and fumbled three times. Despite those struggles, San Francisco’s ground game showed signs of life, offering a glimmer of hope as they look to right the ship.
The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, are coming off a gut-wrenching loss to the Lions, in which poor clock management derailed their chance to tie the game late. With head coach Matt Eberflus fired, the Bears are searching for their first road win of the season. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had a standout second half against Detroit, but to secure a win in San Francisco, he’ll need to deliver a complete game.
The Bears’ defense, which allowed nearly 200 rushing yards to the Lions, will face another stern test against a 49ers rushing attack that remains effective even amid their struggles. While this game lacks the playoff implications many anticipated earlier in the season, it offers an opportunity to assess the future trajectory of two teams searching for answers.
San Francisco hopes to regain its identity, while Chicago looks for a spark to propel them into a new era. Both teams enter with plenty to prove in what could be a turning point for their respective seasons.
Prediction: 23-17 49ers
Sunday Night Football: Chargers @ Chiefs 7:20 PM (NBC)
The Kansas City Chiefs may sit atop the AFC with an 11-1 record, but their glaring weaknesses are hard to ignore. Their secondary has been a sieve, possibly the worst in the league. The offensive line has struggled, particularly at tackle, where missed assignments and poor blocking have left Patrick Mahomes under constant duress—most recently in a physical battle against the Raiders. The Chiefs are also down their preseason top two wide receivers, on their third kicker, and plagued by inconsistency on special teams. Yet somehow, they remain the AFC’s top seed, showcasing their resilience and Mahomes’ brilliance despite the adversity.
The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, have fully embraced an ugly, grind-it-out style of football. Their 17-13 victory over the Falcons last week was a masterclass in defensive opportunism, as four interceptions of Kirk Cousins led to 11 of their 17 points. The offense, however, was held to fewer than 200 total yards by Atlanta’s pedestrian defense. If head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn’t let Justin Herbert air it out against Kansas City’s porous secondary, it would be a baffling misstep.
The Chiefs enter this matchup as three-point home favorites, a line that reflects growing skepticism about their dominance despite their impressive record. Kansas City could turn in a complete performance, especially with newly acquired tackle D.J. Humphries expected to stabilize Mahomes’ blind side. But they won’t.
Prediction: 35-21 Chargers
Monday Night Football: Bengals @ Cowboys 7:15 PM (ESPN/ABC)
Why is this game on Monday Night Football? The answer lies in the logistical commitment to the “highly anticipated” Simpsons simulcast, which was too far along in development to swap out for a more competitive matchup.
To their credit, the Dallas Cowboys come into this game riding a two-game winning streak, highlighted by a dominant performance against the New York Giants. But this week presents a far tougher challenge as they face Joe Burrow and a Bengals offense hungry to take out their frustrations after a string of tough losses.
Cincinnati’s offense has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring 25 or more points in eight of their 12 games this season. Yet, startlingly, the Bengals are just 2-6 in those contests, thanks in large part to a defensive unit that has regressed significantly. Once known for their consistency and sound fundamentals, the Bengals’ defense has struggled to complement their high-powered offense. Sitting on the brink of elimination, Cincinnati must win out to keep their playoff hopes alive—and they’ll need help even then.
On paper, this matchup might look as unappealing as one of Springfield’s three-eyed fish. But with the potential for fireworks between two potent offenses, this game could surprise, offering excitement to rival Homer Simpson’s love for donuts. Whether it’s a shootout or a meltdown, the Bengals and Cowboys will both be fighting to prove they belong in the spotlight.
Prediction: 35-24 Bengals
Overall Record: 135-60 (Last Week 14-2)