📰 Table Of Contents
Thursday Night Football Game
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
These teams look very different from their last matchup. The Rams managed to win the previous game without star wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
The 49ers were much healthier than they are currently. Since that game, San Francisco has lost running back Jordan Mason, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and punter Mitch Wishnowsky as well as a slew of other players.
The Rams need this win to keep up with the Seahawks, so expect LA to come out on top.
Rams win 24-21
Sunday Early Games
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Giants
The Giants haven’t won a game since October 6. Meanwhile, the Ravens are 4-3 in their last seven games.
The offense is what separates these teams. The Giants are last in the league in scoring (14.9 points/game). The Ravens come into this one with the league’s third-best scoring offense.
This should be a cakewalk for the Ravens, who need a victory to catch the 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ravens win 34-13
New York Jets @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are once again without former number-one overall pick Trevor Lawrence, who was placed on the injured reserve last week, effectively ending his season.
After missing week 14, it’s unclear if the Jets will have running back Breece Hall and cornerback Sauce Gardner. If they’re good to go, that could help the Jets win their fourth game of the season.
Though the Jets should lose to improve their draft position, they never do the right thing when it’s necessary. New York will fall backward into a win.
Jets win 20-17
Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers
The Cowboys travel to Carolina six days after a disappointing 27-20 home loss to the Bengals. On the other side, the 3-10 Panthers have strung together competitive games with two wins in their last five matchups.
Neither team has been eliminated from playoff contention despite their combined 8-18 record. The Panthers could still technically win the NFC South (with a lot of help). The Cowboys, who also need assistance, are still in the hunt for a wild card spot as well as the NFC East crown.
After falling to Philly on the road by six points, Carolina comes into this one hungry and ready to punch Dallas in the mouth.
Panthers win 20-18
Washington Commanders @ New Orleans Saints
Since Washington defeated the Giants on November 3, they’re 1-3 with their lone win coming against the hapless Tennessee Titans. The Commanders were dominant in that 42-19 win, so the Commanders look to be back on track.
The Saints are also surging. After seven straight losses, New Orleans is 3-1 in its last four games. Unfortunately, quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a hand injury, so there are questions regarding who will be the New Orleans’ starter.
Either way, Washington should take care of the injury-riddled Saints.
Commanders win 27-13
Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans
The 5-8 Bengals could still make the playoffs, but they’ll need to take care of the 3-10 Titans.
Cincy has the league’s top passing offense (271.6 yards/game). Though Tennesee has the NFL’s best pass defense, the team is 27th in points allowed. Amazingly, the Bengals’ scoring defense is even worse (27.7 points/game).
While Tennesee quarterback Will Levis is 30th in quarterback rating, he’ll likely put up points against a porous Cincinnati defense in a losing effort.
Bengals win 31-28
Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns
There isn’t much to discuss here because the 2024-25 Chiefs don’t lose to bad teams, and the Cleveland Browns are a bad team.
With just three wins, the Browns have beaten two playoff teams this season (Ravens 29-24 and Steelers 24-19), so Cleveland will make this game competitive.
However, the Chiefs will come out of this one with a nail-biting victory.
Chiefs win 21-20
Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans
If the Texans win and the Colts lose this week, then Houston will be crowned AFC South Champions for the second straight year.
They’ll first have to beat the Dolphins, who have looked much better with the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Since mid-November, Miami is 4-1 and averages 28 points/game on offense.
After a 5-1 start, Houston has faltered and dropped four of their last seven games. That trend will probably continue here.
Dolphins win 33-27
Sunday Late Games
Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos
This game has major playoff implications. The Broncos are currently the sixth seed in the AFC while the Colts are the eighth seed. A win by either squad will do wonders for their postseason hopes.
The Broncos are riding a three-game win streak thanks in part to rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has a 97.2 quarterback rating in his last five games. Conversely, second-year Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has a quarterback rating of 66.0 in his last five games and the lowest completion percentage of any QB this season.
The Broncos defense handles Richardson as Denver moves to 9-5.
Broncos win 24-17
New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals
After becoming the top team in the NFC West, the Cardinals lost three consecutive games to fall to third place in the division. With two of their last four matchups coming against divisional rivals, the Cards can’t afford to lose another game.
They should be able to get right against the New England Patriots, who haven’t won since November 10.
If the Cards can force Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye to make mistakes, then they should have no problem winning.
Cardinals win 30-20
Buffalo Bills @ Detroit Lions
By record, this is the best game of the week.
Following a brutal 44-42 loss, the Bills will look to take advantage of a banged-up Detroit defense. Buffalo averages 30.5 points/game on offense while the Lions’ defense has allowed 51 total points in its last two matchups.
Both teams are playoff-bound, so there isn’t much on the line besides pride. This could be a contest where the Lions take their foot off the gas as they prepare to face divisional teams in two of the last three games of the season.
The Bills bounce back from their loss to the Rams with an impressive road victory over the NFC’s best team.
Bills win 38-35
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Chargers
A win by the Buccaneers would have them in a tie with the Seattle Seahawks for the three-seed in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Chargers would become the sixth seed in the AFC with a victory thanks to a tiebreaker over the Broncos.
Though he’ll likely play, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing with a leg injury. That will impact his ability to make throws and maneuver around the pocket, which could be a problem against a Buccaneers team that’s 11th in sacks.
Through sheer grit and determination, the Bucs edge out the Chargers.
Buccaneers win 24-23
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Steelers won’t need extra motivation for the battle for Pennsylvania because they’ll clinch a playoff spot with a win.
With the Eagles holding a commanding lead in the NFC East and a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Commanders, there’s a chance that Philly comes up short against a feisty Pittsburgh team that has won seven of its last eight games.
The Steelers’ defense will be the reason they win this game. Expect Pittsburgh’s fourth-ranked rushing defense to limit Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley.
Steelers win 19-16
Sunday Night Football Game
Green Bay Packers @ Seattle Seahawks
Though third in the NFC North, the Packers can clinch a playoff berth with a win in Seattle, a loss/tie by the Atlanta Falcons, and a tie between the 49ers and Rams. Even if they win, they probably won’t clinch a playoff spot this week because ties are rare in the NFL.
Both teams come into this one red-hot. The Seahawks have won four consecutive games while the Packers are 7-2 over their last nine.
With Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander uncertain for the game, Green Bay will likely struggle against Seattle’s third-ranked passing attack.
Seahawks win 28-27
Monday Night Football Games
Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings
With a win, the Vikes can clinch a playoff spot, giving them extra motivation to beat a Chicago team that’s winless since October 13. Even if Minnesota loses, they can secure a playoff berth this week with a Rams loss/tie or a Seahawks loss/tie.
Though Chicago has a good scoring defense, they’re average at defending the pass. Being average Isn’t good enough against a Vikings team that’s eighth in passing yards/game. The Minnesota passing game will prove too much for the Bears to handle.
Vikings win 35-21
Atlanta Falcons @ Las Vegas Raiders
Atlanta currently has a 21% chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL.com. A win over the Raiders boosts that number to 51%, so the Falcons know they need this one.
The Raiders will probably lose this game, but they could surprise everybody if they can fluster Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Since the start of December, Cousins has thrown six interceptions and zero touchdown passes. Thankfully for Cousins, the Raiders are tied with the Jaguars for the fewest takeaways in the league, so he should be able to get his season back on track on Monday.
The Falcons bring their four-game skid to an end with a victory over Las Vegas.
Falcons win 27-10
