Only a few more weeks left and it is time for teams to do everything they can to make it to the playoffs.
Chargers vs. Raiders: This will be up to the Raiders to get the win. Considering the Chargers have already been eliminated from the playoffs, the Raiders are still in the hunt. The Raiders, however, lost badly to Indianapolis last week, and it is always because of their defense. Granted, Derek Carr did throw two picks last week, he also threw for over 300 yards with a 68% completion rate and scored two touchdowns. As I said, though, the Raider’s defense is what is destroying them. They allowed 456 yards total last week and did not recover and single turnover. If the Raiders want to do well, their defense needs to step up. Even though the Chargers are not going to the playoffs, they still have a pretty good chance of winning this game. Justin Herbert threw for 243 yards with an 81% completion rate and scored twice. If he can play like this tonight, then they might be able to win. Overall, I think the Raiders will win, but if their defense does not step up, the Chargers may have the advantage.
Bills vs. Broncos: The Bills are almost to the playoffs. They need to keep winning games, and it looks like they might be able to do that this Saturday. Last week, Josh Allen may not have had an incredible game against Pittsburgh, but they still got the win. He threw for 238 yards with a 55% completion rate but was able to score twice. However, the Bills offense altogether has been able to get a lot done with gaining a total of 334 yards last week. The Bills defense also held back the Steelers to only 224 yards and recovered two turnovers. With that said, the Broncos are going to have a challenging game ahead of them. Nonetheless, their offense was still able to get the win, with Drew Lock throwing for 280 yards with a 77% completion rate and scoring four touchdowns last week. All in all, I think that the Bills will win because even though Denver will put up a fight, the Bill’s offense is superior.
Panthers vs. Packers: Green Bay is on the road to the Playoffs, so they need to win this game. Each week, Aaron Rodgers has been able to put up great numbers (with the exception of a few bad games) and last week was no different. Rodgers threw for 290 yards with a 78% completion rate and scored three touchdowns. Green Bay’s offense was also able to gain a total of 410 yards, which lead to their win. The Panthers, on the other hand, had a bad loss to the Broncos, but Teddy Bridgewater had a pretty decent game. Bridgewater threw for 283 yards with a 75% completion rate but did not score. Nonetheless, with how the Packer’s offense has been playing, Green Bay will win.
Seahawks vs. Washington: Last week, Washington did everything they can to get the win against San Francisco, but Alex Smith was not in the whole game. Smith also only threw for 57 yards with a 42% completion rate and did not score. Dwayne Haskins was put in as quarterback and threw for only 51 yards with a 58% completion rate. Both of these quarterbacks did not have a good game, but Washington has been able to get a lot done because of their defense. This defense held the 49ers to 344 yards and gained three turnovers, and Chase Young got two tackles and four assists, which will stop any offense from scoring. Now, if Washington can put that kind of pressure on Russel Wilson, then Washington can have a very good chance to win. Seattle played the Jets last week, so Wilson had an incredible game throwing for 206 yards with a 77% completion rate and scoring four touchdowns. With that said, I think that the Seahawks will win, but they cannot get too comfortable, considering the power that is Washington’s defense.
Bears vs. Vikings: Another week with Mitchell Trubisky in as quarterback, and he surprised me a little bit. Trubisky threw for 267 yards with a 72% completion rate and scored three touchdowns. The Bears offense played well, gaining a total of 410 yards last week. Their defense also held the Texans back to 263 yards while gaining two turnovers. The Vikings did not do that well last week, but Kirk Cousins did not play that bad with throwing for 225 yards with a 64% completion rate and one touchdown. Be that as it may, I think the Bears will win this week.
Patriots vs. Dolphins: Both of these teams had an awful week, but it is all behind them now. To start, Cam Newton threw for 119 yards with a 56% completion rate and did not score. He also only got 16 rushing yards. New England’s offense altogether only gained a total of 220 yards and lost a turnover. Their defense did not perform to their usual standard, with allowing over 300 yards and only achieving one turnover. However, the Dolphin’s offense did a little better, with Tua Tagovailoa throwing for 316 yards with a 58% completion rate and scoring twice. Their defense, though, did not hold back Kansas City last week, allowing 448 yards, but they also gained four turnovers. Overall, I think that the Dolphins will win, mainly because they were able to put up a fight against the best offense in the league.
Jaguars vs. Ravens: With Gardner Minshew II back again this week, it could make for an exciting game for the Ravens. The Jaguars have been out their starting quarterback for the past few weeks and had been itching to bring him back until last week. However, Minshew did not have the best game with throwing for only 178 yards with a 58% completion rate and only scored one touchdown. Now, we all know how crazy the Ravens game got last week, with Lamar Jackson being taken out with a cramp, only to be brought back in the finals minutes after his backup was injured. Lamar Jackson threw only 163 yards with a 64% completion rate and only scored one touchdown, but also had 124 rushing yards. I think that the Ravens will be able to win this week, especially considering that Minshew is still adjusting after being gone for about five weeks.
Buccaneers vs. Falcons: The Buccaneers now have to do what they can to get the win this week, so it is all up to Tom Brady. Last week, he was able to get the win, throwing for 196 yards with a 65% completion rate and scoring two touchdowns. The Buccaneers offense was also able to gain over 300 yards and did not lose a turnover. Now, the Falcons also have a chance at winning this game, and I do not think that being eliminated from the playoffs will affect their will to win. Last week, Matt Ryan threw for 224 yards with a 65% completion rate and scored once. They may have lost to the Raiders last week, but it all comes down to how Tampa Bay’s defense performs this week. Either way, I think that Tampa Bay will win.
Lions vs. Titans: Now, this should be an easy week for the Titans, especially considering how their offense has been able to dominate, once again, with Derrick Henry. Speaking of the Titan’s offense, last week, Ryan Tannehill threw for over 212 yards with a 79% completion rate and scored two touchdowns, while Derrick Henry rushed for an incredible 215 yards. The Lions, on the other hand, have no been able to dominate in the same way, even with Matthew Stafford throwing for 244 yards with a 70% completion rate and scoring once. Now, the Lions may even be out of luck with their starting quarterback injured and doubtful to return, so that may not go in their favor. Overall, I think that the Titans are going to win, mostly because their offense is superior.
Texans vs. Colts: Now that the Texans have been eliminated from the playoffs, they can rest easy knowing there is no pressure on whether they win or lose. With that said, it could make for an exciting game. The Colts, although, will be determined to do everything they can to win, especially with them still being in the hunt for the playoffs. Now, last week, Deshaun Watson threw for 219 yards with a 70% completion rate and did score a touchdown, but it just was not enough. The Colts offense has been able to win their last two games, one of them being Houston, so with that said. I think that the Colts will win, even if Philip Rivers does not have the best game.
Jets vs. Rams: I mean, as much as I wish the Rams could lose this game, they won’t. The Jets have nothing to lose now, and it is looking like a winless season for them. Each week, Sam Darnold is not able to put up the number needed to win. Last week he threw for 132 yards with a 53% completion rate and did not score. The Rams, though, have been able to win for most of the season. Last week Jared Goff may not have had the best game, throwing for only 137 yards with a 64% completion rate, but the Rams were still able to win. One large factor to the Rams being able to win is their defense. They were able to hold the Patriots back to only 220 yards total and gained a turnover. Nonetheless, the Rams will win because their defense will stop Sam Darnold and the Jet’s offense.
Eagles vs. Cardinals: Well, the Eagles surprised everyone last week with their win against the Saints, but I do not think they will do the same against the Cardinals. Arizona’s offense can be very powerful when they want to be. Last week, Kyler Murray threw for 244 yards with a 68% completion rate and scored a touchdown. He is a very fast thinking quarterback and is hard to stop, so it will be up to the Eagles defense to make sure the Cardinals do not make those big plays that Murray is known for. With that said, Jalen Hurts had a decent game with throwing for 167 yards with a 56% completion and a touchdown, but that will not help them in this week’s game. Overall, it is up to the Eagle’s defense on whether or not they will win, and because of that, I think the Cardinals will win.
Chiefs vs. Saints: Last week, we watched as the Eagles defense destroyed the Saint’s offense in the beginning, but the Saints came back towards the end. Taysom Hill did his best with throwing for 291 yards with a 73% completion rate and scoring two touchdowns. Now, the Chiefs offense has been able to go above and beyond that, with Patrick Mahomes throwing for 393 yards with a 70% completion rate and scoring two touchdowns, but he also threw three picks. So, after going through most of the season with only giving up the ball twice, Mahomes went up against a defense that was almost able to get the best of him. If the Saint’s defense can hold back Kansas City’s offense, they have a chance, but it is not likely, especially with how they performed against the Eagles. The Chiefs should get the win this week, primarily because of their incredible offense.
Browns vs. Giants: Last week, Baker Mayfield put up another great game but lost because of the Browns defense. They could not stop Lamar Jackson and allowed over 380 yards. Baker Mayfield, though, threw for 343 yards with a 59% completion rate and scored two touchdowns. The Browns offense also gained a total of 493 yards. The Giants did not play that well last week, with Daniel Jones throwing for 127 yards with a 52% completion rate and did not score. With that said, Jones may also be out for this week’s game, which will only hurt the Giants more. Overall, with how Mayfield has been playing, I think that Cleveland will win.
Steelers vs. Bengals: This should be a straightforward week for the Steelers. The Bengals are still suffering from the loss of their starting quarterback, Joe Burrow, so their offense will not be making those big plays that we saw at the beginning of the season. Now, the Steelers offense, however, needs to step up. Last week, Ben Roethlisberger threw for only 187 yards with a 56% completion rate but was able to score twice. The Steelers defense may not have performed as well as they should have last week, but I think they should be able to stop the Bengals from scoring this Monday. With that said, the Steelers will win, but only because of their defense.
49ers vs. Cowboys: If Nick Mullens is going to stay in as quarterback, then the 49ers will not win. I am saying this as someone who watches him every week, and he cannot handle pressure, so he gets rid of the ball, but somehow it always lands in the opposing team’s hands. Last week, Mullens threw for 260 yards with a 55% completion rate and scored once, but it was not enough because he threw an interception and fumbled the ball. The Cowboys were able to win, and Andy Dalton threw for 185 yards with a 69% completion rate and scored two touchdowns. Neither of these teams have had great numbers, so I think the 49ers will win, but if Mullens gives up the ball, it is anyone’s game.