Broncos vs Jets: The Broncos are coming off a big win vs the Eagles, and the Jets are the worst team in the NFL at 0-5. Most of the Jets scores this year have been passing/receiving but you still have to rush the ball effectively to win. The Jets average the 3rd most rushing yards per game but they have a tough challenge against a great Broncos rush defense. The Broncos allow the 5th least rushing yards per game, and they have only allowed 2 rushing touchdowns all year, so I don’t think any Jets running backs will get going leading to drives with no scores. Even though they are winless the Jets are still top 20 in points per game and most of those touchdowns come from Garret Wilson, who is 3rd in target share this year. But now he goes up against Pat Surtain the best Corner in the league, and the Broncos are the 2nd best defense vs Wide receivers. The Jets may be in trouble against a Broncos defense. The last time Sean Payton played an Aaron Glenn defense he lost 17-42 and the Broncos leading rusher only had 37 yards. But this time it’s a Jets defense that allows the 2nd most points per game. The Jets allow the 13th least passing yards per game and for Bo Nix who has the 12th most passing yards in the league we will see what happens.
Prediction: Broncos 23, Jets 10
Seahawks vs Jaguars: Kenneth Walker has had another alright season being 10th in rushing yards, and now he goes against a Jaguars defense that allows the 11th most rushing yards per game and on the other side of the ball Travis Etienne has played great having the 4th most rushing yards in the league but the Seahawks allow the 2nd least rush yards per carry. This game will be really high scoring because it includes two of the top 10 highest scoring teams and there is nothing for either of these defenses that set these teams apart because the Seahawks are only 1 points behind the Jaguars for points allowed per game. The Jaguars are 1st in the league in turnover differential and 1st in the league for interceptions with 10. Sam Darnold had thrown the 6th most interceptions and this week doesn’t seem to change as long as the Jaguars can pressure Sam Darnold where he’s at his worst.
Prediction: Jaguars 27, Seahawks 21
Chargers vs Dolphins: Omarion Hampton will be out for this one so the Dolphins will get the advantage but the Chargers defense is so much better than the Dolphins. The Chargers allow the 7th least yards per game, and the Dolphins allow the 4th most, and the Dolphins have allowed the 6th most points per game, while the Chargers allow the 6th least. The Chargers are coming off two tough losses to the Giants and Commanders, and Justin Herbert over these last two games has only averaged 184 yards, a touchdown and a very low QBR of 50, and an Interception. He hopes to bounce back vs a bad Dolphins defense who is the 3rd worst defense vs QBs. Justin Herbert looked in MVP form in the first 3 games so let’s hope he can bounce back. If the Chargers struggle yet again and this game gets close my money is on the Dolphins. The Chargers in their last 11 one score games are 1-10, and the Dolphins in their last 10 is 5-5. Even though that’s only 50% for the dolphins that’s a horrible 9% for the Chargers and Justin Herbert. Miami is middle of the league vs WRs, and middle of the league in passing yards allowed, but still I don’t think it’s enough for Justin Herbert and Quentin Johnston.
Prediction: Dolphins 20, Chargers 29
Rams vs Ravens: The Ravens looked horrible without Lamar, and the Rams are coming off extra rest after losing on Thursday night football. The Ravens have already lost 2 home games this year and I bet they don’t want to lose a 3rd. The Rams are 1-1 in away games and their only loss was vs the Eagles. This week Lamar is unlikely to play, so they will go with Cooper Rush again. Cooper Rush threw 3 interceptions last week which is more than most QBs have thrown all season, and even Derrick Henry couldn’t get going only averaging 2 yards per carry. The Rams are 8th in takeaways this year, and if Cooper Rush threw 3 interceptions vs the Texans who are lower than the Rams in takeaways than who knows what will happen vs the Rams. The Rams are third in yards per carry allowed, which Houston is below them there too so there is now way that the Ravens will even score more than last game. Matthew Stafford is 1st in passing yards and 2nd in passing touchdowns and now he has his easiest matchup of the year vs the Ravens. The Ravens allow the most points in the league and the 2nd worst defense in the league vs QBs, so Matt may have his best game of the season.
Prediction: Rams 38, Ravens 6
Cardinals vs Colts: That game vs the Titans wasn’t too bad it was really just Demercado dropping it before the endzone. But that was the Titans. Now they have to face an awesome Colts offense. This year the Colts are 2nd in yards per play and 4th in offensive yard per game. Daniel Jones has been insane this year being 3rd in passing yards and 1st in QBR and Jonathon Taylor looks like the lead candidate for offensive player of the year being 1st in rushing yards and touchdowns. The Colts currently are the #1 seed in the AFC and they should be undefeated if it wasn’t for Adonai Mitchell dropping the ball be for the endzone. Tyler Warren has also been awesome being top 5 in tight end yards, and catches. The Colts biggest defense is their secondary who is the 4th worst defense vs WRs, so this could be good for Marvin Harrison who is 21st in receiving yards. Jonathon Taylor has been great, and I expect him to continue this even though the Cardinals are the 8th best rushing defense.
Prediction: Colts 33, Cardinals 20
Panthers vs Cowboys: Yes Rico Dowdle rushed for 200 yards last game and I don’t care that the Cowboys have one of the worst defenses in the league allowing the most yards per game in the league, it’s not happening again. It was most likely just a fluke against a bad Miami rush defense. Dak Prescott is 3rd in passing yards per game, and the Cowboys are 1st in total yards per game, and I don’t think it’s enough for the Panthers to stop and Bryce Young and the Panthers can’t keep up. Dallas averages the 4th most points per game in the league, and the Panthers most likely won’t keep up with bottom 15 in points per game. This year Dak Prescott is 2nd in passing yards, 3rd in touchdowns, and 3rd in QBR and he plays great against bad defenses, and the Panthers do have a bad defense but against QBs, the Panthers are the second best, and they allow the 8th least passing yards.
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Panthers 17.
Patriots vs Saints: Drake Maye is proving that he is the future for the Patriots being top 15 in QBR and Touchdowns, and 5th in passing yards, and now he gets to play the Saints. DONT underrated the Saints, as they are the 8th best defense vs QBs, and they allow the 9th least passing yards a game, and that includes playing Josh Allen, and Sam Darnold who both have been great this year. But if Drake Maye can get 273 yards vs the Bills anything can happen. Last week the Patriots beat the Bills but sometimes flukes happen. This week will be test to see if the Patriots are real or if last week was fluke. The Patriots haven’t won three straight games since 2021 which was the last time they made the playoffs. If the Patriots win this game they have a 68% chance to win and if they lose it goes down to 48%. This game matters a lot for the Patriots but not for the Saints because even with a win it’s only a 6% playoff chance. The Saints only win this year vs the Giants was really just a sloppy game for the Giants because the Saints got 2 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
Prediction: Patriots 27, Saints 20
Browns vs Steelers: The Browns always play better in divisional matchups, last year they beat the Ravens, and Steelers, and lost to the Bengals in a one score game, and this year they only lost to the Bengals by 1. The Steelers on the other hand last year, beat the Bengals, and Ravens, and lost to the Bengals in a one score game so both teams are very similar when it comes to one-score games. Dillion Gabriel played fine last week with 190 yards and 2 touchdowns and that was against a Minnesota defense who is 3rd against QBs, and now against the Steelers who are bottom 5 against QBs. The Steelers allow the 3rd most passing yards per game (260), so let’s see if Dillion Gabriel can get his first 200 yards passing game. If he struggles against a bad defense like the Steelers the Sheduer talks will get loud. Even if the Steelers defense is bad Mike Tomlinson will be prepared. Mike Tomlin in his career with Steelers is 26-6 vs rookie QBs, but usually he has had a great defense, and now it’s a worse one we will see what happens. Aaron Rodgers and his team are 3rd worst in yards per game, and middle of the league in points per game, and the Browns allow the 2nd least yards per game, but they allow the 11th most points per game. You can’t score unless you get enough yards to get in the redzone so I don’t think the Steelers will be able to score consistently. The Steelers got a week of rest so they will be good to go, but the Browns were just in London and now they have to have a road game, so this is a great spot for the Steelers and the Browns may struggle.
Prediction: Browns 22, Steelers 18
Titans vs Raiders: The Titans haven’t won two straight games since 2022 the year they started 7-3 and ended 7-10. The Titans winning two straight games would show a sign of life but it wouldn’t do anything for playoff implications. Geno Smith leads the league in interceptions and if the Raiders lose this game Geno Smith may be in some trouble. If Geno doesn’t work out they still have Kenny Pickett as a backup, so if Geno wants to keep his job then he will need to win more games. Both of these teams have had some of the worst offenses this year, the Titans being 2nd wort in yards per game, and both of those teams are the are bottom 3 in points per game. This will be a battle of defenses and the Raiders are actually top 20 in a defensive stat which is yards allowed per game, but in everything else both teams are very similar. The Raiders are coming off a way worse game vs the Colts where they allowed 40 points and they only scored 6, and Geno had two interceptions.
Prediction: Titans 21, Raiders 20
49ers vs Buccaneers: The 49ers somehow won without Jennings, Pearsall, and Purdy, but looking at all the 4-1 teams they are by far the worst. Right now technically the 49ers have won 3 divisional games so they are 1st in the NFC. The Buccaneers are bottom 15 in 4th quarter scoring, and the 49ers are top 10 in least fourth quarter points allowed so this could be yet another 1 score game for the Buccaneers. Nobody should be betting against Baker Mayfield as he is 4th in passing yards and 3rd in TDs, and 8th in QBR, and he and Emeka Egbuka (4th in yards and 2nd in touchdowns) are an unstoppable duo that leads this Buccaneers offense. The 49ers are middle of the league against QBs, but against WRs they have the 6th best defense in the NFL and for Emeka Egbuka who averages 89 receiving yards a game may have his biggest struggle yet. 49ers QBs are 1st in yards per game, and the Buccaneers defense is bottom 5 against QBs so don’t underestimate Mac Jones in this game
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, 49ers 24
Bengals vs Packers: This game is really over before it started. The Bengals are 4th worst in points per game, and the Packers allow the 11th least points per game. The last time Joe Flacco faced the Packers he had only 142 yards and an interception but now he gets Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins. The Packers are middle of the league against WRs and they allowed George Pickens to get 10+ catches and 140+ yards so I bet Jamar Chase will have a great game. This doesn’t matter because the Packers overall are just the better team. The Bengals are last in offensive yards and 3rd worst in defensive yards allowed so just watch for a great game by Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs and literally ever single Packers player on the roster. The Packers are coming off a bye and the Bengals are coming off 3 straight losses so I don’t see anything changing
Prediction: Packers 43, Bengals 17