Tag: picks

It’s finally here. It has been exactly 150 days, and after 21 long weeks of football, pandemic craziness, wild finishes, incredible games, and the most unpredictable season ever, only two teams remain. It is officially Super Bowl Sunday. Tonight, the Kansas City Chiefs will look to repeat as champions as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida. And boy, is it going to be a doozy.

There’s not a lot I can tell you about this game that hasn’t already been said before. All the storylines write themselves. The Kid vs. The GOAT. The NFL’s potential next dynasty vs. the man who orchestrated its greatest one. KC looking to go back-to-back for the first time since the man playing QB across from them did it 16 years ago. The Bucs becoming the first team to ever play a Super Bowl in their home stadium, led by a 43-year old QB in his first season with the team. Oh, and it’s his 10th appearance in this game. So yeah, nothing major.

The road has been fairly straightforward for the defending champs. The Chiefs steamrolled through the AFC this year, going 14-2 (with their starters resting in the second loss) and making formidable playoff teams look silly. Much of their roster from last year’s Super Bowl squad is still here, obviously headlined by QB Patrick Mahomes, who is already making a name for himself in the GOAT conversation in just his 3rd full year as a starter. This is already his 2nd Super Bowl after reaching 3 straight AFC Championship Games. The kid is just 25 and hasn’t even played a road playoff game yet. He is starting to cement an all-time legacy, and he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his career. Mahomes threw for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions and finished 3rd in MVP voting. It helps when you have two of the best offensive weapons in the league in WR Tyreek Hill, the fastest man in pro football, and TE Travis Kelce, who is having perhaps the best season that a tight end has ever had with 105 catches, 1,416 yards (2nd amongst ALL receivers), and 11 TDs. Not to mention having HC Andy Reid, one of the greatest offensive minds of all time, dialing up the most creative plays you’ll ever see. They can hurt you in so many different ways offensively, but I personally think this defense doesn’t get enough credit. They excel in every level, led by Chris Jones and Frank Clark up front, who absolutely dominate guards on a weekly basis. Their secondary is even better than last year’s led once again by S Tyrann Matthieu, with other key pieces like CBs Bashaud Breeland and rookie L’Jarius Sneed making huge plays all over the second level. Even outside all of these huge names, the Chiefs are stacked with talent, and it’s the reason they were the best team in the league all season long.

It’s been a much more tumultuous road for the Buccaneers to get here. They were 7-5 heading into their bye week with all sorts of questions about their chemistry and whether or not they’d even make the playoffs, but they have not lost a game since then and are playing incredible football. In his first season with the team, QB Tom Brady has somehow shattered expectations, having one of his best seasons yet at age 43 with 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns. This is his 10th appearance in the Super Bowl, and he’ll be looking for his 7th ring. I know, it doesn’t even sound real. Like his counterpart in this game, Brady is also surrounded by some of the NFL’s best talents. From star WRs in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to a stellar 1-2 punch at RB in Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette and one of the best offensive lines in football, Brady has gotten tons of help, and it has paid dividends in a huge way. But the reason this team has the chance to play for a Lombardi is their defense. It’s a unit that has stepped up and made a name for themselves in the playoffs. Their front seven is absolutely loaded, from veteran talents like DE Jason Pierre-Paul and DT Ndamukong Suh to some emerging young studs like DE Shaq Barrett, DT Vita Vea, and LB Devin White, who has been an absolute force. Tampa’s secondary is full of young playmakers like CB Sean Murphy-Bunting and S Antoine Winfield Jr. That vaunted defense smothered the elite offenses of New Orleans and Green Bay in impressive fashion en route to get to this point. When you win 3 straight road playoff games, you can always point to a strong defense as a leading factor in each win. Just look at the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago, where Brady threw 3 second half interceptions, but the defense only allowed 6 points off of them. It’s an elite unit that needs to play its best ball in their toughest challenge yet if they want to win it all.

Oh, and did I mention that these teams already played each other this year? Back on November 29th, the Chiefs held off a late rally to beat the Bucs 27-24 in Tampa. They got off to a huge lead thanks to 269 yards and 3 TDs from Tyreek Hill, with 203 yards and 2 TDs coming in the first quarter alone. That game was great, and I’m sure it has given both coaches plenty of material to work with as they try to come up with a gameplan for tonight. It’s the first rematch of a regular season game in a Super Bowl since 2011, when the Giants beat the Patriots after beating them in the regular season as well (as if we need another parallel involving Tom Brady). In any case, it’s always hard to beat a team twice, especially when the second game is the biggest of them all.

Both of these teams match up so well with each other that it’s almost scary. However, there can only be one winner. I’ve put a great deal of thought into this in the last 2 weeks, and I still had such a hard time making this pick. It’s easily the most even Super Bowl on paper that I’ve ever seen, and it can easily go either way. With that being said, here’s my pick for Super Bowl LV:

Chiefs 31-26 Buccaneers

Sunday, 6:30 PM, CBS

At the end of the day, in a game like this and a situation like this, you just have to go with your gut. And my gut tells me the Chiefs will win this game. I could give you a plethora of reasons about matchups or schemes or play-calling or even superstition. But I won’t. Like I said earlier, this could easily go both ways. But everything in me is pointing towards Kansas City. It is so, so hard to pick against Tom Brady, but it’s equally as hard, if not harder, to pick against Patrick Mahomes. All he has done is win and win, but at the same time, the one man who has stopped him was Tom Brady. Not to mention that the Buccaneers don’t have to worry about travel or hotels or any of that jazz. For them, it’s another day of work down the road. It’s just such a difficult pick to make. For me, it all boils down to this: who do I trust when it matters the most? There is no doubt that Tom Brady is the most clutch player ever, but what about the people around him? Only 5 other players on his team have Super Bowl experience. The Chiefs have over 30. This is almost the exact same team that won it all last year. All of these guys have been here and done that. Experience matters so much in the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs have it in abundance. This is going to be air-tight throughout, but I see Mahomes and company pulling away late to secure their second consecutive title. You already know Tom Brady will not go down without a fight, but I just don’t think it will be enough. As I said above, the Bucs defense will be the key to winning this game. I just can’t see them stopping the unstoppable force that is the Kansas City Chiefs.

No matter what happens tonight, I know that this game is going to be spectacular. All the makings of a classic are right in front of us, and I really hope that’s what we get. Not to mention a performance by The Weeknd in the middle of everything? We really are spoiled. I cannot wait to watch it all unfold. I hope you all enjoy the game.

I want to end things by thanking you guys so much for your support throughout this season. No matter if you clicked on one article or every single one week in and week out, I can’t say enough how much I appreciate you. It has been such a blast writing about football in this incredible season, and it was also an honor. I’ll still be here, writing about other things, but I think it’s safe to say you won’t be getting me on a weekly basis for a while. I hope you stick around for the future, and I can’t wait to bring you guys more content.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Welcome to the proverbial Final Four. Championship Sunday is finally upon us, and we might have gotten the best possible matchups in recent memory. Quarterback-wise, I don’t think that’s deniable. But all around, these four teams have been amazing, and these games have all the hype in the world behind them. We can only hope and pray that they live up to it. I cannot wait to see each of these games, and I personally think that any possible Super Bowl LV matchup we get after today will be spectacular. In any case, these championship games should be incredible. I went 2-2 in the Divisional Round, bringing my season total to 156-77-1. With just 3 games left this season, let’s get into today’s picks:

Packers 31-20 Buccaneers

Sunday, 3:05 PM, FOX

Of the two championship games, this one feels the easiest to pick. I’ve been very high on Tampa all season long, but this task might be a little too tall for them. There is no denying that they deserve to be here, especially after dominating the Saints in the second half of their Divisional Round game last week. Their reward for that is facing the best team in the NFL right now. Green Bay is playing incredible football, and they really have been all season long. They’ve largely been in the shadow of the Chiefs, but right now, I don’t think anyone would argue that they’re the better team. While the Packers did lose to this Bucs team early in the season, that was a very long time ago, and both of these teams have had completely different trajectories to get to this rematch. Tampa has been very up and down, but they are extremely hot at the right time. QB Tom Brady has been playing very well, and while he didn’t have the flashiest performance against New Orleans, he is making all the plays to win his team games. However, no QB is playing better than the #12 on the other side of the field. Aaron Rodgers is playing perhaps the best football of his life, and is a lock to win this year’s MVP. He had an amazing game against the Rams vaunted defense last week, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The Bucs have a nice D of their own, but it will take a miracle to stop Rodgers and the plethora of offensive weapons, namely WR Davante Adams. The two have been the single most dynamic duo we have seen in a long time in the NFL, and I fully expect another big performance. I think the Bucs can keep this game close for a while, but they’re bound to just run out of gas at some point. Green Bay’s defense will make some plays to shut down Brady and company and put their offense in a position to win it. The Packers will pull away late thanks to some Aaron Rodgers heroics and book their ticket to Super Bowl LV.

Chiefs 27-23 Bills

Sunday, 6:40 PM, CBS

This one is a little harder to pick. I think this game is going to be special, as these two teams have clearly been the best 2 teams in the AFC for the better part of the season. Like the NFC title game, this is a rematch from earlier in the season, where the Chiefs ran all over the Bills in a bad weather game for an easy win. But Buffalo is an entirely different team now, and has been one of the hottest teams in football for over a month now. That was, until the playoffs. They struggled to beat the 7 seed Colts in the Wild Card game, and needed some defensive heroics and missed kicks to beat the Ravens last week. I do think they absolutely deserved to win both of those games, but it hasn’t exactly been easy. It certainly wasn’t easy for the Chiefs last week either, as QB Patrick Mahomes had to leave the game due to a concussion, and backup Chad Henne had to go and win it late. Mahomes is cleared and ready to go for this game, and should be close to full strength. In the time he played last week, he looked great, leading the offense to scoring drive after scoring drive, and really shaking off the rust from late in the regular season. Now, they’re getting RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire back from injury, and will be at full strength for this huge game. If you know me, you know how much I value running games in the postseason, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m picking the Chiefs in this game. The Bills cannot run the football. I think they’ve given up on it completely. They just rely on QB Josh Allen to make every throw, which has worked for them so far, especially when he’s throwing to WR Stefon Diggs, but the brakes have to come off at some point. Kansas City is simply more sound in every single area, both offensively and defensively. I also think they’re just more prepared for this moment, as this is their 3rd straight AFC Championship Game, whereas this is the Bills’ first in 27 years. I think Buffalo will fight their tails off in this game, and certainly give the Chiefs a run for their money. But without a running game being on the road in the biggest game in decades, I just can’t put my faith in them to step up and win it. I think the Chiefs defense will make the key plays late to send this team to its second consecutive Super Bowl.

Just a quarter of the NFL remains fighting for a championship, and the 8 teams we have left are some good ones. Wild Card Round separated the measly, middle of the road teams from the great ones, and it has set up some great matchups this weekend. We’re going to continue to learn a lot about these teams, and with so much on the line, anything can happen. These are some of the best matchups that I can remember in a long time for this round, and I’m having such a hard time picking these games. I can’t wait to see it all go down. I went 4-2 in Wild Card Weekend, bringing my season total to 154-75-1. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Packers 27-23 Rams

To put it plainly, the Rams can run the ball and they can suffocate you on defense. That’s enough to compete in any playoff game. It was their formula to beat Seattle last week and get to this point, thanks to some subpar QB play from an injured Jared Goff. While I think they can excel at executing that gameplan, it might be a little bit difficult to overcome the challenge that is the Green Bay Packers. They got last week off and are very well-rested coming into this game, and have the advantage of the frozen tundra on their side as a SoCal team rides into town. But all weather and home-field and superstition aside, when you simply compare these teams side by side, the advantage has to go to the Packers. LA’s defense is incredible, but so is Green Bay’s offense. QB Aaron Rodgers has been in this situation so many times before, and he won’t be phased by the challenge. I think it will be very, very close throughout, but I just don’t see the Rams offense being able to keep up with the Packers’, and it will be their downfall.

Ravens 23-21 Bills

This is easily the toughest game to pick this week. How could it not be? These teams match up almost perfectly with one another, and it makes this matchup impossible to break down and predict. Both of these teams played some great football last week to get here, and they won their games by playing their style of football. The Bills took the top off of the Colts defense all game long, and the Ravens ran circles around the Titans while suffocating them with their elite defense. If you ask me, Baltimore absolutely has the better roster, and the better identity offensively. Just like I said above with the Rams, if you can run the ball and play defense in January, I like you to win some games. The Ravens have also been here before, as much of this roster was here last year for the heartbreaking loss in this very round. The Bills are still new to this, and although QB Josh Allen has bloomed into quite the young talent, I don’t know how much faith I can put in him to win this big of a game. These are two of the hottest teams in football, but only one of them can continue the streak and head to the AFC Championship Game. I think it will be Baltimore. Experience plays a huge factor in a game like this, and they have it in bunches. It wouldn’t shock me at all if this game goes the other way, but my gut is telling me to pick the Ravens, so that’s what I’m going to stick with.

Chiefs 38-31 Browns

This is probably the wackiest matchup of the weekend for a multitude of reasons. For one, it’s the Browns playing football this late into the season, something that we haven’t seen in decades. Second of all, the spread on this game is HUGE. Even after dismantling the Steelers last week, the Browns are 10-point dogs in this game. Yes, the Chiefs have been the best team in football all year long and are coming off 2 weeks of rest, but that just seems crazy to me. Now, I do think the Chiefs will win this game, but it won’t be easy. They somewhat stumbled into the playoffs, as they didn’t play their sharpest football in the month of December. I do think the weeks off will benefit them, and HC Andy Reid is notoriously great after byes. The Browns are a great team and deserve to be here, but this challenge might be a bit too big for them. I think they can hang around for a while and score a lot of points, but to overcome the modern-day Goliath of Kansas City will be difficult. In a spot like this, you have to put your faith in QB Patrick Mahomes and the bunch, who have already been here and done that. Take the over in this one, but also take the Chiefs. Maybe not against the spread.

Saints 30-24 Buccaneers

The final game of the weekend is the third matchup this season between the Saints and the Bucs. In each of the first 2, New Orleans dismissed Tampa out of hand, winning both games convincingly, especially the second one. Intuition would tell you that, by now, the Bucs have to have come up with some way to be competitive in this game. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one and say that they will be. But I’m not sure I liked what I saw out of them last week. While the Saints used a dominant defense to blow out the Bears, the Buccaneers struggled against a Washington team starting a backup QB, and needed everything to go their way to come out with a win. Now, they face one of the most loaded rosters in the league that’s already dominated them twice. While I think this game will be the closest of the three this season, I cannot pick against the Saints. This team has been far too dominant on both sides of the ball to be easily picked against. I do think the Buccaneers are playing their best football of the season, but I just don’t think it’s enough. That seems to be the case with so many of these games. While it’s very difficult to bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs, this is a situation that warrants it.

Welcome to the playoffs. It has been a long, tumultuous journey to get here, but we finally made it. This is a historic weekend in more ways than one, but the most notable thing is the addition of the 7 seeds, giving us 3 games on both Saturday and Sunday. It should be a blast, and I’m excited to see it all unfold. Wild Card Weekend has plenty of interesting matchups and some very intriguing storylines, and anything can happen in the postseason. I went 13-3 in Week 17, bringing my season total to 150-73-1. Not a bad way to end the regular season. Let’s get into my picks for the first round of the playoffs:

Bills 27-20 Colts

Saturday, 1:05 PM, CBS

There isn’t a lot of doubt in anyone’s mind that the Bills are the hottest team in football heading into this postseason. They’ve won 9 of their last 10, with the only loss being on a miracle Hail Mary, and are playing out of their minds offensively as of late. QB Josh Allen is a true MVP contender, and while he might not win it, he has surely made his mark in this league. For these reasons, the Bills seem like the lock here. But the Colts have been one of the quieter good teams in this league in 2020. Their defense has been stellar all year long, and their offense has finally found their groove now that rookie RB Jonathan Taylor has emerged as a true RB1, and he is a great one. Run game and defense are the ways to win playoff games in my eyes, and I think the Colts are the better team here in those areas. But still, I just don’t know if this group is ready to beat a team as good as Buffalo. I think it will be very close, and defense will decide this game. I simply have to put my faith in the team that has looked so great recently. Being hot at the right time is so important, and no one is hotter than the Buffalo Bills.

Seahawks 20-17 Rams

Saturday, 4:40 PM, FOX

This game is an absolute enigma for me. Both of these teams are so wacky and weird and inconsistent that it almost feels like both teams are going to lose. These teams met just 2 weeks ago in Seattle, and while that game was close throughout, the Seahawks separated and were able to win convincingly in the end. However, this is the playoffs, and the 3rd meeting between these teams this year. Anything can happen. The Rams will likely have to turn to backup QB John Wolford once again with Jared Goff still dealing with thumb issues. Wolford wasn’t great last week in the win over Arizona, but I don’t think he needs to be. LA’s defense will win or lose them the game. It won’t be much of a challenge for that unit, as Seattle’s offense has been absolutely sputtering lately, and they simply cannot get anything going. Their defense has stepped up in a massive way, making the second half of their season a complete flip of the first. If Goff was playing in this game, I think I would take the Rams. I just can’t put my faith in a backup QB with almost no NFL experience. The Seahawks will win, but it will likely be their last of the year. Whoever wins this game is getting blasted next week.

Buccaneers 24-20 Washington

Saturday, 8:15 PM, NBC

This is another fairly wacky matchup as the 7-9 NFC East champion WFT hosts a playoff game against Tom Brady and the Bucs. Washington didn’t get the most convincing win in the world last week to get here, but they did it, and now they get a Tampa team that has been nothing short of explosive in the last month or so. Brady and the bunch are on absolute fire, and they haven’t even been fully healthy. Now they are, and it is a dangerous sight for the NFL. Washington will have their hands full, but at least they can put plenty of faith in their defense, which has been playing like the league’s best in the second half of this season. Rookie DE Chase Young has already solidified himself as one of the best defensive players in football, and the entire front seven has been wreaking havoc on QBs all year long. The Washington offense, however, is a very different story. It’s a unit that has dealt with a ton of shuffling and mediocrity all year long, but whenever Alex Smith is starting at QB, this team finds ways to win games. However, Smith has been dealing with a calf injury for the last few weeks, and it is clearly affecting him on the field. Washington will likely be rotating QBs on Saturday night with Taylor Heinicke getting in on the action. He looked good in his only playing time this year, but in the playoffs, things will be a lot more challenging. I can’t trust Washington to win this game with all the uncertainty at QB, but there is no shame in that. It’s Tom Brady after all. This has been a great year for the WFT, all things considered, and the future is blindingly bright in the nation’s capital. This isn’t the year, but watch out for this team in the future.

Ravens 34-24 Titans

Sunday, 1:05 PM, ESPN

One of the better matchups of the weekend is a rematch of one of the bigger upsets in recent playoff memory from last year’s divisional round. The Wild Card Titans got the better of the 1 seed Ravens in that game, but now the script is much different. It’s Tennessee who will be hosting this game after stumbling their way into a division title. Despite being the lower seed and the road team, Baltimore has undoubtedly been the better team as of late, winning their last 5 games in emphatic fashion. Their offense is in a real groove right now, especially on the ground. QB Lamar Jackson needs no introduction, but rookie RB J.K. Dobbins has emerged as a bonafide RB1 in their offense, and it has taken it to new heights. The Titans have a star-studded offense of their own, as QB Ryan Tannehill has had a spectacular season in his first full year as the starter. RB Derrick Henry…. well, he’s King Henry for a reason. Henry absolutely plowed his way through defenses this year, becoming the 8th player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. It was a great year for the man who will likely take home the Offensive Player of the Year award. It will be a stout challenge for the Titans, as Baltimore’s defense is still as strong as it has ever been. They have been making life hell for offenses in the second half of their season, but this is their tallest task yet. As for Tennessee’s defense… not so much. This might be the worst defensive unit in all of football, as they cannot get any pressure on QBs and their secondary has gotten ripped apart all season long. The passing offense of the Ravens isn’t one to be scared of, but you better bring your A-game against a team that good. I simply don’t trust the Titans defense at all, and with no defense in the playoffs, you cannot go anywhere. Yes, Tennessee beat Baltimore earlier in the year, but it will be extremely hard to do that again given the way these teams are playing right now. I expect a huge game for the Ravens on the ground, and this group inspired by avenging last year’s team (and even Week 11’s team) will get the job done.

Saints 30-20 Bears

Sunday, 4:40 PM, CBS

This is perhaps the most lopsided affair of the weekend, and for good reason. The Saints have been one of the NFL’s best teams all season long, and they have what is probably the best roster in the NFL from top to bottom. No matter who is playing at QB, this offense just churns out yards and points. A major reason for that is the incredible play of RB Alvin Kamara, who has lived in the endzone this year. Luckily for New Orleans, Kamara will be back this week after missing their Week 17 game due to COVID-19 protocols. He will be much needed against a Bears defense that has been playing very well. It has been the tale of 3 seasons for Chicago this year: the great start, the awful losing streak, and the late resurgence. This team has won 3 of 4 to get into the dance, thanks to some great, rejuvenated offensive play, and the aforementioned play of the defense. However, on both sides of the ball, I just think they’ll be overwhelmed. New Orleans’ defense is playing at an elite level, and that offense will finally be fully healthy. The Saints haven’t even played their best football yet, and it’s January. If they can hit that stride in the playoffs, then this team has a real shot at a title.

Steelers 28-19 Browns

Sunday, 8:15 PM, NBC

The final game of Wild Card Weekend is the 3rd matchup between Pittsburgh and Cleveland this season, and the 2nd in the last 2 weeks. These teams met just a week ago, with the Browns edging out a win in a very close game despite the Steelers playing mostly backups. That rest was much needed for Pittsburgh, as the last month or so has been nothing short of disastrous for them. After an 11-0 start, things have fallen apart, and they now stumble into the playoffs sitting at 12-4. However, I have a sneaky feeling about them. I just trust in their playoff experience compared to the Browns, who haven’t been here in 18 years and have the least postseason experience on their roster of all 14 playoff teams. It doesn’t help that Cleveland will be without HC Kevin Stefanski, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week and won’t be with the team for this game. It will be a very tough test regardless for the Browns offense, which has been a good unit all year long, but has struggled mightily in 2 matchups with the Steelers. Even without players like S Minkah Fitzpatrick and DE T.J. Watt last week, Pittsburgh almost won, and their defense did a good job of containing the Browns. For me, that performance last week is the biggest indicator in how this game will go. I understand that the Steelers cannot run the ball to save their lives, and that this one-dimensional offense can only do so much. But combining all of the factors I’ve mentioned, this one is just going to slip away from Cleveland. It’s a shame for them, considering how awesome it is to finally see them back in the playoffs, but I just don’t see them pulling this out. It will take a great performance out of QB Baker Mayfield, and if you know me, you know I don’t expect that at all.

Here we go. This is it! Week 17 is finally upon us, and it is filled with wild scenarios all over the NFL. Anything can happen in this crazy week, and although 2020 is over, I’m sure we’re not yet out of chaos in this NFL season. Divisions will be clinched, playoff spots will be snatched, and hearts will be broken. It is going to be wild and it is going to be a blast. I went a measly 8-8 in Week 16, bringing my season total to 137-70-1. It was a rough week, but I have a feeling that this week will be much better. For the last time this regular season, let’s get into this week’s picks:

Bills 27-21 Dolphins

The Dolphins will be fighting for their lives in frigid Orchard Park, and I just don’t have faith in them to pull it out. This team has been very resilient in the back half of the season, but their play under rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa has not been inspiring lately. Tua has struggled a good deal, including being benched in their last game. Even if he has more problems, Ryan Fitzpatrick can’t save the day, as he’ll miss this game due to COVID protocols. The Bills are simply the far better team, and they’ll put a stamp on this stellar regular season with a win over their division rival. If Tua can pull off the upset, it’d be a sight to see, but I just don’t see it happening.

Ravens 35-17 Bengals

Not much to talk about here. The Bengals have been very competitive recently, but they haven’t exactly been playing great teams (yes, the Steelers aren’t great). The Ravens have been stellar in the last month or so, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing. They will dominate this game and return to the playoffs, looking to avenge the sins of last year’s team.

Browns 26-20 Steelers

Cleveland has absolutely no excuse to lose this game. The Steelers are sitting everyone and their mothers for this game, either due to the playoffs or COVID, and the Browns are relatively healthy, although they’re dealing with COVID problems of their own. They’ll still be much closer to full strength, and they have to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive, barring other results across the AFC. This is their moment to prove all of their doubters wrong and return to the postseason. The franchise cannot afford to lose this game. Want us to take you seriously? Win this game.

Vikings 30-20 Lions

Week 17 games with no playoff impact are so boring. The Vikings already ran through the Lions once this season, and I expect it to happen again. Lions QB Matt Stafford is playing through a ton of injuries this week, and while I know he’ll be able to keep this game competitive, I just see Minnesota pulling away late. I don’t have any faith in their defense, but the Vikes’ offense is good enough to win this game on their own.

Patriots 20-17 Jets

Neither of these teams have much to play for other than pride and bragging rights, so I see this being a fairly close game, much like their 1st meeting in 2020. The Patriots are still the better team, although I think the Jets are more competitive. It might be a “who has the ball last” type of game, but I’ll stick with the superior coaching staff here. Adam Gase will go out with a loss, but at the expense of 2 wins and losing out on Trevor Lawrence. It’s ok, Jets fans. Justin Fields will be just fine.

Cowboys 28-24 Giants

This game, which was supposed to mean nothing, all of a sudden means everything to these teams. If the WFT loses on Sunday night, the winner of this game wins the division. It’s such an intriguing matchup, because I feel like these teams match up great with one another. It’s a great offense against a great defense on one side of the ball, and an awful offense against an awful defense on the other side. Cowboys QB Andy Dalton was able to lead his team to victory in the first matchup between these teams, and I can definitely see it happening again. The Cowboys have been playing significantly better than the Giants have in the last few weeks, and they have much more momentum going into this game. The Giants defense, which has been so good this season, has really struggled lately, and I think Dallas’ offense will do just enough to push through and win this game. Again, if Washington does their job, this game becomes obsolete. But if not, then this might be the most intriguing matchup of the day.

Buccaneers 34-24 Falcons

This is the 2nd matchup in 3 weeks between these teams, and it’ll likely go the same way as the first time around. I don’t see the Falcons getting out to a huge lead and then blowing it, but I easily see them losing. The Bucs can secure the 5 seed and a date with the NFC East champ with a win, and I’m sure they would love to have that. I expect another huge game for Tom Brady against an awful Atlanta defense. If the GOAT stays this hot going into the postseason, the NFC better watch out.

Packers 29-26 Bears

Green Bay vs. Chicago in a huge Week 17 matchup with imperative impacts on the playoffs. What’s better than this? The Bears can win their way into the wild card with a win (or some help from the Rams), and the Packers can secure the 1 seed and a first-round bye with a victory of their own. The stakes in this game are huge, and neither team can afford a loss (depending on other outcomes). In a huge moment like this, I obviously have to trust Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, but I think this game will be very, very close. The Bears are playing their best football of the season, and QB Mitchell Trubisky has been on fire. This team will be remarkably fired up to play their biggest rival, but I don’t think it’ll be enough. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Bears win this game, but I don’t have it in me to pick them. I would love to see this team in the playoffs, but if this holds up, they’re going to need some help out west.

Broncos 31-27 Raiders

Las Vegas has legitimately been one of the worst teams in the NFL in the last month thanks to one of the league’s worst defenses. The Broncos haven’t exactly been great either, but they have certainly been competitive. You can clearly tell while watching the Raiders that everyone has given up, and I don’t see them winning this game because of that. They might be able to stay competitive, but Denver is the better team in this game in my eyes. They’ll be able to close out their season with a win and carry some momentum going into a seemingly bright future.

Colts 27-20 Jaguars

While I think there is no chance the Jaguars win this game, I think it’ll be closer than people expect. HC Doug Marrone is on his way out of town, and since the Jags have clinched the #1 overall pick in the draft, I can see this team playing with nothing to lose. That could be dangerous in a division game against a team that Jacksonville has already beaten this season. That being said, the Colts are clearly the far better team here, and with their season on the line, there is no way they lose. They’re fighting for their playoff and division lives, and while I think this will be a close one throughout, they’ll make enough plays late to pull it out like they have so many times this season.

Chargers 28-21 Chiefs

Kansas City has already clinched the #1 seed in the AFC, so they’ll be sending out the B-team on Sunday. The Chargers have been an inspired group lately, as they’ve won 3 games in a row in very nice fashion. I think, albeit against a bunch of backups, they’ll come out with that same edge and get a nice win to close out a disappointing, but promising 2020 campaign. LA already almost beat the Chiefs when they were at full strength, so a win here wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. Like with the Broncos, I think it’d be a nice bit of momentum to carry into the future, which will be very bright for the Bolts. Meanwhile, KC’s starters get 2 full weeks of rest going into the playoffs, which will be huge for them.

Cardinals 23-20 Rams

This might be the biggest game of the week. In terms of the NFC Wild Card race, this is the biggest game of the year. The winner of this game secures their spot in the postseason, and the loser will likely get sent packing (depending on other outcomes). The Cardinals undoubtedly have the edge as of right now, as the Rams will be without starting QB Jared Goff and will instead be starting John Wolford for the first time ever. Arizona QB Kyler Murray is a bit banged up, but he’ll still play with his team’s season on the line. For that reason, I have to take the Cardinals in this game. I can’t put blind faith into a QB making his first career start with other key offensive weapons missing. The Rams are a game up on the Cards, so they can afford to drop this game, but they’ll need some help to get into the playoffs. If they can’t get the job here, they’ll need to scoreboard watch heavily.

Seahawks 24-17 49ers

Seattle is still in play for the 1 seed despite having a very rough second half of the season, and they’ll need to win this game and get a load of help to get it. While I don’t see it happening, I do see them coming out of this game with a win. The 49ers have been one of the NFL’s strangest teams this year, putting up monster performances one week and dumpster fires the next week. They were able to stifle the Cardinals last week somehow, and while they’ll be carrying the momentum from that game, I don’t see it happening against Russ and the Seahawks. It has the chance to be close, and while I don’t like the Seattle offense nearly as much as I did earlier in the season, their defense has been stellar in recent weeks and will be able to win the game late.

Saints 24-17 Panthers

This one is a bit strange. There are key missing pieces on both sides in this game, including star RBs Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. The Saints are extremely depleted at several positions, RB most of all, but they’re still the better team in this game, so I’ll roll with them. They’re also still in play for the 1 seed, and I feel like that’ll be in the back of their minds as motivation to come out and win this game. The Panthers have been competitive this season, and while they’ve been good, it hasn’t been good enough. It’ll be another disappointing loss to go along with several others this year. The Saints will likely not get the 1 seed, but they’ll be able to carry some good momentum into the playoffs, and hopefully be healthier for those games.

Titans 30-27 Texans

While I don’t see any scenarios where the Texans win this game, I see this game being a shootout. The first game between these two games was one of the shootouts of the year, and this game has all the makings of another one. For one, both of these defenses are God awful, allowing QBs all day to throw, generating no pass rush, and giving up huge plays all game long. Both of these offenses have a lot of firepower, and they can put up points in a jiffy. Both star QBs will have a lot of time and be very comfortable, so this is sure to be an offensive game. I’ll take the Titans because they’re obviously a much better team, and they have something to play for. Just take the over.

Washington 24-15 Eagles

Well, here we are. The final game of the 2020 regular season. It’s been quite a ride. Of course this ultimate game involves the Washington Football Team, and the NFC East in general. This division in primetime in Week 17 is truly a tradition unlike any other. The Eagles are seemingly sitting their entire team for this game for whatever reason. Perhaps the tank is truly on in Philadelphia. Regardless, Washington has no excuse to lose this game. This is truly a turning point game in the franchise for its future, and it is a must-win at all costs. Not only due to the fact that they’re playing the Eagles B-team, but also because this is the first season for this team that truly feels different. The name change, the GM change, the coaching changes, all the adversity at QB, all the ups and downs of off-the-field antics. It all comes down to this. Win this game, and you’re in the playoffs as the NFC East champion. It’s that simple. QB Alex Smith is finally returning to the lineup to make his first start since Week 14. It’s much needed for a team that has had all sorts of QB problems in his absence. He’ll surely make a difference, and it’s one of the main reasons I’m picking the WFT here. That, and the fact that the Eagles are going to be so depleted all across the field. It truly wouldn’t surprise me if Washington still somehow found a way to bottle this and lose as they have in so many big moments in the past. But I have faith in this group to get the job done and make the playoffs. If it doesn’t happen, it will be an all-time disappointment in DC sports history.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you and yours have a great holiday. There are just 2 weeks left in the season, and this week features some games that are going to undoubtedly have huge impacts on the playoff race in both conferences. I’m not sure why, but I always find Week 16 to be a ton of fun. Perhaps it’s the holiday spirit! I went 12-4 in Week 15, bringing total record in 2020 to 129-62-1. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Saints 24-22 Vikings

In the last decade or so, both of these squads have given the other plenty of reason to absolutely hate each other, so what’s better than squaring off on Christmas? These teams always play each other close, with the games typically going either way. I don’t think this will be any exception. The Saints offense was sputtering a bit against Kansas City last week, which isn’t very inspiring. However, I think they’ll be able to bounce back against a team that isn’t anywhere as good as the Chiefs are. This game will come down to defense, and the Saints definitely have the edge in that regard. They also have something to play for, unlike the Vikings.

Buccaneers 30-21 Lions

Tom Brady returns to Michigan for a Saturday showdown with the Lions that shouldn’t be very close. However, like I said in my most recent Power Rankings, the Bucs are an absolute enigma. I never know what I’m going to get with this team. I don’t see a scenario where they lose this game, but I think Matt Stafford can keep the Lions in it for some time. I can see it being much closer than just 9 points, but I’ll give Tampa the benefit of the doubt.

Cardinals 34-20 49ers

San Francisco has been falling apart week after week, and their defense can’t stop a nosebleed. This is very good news for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, who have been on absolute fire offensively in the last 2 weeks. This one will not be close. I expect another massive game for Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins. It’s safe to say that they might be instrumental in some people’s fantasy championships.

Dolphins 23-17 Raiders

This was once a very interesting matchup between two strong Wild Card teams in the AFC. Now, it’s an easy win for the Dolphins. The Raiders have been in shambles this entire month, and Miami has done nothing but trend upwards. Their defense should completely shut down the Raiders, whether Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota is starting at QB. I trust Tua and their offense to do just enough to win the game late. I might be giving the Raiders too much credit with this score. Don’t be surprised if this one isn’t close.

Chiefs 35-24 Falcons

Kansas City has channeled a bit of their inner Atlanta with their leads almost being blown in recent weeks, but unlike the Falcons, the Chiefs are an actually good and respectable team that can win games. This game should not be close, but the Falcons offense tends to show flashes from time to time. The Chiefs defense isn’t something to rave about, so don’t be surprised if the over hits in this one. In any case, it’ll be an easy win for the best team football.

Browns 31-17 Jets

The Jets completed their biggest embarrassment by finally winning a game last week, so it’s safe to say that won’t be happening again in 2020. They’ll need a miracle, but they are still in play for Trevor Lawrence. I think they need to try their absolute hardest to lose, and pray even harder for a Jaguars win in these next 2 weeks. This will be easy pickings for a Browns team that has looked nothing short of elite in recent weeks.

Colts 21-20 Steelers

I would say that this is the Game of the Week, but it’s just the Colts, an elite team, against a terrible team. Yes, I’ve been doing nothing but stomp on the Steelers in recent weeks, but I do think they’ll keep things close this week. They won’t win, because they seemingly forgot how to do that, but this game will certainly come down to the wire. JuJu said he would stop making TikToks before the game, and while I’m not sure that is the solution for this team’s problems, I’m very excited to see that he is growing up. In a spot like this, I have to trust Indy with their exceptional running game and their elite defense to make plays and win the game late against a team that is reeling more than anyone in football.

Bears 28-10 Jaguars

You would think that, now that the Jaguars have the #1 pick in their hands, they will lie down and die for the next 2 weeks. However, this is the NFL, and anything can happen on any given Sunday. That being said, this will be another loss for Jacksonville. The Bears are red hot, especially offensively, and they know they need to win to stay alive in the NFC. They need some help as well, but I trust in their ability to take care of their own business and beat a very bad team.

Ravens 26-14 Giants

This one could be ugly. I’m giving the Giants defense some credit here, but after the last 2 weeks, it’s not with a lot of confidence. I don’t see a path to victory for New York, but I know that they can give Lamar Jackson some fits, which could make things interesting. Even in that case, the Ravens will still be able to win this game quite easily on the back of their defense and their run game. If not, then things could get very spicy in both the AFC Wild Card race and in the NFC East.

Texans 27-17 Bengals

Both of these teams are very, very bad. This is the type of game where you can’t see either team winning, but I have to pick the Texans. I simply think they have more talent and more offensive firepower to make some big plays to win the game. The Bengals played their best game of the season in their biggest game of the year on Monday night against the Steelers, and it’s hard to win another game after such an emotional win. It will likely be close, but I definitely think Houston pulls this one out.

Chargers 28-24 Broncos

The first meeting between these teams earlier this year was a great game with an incredible finish, and I think the rematch could be very fun as well. Both of these teams have been playing well recently, but the Broncos are coming off an absolute thrashing at the hands of the Bills. While I do think they might be a bit better overall than the Chargers are, LA is certainly better right now, and I can see them continuing to trend upwards with another win, especially at home. It’s honestly a toss-up for me, but considering the way the Chargers have played against the division this year, I’ll put my trust in them.

Washington 22-19 Carolina

I can’t believe I’m picking Dwayne Haskins to win a game, but I have to put my faith in him. I have no other choice. In a week filled with turmoil, the WFT now could win the NFC East on Sunday. All they need to do is win this game and hope the Ravens don’t get upset by the Giants. It’ll be Haskins under center once again, and if he doesn’t play atrocious football like he did against Seattle last week, then this team should be set for a win. The defense can make just enough plays to put the offense in a position to win it. Thankfully, Carolina isn’t too much of a threat, especially against a defense as good as Washington’s. If this all goes to plan, then we get that x next to our names. I am praying that it all goes to plan.

Eagles 27-24 Cowboys

Philly has seemingly found a new QB in Jalen Hurts, who has been playing very well in his first NFL starts. With Hurts under center, this looks like a completely different Eagles team. I think they have the confidence and the new juice to be able to beat a team as weak as the Cowboys are. They’ve already proven they can beat an elite team like the Saints. While Dallas has been playing well in recent weeks, it has been against very bad competition. This game will be close, as many division games are, but the Birds should be able to pull it out.

Rams 26-23 Seahawks

This game is absolutely massive in the NFC West. The winner of this game will undoubtedly win the division, and with the way both of these teams have been playing all season long, it could easily go either way. The Rams won the first meeting quite convincingly, and while they’ve played very well since then, they played an absolutely awful game against the pathetic Jets last week. Meanwhile, Seattle has been beating up on some bad teams and finally starting to get things figured out defensively. It seems like they’ve finally plugged their one hole and are ready to make a run. However, I saw how badly they were shut down by LA in the first game, and I can’t get that out of my head. I have to take the Rams here based on precedent, although it almost doesn’t feel right. It would not shock me at all if it goes the other way, but I’m sticking with my gut.

Titans 24-21 Packers

This is probably the Game of the Week. Hell, it’s almost the Game of the Year on paper. The implications that this game will have on both the NFC and AFC playoff pictures are infinite. The 1 seed in the NFC, the AFC South title, potential AFC Wild Card seedings, and so much more are all on the line on Sunday night. It’s going to be a great game with both teams playing very hard for very similar reasons. Normally, I’d take a team as experienced as Green Bay with a QB as good as Aaron Rodgers, but I’m taking Tennessee here. The Titans just have too much going for them in a matchup like this. Their run game is arguably the best in football, and we’ve seen the Packers struggle against elite running offenses. QB Ryan Tannehill has been fantastic this year, and with the help of RB Derrick Henry, could easily pick apart a Green Bay defense that isn’t anything special. I think this game comes down to the Titans defense stopping the Packers prolific offense. If they can do just enough to let their offense go out and win it, then I have a lot of faith in Tennessee to come out with a win. Either way, I think this game will be great.

Bills 27-20 Patriots

New England played Buffalo very closely in their first matchup in 2020, and that’s the only reason that I’m predicting a close game here. The Bills are obviously significantly better than the Patriots are, but division games and matchups against Bill Belichick are never easy. I can definitely see this game going wire to wire, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Bills roll again. In any case, Buffalo will leave Foxboro with another W under their belt.

With the season winding down, every game means everything. This week, there are several matchups that are imperative to the playoff picture. A lot of seasons can be made or broken this weekend, and it should be a blast to watch. I went 12-4 in Week 14, bringing my season total to 117-58-1. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Chargers 30-28 Raiders

Let’s start Week 15 with a bit of an upset pick. These teams’ first meeting came down to the game’s final play, with the Chargers being an overturned call away from a walkoff touchdown. Since then, these teams have been on complete roller coasters. The Raiders are slipping more than ever right now, and the Chargers are starting to find some footing. For that reason, I’m gonna take LA in a close one. I just don’t trust the Raiders anymore, as I’ve stated in the last week or so. They will be playing for their season, and in a huge spot, I can’t put any faith in them to win.

Bills 24-20 Broncos

I don’t really see a way that the Bills lose this game, but I do think it’ll be closer than many people think. The Broncos have been playing some good football lately, and although Buffalo has been on fire, I do think Denver can play them close. QB Drew Lock has played very nicely in his last few games, and if the Bills defense slips up a bit, it might be trouble. I don’t see them slipping too much, but don’t be surprised if this one comes down to the wire.

Packers 30-20 Panthers

No need to overthink the room on this one. Green Bay is one of the hottest teams in football and playing brilliant offense, especially though the air. Carolina has been reeling all year long without RB Christian McCaffrey, and although they have been competitive in many games, the Packers are too good of a team for them to beat. It could be close at times, but I like Green Bay to win this game easily.

Buccaneers 28-24 Falcons

This is the first of 2 matchups between Tampa Bay and Atlanta in the final 3 weeks of the season, which is a rare sight in the NFL. I think this game could be close, but the Falcons have a chance to make things interesting. However, they haven’t been playing their best football recently. The Bucs are still trying to figure things out offensively, even after 13 games, but against a team and a defense as bad as the Falcons’, they should be fine.

49ers 26-23 Cowboys

This game could have been great, but these teams have been so ravaged by injuries that this game is now a snoozefest. I mean, if you want to see Nick Mullens vs. Andy Dalton, then good for you, but I do not care about this game. I’m simply taking the Niners because the talent they still have on the field is superior to Dallas’, and they have proven that they can still win games. This should be easy for San Francisco.

Titans 27-21 Lions

Detroit will likely be without star QB Matt Stafford for their trip down to Nashville, which immediately removes all chances they may have had of winning this game. However, I do think that backup QB Chase Daniel will do enough to keep his team in this game. But, at the end of the day, the Titans will be too overpowering. Expect RB Derrick Henry to have another huge game as Tennessee inches closer towards a division title.

Colts 28-22 Texans

These teams are meeting for the 2nd time in 3 weeks, and the result will be the same. The Texans played the Colts very closely in the first game, so I expect things to go the same way, but once again, Indy should emerge victorious. Houston is simply falling apart, and their loss last week was the embarrassing tipping point in this mess of a season. The Colts need every win they can get if they want to stay alive in the division race, and this should be an easy one for them.

Patriots 23-20 Dolphins

Some of you may view this as another upset pick, but I don’t think so. The Patriots won the first matchup with the Dolphins all the way back in Week 1. Not only that, but Bill Belichick has shown an uncanny ability to shut down young QBs. I think Tua Tagovailoa will have a rough time against a Patriots defense that still has plenty of talent. Their offense has been extremely suspect, and the Miami defense is no joke, but I think that the Pats will be able to pull one out in a tough rivalry game.

Vikings 20-17 Bears

Both of these teams come into this game at 6-7 and will be fighting for their seasons. The Vikings have shown me way more than the Bears have in the second half of 2020, which makes this a fairly easy pick. I think their offense will do enough to push them to victory. I trust Kirk Cousins to get the job done in a big moment, oddly enough. I certainly trust him more than I trust Mitchell Trubisky.

Seahawks 27-20 Washington

This one is tough. This game can certainly go either way, as both of these teams match up very well with one another. Washington’s defense has been playing like one of the best D’s in the league, and Seattle’s offense has been sputtering a bit in recent weeks. They also have to take the long trip out to the east for a 1pm kick, which could have an impact. I simply trust the Seahawks more in this situation, although the WFT has won some big games already this season. It will take a great performance by the Washington offense, which hasn’t been playing up to par in the last few weeks. No matter who is starting at QB, I don’t see the offense being able to overcome Seattle in this big of a moment.

Ravens 35-10 Jaguars

Uh… yeah. This one is very, very easy. This game won’t be close. Whatever the line is, take Baltimore.

Rams 45-9 Jets

LOL. See the above matchup. Take the Rams no matter what.

Cardinals 26-21 Eagles

This always-compelling battle of the birds should be a very interesting one. QB Jalen Hurts will be making his 2nd start for the Eagles, coming off a huge win against the Saints last week. I think it’ll be harder to win another game against a team that actually knows how to gameplan for him. Arizona has been struggling, but finally picked up a win last week in East Rutherford. They need every single win they can get, and this should be a fairly easy one for them. I think Hurts can keep the Birds in it, but I’m not sure if it’ll be enough to win another game.

Chiefs 28-27 Saints

Sheesh. Here we go. This game has been circled on everyone’s calendars all season long, and it’s finally here. However, it may not be what we all want to see. We’re still not sure if QB Drew Brees will play for the Saints, which is the biggest contingency of this matchup. If it’s Taysom Hill starting again for the Saints, then I don’t think they stand a chance. If Brees plays, I think it will be closer. In any case, I like KC here. The Chiefs are the best team in football and are showing no signs of slowing down, even against a team as good as New Orleans. No matter who lines up across from him, Patrick Mahomes will do what he needs to do to win this game for the Chiefs.

Browns 25-20 Giants

I’m not a fan of this game being flexed into primetime, but I think it should be a fun one. The Browns have a great offense and the Giants have a good defense, but New York had a massive slip-up last week to derail their playoff hopes. It’s hard to pick them in this game because of that. Cleveland should be able to bounce back from their heartbreaking loss on Monday night against a team that is slowly losing a grip on their season. QB Baker Mayfield has played quite nicely in recent weeks, and the run game speaks for itself. However, their defense needs to play a lot better as the season winds down. Luckily, the Giants don’t have much an offense to challenge them. This should be a fairly easy one for the Browns.

Steelers 24-13 Bengals

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz…. One of these teams is awful. The other is the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincy is obviously one of the worst teams in football, and this will be an easy win to get back on track for the Steelers. Another win against a very poor team that nobody will care about: the story of the season for the Steelers.

December football is in full swing. We finally get 16 games every week. Every game means more and more, and the playoff picture is never truly set in stone. So many games can go either way, and we’re already starting to see that. That also means my picks might not be as accurate, but I won’t make any excuses on that front. I went an average 9-6 in Week 13, bringing my 2020 total to 105-54-1. We’re finally over 100 wins! Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Rams 23-17 Patriots

Week 14 kicks off with a Super Bowl LIII rematch in LA. The Rams are in a very similar place compared to 2 years ago, but things are obviously very different for New England. Despite the immense turnover, the Patriots are still right in the playoff hunt and have been playing great football recently. However, I don’t think it’ll be enough to overcome the Rams. They have proven themselves as one of the league’s best teams, and their defense should be able to shut down the Pats’ subpar offense. Los Angeles will get their revenge, and hopefully they’ll score more than 3 points this time.

Texans 30-24 Bears

This is a classic battle of under-performers. The Bears can’t buy a win right now, and the Texans love to piss away every chance they have at wins. Something’s got to give on Sunday! I’ll take the team with a vastly better QB. Deshaun Watson, despite the loss of his top target and being surrounded by a horrible cast, is still doing big things and playing elite football in Houston. Meanwhile, Chicago’s QB carousel has produced nothing but pain. This is an easy pick.

Cowboys 24-23 Bengals

I think we can classify this as a Tank Bowl. Both of these teams’ fans probably want to lose, but somebody has to win. If Joe Burrow was playing QB for the Bengals, they’d be the easy pick here. Even with Brandon Allen under center, I think they have a good chance against a Cowboys defense that can’t stop a nosebleed. But, I don’t have it in me to pick Cincy here. I’ll take the more proven QB in Andy Dalton in a revenge game against his old team in his old ballpark.

Chiefs 28-24 Dolphins

This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the week. The Dolphins have been one of the surprises of 2020, and rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa is getting the toughest test of his life after playing some cupcakes to start his professional career. I believe in Tua, but not here. It is way too tough of a test. The Chiefs are not slowing down at all, and although Miami has a very impressive defense, you need some divine intervention to stop Kansas City on offense. It will definitely be close, but I simply don’t see an outcome with the Dolphins coming out on top.

Giants 21-17 Cardinals

This game is absolutely massive in the NFC playoff race. Both of these teams cannot afford a loss for the rest of the season, as one could easily knock them out of the playoffs. They’re each coming in riding different streaks, with the Giants winning 4 in a row and the Cardinals being on a 3-game skid. Something has to end on Sunday in New Jersey. Based on what I’ve seen from each of these teams in the last month or so, I have to pick the Giants here. Their defense has played exceptionally well, which has proven to be an issue for Arizona. Elite defenses give them loads of trouble. New York’s offense is nothing special, but against a porous Cards defense, it should be able to get the job done. It’s safe to say that both teams will be playing very hard as their seasons are on the line, and this game will be very interesting to see.

Buccaneers 31-28 Vikings

Speaking of huge games in the NFC, this one should not be overlooked at all. In what would have seemed like a walk in the park for the Bucs a few weeks ago has turned into a must-win against a team vying to steal their playoff spot from right under them. The Vikings have won 5 of 6 and have entered the playoff picture as the NFC’s current 7 seed. The Buccaneers are coming off a bye and remain situated as the 6 seed. Both of these teams need wins badly to stay in the playoff race as wild card teams. I’m taking the Buccaneers for two reasons: the first being them coming off a bye. It’s very cliché, I know, but it is significant. It’s Tom Brady after a week off late in the season. That is huge. The second reason is that I think this is a team that is built to withstand the Vikings’ offensive attack. Their secondary should be able to keep Kirk Cousins and the passing offense in check, and their great front 7 is built to stop star RBs like Dalvin Cook. Plus, the Minnesota defense isn’t anything special, and Tom Brady will likely have his way with it. I can easily see this game going the other way, but I have to stick with Tampa.

Broncos 26-23 Panthers

How about another Super Bowl rematch this week? This SB50 rematch sees neither of these teams even close to where they were 4-5 years ago, but I can still see the outcome being the same. Both of these teams have been playing decent football lately, sticking in games until the very end and almost coming away with wins. However, I simply think the Broncos defense is too much for an offense like Carolina’s to overcome, especially without RB Christian McCaffrey. That will be the difference in this game.

Titans 30-14 Jaguars

Jacksonville played Tennessee very close in their first matchup this season 12 weeks ago, but that was a very different time. The Jags team of now is slipping and slipping, and this game will not be close. Yes, the Titans suffered a horrible loss last week, but that just means they’ll come out playing inspired football this week. They know that every game is a must-win in order to win this division. This should be free for them. If not… I won’t know what to think.

Colts 27-23 Raiders

How about a massive game for AFC Wild Cards? The Raiders are lucky to still be anywhere near the playoffs right now, and the Colts are oh so close to being in the top 4 seeds. Las Vegas certainly needs this win more than Indy does, but I don’t think they have what it takes to get it done. They have shown me nothing but bad things in the last 2 weeks. The Colts haven’t looked their best recently either, but I can put trust in their defense to step up and make plays to help them secure a win. There is nothing with the Raiders for me to put trust in.

Seahawks 34-16 Jets

Not a lot to talk about with this one. Yes, the Seahawks are slipping, and yes the Jets are a very competitive 0-12, but this will not be close. The Seahawks need this win badly, and the Jets need losses badly. Everyone will walk out of Seattle a winner!

Packers 31-20 Lions

Another one that needs no explanation. The Packers are playing incredible football and are on fire. The Lions may be coming off a win, but come on. Perhaps the game will be closer than I anticipate, but I don’t see a single scenario where Detroit comes out with a win. Green Bay is just too good on both sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers is playing some of the best football of his life, and the Lions do not have what it takes to slow that down.

Saints 23-21 Eagles

Eagles rookie QB Jalen Hurts will be making his first career start in a very tough test against the NFC’s best team in the Saints. I have faith in the kid from Oklahoma/Alabama, but not enough to predict an Eagles W. I do think it will be very close thanks to the Saints having to start Taysom Hill at QB once again. Hill did show some flashes as a passer in last week’s win in Atlanta, and I don’t make anything of the Eagles defense, but I still think the game will be tighter than Vegas might think. Hurts has already shown his ability to make things close at the end of games, and perhaps he’ll do it again against another elite team. For now, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Falcons 31-26 Chargers

This game is an absolute nightmare to pick. Two teams that insist on losing every week even if the win was right in front of them. How can one pick a game like this? I’m taking the Falcons because how on Earth can I ever pick a team coached by Anthony Lynn? At least under Raheem Morris, the Falcons simply lose games instead of choking them. They have played much improved football since firing Dan Quinn, and so, head coaching will be the difference in this game. And if it isn’t, then whatever. As I said, picking this game is damn near impossible. If anything is certain, it’s that this game should be entertaining. Both of these offense love putting up numbers. If I can guarantee anything else, it’s the over.

Washington 24-20 49ers

You can proclaim this as a biased pick, but after what I saw on Monday night, is it really bias? The WFT has put the league on notice with back-to-back national TV wins including a relative shutdown of the Pittsburgh Steelers (after going down 14-0, that is). The 49ers have done nothing but slip and slip late in the season, whereas Washington is continuing to play great football, especially defensively. I think that will be the key on Sunday in Arizona. The SF offense is nothing special, and I think the WFT defense will do just enough to put their offense in a position to go and win the game. It’ll be hard for a unit without star rookie RB Antonio Gibson, but if they could beat Pittsburgh without him, then anything is possible.

Bills 26-20 Steelers

Pittsburgh’s loss on Monday night may have been the only one they’ve faced so far in 2020, but it will not be the last. They have teams left on their schedule that definitely look a lot better than they do right now. Buffalo is one of those teams. It’s going to be a frigid, potentially snowy night in Orchard Park, and it will be a very tough test for the Steelers. Yes, the Bills’ strong suit is their offense, while Pittsburgh’s is their defense, but I still like Buffalo here. They are playing much better football recently. It’s not very close. Even HC Mike Tomlin has said that his Steelers “suck” in press conferences. Maybe last week’s loss was a wakeup call for them, but I just don’t see it happening based on the way they’ve played recently.

Ravens 27-21 Browns

When these teams met in Week 1, they were in very different positions. Baltimore was looking like the league’s best team, and Cleveland was still struggling to figure things out with a new head coach. Now, Cleveland has looked like the better team and are 2 games ahead of the Ravens in the AFC Wild Card race. Despite that, there is one thing that I think hasn’t changed: the Ravens will beat the Browns again. I have a lot of faith in Cleveland’s elite run game, but against a defense as strong as Baltimore’s it’s tough to pick them. With QB Lamar Jackson back, the offense looked great and ready to make a playoff push. I think their defense will do just enough to put them in a position to win this pivotal game.

It is finally December, and there are just 5 weeks are left in the regular season. Things are getting very tight in playoff races all across football, and every snap is starting to mean more and more. There are some very important games going on this week, and the playoff picture will surely be shaken up once again. I went 12-4 in Week 12, bringing my season total to 96-48-1. We’re closing in on 100 wins! I’ll probably get it this week, so let’s get into the picks:

Falcons 28-24 Saints

Bears 23-20 Lions

Titans 35-25 Browns

Dolphins 24-10 Bengals

Vikings 37-17 Jaguars

Raiders 27-23 Jets

Colts 31-26 Texans

Rams 30-27 Cardinals

Seahawks 28-12 Giants

Packers 29-21 Eagles

Chargers 23-21 Patriots

Chiefs 35-17 Broncos

Steelers 24-20 Washington

Bills 27-24 49ers

Ravens 28-21 Cowboys

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! This always-classic football week has some great matchups on tap, and I can’t wait to get into it. There’s nothing like football on Thanksgiving weekend. Plus, it’s the first full slate of 16 games since September, so there will be plenty of action to go around. I went a very pedestrian 7-7 in Week 11, following my best week of the year with my worst. It happens. My 2020 record is now 84-44-1, so things are still looking up. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Texans 31-26 Lions

Cowboys 27-24 Washington

Raiders 35-30 Falcons

Bills 31-23 Chargers

Giants 26-14 Bengals

Colts 24-22 Titans

Vikings 30-28 Panthers

Patriots 24-23 Cardinals

Dolphins 27-17 Jets

Browns 28-10 Jaguars

Steelers 26-23 Ravens

Saints 20-14 Broncos

Rams 29-21 49ers

Chiefs 30-20 Buccaneers

Packers 31-17 Bears

Seahawks 24-20 Eagles