JuicyTalk
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Regardless of how long these squads have to prepare for this game, the Steelers should be favored. On a short week, though, this contest will probably be a little closer than originally expected. One area of concern is the Steelers’ pass defense since they’re ranked 31st in receiving yards allowed per game. However, Joe Flacco will have a tough time staying upright against a Pittsburgh defense that is second in sacks this season.
Steelers win 20-18
NFL London Games
Los Angeles Rams @ Jacksonville Jaguars
This feels a little bit like a home game for the Jags since team owner Shahid Khan has very strong connections to the EPL. In all likelihood, the crowd will be heavily in favor of Jacksonville. On top of that, the Rams have three giveaways in their last two games. That doesn’t bode well against the team that has forced the most turnovers in the league this season. With wideout Puka Nacua dealing with an ankle injury, it seems like Jacksonville will leave London with a victory.
Jaguars win 21-19
Sunday Early Games
New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears
This feels a little bit like a trap game for the Bears. Then again, that’s what every New Orleans Saints game feels like. The reason the Saints will keep this one close is their rushing attack, which should be able to put up numbers against the 31st-ranked run defense in the NFL. Unfortunately for New Orleans, they let up a lot of points, and the Bears come into this game with the NFL’s tenth-ranked scoring offense. This one will be closer than expected, but the result will still favor Chicago.
Bears win 27-23
Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns
This matchup looks very promising for the Browns. The Dolphins have the worst run defense in the NFL, so I expect a heavy dose of running back Quinshon Judkins, who averages the seventh-most rushing yards in the league this season. That will take pressure off Dillon Gabriel, who won’t have to attempt 52 passes like he did last week. It also seems like Tua Tagovailoa will struggle against Cleveland’s seventh-ranked pass defense.
Browns win 21-20
New England Patriots @ Tennessee Titans
Normally, I like to give teams that just fired their coaches the benefit of the doubt because they come into the next week rejuvenated and with brand new life. Unfortunately for the Titans, they are going against the old coach that they cast off two years ago, so he’ll be looking to exact revenge on the franchise that spurned him. The Titans will look competitive early on, but New England will end up running away with this one.
Patriots win 33-20
Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are on a roll right now. They’re 3-1 in their last four games, and their only loss came against a Jacksonville Jaguars team that looks poised to compete for a spot in the playoffs. With the offense humming and the return of Rashee Rice, they should have no problem taking care of a Raiders squad that looked pedestrian against the lowly Tennessee Titans. As long as KC catches the bad passes Geno Smith throws, they’ll be fine.
Chiefs win 31-21
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings
Normally, I would pick the Vikings coming off a bye week, but I think the Eagles hear everything that is being said about them by fans and members of the media. After two straight losses and ten days of rest, Philly is going to come out of the gate with its guns blazing to show the NFL world that it’s still a force to be reckoned with. As long as Jalen Hurts attempts fewer than 30 passes, Philly should be able to beat a Minnesota squad that is 24th in run defense.
Eagles win 27-24
Carolina Panthers @ New York Jets
The Jets should not be favored in any of the games they play the rest of the season. Though Bryce Young is incredibly turnover-prone, New York is dead last in takeaways. Plus, Carolina has the fourth-best rushing attack in the league, while the Jets are 23rd in run defense, allowing 130 yards per game on the ground. As long as the Panthers can stop the Gang Green’s running attack, they’ll be fine. That shouldn’t be an issue since they’re fewer than 95 rushing yards per game.
Panthers win 28-24
Sunday Late Games
New York Giants @ Denver Broncos
Jaxson Dart has not seen a defense like this. In fact, none of us have seen a group this good at getting after the quarterback. The Broncos already have 30 sacks on the season, which means they’re on pace to finish the year with 85 total sacks, shattering the record of 72 set by the 1984 Chicago Bears. They would break the record even if the league still had a 16-game schedule rather than a 17-game schedule. Big Blue also has a strong defense, but the swarming Broncos D will be too much for a rookie quarterback to overcome.
Broncos win 21-16
Indianapolis Colts @ Los Angeles Chargers
This is going to be a fantastic matchup, but the edge goes to the Colts. They have the top-ranked scoring offense and also rank fourth in points allowed per game. Meanwhile, the Chargers have had issues taking care of the football, which is not going to fly against an Indianapolis defense that is tied for fourth in takeaways. Lastly – and I have no evidence to prove this – LA’s Gold Rush uniforms do not give off winning vibes.
Colts win 30-26
Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
This is a battle between two of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Cowboys give up a ton of points and yards. Though the Commanders give up a lot of yards, they’re actually 13th in scoring defense. After that incredibly disappointing Monday Night Football loss, Washington has an excellent opportunity to bounce back and improve to 4-3 on the campaign. Since this game is being played indoors, the Commanders should have an easier time taking care of the football and will not commit three turnovers like they did against the Bears.
Commanders win 28-27
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals, even though they’re not playing well, have been in every game they’ve played this season. Their four losses have only come by nine total points, meaning the margin of victory in their last four matchups is 2.25 points per game on average. It doesn’t matter who their starting quarterback is because the Cards’ defense is 24th in yards per game allowed. Two of the better QBs that have played against Arizona (Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold) both finished their games with 100+ passer ratings. That will likely be the case for Jordan Love, who is fifth in quarterback rating.
Packers win 27-25
Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers
Both of these teams are insanely talented, but San Francisco gets a slight edge in this matchup for a few different reasons. They have a better coaching staff than the Falcons and are playing at home. There’s also a good chance that Brock Purdy returns to the field, which will help limit their turnovers. Lastly, the Falcons are allowing 4.8 yards per rushing attempt, which is the sixth-worst mark in the NFL. Christian McCaffrey should be able to take advantage of that weakness on the defensive side of the ball.
49ers win 24-21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
We are four days removed from Detroit’s Sunday night game against the Chiefs, and they’re still complaining about the way that matchup was officiated. It doesn’t seem like the Lions are focused on this massive game they have coming up against the Bucs for first place in the NFC. Add on the fact that Baker Mayfield is playing like an MVP while Detroit is banged up in the secondary, and it feels like Tampa Bay will end up coming out on top in this one.
Buccaneers win 31-30
Houston Texans @ Seattle Seahawks
The Texans will have had 15 days to prepare for this game, but the Seahawks have faced two of the toughest defenses in the NFL over the last two weeks. Though Jaxon Smith-Njigba is playing at an elite level, Seattle hasn’t faced a secondary like this that is fifth in receiving yards allowed per game. Houston has also allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league this season, so the Seahawks will probably struggle to effectively throw the ball the way they have in recent weeks.
Texans win 21-20
