Week 11 saw a few upsets, another game ending on a blocked kick, and left us with no more undefeated teams. This week, the early Sunday games are chalked full of mismatches, while the afternoon and night games have major playoff implications. Let’s take a brief look at the matchups and predict who the winners will be.
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. EST
The 8-2 Vikings have won three in a row against AFC South opponents. Their stingy defense has led the way causing havoc on opposing quarterbacks. QB Sam Darnold has been solid most of the year, with a few blips along the way. The 4-6 Bears have dropped four straight, which included a heartbreaking last-second blocked field goal against the Packers last week. QB Caleb Williams did show improvement, and that should be the Bears goal to finish the season. The Vikings have better weapons and should run the ball more effectively than Chicago.
Score Prediction: Vikings 24 – Bears 16
Kansas City Chiefs at Carolina Panthers 1:00 p.m. EST
The 9-1 Chiefs finally dropped their first game of the season, losing to the Bills 30-21. They should get a boost as running back Isiah Pacheco is expected to return after missing a little more than 2 months with a broken leg. The 3-7 Panthers have won two straight and are coming off their bye. They are led by RB Chuba Hubbard, who is coming off a 153-yard rushing performance. I expect the Chiefs to win this one rather easily as QB Pat Mahomes and solid defense take care of business.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 34 – Panthers 17
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans 1:00 p.m. EST
The 2-8 Titans have lost 4 of their last 5 games. They struggle to find consistency on offense because the offensive line has breakdowns in pass protection, and they have inconsistent QB play from Will Levis. These issues limit production from their best receiver, Calvin Ridley. RB Tony Pollard is having a solid season, but it’s tough for the Titans to run against solid fronts. The 7-4 Texans broke a two-game losing streak by beating the Cowboys 34-10 on Monday Night. The game was a bit closer than the final score as they were only winning by 10 entering the 4th quarter. RB Joe Mixon has been the star for the offense especially when the passing game has struggled. I look for this to be a passing game for the Texans, as I expect QB CJ Stroud to find WR Nico Collins early and often.
Score Prediction: Texans 27 – Titans 13
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 p.m. EST
The 9-1 Lions are rolling right now. They have so many weapons on offense that they can’t be contained. QB Jared Goff threw for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Jaguars on Sunday. Plus, they get key contributions from both running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The Colts snapped a three-game losing streak with a comeback-from-behind victory against the New York Jets. QB Anthony Richardson was reinserted as the quarterback and threw for over 270 yards and a touchdown, plus he scored 2 touchdowns himself. This could be a flat spot for the Lions, and Richardson’s ability to move could keep this close. In the end, the Lions are just too much.
Score Prediction: Lions 27 – Colts 23
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m. EST
The 3-8 Patriots are a feisty team and have kept most games close since QB Drake Maye has become the starter. His improvement is going to be their focus. It’s too bad he doesn’t have more explosive weapons to throw to. The Dolphins have averaged 28 points per game since QB Tua Tagovailoa has come back from injury. The offense goes through RB De’Von Achane as he does it all for them. WR Tyreek Hill is coming off a solid performance, and I think he will continue to produce the rest of the season. Achane and Hill are just too much.
Score Prediction: Dolphins 27 – Patriots 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants 1:00 p.m. EST
The 4-6 Buccaneers have dropped four straight games. All to winning teams, and all but one came down to the wire. QB Baker Mayfield has been excellent even though his receiving group has been decimated by injury. It is expected that WR Mike Evans will play, and that will give Baker another reliable third-down weapon besides TE Cade Otton. The Giants have benched QB Daniel Jones and turned to Tommy DeVito to try and jump-start an anemic passing offense. He will have to get WR Malik Nabers heavily involved as the running game led by Tyrone Tracy figures to have an uphill climb against a stout Tampa run defense. The return of Evans and Tampa’s ability to make the Giants offense one-dimensional should get them the win.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 30 – Giants 17
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders 1:00 p.m. EST
The 3-7 Cowboys have lost five straight, and it doesn’t figure to get better as double-digit underdogs in Washington. The offense struggles with pass protection, and QB Cooper Rush isn’t the answer. They can stay in this one if RB Rico Dowdle can have a big game and Rush finds WR CeeDee Lamb for big plays against a Commanders defense that lets up big plays. The 7-4 Commanders look to get back on track after losing two in a row. Their offense is led by QB Jayden Daniels, but I am worried that his ribs may be bothering him a bit. He is most effective as a dual threat, and he hasn’t been running like he normally does. They may not need much from the passing game as Dallas gets shredded on the ground. I expect a big game from RB Brian Robinson Jr., and I think that will be the difference in a low-scoring., tight game.
Score Prediction: Commanders 20 – Cowboys16.
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders 4:05 p.m. EST
The Broncos are a blocked field goal away from being 7-4. They are a team nobody wants to play right now. Rookie QB Bo Nix has been better than expected as he spreads the ball around and finds the right receivers. The defense ranks third, as they can stop both the pass and run. They can shut down the other team’s best receiver as CB Patrick Surtain is dominant and they get after the quarterback as they lead the league in sacks with 39. The 2-8 Raiders were able to keep the game close for most of the game in Miami. They were led by Brock Bowers, who had 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. They will need a duplicate performance to stay in this one. The Raiders inconsistency to run the football and have any ability to stretch the Broncos should be their downfall.
Score Prediction: Broncos 27 – Raiders 13
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers 4:25 p.m. EST
I am a little bit shocked that the 49ers did not come away with a victory at home vs. the Seahawks last week. RB Christian McCaffrey looks a little bit stiff, and not having TE George Kittle was huge. It is expected that Kittle will be back, and that is a must if they want to beat the Packers. The 49ers are going to need big games from the tight end and running backs, as the Packers are stingy to outside receivers. The Packers were a little flat coming off their bye last week as they won a blocked field goal. Look for the Packers to come out passing heavily in this one, as they can use their plethora of receivers to scheme open against the 49ers secondary. I think the difference is the Packers will most likely struggle to run the ball and QB Jordan Love has had problems with ball security. A late turnover is the difference.
Prediction: 49ers 30 – Packers 27
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks 4:25 p.m. EST
The NFC West leading Cardinals have won four straight and are coming off their bye. The offense is consistent and can move the ball on the ground and through the air. QB Kyler Murray likes to spread the ball around and is dangerous with his feet. Seattle is coming off a big win at San Franciso and can tie for first place with a win. Seattle is much like the Cardinals, as they have multiple weapons to throw the ball to and a solid running back. Both teams’ defenses have been solid as of late as well. In the end, I like Cardinal RB James Connor to have a solid game, and Murray makes one more big play than QB Geno Smith.
Score Prediction: Cardinals 27 – Seahawks 24
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams 8:20 p.m. EST
The 8-2 Eagles are playing great football. Led by RB Saquon Barkley and a solid defense, they have the perfect recipe to beat anyone. QB Jalen Hurts has been a little bit inconsistent throwing the football, but I expect that to improve going forward. They have great receivers but look for TE Dallas Goedert to be highly involved as the Rams struggle vs. the tight end. The 5-5 Rams are Jekyll and Hide as some weeks they look like world beaters and others not so much. They will need to get RB Kyren Williams going early and often. The Eagle’s pass defense is second in the league and could give QB Matt Stafford and his two stud receivers fits. Plus, a solid running effort will keep the Eagle offense off the field. Unfortunately for the Rams, the Eagles are the better defense.
Score Prediction: Eagles 24 – Rams 20
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers – Monday 8:15 p.m. EST
The 7-4 Ravens are coming off a disappointing loss in Pittsburgh, as they turned the ball over 3 times to lose a close game. I think they need to get back to giving the ball to RB Derrick Henry and giving QB Lamar Jackson more run-pass options to keep a tough Charger defense off-balance. The 7-3 Chargers are much like the Broncos, as nobody wants to face them right now. QB Justin Herbert looks awesome, and receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have been much better than anticipated. Plus, TE Will Dissly has come out of nowhere to have his best season. I think most will pick the Ravens to win this one, but I think the Chargers can exploit the Ravens horrible pass defense and get the win.
Score Prediction: Chargers 24 – Ravens 23
