We are down to the final three weeks of the season, with several games having huge playoff implications. Here are my preview and score predictions for the week, except Thursday Night’s battle between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos.
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 p.m. EST (Saturday)
The 9-5 Texans clinched their division by beating the Miami Dolphins last Sunday despite only having 181 total yards of offense. They will need a much better running game, along with downfield passing to have a chance to beat the Chiefs. The 13-1 Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns convincingly behind a defense that caused 6 turnovers. Unfortunately, they may have lost QB Patrick Mahomes this week with an ankle injury. In that event, the Chiefs will be led by QB Carson Wentz, who has plenty of NFL experience. No matter who the QB is, I like the Chiefs at home in what should be a defensive battle.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 19 – Texans 13
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens 4:30 p.m. EST (Saturday)
The 10-4 Steelers were grossly outplayed by the Philadelphia Eagles 27-13 last week. They couldn’t get much going on both sides of the ball and will have a tough task in hand in Baltimore. As expected, the 9-5 Ravens handled the New York Giants with ease behind 5 TD passes from QB Lamar Jackson. They will look to tie the Steelers for first place in the AFC North with a win. I predicted a blowout loss for the Steelers last week and will again this week. They will struggle to run the ball against a stout Baltimore front, and they don’t have the weapons to take advantage of the Raven’s weak secondary.
Score Prediction: Ravens 30 – Steelers 13
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m. EST
The 3-11 Browns are making a change at QB, as Jameis Winston has been a turnover machine. They will turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson to lead the team against a Bengal team clinging onto very slim playoff hopes. As mentioned, the 6- 8 Bengals are hanging onto slim playoff hopes and must beat the Browns and have a ton of help to get one game closer. The offense, led by QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase has been excellent, but the defense has let them down time and time again, but this week, the offense should win out.
Score Prediction: Bengals 34 – Browns 24
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons 1:00 p.m. EST
The 2-12 Giants season can’t get over fast enough. Losers of nine straight games with no identity on offense or defense will look to play spoiler against an Atlanta team desperate for a win. The 7-7 Falcons ended a four-game losing streak by sneaking past the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football. QB Kirk Cousins has been unimpressive and has been benched for Michael Penix Jr. Can he give the passing game a much-needed spark? He may not have to do much as running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier should run over a weak Giant’s defense.
Score Prediction: Falcons 27 – Giants 13
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. EST
The 3-11 Patriots have lost four straight and are all alone at the bottom of the AFC East. They will need a Super Man like effort from rookie QB Drake Maye and defense if they want to win in Buffalo. The 11-3 Bills are hitting on all cylinders offensively, scoring 90 points over their last two games. QB Josh Allen has solidified himself as the top MVP candidate by throwing for 5 and running for 5 touchdowns in that span. Can they reach 40 points again? I think they will fall short, but they still should win comfortably.
Score Prediction: Bills 34 – Patriots 17
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers 1:00 p.m. EST
The 7-7 Cardinals ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Patriots 30-17. They were led by RB James Conner who rushed for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns. He should lead them again this week vs. a very bad Carolina run defense. The 3-11 Panthers couldn’t stop Dallas RB Rico Dowdle or WR CeeDee Lamb as they lost 30-14 to the Cowboys. It didn’t help that the offense committed 4 turnovers as QB Bryce Young was under pressure all game. The Panthers will need to get RB Chuba Hubbard more running lanes because the offense goes, and he goes. In the end, I think the Cardinals will find a way to get it done in a close one.
Score Prediction: Cardinals 23 – Panthers 20
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. EST
The 12-2 Lions lost in a shootout to the Buffalo Bills and are now tied with the Minnesota Vikings at the top of the NFC North. They will be without RB David Montgomery which means the running game will lie mostly on RB Jahmyr Gibb’s shoulders. The 4-10 Bears dropped their eighth straight with a loss in Minnesota on Monday Night. They will need better offensive line play, and QB play from Caleb Williams, as he wasn’t able to find the open man downfield. These two teams met on Thanksgiving with the Lions winning as the Bears let time expire on the final pass play. I think the Lions will find a way again.
Score Prediction: Lions 27 – Bears 19
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 p.m. EST
The 3-11 Titans lost their third straight game vs. the Bengals. QB Mason Rudolph is expected to start as he gave the Titan offense a bit of a spark by throwing 2 touchdown passes after replacing ineffective QB Will Levis. The 6-8 Colts blew a 13-7 halftime lead in Denver to all but end their playoff hopes. Inconsistent QB play by Anthony Richardson spoiled a 100-yard rushing performance by Jonathan Taylor. I like the Colts in this one at home by a field goal.
Score Prediction: Colts 20 – Titans 17
Los Angeles Rams at New York Jets 1:00 p.m. EST
The 8-6 Rams are now tied at the top of the AFC West after beating the 49ers last week. They were led by their defense that only allowed 6 points after giving up 42 to Buffalo the week before. This week, they will need QB Matt Stafford to lead a much better offensive output to beat the Jets. The 4-10 Jets scored 15 fourth-quarter points to come back and beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. They were led by WR Davante Adams, who had a monster game with 198 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. They will need QB Aaron Rodgers to continue to be sharp if they want to keep up with the high-flying Rams. I like how the Rams are playing, and I expect WR Puka Nacua to make the plays that make the difference.
Score Prediction: Rams 31 – Jets 24
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders 1:00 p.m. EST
The 12-2 Eagles just keep rolling as they have won their tenth straight game by dominating the Pittsburgh Steelers. QB Jalen Hurts had no problem getting his top receivers involved as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 19 catches, 219 yards, and 2 scores. The 9-5 Commanders jumped out to a 17-point third-quarter lead and held on by stopping a New Orleans Saints 2-point conversion on the game’s final play. WR Terry McLaurin had two touchdowns and will need another big game if they want to stay in this one. The Eagles have too many weapons and the better defense in this one.
Score Prediction: Eagles 34 – Commanders 20
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks 4:05 p.m. EST
The 12-2 Vikings have won seven straight after disposing of the Chicago Bears on Monday Night. The defense set the tone by stopping the Bears on 4th and short and creating a first-quarter turnover. The 8-6 Seahawks were crushed by the Green Bay Packers, losing sole possession of first place in the NFC West. The defense could not stop RB Josh Jacobs, and the offensive line could not stop the Packer’s fierce pass rush. I think Seatle will play much better this week, and I feel they have a good shot of winning as long as QB Geno Smith plays.
Score Prediction: Seahawks 26 – Vikings 23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders 4:25 p.m. EST
The 3-11 Jaguars were close to victory but gave up a 71-yard touchdown to Davante Adams late in the 4th quarter. The loss spoiled a huge game by WR Brian Thomas Jr., who had 106 receiving yards and 2 scores. The 2-12 Raiders lost a tight one to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night. They struggled for any offense until midway through the 4th quarter. It is expected that QB Aidan O’Connell will be back to lead the team as he has returned to practice. Whoever wins will most likely eliminate themselves from getting the overall number one pick in the 2025 draft. I think O’Connell makes the difference.
Score Prediction: Raiders 27 – Jaguars 17
San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins 4:25 p.m. EST
The 6-8 49ers have been all but eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Los Angeles Rams. They will try to get their offense back on track after only scoring 6 points. The 6-8 Dolphins also have been all but eliminated as they lost to the Houston Texans. They will need a much better performance from QB Tua Tagovailoa, who is coming off throwing 3 interceptions. I think we can flip a coin in this one, but I think the 49ers are a better all-around team.
Score Prediction: 49eers 24 – Dolphins 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys 8:20 p.m. EST
The 8-6 Buccaneers are gelling as they rolled past the Chargers 40-17. Their offense is well-balanced, as QB Baker Mayfield has been extremely accurate, and the running game is solid with backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. The 6-8 Cowboys had their way with the Carolina Panthers as RB Rico Dowdle and WR CeeDee Lamb had big games. The defense also was dominant, as they created 4 turnovers. They will need QB Cooper Rush to be sharp, as the Cowboys will need to throw to win against a bad Tampa secondary. This game should go down to the wire, but I think the Buccaneers should squeak it out.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 30 – Cowboys 27
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers 8:15 p.m. EST (MNF)
The 5-9 Saints almost came back to beat the Commanders late. They scored on the game’s final play but missed on what would have been the game-winning 2-point conversion. The 10-4 Packers got back in the win column, led by RB Josh Jacobs, who set the tone early. He had over 130 combined yards and a touchdown. The defense also did their part, as they had 7 sacks and 2 interceptions. I think the Packers can name the score in this one, as I predict a dominating blowout.
Score Prediction: Packers 38 – Saints 10
