Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons:
The 4-12 Panthers, led by QB Bryce Young, can be pesky and look to put the final dagger into the Falcon’s playoff chances. The 8-8 Falcons need a win here and need an improbable loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South and capture the final playoff spot. I think RB Bijan Robinson could get 30 touches, and he should run right over the terrible Panther run defense.
Score Prediction: Falcons 30 – Panthers 20
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys
The 11-5 Commanders, led by QB Jayden Daniels, need the win to secure the 6th seed and face the Los Angeles Rams to open the playoffs. The 7-9 Cowboys have nothing to play for and looked like they packed it in last week vs. Philadelphia. Without WR CeeDee Lamb, I expect the Commanders to have an easy time of it.
Score Prediction: Commanders 23 – Cowboys 13
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
The 4-12 Bears, led by QB Caleb Williams, have nothing to play for but will still play hard. They would like nothing more than to beat their biggest rival, the Packers. The 11-5 Packers need to win and hope for a Commander’s loss, or otherwise they will have the 7th seed and travel to Philadelphia to open the playoffs. I expect the Packers to do what they always do to Chicago and win.
Score Prediction: Packers 24 – Bears 17
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 5-11 Saints, led by QB Spence Rattler, have looked anemic offensively. They can play spoiler and can possibly knock the Buccaneers out of the playoffs with a win. The 9-7 Buccaneers, led by QB Baker Mayfield, need to win to clinch the NFC South. They still can clinch the South with a Falcon loss. Tampa is a two-touchdown favorite, and the 1-2 punch of QB Baker Mayfield and RB Bucky Irving will be too much for the Saints.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 30 – Saints 17
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
The 14-2 Vikings and the 14-2 Lions are not only playing for the NFC North but for the number one seed for the conference and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Unfortunately, the loser will finish as the 5 seed and must travel to the winner of the NFC South to open the playoffs. Both teams have explosive offenses, but one team has a much better defense. I hate to go against the Lions at home, but this just feels like a Viking win.
Score Prediction: Vikings 37 – Lions 31
