Week 17 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

Tis Week 17 which means we are in the last week of the regular season. It also means that we have entered a brand new calendar year. I wish everyone a happy 2021, and I hope your teams makes the playoffs if they are still in contention (unless it means they would take my team out)!

Sanders went 9-7 last week putting him to 156-88-1 on the season! Let’s get to it.

ATL Falcons vs TB Buccaneers

The Falcons have remained a competitive team but also one of the worst 2nd half teams we have seen this season. Considering that the Buccaneers are “aiming for 11-5” and they are playing one of the worst teams to do it, I’m guessing the Bucs don’t allow an upset here, especially when it appears that this TB12 offense has been firing on all cylinders the last few weeks.

Falcons 17 Bucs 31

DAL Cowboys vs NY Giants

The Giants have cooled off in recent weeks ever since going on their winstreak. Ever since that win streak, they have not won a game and look back to be the same team that started 0-5. Dallas, on the other hand, has ramped it up in recent weeks albeit against weak foes. Luckily for them, they get another weak foe on Sunday. I would certainly consider it an upset if Dallas doesn’t finish with the higher score when the clock reaches 0:00.

Cowboys 23 Giants 14

NY Jets vs NE Patriots

I’m taking the upset pick here. Who would have thought that in Week 17 I would be picking the Jets to beat the Patriots? Certainly not me. However, I’m rolling the dice here. The Jets are on a hot 2 win-streak while the Patriots appear to be crumbling and limping to the end of the regular season. I expect this Jets team to let their coach head out of New York on a (slightly) positive note.

Jets 24 Patriots 13

MIN Vikings vs DET Lions

At this point, I have given up on trying to predict how any Vikings or Lions game will go. They are the two teams I am worst at picking this season. The Vikings should be better than they are, but are not, and the Lions are just a mixed bag of confusion. Someone save Matt Stafford. Let this incoming Vikings W (I think) be an indicator that the Lions should rebuild, and that rebuild involves trading Matt Stafford to a team who will treat him well.

Vikings 26 Lions 17

PIT Steelers vs CLE Browns

Seeing as the Steelers are resting some key starters with Mason Rudolph starting the game, AND the Browns need just to win to get in, it seems like an easy choice to pick Cleveland. I anticipate the Browns to come out with some eagerness that gives them an edge over a fatigued Steelers team that is looking for a break they have not gotten yet this season.

Steelers 17 Browns 28

BAL Ravens vs CIN Bengals

We’ve seen this episode of Week 17 before. The Ravens walk into the final regular season game of the year where they are in a “win and in” situation. Last time, Andy Dalton secured a 4th and 12 conversion into a go ahead TD that ended the Ravens season that year. Enter this year, where this Ravens team has been built to beat losing teams, and has yet to be upset by a team that is far more objectively worse than they are. The Ravens have shown to a be a team who doesn’t lose to teams with losing records going in for the last 3 seasons. I don’t expect that to change. Playoff implications or not.

Ravens 34 Bengals 17

MIA Dolphins vs BUF Bills

Maybe it’s bad of me to make assumptions. But I am assuming the Bills rest their starters in the 2nd half after they see that Cleveland is going to beat Pittsburgh which would mean the Bills lock up the #2 seed. With that assumption in mind, I would like to think the Dolphins win the game in the 2nd half and punch in their playoff ticket. However, this is Sean McDermott we are talking about, and it’s possible we don’t see the Bills rest their starters and, instead, crush the playoff dreams of their divisional foes.

Dolphins 27 Bills 20

SEA Seahawks vs SF 49ers

Well, the 49ers DID just upset the Cardinals last week. However, I can’t be led to believe that the 49ers make the same mistakes the Cardinals did against the 49ers. While I am moderately down on this Seahawks team heading into the playoffs, they would do well to boost their confidence going forward by slaughtering a 49ers team which is injury-riddled beyond all reason. I believe this happens.

Seahawks 31 49ers 16

AZ Cardinals vs LA Rams

I keep this one short. I understand the Cardinals have “underperformed” this season. But I think this is the team they are at this point. My 11-5 division winner prediction was wrong, but I believe this team has enough talent and heart to be a Rams team that has been wrecked on offense by COVID and injuries. Sean McVay may put up a game plan that beats the Cardinals. I won’t be surprised. But I don’t anticipate it either.

Cardinals 23 Rams 14

JAX Jaguars vs IND Colts

It’s possible the Jaguars play with reckless abandon this game and upset the Colts playoff chances by going 2-14 and proudly boasting the #1 pick in the draft. However, I believe that both of these teams are in different positions and at different skill ceilings than when they met back in Week 1. The Colts don’t allow the worst team in football (according to schedule) to 2-0 this year.

Jaguars 17 Colts 30

TEN TItans vs HOU Texans

The JJ Watt speech was nice and probably speaks to a lot of more broader and bigger issues going on within the Texans organization. However, it wasn’t a rallying speech. It was a speech of ventilation and a leader telling his team that things need to be different. Gonna have to wait for the offseason to get that change as the Titans are coming in ready to roll over the Texans defense with Derrick Henry and bounce back from an embarrassing loss on Sunday Night Football.

Titans 35 Texans 24

LV Raiders vs DEN Broncos

It would be just like the Raiders to lose this game in spectacular fashion as well. For those saying Gruden was dumb for not getting a touchdown, we’ve already seen a Falcons team fail in getting a touchdown and leaving too much time in the clock. Give Gruden some slack because if it had worked, everyone would be calling him genius. Also, that no-look pass from Fitzpatrick was a miracle play that shouldn’t have happened. Anyhoo, Gruden and Co. come to face off against a Broncos team still trying to find its identity. As I said, it would be like the Raiders to lose this game. Don’t think it happens though.

Raiders 27 Broncos 24

LA Chargers vs KC Chiefs

Keeping this one short and sweet. Seeing as the Chiefs are not trying at all for this game by resting most of their starters, I expect a Chargers team who almost beat them near the beginning of the season, to finish the job this time. Chargers win this game almost by default barring a spectacular performance by Chad Henne and the Chiefs offense.

Chargers 27 Chiefs 20

GB Packers vs CHI Bears

A few people are predicting an upset by this Bears team that is on a hot streak. They seem to forget that the Packers are on a hot streak is well and are producing far more heat than the Bears are. The Packers have owned the Bears when Aaron Rodgers is at the helm and I don’t anticipate that narrative to change. Mitchell Trubisky also probably struggles again against Green Bay but that’s nothing new.

Packers 34 Bears 23

NO Saints vs Carolina Panthers

Yes, Alvin Kamara is out for this week, but I also don’t expect a Carolina team that has been struggling on offense to make much noise against this stellar Saints defense. That’s pretty much all the analysis to give on this one. Saints defense wins this game for them, even if it’s an ugly game.

Saints 20 Panthers 16

Washington vs PHE Eagles

It’s no secret that I’ve given this Washington team far more credit than they probably deserve. However since Alex Smith is playing this week, I am AGAIN putting some unwarranted faith into this Washington team. They are just an entirely different team when they have a QB who can move the ball. And while Jalen Hurts has been fun to watch, this Washington defense is going to maul the Eagles offensive line and get to the QB, regardless if it’s Wentz or Hurts.

Washington 27 Eagles 24

Week 16 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

The last two weeks of regular season football are upon us and the playoff race is tightening as teams are playing must win games if they want to get into the dance. Some teams are already experiencing heartbreak as we have had 4 games already. However, outside of the Vikings and Raiders, nobody who lost is dead in the water yet. With that being said, let’s get to the picks!

Sanders went 12-4 last week putting him to 147-81-1 on the season. He is 2-2 to start Week 16 as he picked the Vikings (loss), Bucs (win), Cardinals (loss), and Dolphins (win) to win their games.

IND Colts vs PIT Steelers

The Steelers offense has been putrid for the last few weeks now causing an 0-3 skid after a grand 11-0 start. While most have called the Steelers fake going undefeated (partially due to the hatred for PIT, let’s be honest), this Steelers team still has pieces to win games and it starts with the defense. Unfortunately for them, the defense is not as strong as it used to be with Bud Dupree out for the season. They play a Colts team which has come on strong in the last few weeks. The Colts defense is to be feared, and Philip Rivers is quietly having himself solid season. Unless Pittsburgh picks it up on offense, looks like a 4 game losing streak coming on.

Colts 28 Steelers 21

ATL Falcons vs KC Chiefs

While there’s potential for this game to be explosive, I’m thinking that this game won’t be as close as the “on-paper” matchup says it should be. Not only does KC look unbeatable, they look like the AFC’s Super Bowl representatives. They’ve won in every single way possible this season and have lost only one game that appears more and more like it was a fluke than an actual weakness on them. Many could point to the “one score” wins but the truth is KC is just that good. My philosophy is you gotta score 35 points or more if you wanna beat KC. Don’t see Atlanta doing that.

Falcons 24 Chiefs 38

CHI Bears vs JAX Jaguars

We are living in a reality where playoff hopes lie hanging in the balance for the Bears with Mitch Trubisky tasked to take them to the promised land. Yes, you read that right. After all the slander, Trubisky has had himself a surprisingly okay season when he has had his chance to play. The Bears get arguably the worst team in the NFL on their Sunday slate. Looks like an easy dub on way to a Week 17 NFC North showdown in the frozen tundra. We wouldn’t want it any other way for a Bears-Packers matchup. Sorry Jaguars fans. Nothing much to say about Jacksonville as a team. They’re terrible and Mike Glennon is starting. Not even any Minschew mania to hype up.

Bears 29 Jaguars 13

CIN Bengals vs HOU Texans

I perfectly understand that the Bengals upset the Steelers last week and that the Texans have a bottom 3 defense in the League. That being said, I’m not going to let an upset convince me that a Burrow-less Bengals team is going to step up to the plate two games in a row. Deshaun Watson and the Texans should pull off the W here.

Bengals 17 Texans 20

NY Giants vs BAL Ravens

The Giants have the unfortunate timing of playing one of the hottest AFC teams when they are banged up. The Ravens on the other hand, get the benefit of playing a banged up NFC East team while playing their hottest ball all season. Barring an unforeseen circumstance where Lamar Jackson gets hurt, the Ravens should be back to their 2019 ways of putting up 30+ points on bad teams. Danie Jones is also set to play against a defense that is elite at forcing turnovers. None of this benefits New York.

Giants 16 Ravens 34

CLE Browns vs NY Jets

So. The Jets caught a W against the Rams. That’s nice and I no longer am allowed to say they will lose a game because they are coached by Adam Gase. However, that doesn’t change the fact this Jets team is….shall we say….bad? And the next team on their slate is a Browns team that’s looking to lock up a playoff seed. To be a playoff team, you gotta beat the teams you are favored against. The Browns have been doing that almost all season and i don’t see that stopping. Browns W right here.

Browns 27 Jets 17

CAR Panthers vs Washington

If I were the media, I would drop the revenge game narrative. If you ask me, Rivera is not worried about beating his former team but is far more concerned with clinching the NFC East which they can do this week with a win and the Giants losing to Baltimore (which is likely). Washington is a team fighting for their football lives while the Panthers are trying to figure out what works and what won’t heading into 2021. I’ll take the desperate team over the team still trying to figure things out.

Panthers 17 Washington 24

DEN Broncos vs LA Chargers

This is an AFC West clash that doesn’t necessarily matter anymore. However, I find this game rather intriguing. I think this game will be fun. The last time, it was a fun matchup where Drew Lock lead a furious rally back in the 4th quarter to catch a win for the Broncos. This time around, I think Justin Herbert and company will come ready for a revenge type of game. That, and the Broncos have a long way to go before they are consistently competing. They need to get healthy.

Broncos 20 Chargers 27

PHE Eagles vs DAL Cowboys

If you haven’t taken the hint already, I do not like this Dallas Cowboys team this year and it starts with their defense. The first move that needs to be made is for Mike Nolan to be out of there next season. Until they get a better DC, I can’t place faith in a Cowboys team to handle dynamic QBs whom they face this week. I would have given this one to the Cowboys were Carson Wentz playing. However, Jalen Hurts provides another dimension to the Eagles offense that the Boys may not be prepared for.

Eagles 28 Cowboys 23

LA Rams vs SEA Seahawks

Well then. The Rams certainly got a wake up call last week losing to the winless Jets. You think they had the best practice they’ve ever had all season? Yeah, I think so too. However, they play against a Seattle team that has improved defensively down the stretch the last few weeks. And while the Seahawks certainly are a threat, I don’t view them the same way I did weeks ago. Despite the loss to the Jets, I think the Rams got a fire lit under them and that’s going to be enough to put them over the edge in a rather even matchup that I believe goes into OT.

Rams 27 Seahawks 24 (Final OT)

TEN Titans vs GB Packers

This is the hardest matchup for me personally to try and predict. It’s the No. 1 offense in the league vs MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers. Who scores more? Well, let’s start off with the fact that weather is supposed to be awful in Green Bay which poses well for Tennessee. Run run run with King Henry to a win. That’s how they win this game in the frozen tundra. However, I just can’t help but think not only does Aaron Jones have a big day, but Aaron Rodgers also takes advantage of a mediocre Titans secondary. I give the edge to Green Bay, although, I’m not highly confident in this pick either. If you ask me, it’s a 50/50 coin toss, and you gotta decide on which offense you think has the bigger day.

Titans 27 Packers 30

BUF Bills vs NE Patriots

Another traditional MNF game where we get to watch a bad matchup. Fun stuff. Anyhoo, let’s talk about the teams. The Patriots have officially been eliminated from the playoffs and are looking forward to 2021. However, there are still players like Cam Newton who are playing for their jobs. A Bill Bellichick isn’t going to just come out flat. However, the Bills also aren’t going to just let a divisional opponent who is weaker than them come in and beat them. The Bills haven’t been division winners in 25 years. They’re division winners now, and I think the team knows that it’s not enough. Keep working. Keep going. Don’t stop. That message is something along the lines of what Sean McDermott is saying right as I’m typing this.

Bills 31 Patriots 17

Week 15 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

I would like to apologize for not posting the last two weeks. The weekends were filled with finals preparation, grading for my students, and getting my quarantined students caught up and prepared for finals. I also took a mini staycation last weekend. Either way, I’m back baby and the playoff race is heating up. The NFC and AFC feel decided with seeding left to go. However, there’s certainly some surprises that could happen. Let’s unpack it all!

Sanders is currently 135-77-1 and is 2-1 heading into Week 15 after picking the Raiders (loss), Bills (win), Packers (win) to win their games.

SF 49ers vs DAL Cowboys

It looks like Andy Dalton gets better each week. That being said, both Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh have been getting more of their team and 3rd string roster than probably any other coach duo in the league could. Knowing that, I think Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan will be outmatched here through gameplan, scheme, and mid-game adjustments.

49ers 27 Cowboys 21

SEA Seahawks vs Washington

You see, I originally thought that Washington was going to pull off the upset here. However, now that I know Gibson may not be playing AND Haskins is starting at QB? Forget about it. Haskins is a terrible QB and is not a starter in this league. He may be facing one of the worst defenses in the league, but that won’t matter if he can’t match Russell Wilson this weekend.

Hawks 29 Washington 17

CHI Bears vs MIN Vikings

It’s sort of a running joke at this point that I can’t pick Vikings games. However, I got the last Vikings game correct. Which means nothing for this game, but It’s untrue I can’t pick Vikings games. I just struggle with reading this team every year. That being said, I know exactly what this Bears team is. A great team with an elite defense when the offense can just simply MOVE the ball. Not even score a ton. Just move the ball. But when the offense is anemic and Trubisky is playing horribly, the elite defense doesn’t matter and this team goes from great to fake. Seeing that it’s not possible to predict a good or bad Trubisky day, I’m going to point to wards the team with the better head coach and quarterback. Both of those are in Minnesota. Hopefully Cousins doesn’t throw 3 picks. He’s had some rough games against better defenses, but I believe here.

Bears 14  Vikings 20

NE Patriots vs MIA Dolphins

Normally, I believe that I would try and make a case for the Patriots and there certainly is one here. However, the Dolphins are so well coached and even if their gameplan falls apart, they make great half-time adjustments. Brain Flores is the real deal and I truly believe he’s gonna lead this team to a victory whether the on-field execution struggles or not. We’ve reached an era where Bill Bellichick is still the best coach of all time, but his division has competition in the head-coaching department.

Patriots 16 Dolphins 23

JAX Jaguars vs BAL Ravens

There is legitimately a case to be made that the Jaguars are the worst team in the NFL. However, Gardner Minschew is coming back to start against a Ravens team that has lost 70% of it’s secondary to the injury/inactive list. There’s a big chance for an upset here where Minschew goes crazy and DJ Chark has a 100+ yard day. However, the Jaguars have a terrible running defense and they’re playing against Baltimore? Seems like a classic recipe for the Ravens to score 30+ points.

Jaguars 24 Ravens 38

TB Buccaneers vs ATL Falcons

There’s a hot chance that the Falcons can pull off an upset here but I think that’s trying too hard to predict an upset. The matter of the fact is, is that the Buccaneers are a team that lack a solid identity, but hold way too much talent to lose games. Seems like that’s the recipe that wins another game for the Bucs here. I anticipate the Falcons to keep this one competitive though.

Bucs 31 Flacons 27

DET Lions vs TEN Titans

Not only has Derrick Henry but running rampant on the football field every Sunday, but he gets to play December football against one of the worst defenses against the run. The man is about to feast and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans throw less than 15 times. An important note for the Lions is that Matt Staff will be playing with torn rib cartilage and a right thumb injury. Doesn’t sound like a good day for the Lions.

Lions 13 Titans 23

HOU Texans vs IND Colts

It’s completely irrational of me to pick the Texans here and I want to very badly. However, the Colts found a spark on offense last week. A spark which I anticipate to continue against one of the worst defenses in the League. It’s true that Watson could go wild and win this game all on his own. However, this is a team game and that would require his receivers to get separation with they haven’t been doing well at all season. And it’s against a top Colts defense? Forget the upset….it ain’t happening as much as I want it to.

Texans 17 Colts 28

PHE Eagles vs AZ Cardinals

Look. The Eagles beat the Saints and there’s a lot to be said about the efforts they made, the juice that Jalen Hurts gave to the offense, and the inspiration the entire team had. However, I don’t anticipate the Eagles to pull of a repeat performance. If you have eyes, you’ll see that despite the cover of the Cardinals book saying they should be a pass first team, they are a running team with a solid defense. This is perfect December football and while the game will be in Arizona and not winter weather, the point remains the same. At this point in the season, the teams with better running games and defense typically win the games. That favors Arizona.

Eagles 23 Cardinals 31

NY Jets vs LA Rams

Same head coach. Same story. Different week. The Jets lose because they are coached Adam Gase. No other analysis here necessary. I’ve been writing these same sentences for Jets games since Week 5. Has anything changed? Nope. They are still winless. Again, a Jets team coached by Adam Gase isn’t winning a game.

Jets 13 Rams 30

KC Chiefs vs NO Saints

For a game that’s supposed to be between two gods of football, this matchup feels more like a god vs titan matchup. And if you know your Greek mythology, the titans are considered superior to the gods, at least in their basic forms although the gods did overtake the titans. Back to football, I think the Chiefs are the titan and the Saints are the god in this matchup. Both are formidable but one team is clearly better than the other. It seems that unless the Chiefs are playing an AFC West rival, they tend to annihilate everyone in their way. The Dolphins had arguably the best possible game you could have against the Chiefs and still lost. At this point, I don’t think I’m picking the Chiefs to lose till otherwise. That, and you think this Saints team without Michael Thomas is gonna keep up with KC? Probably not.

Chiefs 35 Saints 27

CLE Browns vs NY Giants

The Browns played a great game offensively and still came up short 5 points against Baltimore in a thrilling 47-42 outlet. Needless to say, the Browns proved they can hang with the big dogs and are playoff ready. That being said, they need to make the playoffs first. They play the Giants this week on Sunday Night Football, a game that probably doesn’t deserve the time slot, but gives the Browns a chance to prove themselves again against a weaker team. I don’t have much to say on the Giants here. They’re a well coached team that’s missing quite a few pieces across the roster. They’ll be a team to keep an eye on over the offseason. I’d at least like to see Daniel Jones play better this week than he did last week against AZ.

Browns 27 Giants 16

PIT Steelers vs CIN Bengals

It’s kinda sad but the Bengals have dropped into Jets territory for me. As long as Joe Burrow isn’t playing for the Bengals, they are just as bad as they were last year. And last year, they were worst team in the NFL. Steelers defense mauls the Bengals offense and they pick up the win here getting just one more win closer to clinching the AFC North for the first time in 3 seasons.

Steelers 27 Bengals 17

Week 12 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

Thanksgiving has come and gone but there is still much more action left on NFL’s Week 12 slate. But before I get there, I would like to take the time to say I am thankful to anyone who reads this. I am thankful for my family, friends, and my job that I get to work at everyday. I love being a teacher and I love doing these picks as a side-hobby. Thank y’all for reading. On to the picks!

Sanders went 7-7 last week (boooooo) putting him to 105-55-1 on the season. He also went 1-1 on Thanksgiving picking the Lions to win and the Washington team to win.

MIA Dolphins vs NY Jets

Same old Jets, same old pick from me. The Jets are coached by Adam Gase still. Enough said. They’ll keep losing until the HC position changes.

Dolphins 24 Jets 17

AZ Cardinals vs NE Patriots

Certainly a matchup that I think favors the Cardinals but is in no way a guaranteed win either. The Cardinals defense is in the bottom-10 when it comes to allowing rushing yards per game to opposing teams. This presents a favorable matchups for the Patriots as they own a top rushing offense in the league this year. However, all that considered, I still think the Cardinals are favored. Better roster and better QB.

Cardinals 23 Patriots 20

CAR Panthers vs MIN Vikings

Tough one to pick here as the Vikings were presumably on the move up but then fell to the Dallas Cowboys. I take it this game swings either way, but considering the very nature of the types of teams that both have been this year, I feel this one is a coin flip. For what it’s worth, Run CMC is out again and the Vikings defense matches up well against the Panthers offense. But the Vikings offense isn’t necessarily a fantastic matchup either against Carolina. Like I said, flip a coin.

Panthers 17 Vikings 26

CLE Browns vs JAX Jaguars

Not sure I’ve mentioned this before. But outside of the Jets, the Jaguars are arguably the worst team in the NFL. With no real threat at QB and a lack of playmakers across the board, it’s tough to imagine the Browns losing this one here. Not to mention, this Jaguars defense probably won’t be able to handle everything Cleveland will throw at them on Sunday.

Browns 28 Jaguars 10

TEN Titans vs IND Colts

I originally was going to be picking the Colts in this matchup but with DeForest Buckner reportedly out for this game, I have since changed my mind. This Colts defense has certainly been carrying this team to some nice W’s while the offense has been playing complimentary football. However, with Buckner out, I find that the Colts defense may not perform as well as they normally do. Not only that, but the Titans seems to have found their groove back after a clutch come from behind win against Baltimore.

Titans 31 Colts 27

NY Giants vs CIN Bengals

One of the reasons the Bengals were even remotely competitive was because Joe Burrow was the quarterback. Now that Burrow is out of the season, the Bengals will go back to being a non-competitive punching bag. The Giants, on the other hand, are also a losing team but have remained somewhat competitive throughout the season. Giants, easily.

Giants 20 Bengals 13

LA Chargers vs BUF Bills

I’m quite sure many expect this game to be close and have fire works. I, for one hand, have the minority opinion. I believe McDermott is going to create a gameplan that fools Justin Herbert and the Bills offense just demos the Chargers defense. And that’s pretty much all I’ve got on this one. Not much more thought went into this matchup after I examined the key matchups on the rosters.

Chargers 17 Bills 35

SF 49ers vs LA Rams

There’s no doubt in my mind that this game has the potential to come down to the wire. Last time these teams faced, the 49ers beat the Rams without their starting QB and starting TE. Now the 49ers are in the same situation again facing the Rams. This time around though, I’ll say that the Rams have become a better team since, and the 49ers haven’t improved much due to both injuries and COVID wrecking the team. It’s been an unfortunate season for the defending NFC champions, and it doesn’t get much better.

49ers 17 Rams 26

NO Saints vs DEN Broncos

The Broncos are playing without a QB this week. The Saints are the best team in the NFC. I think that’s enough said on this matchup right? Quite an unfair predicament, but they, that’s 2020 for you.

Saints 31 Broncos 10

KC Chiefs vs TB Buccaneers

On paper, this matchup looks pretty good. However, the Chiefs are a team that play football for a full 60 minutes and the Bucs seem to disappear sometimes in the middle of their games. With them being so hot and cold, and the Chiefs staying red hot, it’s hard to imagine the Bucs winning this game, despite how great of a matchup this looks on paper. Bucs gotta show me something for me to believe.

Chiefs 33 Bucs 24

CHI Bears vs GB Packers

Regardless of whether Trubisky is starting or not, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Bears offense suddenly becomes competent again. Maybe Trubisky shows us he has grown in practice while being on the bench. However, I have doubts in my mind. There is certainly a timeline where the Bears win this game and get right back into the thick of the playoff hunt. I carry my doubts though. Rodgers and Co. on Sunday Night Football typically fare pretty well against the Bears.

Bears 20 Packers 24

SEA Seahawks vs PHE Eagles

Reports are coming out that Jaylen Hurts are getting QB1 reps in practice. That don’t matter. This Eagles team is bad. It’s not just Carson Wentz. The team, as a whole, is bad. And this Seattle team is (not elite but) very good. They’ll maul whoever is at QB because the Eagles offensive line can’t play well enough to save their own lives let alone the quarterback’s.

Seahawks 31 Eagles 19

BAL Ravens vs PIT Steelers

COVID or no COVID, I had the Steelers winning this game anyway. The Steelers are just a good matchup against the Ravens and are currently the best team in football. Sure, it will be exciting to see RG3 get some starting time in a game that matters, but it’s unfortunate he is tasked with playing against one of the more fearsome defenses in the League. It’s just an overall nightmare for Baltimore, and a field dream for the Steelers.

Ravens 16 Steelers 28

Week 11 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

*no pre-picks blurb this week*

Sanders went 9-5 last week putting him to 98-48-1 on the season. He also picked AZ to win on Thursday and is 0-1 to start Week 11.

PIT Steelers vs JAX Jaguars

The Steelers are a well balanced team and carry a mean defense that won both tight games and blowouts. They face a Jaguars team that hanged with the Packers longer than they should have. Against this Pittsburgh defense, that just won’t happen.

Steelers 26 Jaguars 14

DET Lions vs CAR Panthers

The Panthers offense is too banged up for me to faithfully pick the Panthers to win here. The Lions have been a competitive team that blows away too many wins under Matt Patricia. They barely didn’t blow it to Washington last week. However, I don’t think they’ll blow it against Carolina this week especially because Carolina will be absent both Teddy B and Run CMC.

Lions 24 Panthers 10

NE Patriots vs HOU Texans

The Patriots have established themselves as a top 5 running offense and they travel to Houston to face the worst rushing defense in the league. While the Patriots certainly don’t have the potential explosiveness that the Texans do on offense, they’ll grind this game out through tough runs and solid defensive play. Bellichick will make this game a short one, if his gameplan goes through. Don’t see the Texans having the ability to stop it either.

Patriots 20 Texans 14

TEN Titans vs BAL Ravens

The Titans have had a rough go of it ever since they started 5-0. They’ve lacked the ability to be competitive in games (see vs Colts) or close out games (see vs PIT). Either way, this week should be a bounceback week as they play a Ravens team who hasn’t found a secondary identity on offense and will also be without their run defenders this week. I anticipate King Henry to gain 150+ scrimmage yards on Sunday.

Titans 27 Ravens 20

PHE Eagles vs CLE Browns

Even when Carson Wentz played one of his best games of the season, the Eagles still lost to the Giants last week. That’s foretelling of the kind of season that Philly has been having this season. They lack the talent to stop the Hunt-Chubb combo that Cleveland will punch them in the mouth with, and it’s likely that Wentz tries to do too much his week (again) and throws the game away before there is ever truly a chance to win it in the first place.

Eagles 16 Browns 19

ATL Falcons vs NO Saints

There’s potential for an upset here, however, I think the Saints still win whether Winston or Hill starts at QB. Historically, when Drew Brees has missed games, Sean Payton has come up with creative gameplans to continue the Saint’s winning ways. Despite Atlanta being a much better team since the firing of Dan Quinn, I don’t anticipate Sean Payton to lose a game to ATL this year. Both Hill or WInston will get it done, even if it’s ugly.

Falcons 24 Saints 28

CIN Bengals vs Washington

It’s really odd that Alex Smith had his best statistical game of his career and still couldn’t carry Washington to a win. That’s just how flawed this Washington team is, and just from that I’m not sure how they are going to beat a Cincinatti team that is also flawed, yet has a quarterback who has played phenomenally this season. Joe Burrow may just grab his 3rd win here.

Bengals 21 Washington 20

NY Jets vs LA Chargers

Same thing everytime. The Jets are coached by Adam Gase still. Not sure what you want from me. Chargers pick up the W (if they don’t blow it, that is). Justin Herbert goes crazy this week and Joey Bosa comes back to rock the Jets O-line.

Jets 23 Chargers 27

MIA Dolphins vs DEN Broncos

The Dolphins have shown themselves to be the surprise of the year as they have racked up a 6-3 start while making a QB switch midseason to a rookie no less. Brian Flores has been like his mentor and has created a defense that plays well to their strengths, while employing an offense that plays complimentary football to a solid defense. The Broncos have been the exact opposite of this with mediocre QB play, lack of defensive playmaking, and questionable coaching. All signs favor Miami.

Dolphins 31 Broncos 20

DAL Cowboys vs MIN Vikings

If you were thinking the optimist in me was going to say something positive about Andy Dalton returning, well you’d be wrong. It’s impossible for me to place faith in a Dallas team that couldn’t even win when their offense was explosive. Now they face a Vikings team that is starting to make the train tracks go in the right direction, AND their defense still can’t stop an opponent from scoring? How about you try being optimistic about Dallas? I can’t be.

Cowboys 17 Vikings 27

GB Packers vs IND Colts

For whatever reason, the Packers kryptonite seems to be physical football teams. Under Matt Lafleur, the Packers only terrible losses have been to teams who decide to get down and dirty with them, and the Packers typically have zero answer for those types of teams. Here come the Colts who are one of the most physical football teams of the 2020 season, and play with a “punch you in the mouth” kind of style. Until Green Bay wins against these kind of teams, I don’t place faith in them to win against those kind of teams.

Packers 17 Colts 20

KC Chiefs vs LV Raiders

The Chiefs may have lost last time, and the Raiders may matchup well with the Chiefs, but it’s incredibly hard to beat a good team twice in one season. That’s why I favor the Chiefs here. The Chiefs had a lot to learn from the defensive looks they got, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they come out with a gameplan the Raiders won’t be prepared for, especially because the Raiders couldn’t have their starting defense practice this week with them being on the COVID list.

Chiefs 35 Raiders 30

LA Rams vs TB Buccaneers

This game will get messy before it gets good. I anticipate a “down and dirty” style of game from both teams. Normally, these type of games dictate that the better defense wins and yet I’m not sure that’s the case here. With both defense playing so well this year, I’ve got a creeping feeling that the offense who plays just a bit better comes out on top on MNF. To me, that’s going to be Tom Brady and Co. I can’t imagine they’ll allow another primetime embarrassment like they have suffered the last two times.

Rams 20 Bucs 23