DOLPHINS (7-8) AT
BILLS (5-10)
TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,
WHERE: New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
TV: CBS
LINE: Bills
by 3 1 / 2
DOLPHINS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Earlier this season
against the Bills, Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill had three
touchdown passes despite just 137 yards passing. He had plenty of time in the
pocket that day. The offensive line has to give Tannehill time to find openings
in Buffalo’s zone defense. The Bills’ pass rush hasn’t scared anyone this
season either, so it’s not a tall task. Defensively, Miami has to keep an eye
on Bills rookie QB Josh Allen. It tried to do so in their first meeting, but
Allen had 135 yards rushing (a career high) on nine carries that day. Only one
of those was a designed run that day.
BILLS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Bills’ offensive
line has struggled all season. Allen is pressured far too often, and the
running game has not had any holes. If the offensive line can keep Allen
upright, allowing him to take deep shots, it will potentially open holes for
Allen or
LeSean McCoy via the ground game.
Defensively, the front seven needs to apply more
pressure. Opposing quarterbacks have had plenty of time to wait for routes
to develop from their playmakers it has been a tough ask for Buffalo’s
secondary players to hold their coverage for such an extended amount of time.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Bills’ Allen vs. Dolphins LB Kiko
Alonso. In the first meeting, Alonso was the one charged with watching
Allen. The rookie quarterback put him in a spin cycle on several occasions,
leading to his career rushing day.
WHO WINS? The Bills’ secondary has bounced back
a bit from their ugly day against Tannehill and the Dolphins. BILLS, 27-20
LIONS (5-10) AT
PACKERS (6-8-1)
TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: Fox
LINE: Packers
by 7
PACKERS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Start fast, avoid
turnovers and control the game on defense. The Lions are flat lining on offense
(six weeks in a row scoring fewer than 20 points), so a fast start from Green
Bay QB
Aaron Rodgers (442 passing yards in Week 16) and
the Packers could have smooth sailing in the season finale. Expect turnovers to
play a big role in a game between two non-playoff teams. In the first meeting
this season, the Packers had three giveaways and lost. Mike Pettine’s defense
must take away the run early and force Detroit QB Matthew Stafford and the
Lions into a one-dimensional attack on offense.
LIONS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Feed the ball to WR Kenny
Golladay and RB Theo Riddick and disrupt the
Packers’ passing game. Golladay and Riddick need to be a game
breaking options for Stafford and the Lions’ struggling offense.
The Lions can hang around on the road by stifling Green Bay’s
inconsistent passing game, which will require getting consistent pressure
on Rodgers (who threw for 442 yards in a Week 5 loss to the Lions) and plaster
coverage from the secondary.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Packers WR Davante Adams vs. Lions CB
Darius Slay. Two Pro Bowlers will battle it out when the Packers have
the football. Adams won the first meeting of 2018, catching nine passes for 140
yards and a touchdown in October.
WHO WINS? Last year, the Lions beat the Packers
35-11 without Rodgers in the season finale. This time, Rodgers returns the
favor at Lambeau Field. PACKERS, 23-20
JAGUARS (5-10) AT
TEXANS (10-5)
TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,
WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: CBS
LINE: Texans
by 8 1 / 2
JAGUARS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Jacksonville has had a
woebegone season, and the reigning AFC South champions have been dethroned. The
Jaguars will look to end on a high note. RB Leonard Fournette hasn’t
been the battering ram he was in his rookie season, and he’ll need to summon
that skill for one afternoon. LBs Telvin Smith and Myles
Jack might not have made the Pro Bowl, but they can look like they are
against a compromised run game. Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey has
three interceptions and must take away the quarterback’s lone reliable target.
DE Calais Campbell has to make an impact against Houston’s
bottom-tier pass protection that flirts with leading the NFL in sacks.
TEXANS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: They will have
incentive to play their starters for as long as possible as the No. 2 seed and
a first-round bye are possibilities. QB Deshaun Watson will need to
find ways to allow the game to come to him rather than force his will and
invite giveaways. The run game is sputtering, but it could be an opportunity
for RB D’Onta Foreman, returning from a lengthy Achilles rehab, to
get retribution. DE J.J. Watt must force the passer into
hurried throws, and CB Kareem Jackson and the rest of the
secondary must collect errant passes.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey vs. Texans WR
DeAndre Hopkins. The all-pro had three catches for 50 yards and a TD in the
first meeting. A similar game could result in a Texans loss.
WHO WINS? Momentum and fortune favor Houston,
which will clinch the AFC South title. TEXANS, 26-14
RAIDERS (3-11) AT
CHIEFS (11-4)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: CBS
LINE: No line
CHIEFS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Don’t beat themselves.
Self-inflicted wounds have been a big problem for the Chiefs. They’re
particularly magnified in the games that Kansas City has failed to win.
Sometimes that means penalties, which the Chiefs lead the NFL in this season.
It could be an untimely false start by TE Demetrius Harris or
a pass interference call on CB Orlando Scandrick. Other times it
means Coach Andy Reid calling the right plays and putting guys
in a position to win.
RAIDERS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Get pressure on Kansas
City QB Patrick Mahomes. The biggest problem for Oakland this season has been
its inability to pressure the quarterback. As of Week 15, Chiefs DL Chris Jones
had more sacks on the season than the Raiders did as a team. They need to
figure out a way to get their young players rushing the passer better, and it
all starts with DE Arden Key. If he can get after Mahomes, the
Raiders will have a shot at an upset.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Chiefs S Eric Berry vs. Raiders
QB Derek Carr. Carr didn’t have to face Berry the first time this season.
Now the star safety is back healthy. Since 2014, his performances against the
Raiders have been rather pedestrian. He has totaled 14 tackles in four games
against the Raiders. Perhaps he’s due for a game-changing play, such as an
interception or a forced fumble?
WHO WINS? The Raiders might have started their
preparations for this game a full week early, but that alone will not be enough
to edge out a Chiefs team that is playing at home. CHIEFS, 37-27
BEARS (11-4) AT
VIKINGS (8-6-1)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,
WHERE: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: Fox
LINE: Vikings by 6
BEARS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Keep doing what they’ve been
doing. The Bears’ defense ranks third in the league in points allowed, and it
needs to rattle Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, as it did during the first meeting. It
also must take advantage of a Vikings’ offensive line that has been mostly bad
this season.
Minnesota’s offense has the talent to be successful, but the
Vikings haven’t been able to unleash it consistently. Pressure by the Bears
will continue that trend.
VIKINGS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: This likely will be a
low-scoring game. The Vikings have had a tough time with mobile quarterbacks,
and that’s why Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky provides a challenge even for
Minnesota’s talented defense. The Vikings will need to score, but if they can
limit big plays from Bears RB Tarik Cohen and WR Allen Robinson, the offense
won’t be asked to do as much.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins vs. Bears’
defense. In the first matchup between these two teams, Cousins looked lost.
Sure, he threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw the ball 46
times and threw two interceptions. His 76.5 passer rating in the game was his
second-lowest mark of the season. You bet he’ll be looking for revenge. And
U.S. Bank Stadium is a little more quarterback friendly than Soldier
Field.
WHO WINS? The difference in the game will be
desperation coming from the Vikings’ end to not only get in the playoffs, but
prove they belong once they get there. The U.S. Bank Stadium crowd will be loud
for this one. VIKINGS, 14-10
JETS (4-11) AT
PATRIOTS (10-5)
TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
TV: CBS
LINE: Patriots by 13
JETS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: New York managed to keep
the contest close in Week 12 for 30 minutes, but the Patriots pulled ahead in
the second half by running the ball with RB Sony Michel, who finished the 2713
win with 133 yards and a touchdown. If the Jets are going to beat the Patriots,
they’ll need to stop Michel and New England’s other running backs. Strangely,
the Patriots might be on shakier ground when they turn to QB Tom Brady and New
England’s aerial attack, which has struggled at times in recent weeks. If the
defense puts the ball in Jets QB Sam Darnold’s hands, he must
manage the game by playing turnover-free football.
PATRIOTS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: If the Jets can’t
defend Michel, the Patriots should hammer him into New York’s defense for as
many carries as possible. The rookie running back could prove the pivotal
player again and would help keep some of the aging contributors in the passing
game (Brady, WR Julian Edelman and TE Rob Gronkowski) fresh
for the playoffs. Defensively, the Patriots can complicate coverage and blitzes
before the snap to confuse Darnold, who might cough up the ball a few
times.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Jets CB Morris Claiborne vs. Patriots
WR Julian Edelman. This slot matchup should prove fiercely competitive.
Edelman will continue to take on a bigger workload with Josh Gordon serving an
indefinite suspension.
WHO WINS? New England doesn’t lose at home,
especially not to a pushover team such as the Jets. PATRIOTS, 31-10
PANTHERS (6-9) AT
SAINTS (13-2)
TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
TV:
LINE: No line
SAINTS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Overcoming the Carolina
defense. The Saints’ defense proved it could handle the Panthers’ offense in their
first meeting, led by S Vonn Bell and CB Eli Apple. And
that was with QB Cam Newton in action. With Newton benched to rest his injured
shoulder, QB Tyler Heinicke has the tall task of evading Saints pressure
players Cameron Jordan, Sheldon Rankins and Marcus Davenport. Look
for the Saints to find extra reps for WR Ted Ginn Jr, OT Terron
Armstead and WR Tre’Quan Smith, who missed time with
injury and need to get up to speed. RB Mark Ingram is chasing
Saints’ records for rushing yards and touchdowns, so New Orleans might feature
him.
PANTHERS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Keeping the Saints’
defense on its heels. That’s a tall order with a backup quarterback, but RB Christian
McCaffrey is a great centerpiece in the backfield, and WR Curtis
Samuel and WR D.J. Moore are underused
downfield. On defense, they must get LB Luke Kuechly and
LB Thomas Davis in favorable matchups, limiting yards gained after
the catch.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Saints LB Alex Anzalone vs Panthers RB
Christian McCaffrey. Anzalone has been lights out, while McCaffrey is
a focus point for Carolina. If Anzalone can help limit McCaffrey’s rushing
yards, the Saints should feel good about their chances of winning. If McCaffrey
gets some big runs, watch out for an upset.
WHO WINS? The Panthers have punted the rest of
their season by sitting Newton. The Saints are gearing up for the playoffs. SAINTS,
20-14
COWBOYS (9-6) AT
GIANTS (5-10)
TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,
WHERE: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: Fox
LINE: Giants by 7
GIANTS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Giants must find a
way to remain motivated in the face of one final meaningless game. Head coach Pat
Shurmur says that won’t be an issue, but with injuries mounting and
nothing to gain, players run the risk of mentally checking out. If they can
fight off that lull, the Giants need to ride RB Saquon Barkley start
to finish. In many of their second-half losses, the Giants have gone pass heavy
and shied away from their rookie, who says he’s ready to carry the load until
the year’s final whistle.
COWBOYS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Hand the ball to RB Ezekiel
Elliott early and often. In five of their six losses this season,
Elliott has gained fewer than 100 yards and/or had fewer than 20 carries.
Defensively, the Cowboys need to pressure QB Eli Manning. The more Manning is
hit and knocked down, the more mistake-prone he becomes. And even with the
team’s offensive superstars, the Giants are just not built to play catch-up.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Cowboys’ offensive line vs. Giants DT
Dalvin Tomlinson. Since the Giants traded DT Damon Harrison, they have
allowed a 100-yard rusher in all but two games. Tomlinson has struggled after
an impressive rookie campaign. He’ll want to go out on a high note, but it
won’t be easy against a talented interior offensive line and Elliot.
WHO WINS? The Giants might not have anything to
gain, but Dallas already clinched the NFC East title. Giants’ players will want
to send the fans and their first-year head coach out on a high note. GIANTS,
23-20
BENGALS (6-9) AT
STEELERS (8-6-1)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
TV: CBS
LINE: Steelers by 14
BENGALS KEYS TO VICTORY: With nothing else to
play for, Cincinnati should come out loose and try to play spoiler to the
Steelers’ playoff hopes. But this is not the Bengals team we are used to
seeing. QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green are
on injured reserve, so look for a heavy dose of RB Joe Mixon against
a Steelers’ run defense that has some holes up front.
STEELERS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Everything is on the
line for the Steelers, who found themselves sitting outside a playoff spot
after a Week 16 loss to the Saints. RB James Conner has missed
three consecutive games with a high ankle sprain, and if he can’t go again, the
Steelers will have to rely on the arm of QB Ben Roethlisberger and
let him sling it all over the field. Defensively, no team blitzes more than
Pittsburgh, and with inexperienced QB Jeff Driskell playing for Cincinnati, the
Steelers should attack in waves.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Bengals’ defensive line vs. the Steelers’
offensive line. Despite all of their struggles, Cincinnati still boasts an
impressive defensive front. DT Geno Atkins and DE Michael
Johnson can create havoc up front, so it will be up to a Steelers
offensive line that features three Pro Bowlers to keep them in check.
WHO WINS? The Steelers are playing for their
playoff lives, so they are going to come out holding nothing back. Plus the
game is in Pittsburgh, which gives them an even greater advantage. The Steelers
should win this one going away against a hobbled Bengals squad that’s already
looking ahead toward next season. STEELERS, 38-21
BROWNS (7-7-1) AT
RAVENS (9-6)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
WHERE: M& T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
TV: CBS
LINE: Ravens by 5
BROWNS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Browns need to get
into a rhythm quickly on offense and stay on the gas pedal. With the Ravens’
topnotch defense, there won’t be many opportunities to score, but when in the
red zone, the Browns have to take advantage of the mobility of QB Baker
Mayfield and score touchdowns over field goals. Defensively, the
Browns should fully commit to stopping the run. With QB Lamar Jackson leading a
run-heavy scheme, getting off the field quickly could throw the Ravens off
balance.
RAVENS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Ravens have to get
to Baker Mayfield early and often, as his reads and decisions could pick apart
a Baltimore defense that is built on quick pressure and unique blitzes.
Offensively, the Ravens should try and work Lamar Jackson into a rhythm amid
their run-heavy scheme and take some deep shots when needed.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Browns QB Baker Mayfield vs. Ravens S
Eric Weddle. Weddle is the on field Coach for the Ravens’ defense,
making pre-snap adjustments to confuse quarterbacks. Mayfield has to outsmart
the veteran and not be fooled by the Ravens’ blitzes. Whoever wins this battle
likely decides the outcome.
WHO WINS? The Ravens are on a roll, even as they
have taken on some of the best teams in the AFC. While the Browns are showing
signs of life, they are still too far behind in talent and coaching to match up
well in Baltimore. If the Ravens fully commit to this game in their home
closer, they walk away with a win. RAVENS, 30-13
FALCONS (6-9) AT
BUCS (5-10)
TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
TV: Fox
LINE: Even
BUCS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Stopping the Falcons
always starts with containing WR Julio Jones, something at
which the Bucs have failed miserably for years. If DE Jason Pierre-Paul can
keep up his impressive first season with Tampa Bay and create pressure on
Falcons QB Matt Ryan, it would do wonders for a young, banged-up Bucs’
secondary. On offense, there has to be a renewed commitment to the ground game.
The offensive line has struggled at protecting QB Jameis Winston, so
the play-calling will have to get the ball out of his hands quickly to take
advantage of a deep group of pass-catchers, led by Pro Bowl snub Mike Evans.
FALCONS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Ryan will need to take
advantage of Tampa Bay’s youth and inexperience on defense with complex
formations, motion and creative play calling. On defense, they’ll need to force
Winston into costly turnovers by taking advantage of a weak right side of the
offensive line. With LB Deion Jones back in the lineup, making
those big plays shouldn’t be difficult.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Falcons DE Takkarist McKinley vs. Bucs
OT Donovan Smith. McKinley has shown flashes of brilliance over the past
two seasons, but the first round pick has yet to perform at a consistent level.
His matchup against Smith will provide him with a prime opportunity for a
breakout performance.
WHO WINS? Could this mark the end of the Dirk
Koetter era in Tampa? The Falcons have been disappointing enough this
year to think the Bucs have a shot at a victory, but do Tampa fans really want
to lose their draft spot? FALCONS, 34-27
EAGLES (8-7) AT
REDSKINS (7-8)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,
WHERE: FedEx-Field, Landover, Maryland
TV: Fox
LINE: Eagles by
6 1 / 2
EAGLES’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The primary focus for
Philadelphia will be to contain Washington’s rushing attack, especially since
the Redskins have been leaning heavily on Adrian Peterson all season. With QB
Josh Johnson also making plays with his legs, the Eagles will also need to
focus on keeping him behind the line of scrimmage on broken plays. On offense,
QB Nick Foles (who had the wind knocked out of him in the final
drive against the Houston Texans) will need to run the offense around TE Zach
Ertz and get the ground game going.
REDSKINS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Redskins will
need to get some contributions from the wide receiver position. With the
Eagles’ secondary being suspect, they should open up the offense more for
Johnson, with hopes to expose the defensive backs. A lot will fall on the
defense to keep the game close, in particular safeties DJ Swearinger and Ha
Ha Clinton-Dix. A strong focus will have to be put on the
Eagles’ versatile backfield and Ertz.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Redskins CB Josh Norman vs. Eagles WR
Alshon Jeffery. Although Jeffery has been inconsistent this season, he has
totaled 242 receiving yards the past two weeks. Norman is having a solid
season, and it will be interesting to see if he gets a majority share of the
receiver.
WHO WINS? The defending champion Eagles are still
alive in the NFC playoff race, while the Redskins have been eliminated. They’ll
want to play spoiler at home, but they can’t match the Eagles’ firepower. EAGLES,
24-13
CHARGERS (11-4) AT
BRONCOS (6-8)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver
TV: CBS
LINE: No line
CHARGERS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: It’s not hard to slow
Denver’s offense these days. After losing WR Emmanuel Sanders to a
season-ending torn Achilles injury, the Broncos’ offense became
one-dimensional. Los Angeles needs to focus on stopping Denver’s rushing
attack, the only way the Broncos have been able to move the ball in recent
weeks. On offense, QB Philip Rivers should target Denver’s
inexperienced secondary. With CB Chris Harris sidelined by a broken leg, the
Broncos have been forced to give more playing time to Isaac Yiadom and Jamar
Taylor. Who? Exactly.
BRONCOS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Denver needs to get WR Courtland
Sutton involved so the team is not relying only on RBs Phillip
Lindsay and Royce Freeman to move the ball. The 6-3
Sutton will have a considerable size advantage if he’s matched up against 5-11
Casey Hayward, so QB Case Keenum should give him a chance to
make plays in jump-ball situations. On defense, the Broncos need to
prevent Rivers from dominating the game. L.A. probably will want to
keep RB Melvin Gordon fresh for the playoffs, so Denver should focus on
stopping the Chargers’ passing attack.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Chargers LT Russell Okung against
Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb. Ex-Bronco Okung will try to protect Rivers
from Chubb, a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Chubb had one sack and
two quarterback hits when the teams met on Nov. 18.
WHO WINS? Denver beat L.A. earlier, but with
playoff seeding on the line, the road team will have extra motivation. CHARGERS,
24-17
49ERS (4-11) AT
RAMS (12-3)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: Fox
LINE: Rams by 9
49ERS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The 49ers have been
playing better than their record indicates, largely because of QB Nick Mullens and
Coach Kyle Shanahan ’soffensive game plan. Against the Rams, the
49ers will have to take advantage of L.A.’s shaky run defense, particularly up
the middle. The Rams allow the second-most rushing yards behind the center, so
exploiting that hole will be crucial. Mullens will also need to take care of
the football because the Rams have a knack for forcing turnovers. DT Aaron
Donald is a game-wrecker and attacks the football when getting near the
quarterback, while CBs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib have great hands in the
secondary.
RAMS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Rams’ offense has
struggled since the Week 12 bye, but the 49ers don’t pose much of a threat
defensively. They’re at the bottom of the league in interceptions and struggle
to take the ball away, which is great news for QB Jared Goff, who
had six interceptions and seven fumbles over the last five weeks. The
Rams have to stop giving the ball away and must convert in the red zone. San
Francisco is in the bottom third of the league in redzone defense, which opens
the door for the Rams to improve.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Rams LG Rodger Saffold vs. 49ers DT
De-Forest Buckner. Buckner has quietly become one of the NFL’s better
interior defenders, racking up double- digit sacks this season. Saffold has his
work cut out for him.
WHO WINS? The Rams might not have a lot to play
for, but they’ll come away with a win because of their defense. RAMS, 27-17
CARDINALS (3-12)
AT SEAHAWKS (9-6)
TIME: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET,
WHERE: Century-Link Field, Seattle
TV: Fox
LINE: No line
CARDINALS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Seahawks barely
eked out a victory the last time these two clubs played, but Arizona will now
be facing a very different team. Seattle QB Russell Wilson and his offense have
been on a roll in the second half of the season, and the Cardinals’ defense
will have to find a way to hold the Seahawks’ offense to fewer points, as they
did in September. Arizona has beaten the Seahawks late in the season in Seattle
the last three years and hopes to continue the trend in a pride match for the
last-place Cardinals.
SEAHAWKS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Coming off a tough matchup
with the Chiefs in Week 16, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been
adamant he won’t rest any starters. Seattle will continue to run
the ball to wear out the already-weary Cardinals but must
avoid falling into the trap of playing down to a
perceived easier opponent. Like the 49ers when they
faced Seattle, the Cardinals have nothing to lose against a
division opponent. The Seahawks’ defense, banged up this late in the
season, must remain on its toes to avoid a surprise attack from QB Josh
Rosen and WR Larry Fitzgerald, who could be appearing in the final game of his
career.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Cardinals QB Josh Rosen vs. Seahawks’
defensive line. Seattle’s defensive line will do everything in its power to
deny Rosen any decision-making time and prevent the ball from landing in the
hands of RB David Johnson.
WHO WINS? The Seahawks are the hotter team and
are looking to snap their home-loss streak against Arizona. SEAHAWKS, 30-13
COLTS (9-6) AT
TITANS (9-6)
TIME: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
WHERE: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
TV: NBC
LINE: No line
TITANS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Titans need to snag
the momentum early and keep it in their favor. The Colts blew the Titans out
38-10 earlier this year in a game in which Indianapolis was fully in control
all game long. Tennessee can’t allow that to happen this time. The offensive
line also has to do a better job keeping its quarterback upright and healthy.
QB Marcus Mariota has been sacked 42 times and he left last
week’s game with a stinger. He’s expected to be ready to play in Week 17.
COLTS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Colts will have no
easy time going up against one of the best defenses in the league. They’ll need
to protect QB Andrew Luck and take care of the football to
avoid losing the turnover battle. Indianapolis has found success in
incorporating their tight ends heavily against teams like the Titans.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Titans’ defense vs. Colts QB Andrew
Luck. In last week’s 25-16 win against Washington, the Titans’
defense was ultimately able to make big plays and get the job done. But
throughout most of the game, the defense lacked its usual spark. It’ll be
interesting to see if the defense can get back to business against a quarterback
they have never beaten before and who threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns
against them in Week 11.
WHO WINS? The winner of this game gets into the
playoffs. The Titans have won four in a row and would seem poised to advance,
but the Colts gave them issues on the road earlier this season, and Tennessee
sometimes struggles against divisional opponents. The Colts will win a close
one. COLTS, 23-17
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