JETS (3-9) AT
BILLS (4-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, New Era Field, Orchard Park, N.Y.
TV: CBS
Jets’ keys to victory: The Jets have question
marks at quarterback. Regardless if rookie Sam Darnold is
healthy or Josh McCown fills in again, New York must go to its
bread and butter: rushing. The Bills’ pass defense is among the best in the NFL
while their run defense is average. In the teams’ first meeting, the Jets fell
behind quickly and had to abandon the run. The few times they did run, they
averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Defensively, the Jets will face QB Josh Allen
for the first time. He can run. Don’t let him.
Bills’ keys to victory: Since returning from an
elbow injury two weeks ago, Allen has taken a step forward. If he doesn’t play
well against a defense that Matt Barkley sliced up weeks
earlier, it will be a disappointment. Let Allen make as many plays as he can
with his arm and legs so he can continue his development. On defense, the Bills
will have a stable’s worth of running backs coming at them, featuring Elijah
McGuire, Trenton Cannon and Isaiah Crowell. The Jets
haven’t done much in the passing game in 2018, so force them to beat you
through the air. The Bills’ secondary needs a rebound after allowing three
scores to Miami last week.
Matchup to watch: Jets WR Robby Anderson vs. Bills CB
Tre’Davious White. Anderson, who missed the last meeting, can be dynamic.
The Jets have a great shot to win if he makes some plays.
Who wins? The Bills lost an emotional roller
coaster while the Jets performed well in a loss to the Titans. They will split
the season series with the Bills. Jets, 20-17
PANTHERS (6-6) AT
BROWNS (4-7-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FirstEnergy Stadium
TV: Fox
Panthers’ keys to victory: Carolina has to shake
out of its road funk. The Panthers lost four of their first five on the road
and struggle to run the ball in road games. RB Christian McCaffrey and
the rushing attack average 96 yards per game on the road, nearly 70 yards less
than at home. Finding success against an aggressive Cleveland front seven,
perhaps with some designed rollouts for QB
Cam Newton could change that. On defense, LB Luke
Kuechly and his mates need to contain dynamic rookie RB Nick Chubb.
Creating a takeaway or two, something the Panthers have struggled with
recently, will also help. Rookie CB Donte Jackson (four
interceptions) is a key.
Browns’ keys to victory: The offense is designed
around QB Baker Mayfield’s ability to create big plays. The
impressive rookie needs to take shots with playmakers like TE David
Njoku and RB Duke Johnson. P Britton Colquitt is
having a great season individually, but the
rest of the special teams have not played well. The coverage
and return units need to make a positive impact to help the Browns win the
battle of special teams and prevent big plays. A sack or two from DE Myles
Garrett would make life more difficult for the Panthers.
Matchup to watch: Panthers RB McCaffrey vs. Browns LB Joe
Schobert. The versatile McCaffrey can score from anywhere. Schobert is
always around the ball.
Who wins? Something special is brewing in
Cleveland and the Panthers have a bad track record on the road this year. Browns,
30-24
FALCONS (4-8)
ATPACKERS (4-7-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Lambeau Field, Green Bay
TV: Fox
Packers’ keys to victory: Head coach Mike
McCarthy was fired after last weekend’s loss, and offensive Joe Philbin was
promoted to interim coach. Atlanta’s defense struggles on third down, in the
red zone and against the run, so QB Aaron Rodgers and RB Aaron
Jones have a chance to control the game in big situations. The Ravens
held the ball for nearly 40 minutes against the Falcons last weekend. The
Packers can wear down their visitors with long drives, especially if the
defense manages to produce a few takeaways. Of course, that would require the
Packers to come alive on third down and in the red zone, two of the offense’s
biggest issues of 2018.
Falcons’ keys to victory: Win the passing game
and get off the field on third down. The Packers defense has roughed up a few
rookie quarterbacks, but the top passers have mostly carved up Mike Pettine’s
depleted group. QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones and
the Falcons passing game must create big plays and be productive. On defense,
Atlanta needs to keep Rodgers in the pocket. The Packers have fallen apart on
third down.
Matchup to watch: Packers RB Aaron Jones vs. Falcons LB
Deion Jones: The Packers are at their best offensively when Jones is
carrying the load. He’s a slashing runner with home-run ability. The Falcons
will need a big afternoon from Jones, the heart and soul of their defense.
Who wins? The Packers are crumbling after losing
at home to Arizona. If Matt Ryan plays well, the Falcons will leave Lambeau
Field with a win. Falcons, 28-24
COLTS (6-6) AT
TEXANS (9-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: CBS
Colts’ keys to victory: QB Andrew Luck
has been an integral part of the Colts’ six wins. He moves the chains with his
arm and his legs, reminiscent of his first two seasons in the NFL. TE Eric
Ebron has been a late bloomer for the Indianapolis offense and
provides a consistent target for Luck alongside WR T.Y. Hilton. Luck
must find ways to keep these targets involved. LB Darius Leonard has
been a pass-rushing force and he will have to make an impact against a
quarterback who has consistently ranked in the top 5 all season in sacks. CB Kenny
Moore must curtail Houston’s receivers.
Texans’ keys to victory: The offense, led by QB Deshaun
Watson, has found a way to possess the ball, melt
clock, churn yards, score points and put opposing offenses in a
bind to the point where they are reacting to Houston’s
ferocious defense instead of executing their own game plan.
The Texans’ philosophy can only be implemented if the offense
avoids giveaways.
So far, so good: The Texans have committed three turnovers
in the past six games and their defense has procured 12 takeaways in that span.
That must continue as Houston vies for a first-round bye.
Matchup to watch: Titans DE/ OLB Jadeveon Clowney vs. LT
Anthony Costonzo. Clowney had 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery
touchdown in Week 4. If he approaches that production, it will be a long day.
Who wins? Texans players have bought into
Bill O’Brien’s system and believe in one another. For the first time since
2012, Houston will have a 10-plus win season. Texans, 31-27
RAVENS (7-5) AT
CHIEFS (10-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
TV: CBS
Chiefs’ keys to victory: Find balance within the
offense. The Chiefs released star RB Kareem Hunt last week after video surfaced
of him shoving and kicking a woman at a Cleveland apartment building during
February. Now the teams will need to find new and creative ways to balance
their high-powered offense. QB Patrick Mahomes cannot sustain
throwing the ball 40 times a game and expect to avoid mistakes. The answer
could be getting WR Tyreek Hill more involved in the run game than
he has been this season. Another option could be trying to establish a new lead
running back in Spencer Ware or Darrel Williams.
Ravens’ keys to victory: Get the ground game
going. In all of the Ravens’ losses this season, the common factor was the
team’s lack of 100-yard rusher. With rookie Lamar Jackson taking
over at quarterback and RB Gus Edwards exploding onto the stage, it
won’t be difficult for the Ravens to reach those heights against the Chiefs’
porous run defense.
Matchup to watch: Chiefs RB Ware vs. Ravens LB C.J.
Mosley. Mosley has quietly helped the Ravens become a top-5 rushing defense
this season. With the Chiefs suddenly down a starting running back, how will
Ware fare in a lead role?
Who wins? The Ravens have an opportunity to
upset the Chiefs at home. They will have to play their very best football and
rely on their prowess in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Expect this
game to be a close, hard-fought one. Ravens. 37-34
PATRIOTS (9-3) AT
DOLPHINS (6-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
TV: CBS
Patriots’ keys to victory: Get TE Rob
Gronkowski involved early and often. The Dolphins have had problems
covering tight ends, and this season is no different. Against the Colts during
Week 12, TEs Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle combined for nine receptions, 61 yards
and three touchdowns. So expect Gronkowski to have a big day against the
Dolphins’ linebackers.
Dolphins’ keys to victory: Getting pressure on
Tom Brady is always the key. That sounds easier than it is, but DEs Cameron
Wake and Robert Quinn (combined eight sacks, 20 QB hits)
probably will need to have their best games of the season against the Patriots’
offensive line. If the Dolphins’ defensive line can generate consistent
pressure on Brady, that could force turnovers.
Matchup to watch: Ryan Tannehill against Patriots’ pass
defense: In last December’s game against the Patriots at Hard
Rock Stadium, QB Jay Cutler torched the Patriots defense for 263 yards and
three touchdowns in a 27-20 upset. Tannehill likely will need to put up similar
numbers to come away with a victory. In the Dolphins’ victories with him under
center, Tannehill has been efficient, for the most part, and they will need him
to do that against a very good Patriots team.
Who wins? The Patriots have struggled in recent
years in Miami, losing four of their last five games there. But New England is
the better team, is healthy and should have enough firepower on offense and
defense to come away with the road victory. Patriots, 31-23
SAINTS (10-2) AT
BUCS (5-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
TV: Fox
Saints’ keys to victory: The Saints’ surprising
loss to the Cowboys came because of a lack of physicality in the trenches. The
offensive line failed to give QB Drew Brees enough time and space,
and the defensive line was beaten up by a dominant ground game. DE Cameron
Jordan and DT Sheldon Rankins will need to impose their
will on Tampa Bay’s inconsistent blockers, while Coach Sean Payton will
need to design plenty of pass concepts that get the ball out of Brees’ hand
quickly. This offense is loaded with explosive playmakers such as WR Michael
Thomas and RB Alvin Kamara, and they need to be force-fed
as many touches as possible.
Buccaneers’ keys to victory: The Bucs’ biggest
struggles have been turning the ball over and failing to make big plays on defense.
Those areas have been greatly improved the past two weeks. QB Jameis Winston
is avoiding poor decisions, and the defense overcame a two-month
takeaway drought to force six turnovers over the past two games. The Bucs
will need to control the clock with a balanced attack that includes plenty of
RB Peyton Barber and continued contributions from WRs Mike
Evans, Chris Godwin and Adam Humphries.
Matchup to watch: Saints DE Cameron Jordan vs. Buccaneers
OT Donovan Smith: Smith gave up a pair of sacks and was called for
multiple holding penalties during Week 13. The underrated Jordan should be
salivating at this matchup.
Who wins? The Saints are angry and eager to make
a statement. Saints, 38-34
GIANTS (4-8) AT
REDSKINS (6-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FedExField, Landover, Md.
TV: Fox
Giants’ keys to victory: The Giants need to take
advantage of Washington’s recent slippage by giving the ball to Saquon
Barkley and letting him run through and around the Redskins defense.
Barkley has topped 100 yards in his past three games but was held to 38 yards
on 13 carries in a Week 8 loss to Washington. New York has to stop Washington’s
running back duo of Adrian Peterson (90-yard touchdown run in Week 13 vs. the
Eagles) and Chris Thompson from setting the tone for the Redskins offense.
Redskins’ keys to victory: The Redskins have to
use the prospect of making the playoffs as motivation against the Giants. But
they will have to do it with journeyman Bark Sanchez — or another
player they sign during the week — after season-ending injuries to Alex
Smith and Colt McCoy. Sanchez came into the Week 13
game after McCoy broke his leg, and he threw for 100 yards with one
interception.
Matchup to watch: Giants Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Redskins
CB Josh Norman. Given their history of not seeing eye to eye, you can
bet that Norman (three interceptions) and Beckham (1,052 receiving yards) will
be fired up to play against each other. All of their extracurricular activities
should be entertaining to watch.
Who wins? Assuming the Redskins get passable
quarterback play, Washington’s strong desire to make the playoffs should
motivate it enough to get past a hapless Giants team. New York might keep
things close, but the Redskins will come away with the victory. Redskins,
27-14
BENGALS (5-7) AT
CHARGERS (9-3)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, StubHub Center, Los Angeles
TV: CBS
Bengals key to victory: The Bengals are reeling,
losing four in a row. QB Andy Dalton is out for the season. WR A.J.
Green is expected to have season-ending toe surgery, ESPN reports. The
defense ranks in the bottom two in points, total yards, passing yards and
rushing yards allowed per game. The Bengals will need a game in which DT Geno
Atkins is unblockable. They could also use rookie FS Jessie
Bates taking an interception in for a touchdown as he did in Week 8,
Cincinnati’s last victory. The Bengals’ lack of firepower will cause the
offense to struggle, so the defense will have to prevail.
Chargers keys to victory: The Chargers have a
solid matchup. The Bengals defensive line is one of the worst run units in the
NFL. They are average at best at getting after the passer. Those are the two
things needed to slow down QB Philip Rivers and his offense. Big
plays should be the key for the Chargers, who cut RT Joe Barksdale and
brought back WR Dylan Cantrell. On defense, they need to make life
hard on Jeff Driskel. If the Chargers can rattle the young
quarterback, they shouldn't have any issues stopping the Bengals.
Matchup to watch: Bengals DT Atkins vs. Chargers OG Dan
Feeney. If the Bengals are to pull off the upset, it'll be because
Atkins had a field day. He leads the Bengals with 16 quarterback hits and is
tied for the team lead with seven sacks.
Who wins: The Chargers blitz Driskel into
multiple costly mistakes and the Bengals fail to stop the Los Angeles offense. Chargers,
34-10
BRONCOS (6-6) AT
49ERS (2-10)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
TV: CBS
Broncos’ keys to victory: Denver needs a good
game from QB Case Keenum. San Francisco will try to take away RBs Phillip
Lindsay and Royce Freeman, leaving the onus on Keenum
to make plays and take advantage of young, banged-up 49ers secondary. On
defense, Denver must make San Francisco’s quarterback uncomfortable. Neither CJ
Beathard nor Nick Mullens is particularly strong under pressure. OLB Von
Miller and OLB Bradley Chubb can have a huge impact
on this game if they can hit the 49ers quarterback and make the San Francisco
offense one-dime-signal.
49ers’ keys to victory: Limiting the Broncos
strong pass rush will start with the run game. RB Matt Breida is
vital to the 49ers sustaining any kind of offensive success.
If he can get rolling early, it will open up the play action
game for Mullens or Beathard. This game also comes down to the pass
rush on defense for San Francisco. If the 49ers can hit Keenum early and
often, they will have a shot at an upset. DL DeForest Buckner and
OLB Dekoda Watson will need to be catalysts for the 49ers
defense up front.
Matchup to watch: 49ers run defense vs. Broncos running
backs. The Broncos boast a superb one-two punch in rookies Freeman and
Lindsay. The 49ers have a top-10 run defense. Winning this battle will be vital
for both teams.
Who wins? The Broncos are fighting for their
playoff lives while the 49ers are emptying their bench as they look ahead to
next year. This game might get ugly. Broncos, 30-16
LIONS (4-8) AT
CARDINALS (3-9)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
TV: Fox
Lions’ keys to victory: The Cardinals struggle
when they fall behind by more than a touchdown. The Lions need to take an early
lead so they can put the Cardinals away. They must force the Cardinals into
third and long, as Arizona struggles on third down. They must make an effort to
run the ball because Arizona allows an average of 4.5 yards a carry. LaGarrette
Blount ran for 61 yards in the last game, but had only 11 yards in the
first half.
Cardinals’ keys to victory: They must play
mistake-free football as they did last weekend against the Packers. They did
not turn the ball over in that game and were strong against the run as they
overcame a 10-7 halftime deficit to win 20-17 on Zane Gonzalez’s 44yard
field goal with 1:41 left. The Cardinals must continue with that strong play,
but consistency has been a struggle for them this season. They must also get
pressure on Lions QB Matthew Stafford and force turnovers.
Matchup to watch: Cardinals DE Chandler Jones vs. Lions
LT Taylor Decker. Jones continues to be one of the best and most
consistent pass rushers in the league. He ranks third in the league this season
with 12 sacks in 12 games, and he has 40 sacks, including a league-leading 17
last season, since coming to Arizona in 2016.
Who wins? The Cardinals play a solid game for
the second week in a row and RB David Johnson scores twice. WR Larry
Fitzgerald scores once to continue Arizona’s dominance against Detroit. The
Lions have lost seven of their last eight games against the Cardinals. Cardinals,
24-13
EAGLES (6-6) AT
COWBOYS (7-5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, AT& T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: Fox
Eagles’ keys to victory: Philadelphia has been
giving up yardage in chunks, including a 90-yard touchdown run by Washington’s
Adrian Peterson in Week 13. The Cowboys have been able to win despite QB Dak
Prescott getting hammered, so DT Fletcher Cox and the defensive
line must focus on limiting Elliott. The Eagles’ secondary has been ravaged
with injuries, so finding a way to limit Dallas’ emerging passing game will be
key. Wentz will need to exploit Dallas’ inability to stop tight ends by going
to Zach Ertz often.
Cowboys’ keys to victory: The Cowboys have been
getting great effort from DEs DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory,
and expect David Irving as the penetrating defensive
tackle. That pass rush will look to rush Eagles QB Carson Wentz into bad
decisions so an improving secondary can create turnovers. Leighton
Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith will welcome back Sean
Lee to form the league’s best linebacker group. On offense, Dallas
will need another stellar effort from Ezekiel Elliott, who had 187
yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the seven-point victory a month ago.
The Eagles struggle against No. 2 receivers, so Michael Gallup could
have a second consecutive big game.
Matchup to watch: Eagles WR Golden Tate vs. Cowboys CB
Anthony Brown. Tate was brought over to invigorate the Philadelphia passing
game, but Brown has been red hot in slot coverage recently.
Who wins? The Cowboys are on a roll and they’ll
continue. Their winning streak will hit five games. Cowboys, 24-13
STEELERS (7-4-1)
AT RAIDERS (2-10)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland,
Calif.
TV: CBS
Steelers’ keys to victory: Pittsburgh is the
more talented team, so it just needs to play its game and avoid penalties and
turnovers. But QB Ben Roethlisberger has struggled to protect
the ball this season, and it has led to a few unnecessary losses. If he can
take care of the ball, he should be able to have a monster day against the
Raiders’ young secondary. On defense, the key to stopping the Raiders is to get
pressure on QB Derek Carr. Oakland’s offensive line has been a problem, and it
has severely hurt the play of their franchise quarterback.
Raiders’ keys to victory: The Raiders will be
severely outmatched. To keep this game close, they are going to need to create
a few turnovers and shorten the game. Carr is accurate, but he has struggled on
third down at times this season. Expect the Raiders to feature RB Jalen
Richard a lot in the passing game to move the chains. On defense,
expect the Raiders to blitz often to try to create turnovers. Oakland
struggles to get sacks with its front four and will need to be exotic in its
rushes to disrupt the Steelers’ offense.
Matchup to watch: WR Antonio Brown vs. CB Gareon Conley.
Since the trade deadline, Conley has been one of the best cornerbacks in the
league. Conley has the athleticism and length to stay with Brown but is still
raw in his technique. A draw would be a massive victory for Conley.
Who wins? While the Raiders have given the Mike
Tomlin-led Steelers some trouble, expect Pittsburgh to pull away early. Steelers,
35-14
RAMS (11-1) AT
BEARS (8-4)
Sunday, 7:20 p.m. ET, Soldier Field, Chicago TV: NBC
Rams’ keys to victory: The Rams had enough
talent to overcome a substandard performance by QB Jared Goff last
weekend, but they’ll need a bounce-back game from their quarterback against the
Bears’ defense. RB
Todd Gurley shouldn’t have too much trouble, but
the young quarterback can’t put the ball in harm’s way against an opportunistic
opponent. Los Angeles needs to put the pressure on Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky
(shoulder), who is expected to return after missing two games. His mobility
gives Chicago an extra threat, and the Rams need to keep him contained.
Bears’ keys to victory: The Bears’ offensive
line will need to be on top of its game against a defensive line of this
caliber. Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh cause problems for every offensive
line, but Chicago could be especially vulnerable with rookie James
Daniels at left guard and journeyman Bryan Witzmann struggling
at right guard. LT Charles Leno and C Cody Whitehair have
been the anchors up front, but it will take a collective effort to keep
Trubisky upright and clear holes for RB Jordan Howard. Head
coach Matt Nagy might have to get creative to get rid of the
ball quickly.
Matchup to watch: Rams WR Brandin Cooks vs. Bears CB Kyle
Fuller. Fuller’s six interceptions are tied for second in the NFL, but
Cooks has nearly 400 receiving yards over his last four games.
Who wins? The Bears will be motivated after a
disappointing loss in New York, but the Rams are playing on a higher level than
anyone else. Rams, 31-24
VIKINGS (6-5-1) AT
SEAHAWKS (7-5)
Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET, CenturyLink Field, Seattle
TV: ESPN
Vikings’ keys to victory: The Vikings will need
to put forth a solid game on the road as they fight to retain a wild-card
berth, especially with Seattle right ahead of them. They must find a way to
stop QB Russell Wilson and the Seahawks’ offense, which has been on a roll in
the second half of the season. DE Danielle Hunter, who has double digit
sacks this season, is the man to do it. QB Kirk Cousins can’t
overlook Seattle’s revamped defensive line and Frank Clark, who is hungry for a
contract extension.
Seahawks’ keys to victory: The Seahawks are
notoriously difficult to face on the national stage and will look to capitalize
on home-field advantage. The defense will need to put the Vikings’ passing
attack on hold early, although Cousins is surprisingly effective under
pressure. Seattle’s young secondary, including CB Shaquill Griffin, will
be tested against Minnesota’s deadly receivers. To control the
game, Seattle will look to its running back rotation to put yards on the
ground and set Wilson up to find his targets. WR Doug Baldwin, who
has been waiting for a breakout game, could shine under the lights.
Matchup to watch: Vikings’ offensive line vs. Seahawks’
defensive line. Seattle must find a way to exploit Minnesota’s
offensive line, which ranks near the bottom of the league. CenturyLink Field,
an intimidating venue for opposing offenses, might offer just the advantage the
Seahawks need.
Who wins? The Seahawks have everything to fight
for, and winning the tiebreaker at home is Seattle’s next step in the playoff
race. Seahawks, 31-28
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