Happy Thanksgiving! We are in the home stretch of the NFL season. EVERY GAME MATTERS! Through ten full weeks, we have a better picture on what the playoff landscape will look like. The Saints, Rams, and Chiefs are the clear cut contenders. Meanwhile, the Steelers, Chargers, Patriots, and Bears could be serious dark horses in the playoffs. Can Carolina hold on to a Wild Card spot or will Seattle swoop in this weekend? How about the Colts, winners of four straight? Can they continue to make some noise in the final six games of the year? It’s “put up or shut up time” and it starts NOW on “NFL Updates Express: Week 12 2018!”
Week 11 Prediction Record: 7-6
Total Prediction Record: 100-59-2
Week 11 Awards:
Most Entertaining Game: Packers vs Seahawks
Upset of the Week: Broncos over Chargers
Player of the Week: Drew Brees, QB, NO (363 yds passing, 4 TDs)
Team of the Week: New Orleans Saints
Rookie of the Week: D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers (7 REC for 157 yards, 1 TD)
Alex Smith’s devastating injury has opened up the NFC East. Yes, even for you New York Giants. The way things are looking, 8-8 or 9-7 could get you a playoff spot. The Eagles got shellshacked by the Saints but then again, who doesn’t these days? Meanwhile, the Giants offense has been productive in the last four weeks, scoring at least 20 points in three of those contests. If Saquon Barkley can be a dominant force like he was against Tampa Bay, New York could be in business. With two more losses, Philly would be the first defending champion since the 2003 Bucs to finish the following season without a winning record. It’s gonna be close for the Eagles but I believe they’ll “survive and advance” on this day.
Philadelphia Eagles 27, New York Giants 17
The Jaguars have had a miserable season. A team who I had winning the Super Bowl, now probably won’t finish with six wins. I would say they have been the most disappointing team of 2018. They’ve been so close in several games this year. Unfortunately, they have been unable to find the killer instinct of 2017 where they made their unexpected run to the AFC Championship. Meanwhile, the Bills, a 2017 playoff team, are a shell of their former selves, on to their fourth string quarterback, cutting the GOAT Nathan Peterman in exchange for Matt Barkley. At this point, I presume these teams will be playing for pride. Fournette and McCoy will both run wild in this game. In a toss up, the Jags end their six game skid.
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, Buffalo Bills 19
Two teams headed in opposite directions come together on Thanksgiving weekend for a crucial matchup. After missing the two point conversion in Detroit, the Panthers are on their first losing streak of the season. Their defense has regressed significantly since the beginning of the year. A gutsy call, going for the win on a two point conversion, failed. Now, Carolina is in a must-win game especially with two upcoming games against the Saints which at this rate, I’d chalk up as an L. The Seahawks play Carolina tough. If Seattle can dictate the game with Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson on the ground, the Hawks could escape with a win. For the Panthers to come out with a win, D.J. Moore will need to be the focal point. His seven reception, 157 yard day may have solidified himself as the new number one. My heart says Panthers at home but my gut says Seattle is going to come into Charlotte and take this one.
Seattle Seahawks 23, Carolina Panthers 20
The Ravens are in playoff position. This is a home game for Baltimore. Jon Gruden is the Raiders head coach. Need I say more? Seriously speaking, great win for the Raiders. They needed some sort of positives coming out of their organization. They can’t win too much though. It is apparent that they are rebuilding for next year. If the Ravens manage to blow this with Flacco or Lamar Jackson, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens 26, Oakland Raiders 14
The Buccaneers carousel continues. After Fitzmagic evaporated once again, Jameis Winston nearly leads a comeback to beat the Giants but comes up short. Where have we seen this one? If the Buccaneers had any resemblance of a competent defense, they could be a Wild Card team. Lucky for the rest of the NFC, they don’t. The Niners fresh off a bye get to throw in Nick Mullens for another start. I fully expect him to go off, especially with the state of the Bucs D, but the Niners find another way to fall.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26, San Francisco 49ers 23
I’m feeling my #UpsetSpecial right about now. Will I pick Cleveland on the road? Nah, but I could easily see it happening. After a hot start, the Bengals are falling off a bit. Meanwhile, the Browns look to be enjoying football again as Baker Mayfield has interjected some life into this snakebitten franchise. A.J. Green will be out another week so this game has all the makings of an upset. A team having fun with a mobile quarterback (Mayfield) and a dominant defensive end (Garrett) that can cause havoc. Yeah, I’d keep an eye out for this one...
Cincinnati Bengals 24, Cleveland Browns 21
Should we be concerned with the Patriots? Maybe a little bit. They’ll probably still find a way to make the AFC Championship Game at the minimum but their chances at a third straight Super Bowl appearance may be a tough proposition. The Jets had a decent start to the year but have fallen out of contention with a four game losing skid. Darnold has thrown three more interceptions than touchdowns and with the challenging schedule that NYJ has upcoming, they may be hard pressed to win another game this year. Darnold has shown flashes but he’s not there quite yet. With both teams coming off a bye, this game could be tighter than most expect. However, the Pats almost always rebound following a bye and this shouldn’t be an anomaly.
New England Patriots 28, New York Jets 17
The Chargers suffered a minor setback in their quest to somehow win the AFC West. It was unlikely they were going to but following the loss to Denver, it is almost impossible with the way that the Chiefs have been clicking. Despite Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald both performing well, Arizona’s bad luck continues, losing on a game-winning field goal in a heartbreaking loss. If the Cardinals can’t stop a tanking Oakland team, I seriously doubt this game will be much better. Melvin Gordon and Philip Rivers win this one easily.
Los Angeles Chargers 34, Arizona Cardinals 16
The Steelers played a horrible game...until the fourth quarter where they won their sixth straight game. Big Ben doesn’t play well against the Jaguars but he came up clutch in the final ten seconds as he bulldozed his way in and stole a win from the team that has given him nightmares. The Broncos earned a huge win over the Chargers as they continue to hang by a thread in the AFC Playoff picture. Athough not talked about, Courtland Sutton has quietly had a nice season. With a subpar secondary in Pittsburgh, expect Sutton to break out, That being said, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here. The Steelers are in position for a first round bye if things pan out their way. This is one that they can’t afford to lose if they hope to make a run towards their seventh ring.
Pittsburgh Steelers 30, Denver Broncos 22
The Colts have been “en fuego” lately. The way things are going, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them as the sixth seed in the AFC. It will be a battle between the Ravens, Bengals, Titans, and Colts for that last spot. Indy’s O-line has been playing extraordinary as they have kept Luck off the turf once again. Miami currently sits at .500 but an upset win here could be big. I seriously doubt that they make the playoffs but with the Bills (2X) and a struggling Jags team still left on the schedule, the door is open if the Dolphins get Tannehill back and go on a hot streak. Unfortunately for Miami, the Colts are too good right now and they’ll go over .500 for the first time this season.
Indianapolis Colts 26, Miami Dolphins 23
Personally, I believe Green Bay’s season is on the line in this game. Mike McCarthy’s job may be on the line as well. If they lose this one, not only would they have and 0-6 record on the road, but the best overall record they could finish with is 9-6-1. In a competitive NFC, I believe that 10 wins is the minimum for a Wild Card spot this year. Can Rodgers and Co run the table this year? I’m not sure that will happen this time. They also get the Falcons and Bears, two other challenging games following the Cardinals game at home. I have a feeling that after this season, a lot will change in Titletown. The Vikings have a lot to play for too. They still have the Bears, Seahawks, and Patriots on the schedule so Minnesota will make sure of that on Sunday Night Football.
Minnesota Vikings 31, Green Bay Packers 27
It’s a battle of two young, dynamic quarterbacks as Deshaun Watson’s Texans host the surging Titans in primetime. Tennessee is a hard team to assess. They look amazing before losing by four touchdowns to a division rival with the same record as them. The Texans have won seven straight and in turn, become the first team in the modern era to accomplish this feat after starting 0-3. Mariota continues to be dinged up as the Tennessee offensive line needs to step up, allowing five sacks on Sunday. If they can’t improve, it will be more of the same against Watt and Clowney. I fully expect Houston to shine bright under the Monday Night lights.
Houston Texans 24, Tennessee Titans 16
Top 5 Potential Super Bowl Matchups:
Rams vs Chiefs
C’mon. This is easily the best matchup. Patrick Mahomes vs Jared Goff in an offensive shootout? This may be first one to fifty points here. These teams will be around for a while.
Saints vs Chiefs
This matchup isn’t too far behind. In fact, it may be the most likely matchup. The Saints are all in to the Super Bowl dream. If they don’t win it this year, it’s hard to see New Orleans getting another crack for quite some time. Brees could still be back next year but as we’ve seen, a window can close quickly. Can Kansas City spoil the Super Bowl party?
Rams vs Chargers
The Battle of Los Angeles aka Roger Goodell’s dream. Rivers has had many great teams but this Chargers squad is among the best. It’s not too often we get to see two west coast teams play in the Big Game so I’m sure this matchup would live up to the billing.
Saints vs Patriots
Drew Brees vs Tom Brady. Sign me up. The Patriots don’t have a high powered offense compared to what they have had in the past but it could still be incredible. The challenge would be whether or not the Pats could keep up with New Orleans.
Saints vs Steelers
A rematch of the upcoming Week 16 matchup this season. The Steelers are pretty inconsistent but their offense is a juggernaut, even without Le’Veon Bell. James Conner has been more than a fill-in. Kamara and Conner? Thomas and Brown? Brees and Roethlisberger? This Super Bowl would be quite the offensive show!
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