Great news! Every team is still in playoff contention! No, really. Now the chances that the 49ers, Cardinals, or Raiders, making the playoffs is probably hovering around one percent. Every win or loss at this point could be the difference in making the playoffs or enjoying a nice, long winter at home. Can the Packers repeat the past and “run the table?” Will the Colts, Ravens, or Broncos take control of the AFC’s highly coveted sixth seed? Will the NFC East become more convoluted than it already is? Read on “NFL Updates Express: Week 13 2018” to find out...
Week 12 Prediction Record: 12-3
Total Prediction Record: 112-62-2
Week 12 Awards:
Most Entertaining Game: Steelers vs Broncos
Upset of the Week: Broncos over Steelers
Player of the Week: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers (17 car for 125 yards, 1 TD; 11 REC for 112 yards, 1 TD)
Team of the Week: Los Angeles Chargers
Rookie of the Week: Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns (258 yards passing, 4 TDs)
The Cowboys have had a nice run. It’s time for the Saints to give them a reality check. If Dallas can somehow pull off the stunning upset, they’ll waltz into the playoffs. However, New Orleans has been DOMINATING. Meanwhile, Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence during an expletive-filled rant feels as if the Saints are not the strong minded team that people have seen the last few weeks, claiming you can punch them them in the mouth if they’re not scoring 50 points. Blowout incoming...
New Orleans Saints 49, Dallas Cowboys 17 (TNF)
Bear Down, Chicago Bears! Despite Mitchell Trubisky being out due to a shoulder injury, backup Chase Daniel came through with an efficient performance to elevate Chicago with a comfy lead atop the NFC North. I had a feeling the Bears defense could give teams trouble in 2018 but I had no idea they would mesh this quickly. If Chase Daniel gets another start, it will be up to this defensive unit to lock down Saquon Barkley who can easily wreck a game. The Giants have been on a nice little spurt but after losing to Philly, I think we can put Big Blue out of their misery. I’m not sure which quarterback will play but either way, I can’t see it mattering.
Chicago Bears 23, New York Giants 14
I’m convinced the Cardinals have given up. Arizona has some young talent on the offense but their team has only beaten the 49ers twice. The Packers probably won’t make the playoffs unless they “run the table” once again. I wouldn’t bet against Aaron Rodgers. The question becomes...will it be enough?
Green Bay Packers 32, Arizona Cardinals 7
The Colts have had a stunning turnaround, despite starting 1-5 on the year. Now, they remain in a battle with the Ravens for the sixth seed in the AFC. Andrew Luck looks “elite” again and keeping his team right in the mix. Following the firing of their offensive coordinator, the suspension of Leonard Fournette, and the benching of Blake Bortles, the Jags have packed it in. Expect Indianapolis to pound Jacksonville into 2019.
Indianapolis Colts 35, Jacksonville Jaguars 13
Mark my words, the Browns will make the playoffs in 2019. Had they won all their overtime contests, they would be sitting pretty for the postseason this year. Baker Mayfield and this offense is the truth. With some more seasoning, it will be interesting to see how this team develops. The Texans, winners of a franchise-record eight straight, look to have hit their stride. This may be the most entertaining game of the week that no one is talking about. Two young dynamic quarterbacks with electric running backs and ferocious pass rushers. I wouldn’t count out the Browns but considering the tear Houston is on, I’ll take the home team.
Houston Texans 29, Cleveland Browns 23
It felt like a playoff atmosphere for the Panthers. Christian McCaffrey had his first career 100 yard rush, 100 yard receiving day. Cam Newton was perfect in the first half, going 14 for 14. Unfortunately for the home team, a late game collapse against Seattle now puts their season on the brink. Yes, they are 6-5 but with two games still remaining against the Saints, making the playoffs seems tough. The Buccaneers finally put together a nice performance on the defensive side of the ball, shutting down San Francisco. Meanwhile, Winston had his best game of the year with momentum going into this NFC South clash. This is a must win for Carolina. They’ve struggled on the road and now after losing three straight, a loss here would spell doom. I say in a de facto elimination game, Panthers stop the skid.
Carolina Panthers 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24
The Dolphins had the game won...until they didn’t. Their slim playoff hopes may have evaporated on Sunday, blowing a ten point lead to the Colts in the fourth quarter. I believe that if Ryan Tannehill stays healthy, he does have a future with Miami. It’s apparent that the Dolphins are a much better team with him at the helm. If Miami wants to stay relevant for the remainder of 2018, they must take care of “trash” Josh Allen and the Bills. If they aren’t careful, the Bills can shock you like they’ve done to several contending teams this year. Miami is on the fringe of playoff contention so I can’t see them letting this game slip away.
Miami Dolphins 24, Buffalo Bills 16
Don’t look now but all of a sudden, the Broncos are alive in the playoff chase. Looking at their schedule, it looks favorable. If they play up to their potential, they can win out and possibly sneak in the playoffs. The Bengals, once a playoff contender, have fallen off the map. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are out and Cinci got handled by the Browns at home. Not good. At this point, I’d kiss the postseason goodbye. They still have the talent to be major spoilers like they were to both the Lions and Ravens last year. But right now, Denver is playing great football under Case Keenum and a tenacious defense. Gimme the Broncos.
Denver Broncos 28, Cincinnati Bengals 17
The Ravens were left for dead. Now, they look to hold onto a competitive race for the sixth seed in the AFC. Lamar Jackson has been effective enough to possibly keep the starting job and save John Harbaugh’s job in the process. The Falcons won’t be an easy team to get past though. Atlanta’s defense has a rising star in safety Damontae Kazee who replaced the injured Keanu Neal, and now leads the league in interceptions, grabbing six. WR Julio Jones has had 100 yards in six out of the last seven games so the task will be minimizing his impact. Baltimore won’t “stop him” but keeping under the century mark would be a feasible goal. At this point in the season, desperation comes out and with the Falcons pretty much out of contention, expect Baltimore to continue their winning streak.
Baltimore Ravens 23, Atlanta Falcons 20
I can’t see this game becoming much of a challenge for the road team. However, the Lions have beaten the likes of the Patriots, Panthers, and Packers that have elite quarterbacks at the helm. Can Detroit pull off the stunner at home? Barring some unforeseen injury, I would say no.
Los Angeles Rams 30, Detroit Lions 17
Like the last game I mentioned, I can’t see a way where the Raiders will take this. They have played uninspiring football all season long. Their only wins came against Baker Mayfield in his first career start and a lackluster Arizona team. What makes me think they can take on the Chiefs in a close affair? Nothing.
Kansas City Chiefs 36, Oakland Raiders 19
Tennessee is such a streaky team. They pull off some of the most stunning upsets like those against the Eagles and Patriots. Then, they follow that up by getting blasted by two division rivals in Houston and Indianapolis. To make the playoffs in the AFC, I’d say 9 or 10 wins should be a safe bet. Their next three games: Jets, Jags, and Giants. These all must be wins. One slip up and it’s bye bye playoffs. The good news is that four of their next five games are at Nissan Stadium so that could give them a boost into playoff contention. The Jets are the type of team that can wreck a season. But then again, they lost to the Bills by 31. Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson can do the same thing that DeAndre Hopkins did to Tennessee. I feel as if this could be a classic trap game for the Titans. At the end of the day, expect Tennessee’s run game to Titan up and win them this game.
Tennessee Titans 16, New York Jets 14
Minnesota had quite the win on Sunday Night Football. The reward? Taking on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Don’t get me wrong. The Vikings are fully capable of winning this game. If they play to their potential, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. Despite what some people have said, Kirk Cousins is a huge upgrade. He has been able to elevate the play of both Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, who are in the midst of career years. It will be up to the defense to lock down Rob Gronkowski and Sony Michel in this Pats offense. I feel as if the Patriots have been discounted all year long, waiting for the wheels to fall off. As they return home, expect Belichick to have his team looking like the Super Bowl contenders that we all had them pegged as in Week 1.
New England Patriots 27, Minnesota Vikings 23
With a stunning, come from behind win, the Seahawks now look pretty solid for the playoffs. They have a bunch of divisional contests coming up including the Niners and the Cardinals which should all be wins. At 6-5, Seattle can ill afford an upset at home though. Nick Mullens has been lackluster the past two weeks so a bounceback performance for him is a must to build confidence towards 2019. The 49ers have been riding the legs of Matt Breida, who has had back to back 100 yard rushing games. Christian McCaffrey gashed the interior of the Seahawks so the formula may be mimicked by San Francisco. Divisional games are where chaos happens but I think Russell Wilson elevates his team to another win.
Seattle Seahawks 30, San Francisco 49ers 20
Whoa baby! I’m excited for this one! It’s a cross-country game for LA without Melvin Gordon. Seems like trouble, right? The Steelers have been a little shaky on the road but at home, they’ve been dominant. This could be a huge statement game for both teams. I doubt the Chargers win the AFC West unless they win out. As for Pittsburgh, they are clawing for another first-round bye. The Chiefs seem to have that on lockdown. A loss here would open the door for either Houston or New England to separate themselves from the pack. If the Chargers hope to win, Austin Ekeler must be effective in the place of Gordon. I feel very confident in him. He has racked up over 400 yards rushing even with Gordon in the game. Expect him and Conner to have a battle in the trenches. In a battle of AFC heavyweights, expect the home team to take this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Los Angeles Chargers 24
Let’s be real here. The NFC East is complete garbage. With Alex Smith in the fold, I’d say the Skins easily win the East by at least two games. Now, it looks as if Dallas has taken control for now. However, if Philly wins this game and Dallas predictably loses to the Saints on Thursday Night, the East will be deadlocked as three teams will be tied at 6-6 with four games to play. The Eagles have the toughest remaining schedule, playing the likes of the red hot Texans and the juggernaut LA Rams. Despite this, I believe if the Eagles can sweep the Redskins or vise versa, these teams can take the NFC East crown at 8-8. Ultimately, I see these teams splitting contests with the Eagles taking the first match on MNF.
Philadelphia Eagles 20, Washington Redskins 17
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