Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a happy holidays. Santa brought us a nice slate of games this week, even though there are too many on Saturday.
All game times are in the 1 o'clock window unless otherwise noted.
FRIDAY
Minnesota @ New Orleans 4:30 p.m. ET
Jake: Saints
Sam: Saints
Johnny: Saints
SATURDAY
Tampa Bay @ Detroit 1:15 p.m. ET
Jake: Bucs
Sam: Buccaneers
Johnny: Buccaneers
San Francisco @ Arizona 4:30 p.m. ET
Jake: Cardinals
Sam: Cardinals
Johnny: Cardinals
I think Kyler will be too much for this short-handed 9ers D
Miami @ Las Vegas 8:15 p.m. ET
Jake: Dolphins
Sam: Raiders
Johnny: Raiders
Tua won’t be able to beat this Raiders team who is overdue for a W
SUNDAY
Cleveland @ New York (A)
Jake: Browns
Sam: Browns
Johnny: Browns
The 2018 1st & 3rd overall picks will go at it in this one. I wonder who the better pick was?
Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh
Jake: Colts
The Steelers offense has really been exposed over the last 3 weeks, and the loss of Bud Dupree on defense has proved to be an issue as well. They’re honestly pretty similar teams: competent offenses led by old QBs who are carried by their defenses. The Steelers pass rush is still deadly, but without Bud Dupree I think the Colts offensive line (which is arguably the best unit in the NFL) will be able to key in on Watt meaning that either Tuitt and Heyward will have to make up for that lack of pressure, or Tomlin is going to have to scheme up some creative blitz packages. That will be a tough enough task but beyond that with the Steelers offense trending in the wrong direction, things do not look good for them against this Colts defense: which is still a great unit even though it’s been a little less dominant as of recent.
Sam: Steelers
The past few weeks have been a wake up call for the Steelers, that they can’t win a superbowl if they get complacent. Although they were never the best team in the NFL (i've said this since the beginning) and they didn't deserve to be 11-0, they also are better than what they've shown the past three weeks. I am confident the Steelers will rebound and beat the Colts
Johnny: Colts
As AWFUL as the Steel Curtain has been, this game could go either way.
New York (N) @ Baltimore
Jake: Ravens
Sam: Ravens
Johnny: Ravens
It’s going to be closer than people think
Also holy moly was Baker was basically exonerated last week for his sophomore slump last year after seeing what Freddie Kitchens came up with for the G-men
Atlanta @ Kansas City
Jake: Chiefs
Sam: Chiefs
Johnny: Chiefs
Hill & Kelce will continue to carry Mahomie
Chicago @ Jacksonville
Jake: Bears
Sam: Bears
Johnny: Bears
Wow if the Bears lose this one that the Jags front office TRYING to lose then Chicago should hope the report of bringing Nagy back is false.
Cincinnati @ Houston
Jake: Bengals
Sam: Texans
Johnny: Texans
Watson, even with his poor team, will show the world how much better he is than Ryan Finley and Houston will win, but not by much
Carolina @ Washington 4:05 p.m. ET
Jake: Football Team
Sam: Football Team
After starting the season 1-5, the Football team has gone 5-3, and have averaged almost 8 points more than their opponents in those games (including the losses). Some of those wins came vs teams like the Cowboys and Bengals, but they did beat the Steelers and lose a very close game to the Seahawks. Is the Football team great? No. But at this point I'm confident they are the best NFC East team and I believe they will beat the Panthers.
Johnny: Football Team
Even with Haskins under center, the WFT’s D will be just fine
Denver @ Los Angeles (A) 4:05 p.m. ET
Jake: Chargers
Sam: Chargers
Johnny: Chargers
These two gave us a hell of a show the last time around, rooting for the 2nd best QB in last years draft class in this one
Los Angeles (N) @ Seattle 4:25 p.m. ET
Jake: Rams
I know the Rams lost to the Jets, but the Rams have always had the Seahawks’ number. The Seahawks are still bad on defense and their offense hasn’t been nearly as dominant as the beginning of the season. The Jets game was definitely a bit of a fluke for the Rams, and while I don’t think their offense is good enough for them to be a contender, they’ll be able to make some noise against the Seahawks defense. The pass rush will also be in Wilson’s face all day.
Sam: Seahawks
Johnny: Seahawks
Philadelphia @ Dallas 4:25 p.m. ET
Jake: Eagles
Sam: Eagles
Johnny: Eagles
If the Panthers take down Washington then Hurts can keep Philly’s playoff hopes alive with a division W today
Tennessee @ Green Bay 8:20 p.m. ET
Jake: Packers
The Titans haven’t had a lot of quality wins this season: the Colts being the only really good win. Meanwhile, Rodgers and crew will shred the Titans' questionable secondary.
Sam: Packers
Fun fact: Aaron Rodgers, NFL passer rating leader by a wide margin, has only had two games below a 107 passer rating this year. The second fun fact is that the Titans have been well below average in defending the pass this year. I see fireworks coming from Rodgers this week and I don’t see a run based offensive being able to keep up.
Johnny: Titans
Snowy playoff implication prime time football baby!
MONDAY
Buffalo @ New England 8:15 p.m. ET
Jake: Bills
Sam: Bills
Johnny: Bills
I can pick now that they are eliminated