NFL Week 18 predictions

 The NFL season is coming to a close. Playoff tickets have been punched, divisions have been locked up, and more. But there's still some uncertainty in the air. I will be predicting the final week of games for the NFL. Last week I went 8-8, bringing my total for the year to 166-93-1. I think I've had a solid year, and I hope I finish strong.

Panthers vs Buccaneers (Saturday 4:30) Panthers win 31-20

This game is for the NFC South title. The Panthers get in with a win/tie or a Falcons win. The Buccaneers need to win and the Falcons to lose. The Panthers lost a bad one at home, in a game where Bryce Young did not look good at all. They would've clinched the South outright had they won, because the Buccaneers lost to the Dolphins, and their offense didn't look good at all. The defense was cooked by Quinn Ewers, a 7th round rookie. That doesn't give me much confidence in them. Panthers win the South.

Seahawks vs 49ers (Saturday 8pm)- Seahawks win 28-24

This game is not only for the NFC West, but for the number 1 seed. The Seahawks dominated the Panthers, and Sam Darnold had a solid game. Zach Charbonnet was the star of the show, though. He had 110 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense was damn good also. The 49ers won an instant classic Sunday Night Football game 42-38 over the Bears. Both offenses were on fire, and trading touchdowns. Brock Purdy had 303 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Christian McCaffrey had 140 yards and a score. The defense....wasn't great. Caleb Williams could not be stopped. Neither defense was good to be honest. But I am giving the edge to the Seahawks mostly because the offense is on fire right now.

Colts vs Texans- Texans win 35-21

The Colts lost to the Jaguars and ended their season. The team as a whole was mediocre at best. The Texans beat the Chargers to keep their AFC South hopes alive. CJ Stroud had a good game, but made some mistakes, throwing 2 interceptions. The defense was solid. I am taking the Texans to win this, but I don't see them winning the AFC South, and you'll see why later. 

Browns vs Bengals- Bengals win 27-20

This game is meaningless. Both teams are out of playoff contention, but there might be jobs on the line. I am going with the Bengals, because they've been winning a lot recently.

Saints vs Falcons- Falcons win 21-20
Both teams are on winning streaks, and the season of the Buccaneers may be in the fate of the Falcons hands should the Bucs win. I do think the Falcons will get the win, but just barely.

Packers vs Vikings- Vikings win 32-21 

The Packers have clinched the NFC's #7 seed, and will likely be resting starters for this game. The Vikings beat the Lions despite having 10 net passing yards. That's incredible, and would be hilarious if it happened again. I don't think it will. I do think the Vikings win because of Green Bay resting starters.

Titans vs Jaguars- Jaguars win 29-23

The Titans were eliminated a while ago, but they're more competitive because of it. They have won twice since elimination and scored at least 20 points in each game. The Jaguars beat the Colts, thanks to their defense stepping up and shutting down that Colts offense. I think the Jags can win this without a problem, because the Titans aren't good.

Cowboys vs Giants- Cowboys win 24-20

The Cowboys beat the Commanders on Christmas. Dak Prescott had himself a nice game, with 307 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense couldn't stop the run, and that's what made it a close game. The Giants beat the Raiders to lose the number 1 pick heading into the last game of the season. They'll need a loss and a Raiders win to secure it. I think they will cross off that box. Cowboys win.

Cardinals vs Rams- Rams win 30-21

The Cardinals were shredded by the Bengals, as they inch closer to a high draft pick. The Rams lost a heartbreaker in Atlanta in a game where they almost had a crazy comeback. Matthew Stafford hurt his MVP chances. The defense was better in the second half. Things need to click together now and especially in the playoffs.

Chiefs vs Raiders- Chiefs win 30-10

Here we go. The Raiders must lose this game to take the number 1 pick and Fernando Mendoza. I think that's what they do. 

Commanders vs Eagles- Eagles win 27-20

The Commanders must be happy that the season is finally over. After making the NFC Championship Game in Jayden Daniels' rookie year, he was injured a lot, and the team as a whole was quite injured. The Eagles have a chance at the #2 seed after beating the Bills, but they're resting their starters for this game. I do think the Eagles win, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

Dolphins vs Patriots- Patriots win 31-14

The Dolphins somehow beat the Buccaneers, thanks to Quinn Ewers having himself a heck of a game. They should be feeling good about that, even though they aren't heading to the playoffs. The Patriots, speaking of the playoffs, clinched the AFC East crown after thrashing the Jets and the Bills loss to the Eagles. But they're wrapped in some controversy due to Stefon Diggs (more on that later). Drake Maye might be the MVP favorite right now. He's been playing some incredible football as of late. The Pats need a win and a Broncos loss to clinch the top seed in the AFC. I think they win, but let's see if they clinch the AFC.

Lions vs Bears- Bears win 31-20

The Lions were eliminated after a loss to the Vikings, in a game where they turned over the ball 6 times. The refs weren't great, but they shouldn't be completely blamed for this loss, especially with how horrid the offense played. Jared Goff was terrible, with 2 interceptions. The Bears lost a heartbreaker in San Francisco. The offense was incredible, but the defense.....wasn't. Brock Purdy balled out on them. I think they win and clinch the #2 seed.

Chargers vs Broncos- Broncos win 32-28

The Chargers lost at home to the Texans in a tough game. The offense couldn't do much in the first half, and recovered in the second half, but it was too late. Justin Herbert was okay, with 236 yards and a touchdown, but he needs to play better football. The Broncos won on Christmas and then clinched the AFC West with the Chargers loss. Bo Nix was good, but the defense was great. Although they were playing Chris Oladokun, they stepped up and delivered. I do think the Broncos will win, especially being at home.

Jets vs Bills- Bills win 23-13

The Jets are out of the playoffs once again after a 3 win season (thus far). The Bills lost to the Eagles after a missed two-point try. Bills win. 

Ravens vs Steelers (Sunday Night) Ravens win 31-28

The season finale is for the AFC North. Loser goes home. The Ravens won to keep their season alive. Derrick Henry had a wonderful game. The defense played well as well. Lamar Jackson will be back for this showdown. The Steelers lost to the Browns. Aaron Rodgers is not the QB he once was, and he proved that on Sunday, throwing for just 168 yards. The defense was good, but the offense was terrible, which has been a recurring theme for the past 7-8 years, This should be a good one, but I am going to take the Ravens, simply because of their offense.

That's it for the 2025 NFL season! I will be doing playoff predictions, but I will be doing it all in one instead of over the course of the playoffs. I hope you had a great time reading my articles this season. I know I had fun writing them. Happy New Year!

NFL Week 17 predictions

 The NFL's penultimate week is here already! Hard to believe it's already gone by so fast. I hope you have had a great holiday season. It's now time for my weekly predictions. Last week I went 11-5 (again), bringing my total on the year to 158-85-1. 

Cowboys vs Commanders (Christmas 1pm) Cowboys win 28-21

The Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention after an Eagles win. And the next day, they were embarrassed on home turf by the Chargers. The defense....what is there to say that hasn't been already said? They're terrible, and it makes you wonder why they got rid of Micah Parsons. Dak Prescott's had a pretty good season, but it's been overshadowed by a terrible defense. The Commanders have had an even worse year. After making the NFC Championship, the Commanders had high hopes. Those high hopes were quickly dashed after the team was decimated by injuries, including to quarterback Jayden Daniels. I don't think they can beat the Cowboys.

Lions vs Vikings (Christmas 4pm) Lions win 28-27

The Lions lost at home to the Steelers in a wild game. On the final drive, the Lions had a touchdown wiped away by a penalty that would've won them the game. Then they committed pass interference on the final play. It was an unbelievable sequence of events. Jared Goff played incredibly well, but the defense couldn't stop anything. The Vikings are on a 3-game winning streak even though they're out of the playoffs. However, JJ McCarthy is hurt, and they have to turn back to Max Brosmer, who threw 4 picks in his debut. He looked a bit better, but I don't think he's ready. Lions win.

Broncos vs Chiefs (Christmas 8pm) Broncos win 35-3

The Broncos lost for the first time since week 3 last week. Bo Nix had a good game, but the defense was terrible. Trevor Lawrence absolutely shredded them. The Chiefs had a rough week. They've now lost Gardner Minshew to a torn ACL also, so now their QB is Chris Oladokun, a 7th round pick in 2022. Yeah, Broncos win.

Texans vs Chargers (Saturday 4:30) Chargers win 28-20

The Texans squeaked by the Raiders in an ugly, ugly game. CJ Stroud was mediocre, and the offense as a whole wasn't the best. The defense wasn't much better. Ashton Jeanty ran all over them. The Chargers, as previously mentioned, blew out the Cowboys in Texas. Justin Herbert had 300 yards and 2 touchdowns and the offense was firing on all cylinders. The defense was solid, and while the Cowboys offense was good, the Chargers offense was better. I think that the Texans struggles against the Raiders is something to worry about, and I think we'll probably see that same Houston team here.

Ravens vs Packers (Saturday 8pm) Packers win 30-27

The Ravens lost against the Patriots in a game they should've closed out. Derrick Henry had a great game, but for some reason, he didn't get any carries in the game's biggest moment. So now, the Ravens have absolutely no room for error. They can't afford to lose either of these final two games. If they do, their season's over. Oh, by the way, Lamar Jackson is injured and won't play in this game. The Packers also had lost a game they should've had. They were up 16-6 in the final 2 minutes. They allowed a field goal to make it 16-9. Ok, but the Bears had to try an onside kick. Surely they've got this, right? Wrong. Romeo Doubs let the kick slip through his fingers. Chicago recovered, scored a touchdown on that drive, stopped the Packers on the first possession of overtime, and then marched down the field and scored to win the game. This should be interesting, but I am going to take the Packers with the game being in Wisconsin.

Buccaneers vs Dolphins- Buccaneers win 40-20

The Buccaneers lost to the Panthers in Charlotte. Baker Mayfield had a decent game, but the defense wasn't great, and Bryce Young had a good game. The Dolphins game was a trainwreck. Quinn Ewers had his first career start, and the first half wasn't too bad. Then the second half happened, and things went south in a hurry. The offense couldn't move the ball, the defense couldn't stop a nosebleed, everything was just terrible. I'd be shocked if the Dolphins won.

Patriots vs Jets- Patriots win 30-10

The Patriots, as previously mentioned, took out the Ravens in Baltimore thanks to mismanagement by John Harbaugh, and a great performance by Drake Maye. The offense was on a roll and the defense came up in the biggest moments. The Jets had another terrible performance. The offense was bad, the defense was bad, it was all bad. They're on their way to a high draft pick. I think the tank will roll on for another week. Pats win.

Steelers vs Browns- Steelers win 28-14

The Steelers had a controversial win in Detroit. The last drive was filled with penalties on the Lions and overturned touchdowns by the Lions. Aaron Rodgers had a solid performance, and Jaylen Warren was incredible with 143 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense was good, but the run defense was excellent, holding the Lions to FIFTEEN yards rushing. The Browns actually almost won against the Bills. The offense was alright, and the defense was okay. Myles Garrett is getting closer to the single-season sack record. They might actually win this game. I just don't think they will. I think the offense isn't good enough to pull off that kind of upset.

Jaguars vs Colts- Jaguars win 35-7

The Jaguars upset the Broncos in their house, and they made their case as one of the best teams in the AFC. Trevor Lawrence had himself a day, with 279 yards and 3 touchdowns. The offense as a whole was firing on all cylinders. The defense wasn't bad, but the offense was just so good that it didn't matter what the defense looked like. The Colts played their first home game since dragging Philip Rivers out of retirement, and it was a fiasco. The defense was horrendous, allowing 5 touchdowns to Brock Purdy. Rivers was okay, but he did throw a pick six, so that kinda hurt him. I don't see this being a close one at all.

Saints vs Titans- Saints win 27-23

The Saints are on a 3 game winning streak, and they're playing their way out of a top 5 draft pick. Tyler Shough had a fantastic performance, with 308 yards and a touchdown. Chris Olave had a hell of a game with 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Titans won a game, finally. They beat the Chiefs! If you'd have told me that in September, I'd have laughed in your face. But the Chiefs are done, so it's not a big accomplishment anymore, unfortunately. I think the Saints are on a bit of a roll right now, and I think that continues. 

Seahawks vs Panthers- Seahawks win 34-27

The Seahawks had an unbelievable win on Thursday Night Football. They were down 16 points in the 4th quarter. Then they had a punt return touchdown and a 2-point conversion to make it an 8-point game. Then they forced a 3 and out and got the ball back. They scored to make it a 2 point game. Then the two-point try happened. The Rams seemed to blow it up, and Zach Charbonnet picked the ball up in the end zone and handed it to the ref thinking the play was over. But replay showed it was a backwards pass, so Charbonnet was credited with a 2 point conversion. The Seahawks ended up winning the game in overtime. The Panthers win against the Bucs gave them the NFC South lead. Bryce Young played well, and the defense got the job done. The Panthers alternate between winning and losing, and I think that continues.

Cardinals vs Bengals- Bengals win 30-14

The Cardinals lost at home to the Falcons. Jacoby Brissett was mediocre at best, and the defense wasn't good. The Bengals won, but it's not an accomplishment beating Quinn Ewers. I do think they win here, but either way, it won't be a surprise.

Giants vs Raiders- Raiders win 17-13

Game of the week, baby! Both teams are 2-13 and fighting for the number 1 pick. The loser gets the number 1 pick and either Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese or Ruben Bain Jr. I'm flipping a coin here, and going with the Raiders.

Eagles vs Bills- Eagles win 28-21

Game of the week, baby! (for real this time) The Eagles clinched the NFC East for the second straight year, meaning for the first time in 20 years, the NFC East has a repeat champion. The last team to do it? You guessed it, the Philadelphia Eagles. The main concern I have with the team is Jake Elliot. He hasn't been good lately, and he needs to get better. The offense has picked it up a bit, but this will be their first test in a while. The Bills beat the Browns, but it was a much closer game than anticipated. Josh Allen was okay, but James Cook was the star of the show, with 117 yards and 2 scores. Either way, the winner of this game will not be a surprise to me. I am taking the Birds because the Bills struggled against a team they shouldn't have, but I could see the Bills winning this game because the Eagles just beat two scrubby teams.

Bears vs 49ers (Sunday night) Bears win 34-31

The Bears had a crazy come-from-behind win over the Packers, including an onside kick recovery. Caleb Williams had a damn good perfomance, with 250 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense came up big when they needed to in overtime. The 49ers killed the Colts, and Brock Purdy had 5 touchdowns. The defense was good, having a pick 6. George Kittle might not play (ankle), and if that's the case, I see the Bears getting the win here.

Rams vs Falcons (Monday night) Rams win 30-17

The Rams had a heartbreaking loss in Seattle. They blew a 16-point lead and relinquished control of the NFC West. Matt Stafford had a 457 yard performance, and Puka Nacua had 225 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he has gotten in trouble with the league about complaining about the referees. The Falcons are on a winning streak even though it's too late to save their season. Bijan Robinson had a good game receiving and rushing. I'd be surprised if they got the win. But crazier things have happened.

After this, there's only one more week of predictions. I know, I'm as sad as you are. I hope you all have a happy holidays and happy new year.

CFP predictions

 The 2025 College Football Playoff is here, and so I'll be predicting every single game that goes along with it. Although my Penn State Nittany Lions had a crappy year, I will be watching and following along with the playoffs to see who will go all the way. Let's go

First Round

(9) Alabama Crimson Tide vs (8) Oklahoma Sooners- Oklahoma wins 30-27

Alabama comes into this game after losing the SEC Championship to Georgia and having a somewhat dissappointing record of 10-3. Ty Simpson is a heck of a quarterback, but when has Alabama not had a good quarterback? The fact that they made it in is questionable, seeing as they're a 3-loss team and were throttled in the SEC Championship. Oklahoma has had a surprising year. They're 10-2 after some mediocre seasons and look like they're back. John Mateer has looked iffy after a thumb injury he suffered against Auburn, but the defense has looked damn good. Brent Venables has done a fantastic job. These two teams met in mid-November and the Sooners came away victorious, and I think history will repeat itself.

(10) Miami Hurricanes vs (7) Texas A&M Aggies- Texas A&M wins 28-20

Miami has had an up and down year. They went 10-2, but missed out on the ACC Championship game after losses to Louisville and SMU. They got in after 5-loss Duke won the ACC Championship, and after beating Notre Dame to start the year. Carson Beck has looked solid for stretches, and garbage for others. Nonetheless, the offense is still scary. Texas A&M was 11-0 and #3 in the country heading into their regular season finale against Texas. They lost and dropped out of the top 4, but still made it in due to their impressive season. The offense has looked impressive as hell all year regardless. Marcel Reed's a damn good QB, with almost 3,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. The Aggie offense is so dynamic that I think it'll be hard to keep up with.

(11) Tulane Green Wave vs (6) Ole Miss Rebels- Ole Miss wins 40-7

Tulane's had an interesting year. After a loss to UTSA, they had a 5% chance of winning the AAC Championship and making the playoffs. But they won out, made the conference championship, and beat North Texas at home to be the Group of 5's (at the time) only member of the playoffs. They've got a solid offense, headlined by BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff. He hasn't had the most impressive season, but he's been accurate and efficient. And that's important. Ole Miss has been a juggernaut this year, putting up at least 20 points in every game this year. Trinidad Chambliss has been efficient and impressive this year, and it's helped in a big way. Although Lane Kiffin left this team in a rather embarrassing way, I still think this team is a threat. 

(12) James Madison Dukes vs (5) Oregon Ducks- Oregon wins 50-14

James Madison has had an impressive story. They joined the FBS in 2022 after winning six conference championships in the FCS's CAA conference. They had a 9-4 season last year, capped off by a win in the Boca Raton bowl. They went 11-1 this year and beat Troy in the Sun Belt Championship, but it was confirmed they'd be playoff bound after Duke won the ACC, meaning that the ACC would have either Miami or nobody in the playoff. It's been a feelgood season for the Dukes, but can they keep it up against Oregon? The Ducks came into the year as the defending Big 10 champions. They went 11-1 and had impressive wins over Iowa and USC. Dan Lanning is one of the country's best coaches and Dante Moore is an excellent quarterback. I don't think JMU has a chance.

Quarterfinals

Texas A&M vs (2) Ohio State Buckeyes- Ohio State wins 30-21

Ohio State's the defending champions and were undefeated and atop the nation until a loss in the Big 10 Championship to Indiana. The offense, led by Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, among others, is arguably the best in the nation. Ryan Day is an excellent coach, as much as I hate to admit it, and the team around him is the nation's best. I think they keep that mojo up.

Oregon vs (4) Texas Tech Red Raiders- Oregon wins 35-27

Texas Tech had a phenomenal season, going 12-1 with a wildly talented offense. They capped it off with a blowout in the Big 12 Championship. Behren Morton is a fantastic quarterback, and I think he's an underrated one as well. But I just don't see them taking down the mighty Oregon Ducks.

Oklahoma vs (1) Indiana Hoosiers- Indiana wins 27-18

Indiana's an incredible team. They're the undefeated, Big 10 champions, with the Coach of the Year, Curt Cignetti. Oh, did I mention they've got the Heisman winning QB, Fernando freaking Mendoza. The Cal transfer had 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns (leading the nation). The defense is stout, holding Big 10 offenses in check. Everything is going their way, and I don't think things are changing.

Ole Miss vs (3) Georgia Bulldogs- Georgia wins 40-30

Georgia is the SEC Champions for a reason. They went 11-1 and throttled Alabama in the SEC Championship thanks to Gunner Stockton and a hell of a defense. These two teams faced off in October in Georgia with the Dawgs getting the win. I see history repeating itself. 

Semifinals

Georgia vs Ohio State- Georgia wins 30-28

This would be a great game. I just see Georgia showing more in the tank, because we need a new champion.

Oregon vs Indiana- Oregon wins 35-28

I know, I know. The Hoosiers beat the Ducks in October, and they're likely the best team in the field. But it's boring to pick them. I feel like Dan Lanning is a great coach, and the Ducks are the team of destiny.

So here we are at the national championship. Oregon vs Georgia. And I think the winner will be.....

National Championship

Oregon vs Georgia: Georgia wins 34-30

This would be a fantastic championship game. Kirby Smart vs Dan Lanning. Carson Beck vs Dante Moore. So many storylines. And I see the Dawgs going all the way to the finish line. I just think this is their year, because Kirby Smart's got the experience and the ability to take this Dawgs team all the way.

This should be a hell of a CFP playoff. I hope you all enjoy it! I know I will.

NFL week 16 predictions

 Happy holidays, everyone! It's week 16 and many teams are still in the mix for a playoff spot, so things are really interesting. Let's get into it. Last week I went 11-5, making my record for the year 147-80-1.

Rams vs Seahawks (Thursday night) Rams win 28-23

Starting off with a fantastic Thursday night game. These two teams will duke it out for the top of the NFC West. The Rams clinched a playoff spot after beating the Lions. Matthew Stafford had a heck of a showing, with 368 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kyren Williams had 2 scores of his own on the ground. The Seahawks had a tight win over the Colts. Sam Darnold was okay, but the offense should've done better. The defense was good though, like always, but it'll have its hands full this week. Rams win.

Eagles vs Commanders (Saturday 5:00) Eagles win 31-14

The first of 2 Saturday games is an NFC Championship rematch. With a win, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East. They took care of the Raiders with no problem. Jalen Hurts threw 3 touchdowns and the defense suffocated former Birds QB Kenny Pickett. The Commanders beat the Giants, but that's not a good thing as it messes their draft pick up. They have benched Jayden Daniels for the rest of the year to improve draft selection and because Daniels is injured. I don't think this will be very close.

Packers vs Bears (Saturday 8:00) Bears win 34-29

The second Saturday game is a far more intriguing match. The Packers had a tough loss in Denver this past weekend. Not only that, but they lost Micah Parsons for the rest of the season due to an ACL tear. Jordan Love didn't look good, with two interceptions. They need to bounce back in this one. The Bears blew past the Browns thanks to Caleb Williams and DeAndre Swift, who each had 2 scores. The defense picked off Shedeur Sanders 3 times. I do think they have enough to take out the Packers.

Chargers vs Cowboys- Chargers win 38-27

The Chargers defeated the Chiefs, and knocked them out of the playoffs (more on that later). Justin Herbert was solid, but nothing crazy. The defense was superb, holding Patrick Mahomes in check. The Cowboys lost to the Vikings in a game that might've ended their season. Dak Prescott wasn't bad, going 23-38 for 294 yards and nothing else. The offense as a whole was solid. It was the defense that crapped the bed. They were cooked by JJ McCarthy and couldn't get anything done. It was just a mess for Dallas. I don't think they can stop the Chargers. 

Vikings vs Giants- Vikings win 28-21

The Vikings, as previously mentioned, defeated the Cowboys propelled by a great offensive effort. However, they were eliminated from the playoffs due to a Bears win. The Giants were eliminated in week 12, and are now just hoping for the number 1 pick. This game is meaningless, and I'm just taking the Vikings because the Giants have their sights set on the number 1 pick.

Bengals vs Dolphins- Dolphins win 20-10

Another meaningless game. This game was originally scheduled for Sunday Night Football but was flexed out for Patriots-Ravens. The Bengals were eliminated after getting shut out by the Ravens, while the Dolphins were eliminated after a loss to the Steelers on Monday Night Football. I am taking the Dolphins just because they're home. 

Buccaneers vs Panthers- Panthers win 28-27

The battle for the top of the NFC South. The Buccaneers had an embarrassing loss on Thursday Night Football. They were up 28-14 with 10 minutes left, and had the Falcons on 3rd and 28 with 1:20 left, and they still lost. Todd Bowles had a profanity-filled rant after the game, calling out his players. The Panthers also had a tough loss. They had the Saints pinned inside their own 10, but allowed them to drive into field goal range and win it. This should be an interesting game, but the Panthers have a thing where they alternate between winning and losing, and I think that trend continues.

Jets vs Saints- Saints win 20-7

The Jets were blown out in Jacksonville as they get one step closer to getting a higher draft pick. The Saints, as we just discussed, beat the Panthers for their second straight win. I think they're on a roll right now, and it will continue.

Bills vs Browns- Bills win 31-7

The Bills had a gritty come-from-behind win in New England, and Josh Allen had a clutch performance, with 3 touchdowns through the air. James Cook had a 107 yard, 2 touchdown performance on the ground. The Browns were blown out in Chicago and Shedeur Sanders looked like trash, with 3 interceptions. I don't think this will be much of a contest.

Chiefs vs Titans- Chiefs win 24-9

It's official: For the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs will not be in the playoffs. Their loss to the Chargers, coupled with the Bills, Jaguars and Texans winning, eliminated them from playoff contention. To make matters worse, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, meaning Gardner Minshew will be starting the final 3 games. The Titans, what is there to say that hasn't already been said about how bad they are? If Minshew finds a way to lose this game, he might have a hard time finding a new team.

Jaguars vs Broncos- Broncos win 31-28

The Jaguars steamrolled the Jets and Trevor Lawrence dropped 5 touchdowns. He looked fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it was only the Jets. He now has to face possibly the best defense in the league in the Broncos. The Broncos picked off Jordan Love twice and sacked him 3 times. The offense looked great too, as Bo Nix threw for 302 yards and 4 TDs. It wouldn't surprise me too much if Jacksonville did win this game, but I just don't think they can slow down that high-powered offense.

Falcons vs Cardinals- Falcons win 21-7

The Falcons shocked the Buccaneers, coming back down 2 scores in the 4th quarter thanks to Kirk Cousins playing like his 2015 self. The Cardinals were blown out in Houston and are just looking forward to April at this point, so I don't think they're going to put up much of a fight for the rest of the year.

Steelers vs Lions- Lions win 34-28

This could be fun. The Steelers had a dominant win on Monday Night Football, and Aaron Rodgers looked efficient and the defense was spectacular. But they'll have their hands full against the Lions. Although they lost in Los Angeles, the offense showed some positive signs against a tough defense like the Rams. The defense couldn't stop former Lions QB Matthew Stafford and that cost them. I think this will be a very tight match, but I'm going with the Lions here, because with the game being played in Detroit, I think they've got the momentum.

Raiders vs Texans- Texans win 30-10

The Raiders were shut out in Philadelphia against the reigning champions. Kenny Pickett looked like trash against his old team, going 15-25 with 64 yards and an interception. But the good news is they have a legitimate chance at Fernando Mendoza. The Texans steamrolled the Cardinals, and CJ Stroud had a wonderful game with 260 yards and 3 touchdowns. I think he can keep it up against a team like the Raiders.

Patriots vs Ravens (Sunday night) Patriots win 31-30

The Patriots missed a chance at clinching the AFC East after blowing a 21-0 lead. Drake Maye wasn't good, but Treveyon Henderson carried him in this one. The defense let Henderson down. Josh Allen and James Cook had a field day against the New England defense. The Ravens shut out the Bengals. The offense was decent, but it didn't need to do too much. The highlight came on a pick six by the Ravens when Kyle Van Noy flipped the ball to Alohi Gillman who took it the rest of the way. I wouldn't be surprised if Baltimore came away with a win, but I don't see it happening. 

49ers vs Colts (Monday night) 49ers win 27-17

The 49ers have been quietly dominant this year. Sure, they just beat up on the Titans, but they've had some impressive wins over the Seahawks and Rams. Christian McCaffrey has looked damn good, with 922 yards and 9 scores on the year. Brock Purdy has missed a good chunk of the year, but he's shown positive signs in the games he's played in. The Colts had an interesting game. Philip Rivers played in his first game since the COVID-19 pandemic, and he didn't look awful, going 18-27. The defense let him down in the final moments and allowed Seattle to win the game with a field goal. I do think this could be competitive, but I'm going to have to go with San Francisco. 

This should be a compelling week of football, and I hope you all enjoy it. Happy holidays, everyone!

NFL Week 15 predictions

 It's week 15, and from here on out, every team will be playing. Every team has had their bye week. Some teams are fighting for the playoffs, while others are preparing for the draft. Let's get into it. Last week I went a not great 7-7, putting my record at 136-75-1.

Falcons vs Buccaneers (Thursday night) Buccaneers win 21-3

The Falcons were dominated by the Seahawks. The defense couldn't stop anything, and Kirk Cousins looked like trash, with a 50% completion percentage. The Buccaneers were upset by the Saints at home, and that's a big loss, seeing as they're neck-and-neck with the Panthers for the NFC South lead. Baker Mayfield didn't look good, at all. He went 14-30, with 155 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. I do think the Bucs rebound, but they need to or it might be over.

Ravens vs Bengals- Ravens win 28-24

The Ravens lost at home to their biggest rival, the Steelers, to lose control of the AFC North. Lamar Jackson didn't look his best, with only 19-35 passing, 219 yards and a score. The Bengals put up a fight, but Joe Burrow threw 2 4th-quarter picks to lose the game. The thing is, he wasn't bad, but he's going to get the blame for this loss when it should go to their defense. To be the best, you have to stop the best, and they couldn't get it done. I'm going to have to take the Ravens here due to their offensive star-power.

Raiders vs Eagles- Eagles win 28-20

The Raiders put up a good fight, but couldn't get the job done against the Broncos. Geno Smith is injured, so the Raiders will have to turn to none other than Kenny Pickett, who was the Eagles backup last year when they won the Super Bowl. The Eagles had a terrible loss to the Chargers on Monday Night Football, where Jalen Hurts threw 4 interceptions and looked overall terrible. The offense has looked terrible these last few weeks, and they need to step it up. I think they'll win, but if they don't, I don't think this season can be saved.

Cardinals vs Texans- Texans win 31-7

The Cardinals were blown out by the Rams at home. The defense couldn't stop anything, the offense was trash, everything just was bad. The Texans finally defeated their kryptonite, the Kansas City Chiefs. CJ Stroud turned in a solid performance, and the defense had a fantastic performance. Things are looking up for the Texans after an 0-3 start, and I think they keep it rolling.  

Chargers vs Chiefs- Chargers win 28-17

The Chargers had a great win on Monday Night Football, and they picked off Jalen Hurts 4 times. The rushing attack was great, and Cameron Dicker was great. They'll be taking on the Chiefs, who, for the first time in 10 years, will not win the AFC West. They might not even make it to the playoffs, which is wild to think about. Patrick Mahomes looked like trash, throwing 4 interceptions. The defense was fine, but nothing spectacular. I don't think they've got enough to beat the Chargers

Bills vs Patriots- Patriots win 31-28

The Bills had a hell of a showing against the Bengals. Josh Allen had 3 touchdowns through the air and 1 on the ground. The defense was clutch when it needed to be, pick-sixing Joe Burrow in the 4th to take a lead they wouldn't give up. The Patriots were on a bye after beating the Giants on Monday Night Football. I am going to give them the edge here. 

Jets vs Jaguars- Jaguars win 28-10

The Jets lost and were eliminated from the playoffs for the 15th year in a row. Brady Cook, an undrafted rookie out of Missouri, is now their only hope. I don't know. The Jaguars are now number 1 in the AFC South after a win over the Colts, and the offense is on fire. I think the Jags have a lot of momentum, and I think they carry that into this week.

Commanders vs Giants- Giants win 18-10

Ughhhhh. The Commanders are out of the playoffs after losing in Minnesota, and Jayden Daniels is hurt, and so is Zach Ertz. Yeah, things aren't great in the nation's capital. The Giants were on a bye. I'm flipping a coin here and taking the Giants.

Browns vs Bears- Bears win 31-13

The Browns had a good showing, but couldn't defeat the Titans and are out of the mix for a playoff spot. They've named Shedeur Sanders a starter for the rest of the year, so maybe things will turn around. It'll at least be entertaining. The Bears had a tough loss in Green Bay, but they had a lot of heart. Caleb Williams wasn't bad, but he did have a turnover in the game's most critical moment, so that will sting. I do think they rebound and get a win.

Lions vs Rams- Rams win 30-28

The Lions got a big win on Thursday Night Football over the Cowboys, and Jared Goff had a heck of a game. Jahmyr Gibbs had 3 touchdowns as well. The Rams had a blowout over the Cardinals and Matt Stafford had a 3 touchdown game. I am going to take the Rams because they're at home and that offense is hard to stop.

Packers vs Broncos- Broncos win 27-25

This should be a good one. The Packers got a win over the Bears, and Jordan Love had 3 touchdowns. Keisean Nixon had the game sealing interception. They'll be taking on the Broncos, who had a close win over the Raiders. Bo Nix was alright, but RJ Harvey had a better game. I am taking the Broncos here. I think they're the more complete team.

Colts vs Seahawks- Seahawks win 35-11

What a week it's been for the Colts. They were blown out in Jacksonville, and lost Daniel Jones in the process. Riley Leonard is shaken up also, but instead of going to Anthony Richardson or Brett Rypien, the Colts decided to get....Philip Rivers, a 44-year old who hasn't played in 5 years. Yeah, that's how things are going in Indy. The Seahawks killed the Falcons 37-9, and Sam Darnold dissected the Falcons defense. I don't see the Colts standing a chance.

Titans vs 49ers- 49ers win 35-14

The Titans finally won a game against the Browns. Cam Ward didn't look great, but he didn't need to. Tony Pollard ran all over the Browns defense. The 49ers had a bye. This shouldn't be close. 

Panthers vs Saints- Panthers win 27-20

The Panthers were on a bye, after a huge win over the Rams. The Saints shocked the Buccaneers. Devin Neal balled out, with 70 yards and a score. Tyler Shough was mediocre. The defense was good. I think the Panthers have this one because of their offense and confidence.

Vikings vs Cowboys (Sunday night) Cowboys win 27-10

The Vikings shut out the Commanders. JJ McCarthy actually wasn't bad, with 3 touchdowns.The defense was fantastic, shutting the Commander offense down. The Cowboys lost on Thursday because of a terrible defensive performance. Dak Prescott wasn't terrible, but he threw costly interceptions and that hurt them. I am taking the Cowboys because I'm not sold on the Vikings yet.

Dolphins vs Steelers (Monday night) Steelers win 28-14

The Dolphins are on a big winning streak, and they're 6-7 and in the mix still. Tua Tagovailoa hasn't been playing good football, but they're winning in spite of it. The Steelers beat their biggest rival and are now in control of the AFC North. The defense is good, the offense is good, everything's good for the Steelers. I think it continues.

That's all I've got. We're in the home stretch of the season. I'm excited to see it all play out. See you next time.

NFL Week 14 predictions

December is here, and so the push for the playoffs begins. We're going to figure out who is for real and who isn't. This should be interesting. I had a rough week last week, going 9-7 to bring my total to 129-68-1. 

Cowboys vs Lions (Thursday night) Lions win 30-27

These two teams played on Thanksgiving, as they do every year. The Cowboys had a 31-28 win over the Chiefs, and they might have put a dagger in the heart of the Chiefs' dynasty. Dak Prescott had a great game, with 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb went over 100 yards receiving. The Cowboys are starting to turn a corner. And the Lions....they haven't looked great lately. They lost to the Packers, and thought they'd get Frank Ragnow back, only for him to fail his physical. Jared Goff looked good in the game, but the defense couldn't stop Jordan Love. And Dan Campbell's overaggressiveness is starting to catch up to him, as Detroit hasn't been converting on 4th down that often anymore. I do think they'll win because being played in Detroit, I think it'll give them an advantage. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys won.

Titans vs Browns- Browns win 21-3

Ohhh boy. The Titans have been eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Jaguars. They are terrible, on offense especially. Their defense sucks too, but the offense is a joke. The Browns suck as well, but they're at least entertaining with Shedeur Sanders. I am taking the Browns because I think they're better. Let's move on.

Seahawks vs Falcons- Seahawks win 31-17

The Seahawks demolished the Vikings, and shut them out. Their offense wasn't spectacular, but it didn't need to be, especially when their defense looked that good. The Falcons lost to the Jets in an embarrassing fashion. They went 3 and out on their last 2 possessions, allowing the Jets to march down the field and kick the game-winner. I'll take the Seahawks because their defense is a force to be reckoned with.

Colts vs Jaguars- Jaguars win 28-24

The Colts lost to the Texans. Daniel Jones decided to play through a fractured fibula, and he didn't look his best, with only a 52% completion percentage. The Jaguars blew out the Titans, and are now 1st in the AFC South. Trevor Lawrence wasn't the best, but he got the job done, even after a scary hit on the sidelines. I'm going to take the Jaguars here, because I do think that Daniel Jones' fibula might catch up to him. 

Commanders vs Vikings- Commanders win 27-7

The Commanders lost on Sunday Night Football, but they put up a hell of a fight. Marcus Mariota had 294 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Treylon Burks had the touchdown catch of the year, with a one-handed catch while reaching back, reminiscent of Odell Beckham Jr. The Vikings....yikes. They got shut out, and Max Brosmer threw 4 interceptions in his NFL debut. He looked completely overmatched and not ready. So now JJ McCarthy is back. He's not much better. Commanders dominate.

Bengals vs Bills- Bills win 31-27

The Bengals surprisingly blew the Ravens out of their home field. Joe Burrow returned and looked like he never left. 261 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense, who has looked like utter trash, finally stepped up against Lamar Jackson of all people. The Bills blew out the Steelers thanks to defense and James Cook. Josh Allen wasn't bad, but he wasn't as good as usual. I'm taking the Bills because I'm not sold on the Bengals defense just yet.  

Saints vs Buccaneers- Buccaneers win 28-14

The Saints took a tough loss against the Dolphins to end their playoff hopes. Tyler Shough looked mediocre, and threw an interception returned for a two-point try in an attempt to tie up the game. The run defense sucked, letting De'Von Achane have a fantastic game. The Buccaneers squeaked by the Cardinals. Baker Mayfield looked mediocre, but Bucky Irving saved him. I am going to take them to get a dominant win because the Saints simply suck.

Steelers vs Ravens- Ravens win 28-19

The Steelers were smoked by the Bills and Aaron Rodgers and the offense looked like trash. Rodgers looked like his age out there, going 10-21 with 117 yards and nothing else, as well as getting lit up by Nick Bosa and bloodying his nose. The defense couldn't really do much with the hand they were dealt. The Ravens were blown out also, and Lamar Jackson looked like trash. The defense did too, but I still think they'll win because the Steelers are kinda bad right now.

Dolphins vs Jets- Dolphins win 20-17

The Dolphins squeaked by the Saints thanks to De'Von Achane and defense. Tua Tagovailoa didn't play good, and that's concerning, but maybe he can turn things around. The Jets surprised the Falcons thanks to Tyrod Taylor and Breece Hall. I do see the Dolphins winning, but I think it'll be close game.

Broncos vs Raiders- Broncos win 28-7

The Broncos squeaked past the Commanders. Bo Nix looked great, with 321 yards and a touchdown. The defense has some questions, though. They let Marcus Mariota have a great game. The Raiders lost by 17 points to the Chargers, but Brock Bowers had a great game, catching 2 touchdowns. I'd be shocked if the Raiders found a way to win this game. I really would.

Bears vs Packers- Bears win 31-30

The game of the week. The Bears crushed the Eagles in their house, and the score doesn't do it any justice. They ran for 281 yards, and had 2 running backs with over 120 yards. The defense had Jalen Hurts contained, except when he threw to AJ Brown. They're now leading not only the NFC North, but the whole NFC. Things are looking good in the Windy City. The Packers beat the Lions, and Jordan Love had 4 touchdowns. They were not sacked at all. But Micah Parsons had 2.5 sacks. Things are good for them as well. I'm going to give a slight edge to Chicago because of the confidence they probably have right now.

Rams vs Cardinals- Rams win 31-10

The Rams lost to the Panthers in the upset of the week. Matthew Stafford threw his first interceptions of the year, and that cost them, The defense sucked also. The Cardinals lost to the Bucs, but Jacoby Brissett did a great job, as well as Trey McBride. The defense just wasn't good enough, and I think the Rams are a little angry right now after the surprising loss.

Texans vs Chiefs (Sunday night) Chiefs win 28-25

The Texans got a win in Indianapolis. CJ Stroud wasn't great, but he made plays when he needed to. The defense played well too. The Chiefs lost in Dallas, despite Patrick Mahomes playing some fantastic football. The defense just couldn't stop Dak Prescott. I wouldn't worry about them just yet. I think they win.

Eagles vs Chargers (Monday night) Eagles win 17-10

The Eagles had a tough Black Friday loss. Jalen Hurts looked bad, the run defense was awful, and Kevin Patullo is trash. They need to get it together sooner rather than later. The Chargers beat the Raiders, and Justin Herbert looked solid, but it was all Kimani Vidal. Herbert broke his hand, but might still play. Even if he does play, I don't think he will be at 100%. Eagles win. If they don't, panic time.

Those are my predictions for this week. I must add that this is the last week where teams have bye weeks, The next 4 weeks will have every team playing. We've made it to December, guys. Just gotta finish strong. Take care.