The home stretch is under way and teams are playoff for divisional titles and playoff seeding. The heat is on as the end of the NFL regular season comes into sight.
Dolphins will double up the Jets
What is worse than losing once to Miami? Losing twice to a Dolphins team that has suddenly found itself as the Jets come off a dull effort against Cincinnati. The weather conditions won’t favor the team from South Beach. It won’t matter as Brian Flores has his team in a better direction that Adam Gase has his.
Niners will drop to 10-3
After winning their first eight games, look for the San Francisco 49ers to drop to 10-3 after their visit to New Orleans. This would be three losses in five games for a team that was appeared invincible. Something to get worried about? Yes, of course, with the way the playoff schedule is set. The Niners are looking at a Wild-Card seeding and a road game after being seemingly set for some home cooking for a long time.
The Bengals will make it two straight
Cleveland went into Pittsburgh and needed the game desperately. The Browns wound up outplayed by the Steelers and lost to a team with a third-string QB. Not a good look for Freddie Kitchens. Now, they face Andy Dalton and the sizzling Bengals off their first win of the season. Make it a double for Cincinnati.
Patrick Mahomes will defeat the Patriots
The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes will get the measure of Tom Brady and the Patriots. Despite the game being in Foxboro, look for the third-year QB to rise up and have a mega-game against New England rugged defense. The Chiefs’ mediocre defense won’t stop New England but will do enough to come away with a victory.
The Bills will tie for first in the AFC East
This seems preposterous and yes, the Patriots hold the tiebreaker since they won the first meeting at Buffalo. But a Bills win over the rugged Ravens in Orchard Park will put both Buffalo and the Pats at 10-3. Stopping Lamar Jackson & Co. won’t be easy but the Bills are playing well and coming off extra rest. If nothing else, it makes for a fun headline.
Aaron Rodgers will wallop Washington
Nothing stunning here but look for Green Bay’s great quarterback Aaron Rodgers to have field day against Washington. He threw four TD passes in Week 13 against the Giants and the only thing to prevent a repeat of that would be if the Packers get so far in front they decide to give Rodgers some rest.
Bears will turn flame higher on Jason Garrett
Just when you thought the heat couldn’t get any more unbearable, wait until Jerry Jones wakes up on Friday and sees his Cowboys are 6-7. Will he have Ron Rivera on speed dial? Is there another name in the Cowboys owner’s plans for 2020? A loss to the Bears will just get the pink slip for Jason Garrett closer to being printed at the end of the season.
Dan Quinn will see his future
When the Panthers and Falcons get together Sunday, Atlanta coach Dan Quinn will be able to see his future when he looks across the field and doesn’t see Rivera. The Falcons’ coach is heading in the same direction the Panthers’ head coach went this week: Out! Wonder if there is any way Carolina would have interest in Quinn, who is a solid candidate for another job? Nah….
The Vikings will rebound
What’s the perfect remedy for a tough loss? Why, a game against the Detroit Lions, of course. The Minnesota Vikings dueled Seattle in an exciting MNF contest. Do not expect them to let down against Detroit in Week 14. And, remember, it doesn’t matter if the Lions get the lead. Matt Patricia’s team specializes in being in front early and being behind at the end of the game.
The Rams will upend the Seahawks
They came close in Seattle to downing the Seahawks and the Rams get their chance to settle the score at the LA Coliseum on SNF. This is a must-win game for Sean McVay and his team. They came to life against Arizona in Week 13 and look for them to continue with a strong effort against a Seattle team that is coming off a tough game with Minnesota and has a short week to prepare.
The Eagles will mistreat Eli Manning
Pat Shurmur has enough issues with his record at 7-21 and fading as Giants coach. Now, an ankle sprain could sideline Daniel Jones for MNF in Philadelphia. Eli Manning seems to be the QB who will come to the rescue for Big Blue. That’s not quite what anyone wanted. And with the ring rust, expect the Eagles to suddenly get healthy against the Giants and their veteran QB.
