Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Beyond that, there are no more bye weeks in the NFL.
The Seattle Seahawks host the Indianapolis Colts in one of 15 games in Week 16, and we could see Philip Rivers, a 44-year-old grandfather who hasn’t played since 2020, take over the Colts’ starting quarterback role.
Additionally, we’ll have the Buffalo Bills on the road against the New England Patriots in a high-stakes divisional showdown. The Patriots lead the AFC East by two games over the Bills.
Will rivers move the world? Will the Bills, who have +850 Super Bowl odds, take down the Patriots?
Check out my predictions for the full slate of games below.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins has completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 396 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in his last two games.
The Falcons scored nine points last week against the Seattle Seahawks.
Now, Cousins will face a Buccaneer defense that is eighth in the NFL in pressures with 196.
prediction: Buccaneers -4.5 (-110)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Bengals went on the road a few weeks ago and beat the Ravens 32-14.
Now, they’re at home against them and coming off a 34-point performance in a losing effort to the Buffalo Bills.
QB Joe Burrow will continue to lead the Bengals to high offensive production, especially against a Ravens defense that has allowed 253.3 passing yards over the last three games, 28th in the NFL over that span.
prediction: Bengals +2.5 (-110)
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
This is the hardest game of the week to pick, but I predict the Bills will come out on top.
Buffalo has allowed 76 rushing yards per game over its last three (second in that span) and 171.8 passing yards per game (second) this season.
That would be enough to escape with a win.
prediction: Bill -1 (-105)
New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders
The Commanders primarily play cover-3, and Giants QB Jaxson Dart has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for five touchdowns against that defense.
Couple that with Dart’s rushing ability (337 yards and seven touchdowns), and I predict a Giants win and cover.
prediction: Giants -2 (-110)
Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns
Against cover-1 and cover-3, the two coverages the Browns play most often, Bears QB Caleb Williams is averaging 7.3 yards per attempt with 10 touchdowns and one interception.
The Browns are 16th in the NFL with 177 pressures, but the Bears have allowed 20 sacks, tied for third-most.
prediction: Bears -7.5 (-110)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers QB Justin Herbert had an interception and two fumbles in his first game against the Eagles after surgery on his non-throwing wrist. He also rushed 10 times for 66 yards, and the Chargers defense came up big with four interceptions to win the game 22-19.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes hasn’t played lately, either. He had four touchdown passes against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, but in Weeks 9 through 12 and Week 14, he combined for one passing touchdown and six interceptions.
prediction: Chargers +4.5 (-110)
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders QB Geno Smith’s status is up in the air this week, but whether he plays or not, the Raiders offensive line still needs to protect its QB from an Eagles pass rush that is tied for the third-most pressures with 205.
The Raiders have allowed a league-leading 50 sacks.
prediction: Eagle -11 (-110)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets
The Jets could be without both Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields, who are dealing with injuries, which could mean undrafted rookie Brady Cook under center.
In relief of Taylor last week, Cook completed 46.7 percent of his passes for 163 yards and two interceptions.
Of course, a week of practice will help, but the offense will remain stagnant.
predictionJaguars -12.5 (-105)
Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Texans are tied for third in pressures (205), second in turnover margin (plus-12) and tied for second in interceptions (15).
Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett has completed 45.5 percent of his passes with seven turnover-worthy plays while under pressure.
prediction: Texans -9.5 (-115)
Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
The Broncos offense has been up and down this season, but I have confidence in their defense in this game.
Denver’s defensive unit is second in the NFL in pressures (212). While the Packers have allowed just 18 sacks, QB Jordan Love has been pressured on 37.7 percent of his dropbacks. When under pressure, he’s averaging 4.7 yards per attempt with no touchdowns, two interceptions and eight turnover-worthy plays.
prediction: Broncos +2.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions
The Rams often play zone coverage, and against it, Goff has completed 72.5 percent of his passes.
On the other hand, the Lions mostly play Cover-1 and Cover-3, and Rams QB Matthew Stafford has 13 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Expect a shootout, but one in which the lion gets close enough to cover it.
prediction: Leo +5.5 (-110)
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
The Saints may have something in KB Taylor Schaaf. Last week, he completed 65 percent of his passes and made two field goals.
The week before that, he completed 68.4 percent of his passes for two touchdowns.
The Saints downed the Panthers 17-7 a few weeks ago with Shoaf under center.
I will take home the points.
prediction: Saints +2.5 (-102)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans
Opposing QBs have faced zone defenses on 77.5 percent of their dropbacks against the 49ers.
When facing the zone, Titans QB Cam Ward has averaged 5.8 yards per attempt and thrown a touchdown to five picks.
prediction: 49ers -12.5 (-110)
Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts
Whether it’s Riley Leonard, Brett Rippin or Rivers under center, I struggle to find scenarios in which the Colts can score.
The Seahawks have allowed 91.2 rushing yards per game (fourth) this season and, over their last three, have given up 160.7 passing yards (sixth in that span) per game.
The Colts have a great offensive line, which might help prevent some pressure, but I’m not sure where the scoring will come from.
prediction: Seahawks -13.5 (-110)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings
Vikings QB JJ McCarthy looked like an NFL QB last week, completing 163 percent of his passes for 69.6 yards and three touchdowns.
Now, he faces a Cowboys defense that has allowed 261 or more passing yards to opposing signal callers in each of their last three games.
The Cowboys’ offense wins in a shootout, but the Vikings keep it close.
prediction: Vikings +6 (-115)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been playing well lately, picking up six passes in their last four games and winning all four.
Sure, three of those games were against the Jets, Saints and Commanders, but this week, they’re at home against a Steelers defense that’s allowed 244 passing yards per game (28th).
Not only that, but the Steelers have given up 188.3 rushing yards per outing over their last three (31 over that span).
prediction: Dolphins +3.5 (-115)
