Texans at Lions

The Texans looked much better than expected last week and could be looking to build on that momentum this week. The Lions, on the other hand, looked atrocious last week after holding on to a close win against Washington the week before. Despite their record, the Texans have been able to be competitive in games throughout the year and are a much better team than those with a similar number of wins. The Lions have been seemingly the opposite. Many of their losses had double-digit margins and they simply haven’t looked competitive for most of the year. Expect the Texans to come away with a win.

Expert Prediction: Texans 34, Lions 28

Analytics-Based Prediction: Texans 31, Lions 21

Washington at Cowboys

The Cowboys came away with a shocking win last week and have now had two impressive games in a row. Washington has looked pretty solid as well, as they are 2-2 in their last four games with both losses being close games. With this being a divisional matchup, expect the game to be very close, especially considering that if these teams keep up what they’ve been doing recently, they’ll be evenly matched. Ultimately, however, Washington has looked good on a more consistent basis than Dallas and was able to win this matchup a few weeks ago, so expect them to get the win.

Expert Prediction: Washington 24, Cowboys 20

Analytics-Based Prediction: Cowboys 28, Washington 25

Ravens at Steelers

The Ravens are looking really bad for a team that was considered Super Bowl contenders coming into the year. They have now proved that last season was probably a fluke, and even though they can be a playoff-caliber team, they will not be one of the league’s best anymore. Baltimore is now fighting for a playoff spot and desperately needs to win this game to stay alive. Unfortunately for them, they are playing the unbeaten Steelers. Though Pittsburgh has yet to face a legitimate title contender, they have proven that they can beat lower-end playoff teams like the Ravens. Baltimore was looking likely to lose before getting Covid, but now that a lot of their players. including Lamar Jackson, are going to be out, they don't seem to have a chance.

Expert Prediction: Steelers 27, Ravens 10

Analytics-Based Prediction: Steelers 30, Ravens 17

Chargers at Bills

The Bills will need to rebound after their loss to the Cardinals if they hope to hold on to their spot at the top of the AFC East, and the Chargers are definitely a difficult matchup for them. Despite their poor record, the Chargers have been competitive in pretty much every game this year thanks to the fact that Justin Herbert is looking like the greatest rookie quarterback of all time. The kid is a star, and he will only continue to improve as the season progresses. The Bills will have a very difficult time stopping this Chargers offense, so they will need to score quite a few points in order to win this game. Fortunately for them, the Chargers defense hasn’t been great this year, so Josh Allen and co. should be able to get the job done.

Expert Prediction: Bills 34, Chargers 31

Analytics-Based Prediction: Bills 37, Chargers 30

Titans at Colts

The Titans were able to get a much-needed win last week to stay in the race for the AFC South and now this matchup could very possibly determine the ultimate division winner. The Colts were able to win this matchup relatively easily two weeks ago, but this will be a completely different game because there is much more on the line. The Titans proved last season that they are capable of winning when their season is on the line, and throughout Phillip Rivers’s career he has done the opposite. Because of that, the Titans should be in a much better position to win this game than they were two weeks ago, and they should be able to get a close win.

Expert Prediction: Titans 28, Colts 24

Analytics-Based Prediction: Colts 35, Titans 28

Panthers at Vikings

The Vikings had been on a hot streak, but their loss to the Cowboys one has to question whether or not that small sample was really reflective of how good of a team the Vikings are. The Panthers looked impressive last week considering that they were playing with a backup quarterback, and with Teddy Bridgewater looking likely to come back, Carolina should be even better. This game will show whether or not the Vikings’ dominant stretch was a fluke. It seems more likely that their one bad game was a fluke than their stretch of 5 games, so the Vikings have a better chance of winning this game.

Expert Prediction: Vikings 34, Panthers 28

Analytics-Based Prediction: Vikings 31, Panthers 24

Browns at Jaguars

The Browns will be trying to continue building momentum towards a playoff run this week while the Jaguars will just be looking for the season to end. Jacksonville has not been even remotely good this year, and while the Browns haven’t been able to beat a true contender this year, they have proven many times that they can beat bad teams. The Jaguars will likely struggle on both sides of the ball, so there is really no chance that they come away with a win. Jacksonville has been able to make games they should be killed in close, however, so don’t be surprised if the Browns look like they could lose at halftime. Ultimately, however, Cleveland should come away with a win.

Expert Prediction: Browns 35, Jaguars 27

Analytics-Based Prediction: Browns 41, Jaguars 27

Giants at Bengals

Last week the Giants continued to prove that they are much better than their record indicates, and unfortunately for the Bengals, the one bright spot on their team is now out for the rest of the season and possibly even longer. Joe Burrow was playing at an elite level for a rookie quarterback, so it was horrible to see him suffer the injury he did. Hopefully he will be able to recover well, but in the mean time, the Bengals are once again looking like they will lose every game. That starts this week. There is no way the the Bengals beat a Giants team that is currently on a hot streak without their quarterback, so expect this one to be over by halftime.

Expert Prediction: Giants 31, Bengals 14

Analytics-Based Prediction: Giants 25, Bengals 21

Cardinals at Patriots

The Patriots have been incredibly inconsistent this year, at times looking like a playoff-caliber team and at other times looking like one of the worst teams in the league. The one consistent thing about the Patriots, with the exception of their game against the 49ers is that they have always played up or down to their opponents. So if they are playing a great team, they play great, if they are playing a horrible team, they play horribly. Because of that, expect this game to be somewhat close. Ultimately, however, the Cardinals are a great team and Cam Newton has seemingly choked in every close game this year, so the Cardinals should end up winning.

Expert Prediction: Cardinals 34, Patriots 30

Analytics-Based Prediction: Cardinals 30, Patriots 27

Dolphins at Jets

The Dolphins, despite their bad loss to the Broncos last week, have looked really good recently and have a very legitimate chance to make the playoffs. They should be able to win with ease this week, as the Jets have proved time and time again that they are the league’s worst team and will in all likelihood end up with the top pick in the draft. At this point, it would be a surprise to see the Jets end the season with a win. The Dolphins aren’t different than any opponent the Jets have and will play this year, so expect Miami to get an easy win.

Expert Prediction: Dolphins 28, Jets 17

Analytics-Based Prediction: Dolphins 44, Jets 14

Raiders at Falcons

The Raiders looked great last week, as even a close loss to the Chiefs can be considered a win for pretty much all teams. Now that the Raiders don’t need to play Kansas City again, they can start to focus on potentially making a run to the playoffs. That starts against the Falcons, who despite having a few impressive wins are still a very bad team. Las Vegas should be able to move the ball with ease against this Falcons defense, and on the other side of the ball, the Falcons will be able to score, but not enough to win the game.

Expert Prediction: Raiders 35, Falcons 26

Analytics-Based Prediction: Raiders 40, Falcons 25

Saints at Broncos

The Saints looked really good last week considering that they were playing without Drew Brees, and they will look to continue to build on that momentum this week. The Broncos looked good against the Dolphins, but aside from a few impressive wins this year, Denver hasn’t been a good team, and they typically don’t play well twice in a row. The Saints should be able to stop this Broncos offense, as their defense has been one of the best in the league this year. On the other side of the ball, the Saints’ elite run game paired with Michael Thomas’s receiving abilities should enable them to move the ball. Expect New Orleans to win this one.

Expert Prediction: Saints 28, Broncos 14

Analytics-Based Prediction: Saints 33, Broncos 20

49ers at Rams

The Rams looked great last week and now look like they have a legitimate chance to win the NFC West. If that ends up being the case, Los Angeles could potentially be looking at a path to the Super Bowl. The 49ers, on the other hand, are no longer the team they were last year because of injuries, so don’t expect this to be a very good game. It could be closer than expected because of the fact that it’s a divisional matchup, but ultimately, the Rams are a better team and will win the game.

Expert Prediction: Rams 27, 49ers 21

Analytics-Based Prediction: Rams 32, 49ers 20

Chiefs at Buccaneers

This could end up being one of the best games of the year, but it really depends on whether or not the Buccaneers play to their full potential. On paper, the Buccaneers are one of the most talented teams of all time, but they haven’t been able to gel and haven’t looked great. If this ends up being the week that the Bucs click, they can beat the Chiefs. If not, it will probably be a long day for Bucs fans. The Chiefs will show up. Patrick Mahomes will be able to get the Chiefs to over 30 points, even against a top-10 defense. The question becomes whether or not Tom Brady can keep up. Based on what we’ve seen recently, that doesn’t seem likely to happen.

Expert Prediction: Chiefs 35, Buccaneers 32

Analytics-Based Prediction: Chiefs 37, Buccaneers 31

Bears at Packers

The Packers have dropped off recently and no longer look like the best team in the NFC, but that doesn’t mean they can’t beat the Bears. Green Bay has dominated this matchup recently and this year gives no reason to believe it will be different. The Bears have massively dropped off since starting the year hot and the Packers will be looking to rebound after a close loss. Green Bay doesn’t usually lose twice in a row, so expect them to end up with a relatively easy win.

Expert Prediction: Packers 28, Bears 16

Analytics-Based Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 21

Seahawks at Eagles

The Seahawks’ win over the Cardinals doesn’t change the fact that they haven’t looked even close to a Super Bowl contending team recently because they have legitimately no defense. No matter how many points the offense scores, it’ll be a close game, and that will be no different this week. The Eagles should be able to put up a lot of points on the Seahawks. At the same time, Philadelphia has been incredibly turnover prone this year, so expect a few picks or fumbles. The Seahawks will turn those turnovers into points, and that will ultimately be the difference in this game.

Expert Prediction: Seahawks 37, Eagles 28

Analytics-Based Prediction: Seahawks 38, Eagles 21