Cowboys at Saints
The Cowboys have fallen off recently, as they’ve gone 1-3 in their last four games. Ever since losing Jameis Winston, the Saints have been horrible, but they’re getting Taysom Hill back this week so they have a chance to turn things around. This game might be close given how poorly Dallas has been playing, but the Cowboys are too talented to keep losing like this, so expect them to come away with the win.
Expert Prediction: Cowboys 30, Saints 24
Analytics-Based Prediction: Cowboys 38, Saints 24
Colts at Texans
The Colts have looked great recently, despite their loss to the Buccaneers last week. This offense has been nearly unstoppable since Jonathan Taylor started playing at an MVP-caliber level. The Texans were able to get a surprising win over the Titans, but they followed that up with a loss to the Jets, so they’re just as bad as everyone thought they were. The Colts will be able to run the ball up and down the field, so this game should be over by halftime.
Expert Prediction: Colts 34, Texans 13
Analytics-Based Prediction: Colts 33, Texans 10
Vikings at Lions
The Vikings need to win this game if they want to maintain a legitimate shot at the playoffs, and luckily for them, the Lions are the worst team in the NFL. Dalvin Cook is out, but Alexander Mattison has proven to be as productive as Cook when he plays. Minnesota won’t miss a beat in the run game. This game will probably close because pretty much every Lions game is close, but Detroit will ultimately lose like they always do.
Expert Prediction: Vikings 28, Lions 27
Analytics-Based Prediction: Vikings 28, Lions 14
Giants at Dolphins
The Dolphins are now tied for the second longest active win streak in the NFL with four wins in a row. Miami likely needs to run the table if they want to make the playoffs, and given how easy the remainder of their schedule is, they have a chance if they can get an upset or two. The Giants have struggled all year and are definitely worse than the Dolphins, but New York has been able to beat superior opponents multiple times this year, so they have a chance to win this game. While the GIants could pull off the upset, the Dolphins are a better team and are playing at home, so they should be expected to win.
Expert Prediction: Dolphins 24, Giants 21
Analytics-Based Prediction: Giants 27, Dolphins 25
Buccaneers at Falcons
The Buccaneers have been struggling throughout the season, including last week, but they found a way to win the game, and that’s all that really matters. The Falcons, on the other hand, aren’t a good team and they’ve proven that throughout the season. One loss to the Jaguars doesn’t change that. This game might end up being closer than expected simply because it’s a divisional matchup, but the Buccaneers will almost definitely win in the end.
Expert Prediction: Buccaneers 35, Falcons 24
Analytics-Based Prediction: Buccaneers 40, Falcons 20
Eagles at Jets
The Eagles had looked really impressive going into last week, but they just put up a dud against the Giants in which they only scored seven points. Philadelphia might be the most inconsistent team in the league. The Jets, on the other hand, are bad pretty much all year. Their win over the Texans doesn’t change anything. If the Eagles play their best, this game will be a blowout, but if they play their worst, it could be close. Ultimately, the Eagles should win regardless.
Expert Prediction: Eagles 31, Jets 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Eagles 32, Jets 18
Cardinals at Bears
The Cardinals are coming off a bye and hoping to get Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back from injury. Even if they’re out, however, Arizona has shown the ability to win games, as they’re 2-1 without Kyler and Hopkins this year. The Bears have been really bad recently. They lost to the Ravens without Lamar Jackson and barely beat the Lions. Coming into that game against Detroit, Chicago was on a five game losing streak. If Kyler and Hopkins play, this game will be a demolition. If they don’t play, Arizona should still win, but it’ll be closer.
Expert Prediction: Cardinals 30, Bears 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Cardinals 37, Bears 17
Chargers at Bengals
The Chargers have really struggled over the last couple weeks, and the Bengals are the exact opposite. If Cincinnati can keep playing at this level, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. The Chargers will have a very hard time stopping Joe Mixon, so the Bengals should be able to move up and down the field. If the Chargers are able to return to form on offense this will be a close game, but the Bengals have been the better team recently, so they have the edge.
Expert Prediction: Bengals 35, Chargers 30
Analytics-Based Prediction: Chargers 31, Bengals 28
Jaguars at Rams
The Rams have been horrible recently. They’ve been so bad that they’re actually at risk of missing the playoffs. Los Angeles is a super team, but they simply haven’t gelled together, and without a strong team culture, it’s hard to win games. Time is running out for the Rams to get back on track, but this week should be a gimme against the Jaguars. Jacksonville isn’t a good team and will go down pretty easily, so expect the Rams to gain some momentum this week.
Expert Prediction: Rams 27, Jaguars 10
Analytics-Based Prediction: Rams 30, Jaguars 7
Washington at Raiders
Washington is now on a three game winning streak and should be taken seriously in the NFC playoff picture. If they can continue to play like this, Washington has a very real shot at the playoffs. The Raiders have struggled for a few weeks, but they seemed to get back on track last week against the Cowboys. Dallas has struggled as well, however, so it’s hard to know if that game was more about Dallas playing poorly or Vegas playing well. The loss of Darren Waller will hurt as well. This game will be close, but Washington is the hotter team, so they have a slight edge.
Expert Prediction: Washington 27, Raiders 24
Analytics-Based Prediction: Raiders 28, Washington 27
Ravens at Steelers
The Ravens and the Steelers have both looked really bad recently. Last week the Ravens became the first team in NFL history to win a game with the quarterback throwing four interceptions. The Steelers, on the other hand, got killed by the Bengals. They’ve now gone three games in a row without a win, including two losses and a tie against the Lions. Pittsburgh simply isn’t good anymore. This game should be close because it’s a divisional matchup between two struggling teams, but the Ravens have found ways to win this year whereas the Steelers haven’t, so Baltimore has the edge.
Expert Prediction: Ravens 28, Steelers 23
Analytics-Based Prediction: Ravens 29, Steelers 27
49ers at Seahawks
The 49ers have started to figure things out and are looking like a playoff-caliber team, whereas the Seahawks look like one of the worst teams in the NFL. Even with Russell Wilson, the Seahawks have been bad this year. They beat the 49ers earlier this season, but that was a game in which Jimmy Garoppolo got hurt and Trey Lance was unexpectedly thrust into starting. This game might be close because it’s a divisional matchup, but the 49ers are the better team and have been on a roll, so they have the advantage.
Expert Prediction: 49ers 27, Seahawks 17
Analytics-Based Prediction: 49ers 24, Seahawks 21
Broncos at Chiefs
The Chiefs are tied for the second longest active win streak with four straight wins, and they are looking like one of the better teams in the AFC. Kansas City really only has two impressive wins in a row, however, as their other two wins were close games against the Giants and the Packers without Aaron Rodgers. This game against the Broncos should be close, as Denver has proven to be in the playoff mix and Patrick Mahomes has always struggled against the Broncos. Given the fact that Kansas City hasn’t proven to be back to their old form and Denver is better than it has been in the past, the Broncos should expect to get a big upset.
Expert Prediction: Broncos 27, Chiefs 26
Analytics-Based Prediction: Chiefs 33, Broncos 23
Patriots at Bills
This will be a huge game that plays a big role in determining the winner of the AFC East. The Patriots are the hottest team in the NFL and the Bills have struggled recently, but Buffalo will really want to win this game. Some may argue that the Patriots are due for a loss as well. That being said, the Patriots match up very well with the Bills. Even though Buffalo has a top defense, they have struggled against power run games all year. The Patriots’ offense is built on the run, so the Bills will have a hard time slowing New England down. On the other side of the ball, the Bills offense is built on the pass, with Stefon Diggs being the focal point of this offense. The Patriots always take away your best player, so with Diggs unlikely to contribute, Buffalo will struggle. The weak point of the Patriots defense is their run defense, and the Bills can’t run the ball. Overall, this game should be close given how high the stakes are, but the Patriots match up with the Bills well enough that they should come away with the win.
Expert Prediction: Patriots 30, Bills 24
Analytics-Based Prediction: Bills 31, Patriots 27