Buccaneers at Eagles

The Buccaneers returned to form last week after playing two poor games in a row. Tampa Bay looked unstoppable, albeit against a team missing its starting quarterback. The Eagles were able to pull off an upset win over the Panthers and have looked pretty good all year. Given how well Philadelphia has played and the fact that the Buccaneers are still struggling with injuries, this game should be closer than many expect it to be. Tampa Bay is likely to pull it out at the end, though.

Expert Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Eagles 24

Analytics-Based Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Eagles 21

Dolphins at Jaguars

The Dolphins have been horrible ever since Tua got hurt, but he is now back at quarterback. Miami should return to being a playoff-caliber team, but they are at serious risk of missing the postseason given how bad they have been to start the year. The Jaguars, despite having Trevor Lawrence, have continued to struggle. Jacksonville is once again one of the league’s worst teams, and the Dolphins are desperate for a win, so Miami should win by a mile.

Expert Prediction: Dolphins 34, Jaguars 18

Analytics-Based Prediction: Dolphins 28, Jaguars 17

Vikings at Panthers

The Panthers have now lost two games in a row since starting the season 3-0 and appear to have fallen back down the earth. The Vikings barely got past the Lions last week, but it seems like Detroit has been in close games all year, even with very good teams. The Panthers will be desperate to win this game and get back on track, but given how poor they have been playing and how well the Vikings have played, that seems unlikely. Minnesota should be able to win regardless of whether or not Dalvin Cook plays, as Alexander Mattison has done a good job filling in.

Expert Prediction: Vikings 27, Panthers 21

Analytics-Based Prediction: Panthers 24, Vikings 20

Chargers at Ravens

The Chargers and Ravens are arguably two of the top three teams in the AFC, so this will be a great matchup. Justin Herbert has been playing at an MVP level and the Chargers have been the best team in the AFC West through five weeks. The Ravens haven’t looked as dominant as they were back in Lamar Jackson’s MVP season, but Baltimore has been better than it was last year. This will be a very close game, but ultimately, the Ravens have a better track record than the Chargers in close games and are at home, so they have a slight edge.

Expert Prediction: Ravens 35, Chargers 34

Analytics-Based Prediction: Chargers 40, Ravens 38

Rams at Giants

The Giants took a massive blow with Saquon Barkley’s injury, but they’re just happy that it wasn’t season ending. Saquon will likely miss this game, however, so the Giants will be seriously lacking talent on the offensive side of the ball. The Rams have a great defense and will be looking to build off last week’s win over the Seahawks, so New York will have a very hard time moving the ball. Matthew Stafford has looked great this year and should be able to carve up this Giants defense, so expect Los Angeles to win with ease.

Expert Prediction: Rams 30, Giants 14

Analytics-Based Prediction: Rams 34, Giants 17

Texans at Colts

The Texans almost won last week, but that seemed like more of a fluke than anything else. The Patriots played the worst they possibly could have played and they still ended up winning the game. That’s a testament to how bad the Texans are. The Colts have struggled all year, but this should be an easy win for them. Indianapolis will run the ball down Houston’s throat and Davis Mills should return to form. There is a slight chance that Houston stays in this game because it’s a divisional matchup, but that seems unlikely.

Expert Prediction: Colts 34, Texans 20

Analytics-Based Prediction: Colts 30, Texans 20

Chiefs at Washington

The Chiefs are desperate, as they are now two games behind the Chargers and are still last in the AFC West. Kansas City needs to turn things around fast if they want to continue being the NFL’s team to beat. For now, it looks like the Chiefs’ short reign as the top team in the league may have come to an end. Washington has been mediocre all season and Kansas City needs to win this game to stay alive, so they should be able to pull it off.

Expert Prediction: Chiefs 31, Washington 21

Analytics-Based Prediction: Chiefs 33, Washington 23

Packers at Bears

The Packers played in a closer game than expected last week, but the Bengals look like they’re for real, so that isn’t too concerning. The Bears have been surprisingly able to beat some solid teams this year, including the Raiders and the Bengals. Chicago always struggles against the Packers, however, and now they have a rookie quarterback playing. The Packers should be able to move the ball like they always do against the Bears, and Justin Fields will struggle against such a formidable opponent.

Expert Prediction: Packers 35, Bears 17

Analytics-Based Prediction: Packers 44, Bears 24

Bengals at Lions

Even though the Bengals lost last week, it should feel like a win. They went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the league and had multiple chances to win with a field goal. The Bengals are for real and will be a viable playoff contender all year. The Lions have seemingly found a new way to break the hearts of their fans every week, and this week should be no different. Expect a close game, as pretty much every Lions game has been close this year. Ultimately, Detroit will choke and the Bengals will get the win.

Expert Prediction: Bengals 31, Lions 30

Analytics-Based Prediction: Bengals 35, Lions 21

Cardinals at Browns

This will be a very good game between one of the best teams in the AFC and arguably the best team in the NFC. The Cardinals didn’t look great last week against the 49ers, but they were still able to get the win. Every good team has games like that, so it’s not worrisome. The Browns looked great last week despite losing, as they were able to put up 42 points on the Chargers defense. This should be a relatively close game, but the Cardinals have been on a hot streak and will want to return to form after a poor offensive performance, so they have an edge.

Expert Prediction: Cardinals 35, Browns 30

Analytics-Based Prediction: Browns 32, Cardinals 30

Cowboys at Patriots

The Patriots played poorly last week, but they still won. It’s encouraging to see New England win games like that, because last year they seemingly lost every one. Mac Jones has now gotten the Patriots into the position to win in New England’s three close games, and this time the Patriots actually converted. They have a shot at the playoffs, but they need to beat the Cowboys first. Dallas has been great all year, with one of the NFL’s best offenses and a massively improved defense. The Patriots defense should rebound after last week’s poor showing, and the Cowboys defense will struggle at times against a Patriots offense that has shown flashes of potential. The Cowboys are a better team, but the Patriots are desperate and are due to win a home game, so New England has a slight advantage.

Expert Prediction: Patriots 28, Cowboys 27

Analytics-Based Prediction: Cowboys 26, Patriots 24

Raiders at Broncos

The Raiders have looked better than the Broncos this year, but they have to deal with suddenly having a new head coach. That will be a tough transition that will certainly affect the Raiders this week. The Broncos aren’t as good as many believed them to be, as the second Denver started playing decent teams they started losing. This should be a close game, but ultimately, the adjustment that comes from a mid-season head coach switch is too much for the Raiders to overcome.

Expert Prediction: Broncos 21, Raiders 20

Analytics-Based Prediction: Raiders 27, Broncos 18

Seahawks at Steelers

The Seahawks appear bound to miss the playoffs after Russell Wilson’s injury. Geno Smith looked good when he filled in, but that was almost definitely a fluke. Once defenses have a full week to prepare for Smith, he’s going to drop off. The Steelers beat the Broncos, but they’re still mediocre at best. Big Ben is arguably the worst starting quarterback in the NFL and Pittsburgh just lost Juju to injury. Seattle has a slight chance because the Steelers have been so bad, but without Russell Wilson, they aren’t going to win many games.

Expert Prediction: Steelers 24, Seahawks 17

Analytics-Based Prediction: Steelers 20, Seahawks 14

Bills at Titans

The Bills have looked elite on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball this year. Buffalo has had arguably the best defense in the NFL through five games and the offense has picked up where it left off last year. The Titans have been a disappointment this season. Outside of Derrick Henry, this offense lacks playmakers with Julio Jones and A.J. Brown both dealing with injuries. The defense is straight up bad. Buffalo should move the ball with ease and while they might struggle to stop Derrick Henry at times, the defense should play well. Expect the Bills to win easily.

Expert Prediction: Bills 38, Titans 24

Analytics-Based Prediction: Bills 41, Titans 31