Broncos at Browns
The Broncos have certainly returned to form after starting the year strong against three horrible teams. Denver is looking like a below average team and should continue losing to decent opponents. The Browns looked really bad against the Cardinals, but Arizona is one of the best teams in the NFL. Cleveland is decimated with injuries, however, so this will be a very tough game. Both the Browns and the Broncos are going to play poorly in this matchup, so the home team has the advantage.
Expert Prediction: Browns 21, Broncos 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Broncos 28, Browns 27
Chiefs at Titans
The Chiefs got things together late against Washington, but they did not play well. The game was far less lopsided than the score would indicate. Kansas City simply doesn’t look like the Chiefs of old, and last week was far from encouraging. The Titans were able to get a huge upset against the Bills last week, but Tennessee has been incredibly inconsistent all year. If the Titans play their best, they have a great chance at winning, but if they play their worst, the Chiefs will kill them. Ultimately, the Titans seem unlikely to have two great games in a row, so the Chiefs have the edge.
Expert Prediction: Chiefs 30, Titans 24
Analytics-Based Prediction: Titans 38, Chiefs 35
Washington at Packers
Washington continued to disappoint last week when they got killed in a game in which they were in a position to win. The Packers were able to beat the Bears and continue on their winning streak, so Green Bay should once again be a high-end playoff team. The Packers haven’t looked like a top 3 team in the NFC though, so their days as a perennial Super Bowl contender might be over. Nonetheless, Washington is a poor team, so Green Bay should get an easy win.
Expert Prediction: Packers 28, Washington 13
Analytics-Based Prediction: Packers 31, Washington 21
Bengals at Ravens
The Ravens shut down what had looked like a dominant Chargers offense and will look to continue building on their great season. The Ravens look similar to how they were back in Lamar Jackson’s MVP season. The Bengals have been significantly better than expected this year, but they are not in the same class as the Ravens. Throw in the fact that Baltimore is at home, and the Ravens have the advantage. This game will be very close, though, as it’s a divisional matchup between two playoff-caliber teams.
Expert Prediction: Ravens 28, Bengals 24
Analytics-Based Prediction: Bengals 30, Ravens 28
Panthers at Giants
The Panthers are due for a win, as they are on a three game losing streak. Luckily for them, they are playing one of the worst teams in the NFL in the Giants. Outside of one surprising win over the Saints, the Giants have been bad all year. They have a horrible offense and a below-average defense. New York won’t be able to move the ball against this Panthers defense, and for that reason, expect a blowout.
Expert Prediction: Panthers 24, Giants 7
Analytics-Based Prediction: Panthers 27, Giants 3
Falcons at Dolphins
Even with Tua back, the Dolphins found a way to lose to the Jaguars. It seems like Tua’s injury has completely derailed Miami’s season and destroyed their confidence. Now they are looking like one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Falcons have struggled as well, as in addition to an atrocious defense, Atlanta’s offense has fallen off without Julio Jones. The Dolphins are due for a win and are a better team on paper, so they have the advantage.
Expert Prediction: Dolphins 27, Falcons 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Falcons 24, Dolphins 23
Jets at Patriots
The Patriots once again found a way to lose a close game. New England could easily be 5-1 right now, but these are issues that date back to last year. It’s no longer possible to argue that they have bad luck; the Patriots just aren’t good in close games. Mac Jones has been great, but this team has constantly made poor mistakes and they are seemingly out of the playoff picture already. The Jets are the same old Jets, however, and no matter how far New England has fallen, they won’t lose this game. Expect an easy win for the Patriots.
Expert Prediction: Patriots 31, Jets 14
Analytics-Based Prediction: Patriots 27, Jets 7
Eagles at Raiders
The Raiders seemed like they didn’t miss a beat even with John Gruden out of the picture, so Las Vegas’s season hasn’t been ruined after all. The Eagles have not been good this year despite being in some close games, so the Raiders are definitely in a position to win. The Eagles defense will have trouble stopping this Vegas offense and the Raiders should be able to shut down Jalen Hurts and co., so the Raiders should be able to win this game.
Expert Prediction: Raiders 35, Eagles 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Raiders 32, Eagles 22
Lions at Rams
The Lions finally played in a blowout game instead of coming close to winning before choking at the last second. Detroit was destroyed by the Bengals and will likely continue that trend this week against the Rams. The Lions are one of the worst teams in the NFL and the Rams are looking like a Super Bowl contender. This will be Jared Goff’s chance to play against his former team, and odds are, it won’t go too well for him.
Expert Prediction: Rams 38, Lions 14
Analytics-Based Prediction: Rams 44, Lions 14
Bears at Buccaneers
This will be Tom Brady’s chance to redeem himself for the infamous 4th down where Brady got confused and thought it was 3rd. Luckily for him, the Bears aren’t a very good team. They have a rookie quarterback and should struggle mightily against this Buccaneers defense, and on the other side of the ball, the Buccaneers have too many weapons for Chicago to slow. The Bears aren’t atrocious, so this shouldn’t be a blowout, but it also shouldn’t be super close.
Expert Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Bears 17
Analytics-Based Prediction: Buccaneers 35, Bears 25
Texans at Cardinals
The Texans have been awful in all aspects of the game this year and now they’re going up against arguably the best team in the NFL. The Cardinals should be able to move the ball up and down the field against this Texans defense and Davis Mills will struggle against this high-end Cardinals defense. This one should be over by halftime.
Expert Prediction: Cardinals 41, Texans 17
Analytics-Based Prediction: Cardinals 37, Texans 20
Colts at 49ers
The 49ers are going to be getting Jimmy Garoppolo back from his injury this week, so the offense should run a lot more smoothly. Trey Lance is good on the ground, but he needs more time to develop as a passer. The Colts have been struggling this year, but in their last three games they have started to play better. Jonathan Taylor has looked great, so this Colts offense has started to take off. This game will be close, but ultimately, the Colts need to keep winning if they want to stay alive in the playoff picture, so they have a slight edge.
Expert Prediction: Colts 28, 49ers 27
Analytics-Based Prediction: 49ers 31, Colts 30
Saints at Seahawks
The Seahawks were struggling with Russell Wilson, so naturally things were a disaster without him. Seattle lost to a Steelers team that has constantly struggled to move the ball this year and is now looking like it will miss the playoffs. The Saints have been inconsistent all year, but most teams could beat Seattle at this point in the year. Expect New Orleans to win in a blowout.
Expert Prediction: Saints 33, Seahawks 14
Analytics-Based Prediction: Saints 40, Seahawks 20