12 Dec. 2021 1:00 p.m. ET Game
Jaguars @ Titans
Jacksonville is a mess and Urban Meyer’s short-lived tenure there could be coming to an end sooner than later. Trevor Lawrence has 0 pass TD in 4 of his last 5 games and the team has scored 17 points or fewer in each of their last 6 games since their Week 7 bye. Meanwhile, Tennessee has lost two straight but a bye week was much needed for this team to get back into a rhythm and a lop-sided matchup will give this team their confidence back.
Score: 27-13, Titans Win.
Cowboys @ Washington
Dallas seems to be getting back in rhythm with a dominant road win last Thursday against the Saints. However, it’s tough to forget that this team has lost 3 of their last 5 games, and this week they take on the Washington Football Team that has won 4 straight.
In fact, Washington is 5-2 vs NFC East teams since 2020, sweeping Dallas last season, however, the Football Team has not won 3 straight against Dallas since 1986-88. The Cowboys will need to be clicking on all cylinders if they want to take down a Washington team that should not be underestimated.
Dak Prescott has a sub-80 passer rating in 3 of his last 5 games and the run game with Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard doesn’t look all that convincing either.
Both running backs have looked great for Dallas, but the issue this week comes with Pollard popping up on the injury report which doesn’t help as Elliott has fewer than 50 rush yards in 4 straight games. It’s tough to imagine Mike McCarthy putting all the weight on the passing attack with two good running backs.
Meanwhile, Washington could control the clock and time of possession with a strong run game paired with Taylor Heinicke’s efficiency. Heinicke has a 110.0 passer rating during the team’s 4-game win streak. This Washington team could give Dallas problems down the stretch as they seem to be riding high on a 4-game win streak.
Score: 26-23, Washington Wins.
Seahawks @ Texans
Houston’s season seems to be a lost cause and the team has turned to rookie Davis Mills to start at quarterback for the remainder of the season. The team is averaging a league-low 13.7 PPG this season and Mills doesn’t seem capable enough in his young career to elevate that abysmal stat.
The Stanford product takes on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks who have an uncharacteristic 4-8 record despite having talent on both sides of the ball. It’s worth noting Wilson is 43-8 in his career against teams that lost 10+ games in a season (Texans are 2-10) so this game should be a cakewalk.
Score: 29-17, Seahawks Win.
Saints @ Jets
There’s not a whole lot to read into this matchup. New Orleans has lost 5 straight games for the first time since 2005, but that losing streak should come to an end against the Jets. Although the team has averaged 19.6 PPG while allowing 29.6 PPG since Week 9, the defense should see a favorable matchup against rookie QB Zach Wilson as the offense welcomes RB Alvin Kamara back. I’d still expect a high-scoring affair between two teams that have shown vulnerability in their secondaries.
Score: 31-26, Saints Win.
Raiders @ Chiefs
These two AFC West rivals have had a tale of two seasons. After starting the season with a record of 3-4, Kansas City has won 5 straight as Las Vegas started the year 5-2 and have lost 4 of their last 5 games. The last time these two teams met (Week 10), the Raiders were held to a mere 14 points. In fact, the Chiefs have allowed 17 points or fewer in their 5 straight games (5-0 record), but the team has struggled offensively at home putting up fewer than 25 points in 6 straight home games.
Perhaps it’s safe to temper the scoring expectations of this matchup but ultimately, Kansas City should come out on top and head coach Andy Reid can add to his respectable 14-3 record vs Raiders since 2013.
Score: 24-16, Chiefs Win.
Ravens @ Browns
For the second time in three weeks, the Ravens and Browns will battle it out with playoff implications on the line. Both teams have struggled greatly on offense due to the play of Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson.
This game is going to come down to which offense can capitalize on turnovers. In their Week 12 tilt, Jackson threw 4 interceptions as Mayfield lost a fumble he sure wishes he could have back. The game ended in a 16-10 win for the Ravens, low-scoring especially for Cleveland that out up a mere 10 points after Jackson’s 4 interceptions.
Ultimately, when it comes to picking a winner, it’s tough to bet against either team. The Ravens are 10-4 against teams coming off a bye week in the John Harbaugh era and the Browns are 2-5 against the Ravens with Mayfield (lost 4 straight).
History may suggest otherwise, but the Browns getting that extra week of rest and ready to play the same Baltimore team they lost to by a mere 6 points makes me tilted to pick the home team in this contest.
Score: 26-20, Browns Win.
Falcons @ Panthers
Matt Ryan has fewer than 2 pass TD in 4 straight games and the Falcons have been outscored 112-41 since Week 10. The team has averaged an abysmal 10.3 PPG while allowing 28.0 PPG in that same span.
Carolina is coming off a bye week and the team has gotten a full week of work with Cam Newton back at the helm. A win at home seems long overdue since Newton’s return to Charlotte.
Score: 27-17, Panthers Win.
