Thursday Night Football: Vikings @ Rams 7:15 PM (Prime Video)

Oddly enough, there are no teams on a bye this week, so we have a full slate of 16 games. Kicking things off will be the Vikings and Rams. The Vikings are coming off a 31-29 loss to the Lions and will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat. The good news for Minnesota is that they’ll be facing a less potent offense this week, as the Rams have only surpassed 21 points once this season.

The Vikings would also like to see Sam Darnold put together a clean game after two subpar performances against the Jets and Lions. He’ll be up against a middle-tier passing defense, but expect Minnesota to lean on the run game, as the Rams rank third-worst in the league in run defense.

For the Rams to have a chance, their defense will need to rise to the occasion like it did last week. However, there’s a big difference between stopping the struggling Raiders and holding off the Vikings, who are averaging 28 points per game. A key factor to watch will be how many sacks Darnold takes—he was sacked four times in last week’s loss to the Lions.

Prediction: 27-18 Vikings

Sunday Noon Window

Eagles @ Bengals (CBS)

This could be a pivotal matchup in determining the Bengals’ playoff hopes. After starting the season 0-3, Cincinnati has turned things around, winning three of their last four and looking to reach .500 for the first time this year. Football can be unpredictable—despite the Bengals’ offensive efforts, they are 1-3 in games where they’ve scored 25 points or more and 2-1 in games where they’ve scored 21 points or fewer. Their defense has gained confidence after facing two struggling offenses in the Browns and Giants, but now they face a much tougher challenge in the Eagles.

The Eagles just posted 28 points on the Giants, with Saquon Barkley rushing for over 170 yards and A.J. Brown notching 89 receiving yards and his third touchdown of the season. It looked as though Philadelphia wasn’t even trying to show much, but they didn’t need to against the Giants. On defense, the Eagles have held three of their last four opponents to 16 points or fewer.

The deciding factor in this game will likely be which performs better—the Eagles’ slightly above-average pass defense or the Bengals’ slightly above-average run defense. The Eagles’ pass rush sacked Daniel Jones eight times last week, and we all know the Bengals’ ongoing struggle to keep Joe Burrow upright.

Prediction: 28-23 Eagles

Ravens @ Browns (CBS)

The Browns will be walking into this game like doomed gladiators saying, “moritūrī tē salūtant”—”those who are about to die salute you.” This matchup could get ugly fast. Even with Deshaun Watson, the Ravens would be heavy favorites, but with Watson sidelined and the Browns’ defense seemingly out of fight, it’s hard to see any scenario where the Ravens lose.

The only slight hesitation comes from the Ravens’ defensive struggles, as they allowed 31 points to the Buccaneers last week. However, to be fair, 21 of those points came in the fourth quarter when the Ravens were already up 34-10, making it mostly garbage-time accumulation. On the other side of the ball, the Ravens’ offense continues to dominate, with Derrick Henry adding 169 rushing yards, including an 81-yard run, further strengthening his Hall of Fame case.

The Browns, meanwhile, are in disarray—without their starting quarterback, having just traded top wide receiver Amari Cooper, and with a defense that appears to have given up. Their lone bright spot might be Nick Chubb, but even he faces an uphill battle against the league’s top-ranked run defense. If the Ravens want to prove themselves as Super Bowl contenders, they need to win this game decisively.

Prediction: 28-13 Ravens

Titans @ Lions (FOX)

This game looks like a predictable mismatch, with the NFC’s top-seeded Detroit Lions hosting the struggling Tennessee Titans, who just traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs. While an upset seems highly unlikely, don’t be surprised if the game turns out to be lower scoring than many expect.

The Lions come into this matchup fresh off a gutsy road win against the Vikings, secured by a last-minute field goal, with their defense forcing a Hail Mary to end the game. This week, they won’t have to worry about stars like Justin Jefferson or Aaron Jones, so expect a solid performance from Detroit’s middle-of-the-pack defense. However, offensively, the Lions could face some resistance from a Titans defense that, despite their struggles, remains a solid unit.

That said, Tennessee is coming off a rough performance, having surrendered 34 points to Josh Allen and the Bills, including being outscored 27-0 in the second half. The Titans are a classic case of a team trying to maintain an identity with subpar personnel, particularly with the significant drop-off from Derrick Henry to Tony Pollard. While this game might be Tennessee’s last stand, and they’ll likely show some fight, they simply don’t have the offensive weapons to keep up with the Lions.

Prediction: 21-10 Lions

Cardinals @ Dolphins (FOX)

The analysis of this game shifted dramatically with the announcement that Tua Tagovailoa will start at quarterback for the Dolphins. There’s no need to dwell on how much the Dolphins’ offense has struggled without him because they are a completely different team when he’s on the field. If Tua stays healthy, Miami could win four of their next five games and push back into playoff contention. However, his health remains a significant concern.

On the surface, the Cardinals are coming off a strong defensive performance, holding the Chargers to 15 points and allowing their offense enough time to kick the game-winning field goal. But a closer look reveals they gave up more than 350 passing yards to Justin Herbert, which doesn’t bode well against a fully healthy Dolphins’ passing attack. The key question will be whether Miami’s defense can contain Kyler Murray’s mobility to keep Arizona from pulling away.

Tua has performed well in his previous two returns from concussions. While concerns about his safety persist, his ability to throw the ball is unquestioned. The Cardinals are one of the league’s most inconsistent teams, and with both teams desperate for a win, this game has the potential to be a thrilling matchup.

Prediction: 24-20 Dolphins

Jets @ Patriots (CBS)

The NFL’s most chaotic reality show, the New York Jets, continues to embarrass themselves week after week. Davante Adams was promised a “rose garden” in New York, but instead, he’s found himself on yet another 2-5 team that’s wasting the final years of his career. The Jets looked competitive for about a quarter and a half against the Steelers, but then Russell Wilson shredded their once-proud defense, hanging 37 points on them.

The silver lining for the Jets is that they’re playing the Patriots, one of the few teams even worse than them this season. The last time these two teams met, the Jets won 24-3, a game that signaled the start of the Drake Maye era in New England after the Patriots benched Jacoby Brissett. While Maye has shown flashes of promise in games against the Texans and Jaguars, he doesn’t have enough support around him to turn those flashes into wins.

With the Jets’ pass rush back at full strength, expect them to dominate the Patriots’ offensive line, which has arguably been the worst in the league. For the Jets, the key will be to avoid the costly mistakes that have plagued them all season. If they can avoid turnovers and put up 21 points, they should be able to win this game.

Prediction: 24-12 Jets

Falcons @ Buccaneers (FOX)

These two teams met just a few weeks ago in Atlanta and delivered an absolute thriller, with the Falcons pulling out a 36-30 overtime win, thanks to a 500-yard day from Kirk Cousins. Both defenses were unable to contain the opposing quarterbacks, as the offenses moved the ball up and down the field with ease. The question now is: Will we see another high-scoring shootout this week?

The Buccaneers are coming off a 41-31 loss to the Ravens—a score that looks closer than the game really was, as Tampa Bay trailed 34-10 entering the fourth quarter. The Falcons, on the other hand, are fresh off a lackluster performance, losing 34-14 to the Seahawks in a game where their offense struggled to find rhythm. However, this time the Falcons will face a Buccaneers squad that’s down their two top receiving options, with both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out for the foreseeable future.

On defense, neither team holds a clear advantage, as both the Falcons and Buccaneers have been inconsistent. The X-factor will likely be the Falcons’ running game, which has thrived behind the dynamic duo of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. They’ll be facing a Tampa Bay run defense that just got torched by the Ravens, giving Atlanta a potential edge on the ground.

Prediction: 27-24 Falcons

Packers @ Jaguars (FOX)

If you look up the definition of “trap game,” this matchup might be the perfect example. The Packers are coming off a dramatic win against the Texans and have a showdown with the Lions next week, creating the potential for them to overlook this week’s opponent, the Jaguars. Jacksonville finally put together a solid performance, beating the Patriots 32-16 while racking up over 300 yards of offense and committing no turnovers.

This game marks the start of a brutal stretch for the Jaguars, and if they hope to make a serious playoff push, they can only afford a couple more losses. That sense of desperation, combined with the Packers’ tendency to live dangerously, could make this game more interesting than expected. The key for Green Bay will be minimizing mistakes from Jordan Love, who will face the league’s second-worst pass defense in terms of yards allowed per game.

The Jaguars have also struggled to generate takeaways, recording just three all season, while the Packers lead the league with 17. Expect Green Bay to target tight end Tucker Kraft early and often, as Jacksonville has consistently struggled to defend opposing tight ends, giving up 8 catches for 92 yards to Hunter Henry last week.

Prediction: 27-23 Packers

Colts @ Texans (CBS)

I didn’t realize it until I started researching, but this game will decide first place in the AFC South. The Texans won the first matchup of the season 29-27, with both C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson combining for 460 yards of offense and five touchdowns.

The Texans’ offense has been steady, though somewhat underwhelming given their talent, but their defense has been one of the more consistent units week in and week out. Consistency is what’s holding the Colts back from being a true contender. For every “wow” moment from Richardson, there are three more that make you question why he was drafted in the top five.

On paper, the Texans are clearly the better team. The only question is whether the Colts’ defense has finally turned a corner and become a respectable unit. While they’ve improved, it’s worth noting that anyone can look good against Snoop Huntley and Will Levis. As long as the Texans avoid giving the Colts cheap points, they should win this game comfortably.

Prediction: 26-17 Texans

Sunday Afternoon Window

Saints @ Chargers (FOX)

Remember when the Saints started 2-0 and were scoring 40 points a game? Good times. Since then, they’ve averaged just 17 points per game and have lost their last five contests. Part of the Saints’ collapse is due to regression, but injuries have also played a significant role. With Derek Carr expected to return after missing the last two games, the Saints might be able to diversify their offense and hopefully spark a unit that’s been struggling.

The Chargers, meanwhile, remain one of the NFL’s most frustrating teams. Justin Herbert threw for over 350 yards last week but failed to record a single touchdown. Los Angeles has flipped from being an offensive powerhouse with a shaky defense to a team that’s solid defensively but mediocre on offense. The good news for the Chargers is that their run-heavy approach should exploit a Saints defense that’s allowing 5.6 yards per carry to running backs.

As the saying goes, “defense wins championships,” and while neither of these teams is on track for a Lombardi Trophy this season, the team with the better defense should come out on top in this matchup.

Prediction: 21-17 Chargers

Bills @ Seahawks (FOX)

Every week, there’s a game that doesn’t sit right with me—one that seems like a no-doubt pick but often turns into a dogfight by the time Sunday arrives and the pigskin starts flying. This matchup is one of those games.

On the surface, the Buffalo Bills appear to be the superior team, led by a quarterback playing the best football of his career. They just recorded a resounding victory last week. However, a closer look reveals similarities between these two squads. Both teams prefer to air it out, both have enigmatic defenses, and neither has beaten a certified playoff team this season. Seattle came the closest, earning a dominant win over Atlanta last week, but calling a 4-3 Falcons team a “certified playoff team” might be a stretch.

I believe there’s a strong chance this could be the game of the week, likely coming down to the final drive. Seattle has always been a tough place to win, and with the Bills making a cross-country flight, they may come out a bit slow. While the odds heavily favor Buffalo, I have a feeling this game might defy expectations.

Prediction: 31-28 Seahawks

Panthers @ Broncos  (CBS)

I really feel for Panthers fans. Last week, they faced one of the more mediocre defenses in Washington and managed to score just one measly touchdown. To add insult to injury, Jayden Daniels barely played in that game, and they got scorched by Marcus Mariota, who looked like he was back at Oregon during his Heisman Trophy-winning season. This situation underscores how mismanagement from incompetent ownership can wreck a franchise.

The Broncos may not be a great team, but they are an honest one. Against teams with actual quarterbacks and defenses, they lose most of the time, as expected. However, when they face trainwrecks like the Panthers, they win with ease. Bo Nix has channeled the spirit of Tim Tebow, finding a way to win games by doing the bare minimum at quarterback while letting his defense do all the heavy lifting.

By hook or by crook, the Broncos have reached 20 points more often than not this season, and I don’t expect that to change against the Panthers. Carolina finds itself in an incredibly difficult position—up a certain unmentionable creek without a paddle or a franchise-caliber quarterback available in this year’s draft. The only thing Panthers fans can hope for is that Russell Wilson considers them in free agency.

Prediction: 22-13 Broncos

Bears @ Commanders (CBS)

This is why you never get your hopes up. A week ago, I was excited about this game, anticipating a matchup between the first two overall picks in this year’s draft, with both teams showing signs of life on offense. Now, with Jayden Daniels likely out, all the excitement has faded. While Marcus Mariota is more than capable of leading the Commanders, it’s just not the same without Daniels.

Caleb Williams, on the other hand, has quietly started finding his rhythm, leading the Bears to an impressive 4-2 start. However, those four wins have come against teams that have a combined six wins through seven weeks, which makes this game feel like a lose-lose scenario for the Bears. If they win, it won’t matter much because Daniels isn’t playing. If they lose, they’ll likely be labeled as frauds and pretenders. While I’m not completely sold on the Bears yet, I’ve seen enough from Williams and their defense to avoid any knee-jerk reactions after this game.

If the Commanders want to pull out a win, it will likely have to be in a shootout, as I don’t see them repeating their lockdown defensive effort from last week against the Panthers. Mariota is a seasoned veteran and knows how to manage games, but with Williams at quarterback, the Bears are simply the better team.

Prediction: 26-20 Bears

Chiefs @ Raiders (FOX)

If you told the public before the season that the Chiefs would be 6-0 with a top-10 offense in terms of yards and a defense that’s only allowed one team to eclipse 20 points, they’d assume Patrick Mahomes was playing at his usual MVP level. But in the strange reality of football, Mahomes has looked more like Matt Cassel, and the Chiefs are one of the most injury-riddled teams in the league. Yet, they remain undefeated heading into their first matchup of the season against the Raiders.

Last season, the Raiders handed the Chiefs a humbling loss that sparked Kansas City’s Super Bowl run, and the Chiefs haven’t lost a game since. This time around, the Raiders’ offense doesn’t seem to match up well with a Chiefs defense that intercepted Brock Purdy three times last week and stifled the 49ers’ rushing attack. The Raiders’ defense, which has regressed to a middle-of-the-road unit, is coming off a solid outing against the Rams, but it still faces an uphill battle.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce once boldly claimed after beating the Chiefs last season that he had developed a defensive scheme, calling it the “Mahomes Rules,” that Kansas City couldn’t figure out. The Raiders have made similar bold statements before, only to have it blow up in their faces after rare victories over the Chiefs. Kansas City has never lost in Allegiant Stadium, and it’s hard to imagine that streak ending this week.

Prediction: 28-17 Chiefs

Sunday Night Football: Cowboys @ 49ers 7:20 PM (NBC)

You talk about a must-win game, and this one certainly qualifies for both sides. The Cowboys desperately needed their bye last week, much like flowers need rain, while the 49ers are in dire need of a victory just to keep pace in the competitive NFC West. Dallas is hoping the week off allowed their heavily penalized and underperforming defense to regroup. The availability of Micah Parsons, a game-time decision, will be pivotal. If he’s not ready, don’t expect much bite from the Cowboys’ defense.

Meanwhile, 49ers fans are hovering over the panic button, but they haven’t pressed it just yet. Jordan Mason became the first primary running back to average more than four yards per carry against the Chiefs, though much of that came on a single 26-yard run. George Kittle had a solid outing in their last game, but with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel listed as questionable, San Francisco’s passing attack is looking thin.

The stakes couldn’t be higher—whoever loses this game will have their fanbase at DEFCON 1, as both of these early-season contenders are now scrambling to right the ship at the midway point. The key matchup will be the 49ers’ pass defense versus the Cowboys’ run defense, as whichever unit performs better could guide their team to a crucial win.

Prediction: 24-23 49ers

Monday Night Football: Giants @ Steelers 7:15 PM (ESPN/ABC)

Never let anyone tell you East Coast bias isn’t real. The New York Giants, who were terrible last year and expected to be just as bad this year, are playing their third primetime game in five weeks—this time on Monday Night Football. Fresh off a 28-3 drubbing by the Eagles, Big Blue remains stuck on the hamster wheel of mediocrity. The one thing the Giants do well is rush the passer, as they lead the league with 31 sacks.

Their opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, come in hot after a dominant win over the Jets. Russell Wilson has brought a much-needed passing threat to what had been a one-dimensional offense, allowing Najee Harris to have one of his most efficient performances in a Steelers uniform with 102 yards and 4.9 yards per carry. The question will be how Pittsburgh attacks a Giants defense that just gave up over 170 yards to Saquon Barkley.

For years, the Steelers have been pretenders—consistently posting winning seasons but lacking a legitimate passing game to take them further. With Wilson under center, they now have an offense that complements their elite defense, making them potential contenders to challenge the Chiefs for AFC supremacy. The Giants, on the other hand, may very well be looking for a new head coach by season’s end.

Prediction: 28-12 Steelers

Overall Record: 71-36 (Last Week 12-3)