With high school basketball back in action this weekend, we’re doing a brief run through this week’s NFL games.
On to the picks:
Indianapolis at Buffalo
With a possible Nathan Peterman-Jacoby Brissett quarterback matchup and wintry conditions in play, don’t expect this game to be pretty. The Bills need to rack up some wins to keep their playoff hopes alive, and this week is as good a chance as any against the lowly Colts.
Nick’s pick: BILLS
Chicago at Cincinnati
The Bengals haven’t played all that poorly this year, but a bad offensive line and some tough losses will lead to them most likely missing the playoffs — and longtime head coach Marvin Lewis losing his job. Chicago’s John Fox is also on the hot seat after an embarrassing loss to the 49ers last week.
Nick’s pick: BENGALS
Green Bay at Cleveland
If the Packers can hang around for just a bit longer, the imminent return of Aaron Rodgers could make for a very interesting last couple of weeks in the NFC playoff hunt. As for the Browns, they are in the midst of yet another front office shake up, and are staring a winless season right in the face.
Nick’s pick: PACKERS
Oakland at Kansas City
A game that holds a lot more importance than it would have two months ago. With the Chiefs in free fall, the AFC West is wide open. Despite a generally disappointing season, the Raiders can leap past their rivals in the standings with a win this Sunday.
Dallas at N.Y. Giants
The Giants get a fresh start after completely overhauling their front office, as Eli Manning will head back under center after the Geno Smith experience came to an abrupt end. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are still trying to get by with major injuries (and absences) up and down the lineup.
Nick’s pick: COWBOYS
Detroit at Tampa Bay
Two thoroughly unimpressive teams that both looked bad in their respective losses last week. While the Bucs’ season is essentially over, they can still play the spoiler here if their offense can get its act together.
Nick’s pick: BUCCANEERS
Minnesota at Carolina
The Vikings are right up there in the conversation with the Pats, Eagles, and Steelers as the most complete team in the NFL. They can beat you in so many ways. The Panthers need a rebound win at home, but it could be tough to come by against that Minnesota defense.
Nick’s pick: VIKINGS
San Francisco at Houston
You won’t see many games where a team scores on only field goals and wins, but that was the case with the Niners last week. That probably won’t be enough this week against a solid Houston defense.
Nick’s pick: TEXANS
N.Y. Jets at Denver
There probably weren’t a lot of people who thought that the Jets would have more wins than the Broncos this year, but New York has been a tough out all season. Denver, on the other hand, looks like a team that has given up.
Nick’s pick: JETS
Tennessee at Arizona
Somehow the Titans sit at 8-4 despite having allowed more points than they’ve scored. That doesn’t bode well when and if they make it to the playoffs. Arizona feels like a team in need of an overhaul, with big changes possibly coming in the next month or so.
Nick’s pick: TITANS
Washington at L.A. Chargers
Philip Rivers and Kirk Cousins are playing pretty good football right now. The big difference, though, is that Cousins’ team has been absolutely decimated by injuries, while the Chargers are rolling over people en route to what could be a miraculous turnaround.
Nick’s pick: CHARGERS
Philadelphia at L.A. Rams
A huge NFC battle that just happens to pit the top two picks of the 2016 Draft in Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. Both are in the midst of breakout campaigns and have their respective teams looking like legitimate contenders. In a close contest, I give the slight edge to Philly based on its dominant defense.
Nick’s pick: EAGLES
Seattle at Jacksonville
Two extremely strong defensive units go head-to-head in a fascinating cross-conference matchup. Russell Wilson proved last week that he is indeed one of the very best quarterbacks in the game, and you’d have to favor him in any matchup with Blake Bortles on the other side.
Nick’s pick: SEAHAWKS
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Another week, another AFC North game in prime time. We can only hope this contest is a little easier to watch than last week’s bloodletting. The Ravens’ defense is no joke, but they haven’t faced an offense with the firepower that Pittsburgh possesses.
Nick’s pick: STEELERS
New England at Miami
It’s a testament to how good the Patriots are when Tom Brady has an “off” day and New England can still win by 20 points. The Dolphins shouldn’t provide much more resistance than the Bills did last week, on either side of the ball.
Nick’s pick: PATRIOTS
Last week: 10-5
Overall: 107-56
