(9-4) San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
The Seattle Seahawks suffered a devastating defeat last week at home to the Carolina Panthers (30-24). As it stands, the Seahawks sit second in the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would just miss out on the playoffs. As for the 49ers, Brock Purdy stepped up as San Francisco thrashed Tampa Bay 35-7 to move their winning streak up to 6 games. As it stands, the Niners sit top of the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would take the number 3 seed. Overall, I am picking the 49ers to win this game. I think it will be close but San Fran have such a good defense which will help them pick up the victory and seal the NFC West.
(4-8-1) Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
The Minnesota Vikings hit a bump in the road last week after suffering a 23-34 loss to the Detroit Lions. As it stands, the Vikings still sit comfortably top of the NFC North and if the season ended today, they would take the number 2 seed. As for Indianapolis, they come into this week fresh after having their bye week last time out. As it stands, the Colts sit third in the AFC South and if the season ended today, they would finish as the third worst team in the AFC. Overall, I am picking the Vikings to win this one. How much they win by depends on how well they play but they should be able to pick up the W and seal top spot in the NFC North.
(9-4) Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns (5-8)
The Cleveland Browns suffered a 23-10 loss on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. As it stands, the Browns sit third in the AFC North and if the season ended today, they would be a few wins off the playoffs. As for Baltimore, they just about got over the line against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week (16-14). It’s the type of win that you need to have if you are going to be successful in the playoffs. As it stands, the Ravens sit top of the AFC North and if the season ended today, they would take the number 3 seed. Overall, I am going with the Ravens. This game might be close but I would still expect the Ravens to come out on top. They need to if they want to win this division.
(8-5) Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (10-3)
The Buffalo Bills picked up a massive victory last time out at home to the New York Jets (20-12). As it stands, the Bills sit top of the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 1 overall seed in the AFC. As for Miami, they suffered their second successive loss, this time against the Los Angeles Chargers (17-23). As it stands, the Dolphins sit second in the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 6 seed. Overall, I am going with the Bills. The Bills are on a roll right now (4 wins in a row) and they look destined to take the number 1 seed whilst the Dolphins are really starting to struggle when the pressure is on them.
(5-8) Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (4-9)
The New Orleans Saints come into this game off the back of a bye. Before their bye, they went 1-4 in their past 5 games. As it stands, the Saints sit bottom of the NFC South and if the season ended today, the Saints would finish as the third worst team in the NFC. As for Atlanta, they also participated in their bye week last time out and before that, they were also 1-4 in their last 5 games. As it stands, the Falcons sit third in the NFC South and if the season ended today, they would only finish 2 places higher than their opponents in the NFC Standings. Overall, I am going to pick the Falcons. The Falcons haven’t been very good this year whilst the Saints have performed well below expectations. Desmond Ridder is going to make his NFL starting debut this week and I think he could be pretty good. That’s why I’m going with Atlanta.
(12-1) Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears (3-10)
The Chicago Bears sat through their bye week last week trying to work out how to win football games. The reason I say this is they come into this game on the back of 6 defeats. As it stands, the Bears sit bottom of the NFC North and if the season ended today, they would finish as the worst team in the NFC. As for Philadelphia, they went to New York to battle the Giants in a tight contest. That didn’t happen as the Eagles managed to win the game 48-22. As it stands, the Eagles sit top of the NFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 1 seed in the NFC and they would also have the honour of having the best record in the entire league. They are also the only team who has secured a spot in the playoffs. Overall, I am definetly picking the Eagles. This is one of those weird games that will probably see the Bears lead at one point but the Eagles will get over the line in the end. If that doesn’t happen, the Eagles will win by about 40 points!
(6-7) Detroit Lions @ New York Jets (7-6)
The New York Jets suffered a loss to the Buffalo Bills last week that puts their playoff hopes in a bit of jeopardy. As it stands, the Jets sit bottom of the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would just miss out on the playoffs due to their record against teams in their division. As for Detroit, they picked up an impressive victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week to keep their unlikely playoff hopes alive. As it stands, the Lions sit second in the NFC North and if the season ended today, the Lions would end up as the 9th best team in the NFC which would be pretty impressive. Overall, I am picking the Lions in this one. I think the Jets are struggling to keep up with their playoff push whilst the Lions are really finding their form. The Jets could easily win but I’m going to have faith in Detroit.
(5-8) Pittsburgh Steelers @ Carolina Panthers (5-8)
The Carolina Panthers picked up a massive victory on the road last time out against the Seattle Seahawks (30-24). As it stands, the Panthers sit second in the NFC South and if the season ended today, they would miss out on the playoffs by just 1 game. As for Pittsburgh, they suffered a frustrating 2 point defeat against the Baltimore Ravens. As it stands, the Steelers sit bottom of the AFC North and if the season ended today, they would comfortably miss out on the playoffs. Overall, I am going with Carolina. The Panthers have the best form of anyone in the NFC South and if they keep that up, they could be hosting playoff football which is pretty ridiculous.
Comments