_edited_ed.jpg)
(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
#1 Zach (41-26)
#2 Ryan (41-26)
#3 Patrick (40-27)
#4 Maher (39-28)
#5 James (39-28)
#6 Vince (37-30)
Cleveland Browns (8-3) @ Tennessee Titans (8-3)
Current Lines: TEN -5.5 || O/U 53.5
Both of these teams are currently in prime position to make a playoff appearance this year. The Browns are on a 3 game winning streak and with matchups against the Jets and Giants still left on the schedule they’re have great odds to finish the year with 10 wins. The Nick Chubb / Kareem Hunt duo has been the league’s best by far. Chubb is averaging 102.7 per game and as a team Cleveland leads the entire league in rush yards per game. Baker Mayfield had a solid outing last week against the Jags throwing 2 TD’s and 250+ yards leading the Browns to a 27-25 victory. With DPOY candidate Myles Garrett being activated from the covid list this week, the Browns expect to have him back Sunday and disrupt one of the best running backs in the league, Derrick Henry. The Titans are on a 2 game winning streak coming off of a huge 45-26 victory against their division rival, the Indianapolis Colts. Derrick Henry in his last two games has 311 yards and 4 TD’s on the ground. Tennessee's offense has been potent all year with 29.5 points per game and 385.7 yards per game. They added playmaker DB Desmond King at the deadline, if this team can get it together defensively and Derrick Henry can continue running through anything in sight, they’ll be a tough matchup for any team come playoff time.
James: Titans
Vince: Titans
Zach: Titans
Patrick: Titans
Ryan: Titans
Maher: Titans
Indianapolis Colts (7-4) @ Houston Texans (4-7)
Current Lines: IND -3.0 || O/U 51
With how competitive the playoff race in the AFC is looking to be down the stretch, and a game against the undefeated Steelers in week 16, The Colts enter an almost must win scenario against the Texans this weekend. They also face Houston in week 15, so setting the tone early will go a long way for this gritty Indianapolis defense. They got scorched last week against the Titans but were without their defensive leader DeForest Buckner. Rivers has looked way better than anticipated the past couple of weeks, but the real story this week is how their running back by committee will fare against the 3rd worst run defense in the league. Indy needs to pound the ball and play the tough defense we’ve seen from them all year to move to 8-4. Houston destroyed the Lions on Thanksgiving in a 41-25 beatdown that saw Deshaun Watson throw 4 TD’s on just 17 completed passes. The Texans defense showed a sign of life last week, they piled up 4 sacks and 3 turnovers last week. Deshaun Watson has been playing out of his mind lately and if the offensive line can protect him consistently this Texans squad will have some momentum rolling into next season.
James: Colts
Vince: Colts
Zach: Colts
Patrick: Colts
Ryan: Colts
Maher: Colts
Los Angeles Rams (7-4) @ Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
Current Lines: LAR -3.0 || O/U 48.5
Los Angeles defensively has been one of the league’s best all year, but their achilles heel of a motion offense and quick passes has gotten them twice this year as they're 0-2 against the 5-6 49ers. Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey have led this team to their 7-4 record, Donald has 10.0 sacks on the season and this Rams D is allowing just 19.5 points per game. The Rams have struggled turning the ball over thus far with 19 TO’s in 11 games, the 5th most in the NFL. Goff has been underwhelming thus far, he has 16 TD’s and 10 Int’s on the season, including 3 interceptions in the last two games. Sean McVay and this Rams offense have to get it going in these next couple weeks if they want to secure a playoff spot down the stretch. Kyler Murray and his Cardinals were flat out disappointing last week in their 20-17 loss to the Patriots. Zane Gonzalez missed another potential game winning field goal from within 50 yards, a huge concern for a potential playoff team. The Cardinals defense has been terrible in the past 4 games as their averaging 29.2 points allowed within that stretch. Arizona still features a strong offense led by the Murray to Hopkins connection. Kenyan Drake had a couple scores last week showing they can still produce points when the ball isn't in Kyler's hands. The big story in this game will be Deandre Hopkins vs Jalen Ramsey, these two guys are ultra-competitors and are both consensus top players at their position.
James: Cardinals
Vince: Cardinals
Zach: Rams
Patrick: Cardinals
Ryan: Cardinals
Maher: Cardinals
New England Patriots (5-6) @ Los Angeles Chargers (3-7)
Current Lines: LAC -1.5 || O/U 47.5
The Patriots and their tough defense secured a victory against Arizona this past weekend on a Nick Folk game winner. They did a fantastic job containing MVP candidate Kyler Murray as he only threw for 170 yards (avg 255.8) and 0 TD’s with 1 INT. New England has struggled getting to the QB as they rank 28th in sacks per game at a lousy 1.3 per contest. Chase Winkovich has done his part as he’s 3rd in QB hurries (17). Despite the victory, Cam Newton was awful throwing the ball last week, 9 for 18 / 84 Yards / 0 TD’s / 2 Int’s / 6.6 QBR. Those stats make it more and more evident that Cam is not the answer in New England many thought he would be. New England technically is still in the playoff hunt, they’ll need to be nearly perfect to make that happen. The Chargers are the kings of playing a great game and losing a nail biter. They’re 3-8 with a -23 score difference, losing 6 games by 7 or less points. Justin Herbert has played way above expectations as he’s a clear ROY candidate. He’s second in the league in yards per game (301.5) behind just former MVP Patrick Mahomes. Keenan Allen has been a bonafide superstar this year, a true PPR dream WR as he has 122 Targets and 85 Receptions, leading the league with both. If the Chargers can watch the QB draw and put up 24+ points they’ll be tough to beat at home.
James: Chargers
Vince: Chargers
Zach: Chargers
Patrick: Chargers
Ryan: Patriots
Maher: Chargers
Buffalo Bills (8-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Current Lines: SF -1.0 || O/U 47.5
The Bills and young QB Josh Allen have played amazing this year and would be on a 5 game winning streak if it weren’t for a hail mary game winner against Arizona. They’re averaging a league best 33.7 points per game over the last 3 games, including a 44 point showcase game against the Seahawks. Josh Allen has 22 TD’s and 3,000+ yards through the air as well as a team high 6 TD’s on the ground. They’re defense has struggled against the run this year, giving up nearly 130 yards per game to opposing RB’s. Jordan Poyer has been the brightspot with 93 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2 INT’s on the year. The 49ers have done a fantastic job rolling with the punches as even with all the injuries they’re still in the playoff hunt at week 13. They feature a very dynamic run game with coach Shanahan's playbook, their time of possession on the road is a league high 34:23 per game. Deebo Samuel made headlines last week for his tremendous YAC (yards after catch) numbers, he enters play this week at 11th in total YAC despite only playing 5 games this year. Richard Sherman came back last week and played great securing an interception in the 49ers 24-20 victory over the Rams. His presence only helps the current top 5 pass defense out of San Francisco down the stretch.
James: 49ers
Vince: Bills
Zach: Bills
Patrick: 49ers
Ryan: Bills
Maher: Bills
* Follow us on twitter @TheUpsidePlay for Fantasy Advice and Gameday Highlights.
* Cover Photo Via: (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Comments