Current Standings:
#1 Zach (56-32)
#2 Ryan (55-33)
#3 Patrick (51-37)
#4 Maher (50-38)
#5 James (50-38)
#6 Vince (49-39)
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins (10-5) @ Buffalo Bills (12-3)
Current Lines: BUF -3.0 || O/U 42.5
Miami is playing for their lives this week, and with Fitzpatrick sitting out due to covid it’s all up to rookie Tua Tagovailoa to get the job done and send the fins to the playoffs. There are plenty of scenarios where they can lose and get in, but when you control your destiny you want to take advantage of it. This Miami defense has been spectacular all year long, they’re tied at the top of the league with 27 turnovers forced, and allow the least points per game at just 18.8. Tua is going to have to take some shots downfield this week if the Dolphins want to secure a playoff bid.
Buffalo has already secured a playoff bid but still has something to play for in week 17 as they can lock up the #2 seed if they win and Pittsburgh loses. The Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs connection has been flat out deadly all year and is easily the second best QB/WR duo right behind Rodgers/Adams. Diggs leads the league in receptions and receiving yards, he’s just shy of 1,500 yards on the year and is second in yards per game. This Buffalo team is the most complete we’ve seen in the past decade, and they’ll be a fan favorite to watch in January.
James: Dolphins
Vince: Dolphins
Zach: Bills
Patrick: Dolphins
Ryan: Bills
Maher: Dolphins
Green Bay Packers (12-3) @ Chicago Bears (8-7)
Current Lines: GB -4 || O/U 51.0
Green Bay has been on an absolute tear, largely in part to the duo I named above, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. Davante missed close to 4 total games this year and still is set to finish as the clear WR #1 in the league as he has 17 TD’s and averages 102.2 yards per game, both good for first among receivers. Rodgers is currently sitting at -400 to win the MVP, he’s been a man on a mission since Green Bay drafted QB Jordan Love in the first round of this year's draft. Rodgers has 44 TD’s to just 5 interceptions, as well as a 119.4 passer rating, and 70.3 completion %. Green Bay can secure the #1 seed and first round bye with a win this weekend in Chicago.
Heading into week 14 there is no shot the Bears organization thought they would control their playoff fate against the Packers in the NFL’s final week, but due to the fall off from Arizona and Minnesota that's the exact situation they’re in as they can win and get in if they beat Green Bay this weekend. Mitch Trubisky has led this team to this position, as he’s been excellent facilitating the offense in the past couple weeks. He has 6 TD’s in the last 3 weeks and has his team averaging 36.7 points per game in their last 3 contests. The Bears still feature a tough defense led by Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith, and if David Montgomery can continue his elite production (106.5 rush yards per game in the last 4 weeks) this Bears team will be due for some playoff football in 2021.
James: Packers
Vince: Packers
Zach: Packers
Patrick: Packers
Ryan: Packers
Maher: Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) @ Cleveland Browns (10-5)
Current Lines: CLE -9.0 || O/U 41.5
Mason Rudolph vs Myles Garrett with a playoff bid on the line, this is going to be a good one. Pittsburgh secured the AFC North crown with their win last weekend and shortly after announced Big Ben was going to get some rest before the playoffs. The Steelers had an ugly 3 weeks where they lost to two below .500 teams. Their run game has been the worst in the league in that stretch, averaging just 51.7 yards per game on the ground. This week should be all about establishing the run and continuing defensive dominance before the playoffs for Pittsburgh.
This is not a drill: The Cleveland Browns have a chance to make the playoffs. Baker Mayfield and his Browns are one game away from a playoff bid for the first time since 02-03, almost 20 years. Mayfield in his last 4 games is averaging 314.75 passing yards per game, good for 2nd in the league in a time where they need him most. The RB duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is one of the league's most lethal, but they have been very hit or miss as of late. The Browns are dealing with their own Covid issues, but they head into this game as 9 point favorites, Cleveland fans is this the year?
James: Browns
Vince: Browns
Zach: Browns
Patrick: Browns
Ryan: Browns
Maher: Browns
Washington Football Team (6-9) @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)
Current Lines: WSH -3.5 || O/U 43.5
The NFC East crown is still obtainable for 3 of 4 of these incompetent teams heading into week 17. Washington just released their “franchise” QB Dwayne Haskins and looks to punch their playoff ticket against Philly this weekend. Alex Smith is expected to be back on the field, but the real story this week will be if Antonio Gibson and J.D. Mckissic can get it going. Washington has extreme success when they establish the run, Logan Thomas and Terry Mclaurin are extreme downfield threats that thrive in play action scenarios, so getting the run game going early will be crucial to their success. Washington has had one of the better defenses all year long, specifically the secondary who gives up the 3rd least receiving yards per game.
Philly came up just short this year, but most eagle fans are still optimistic due to the electric play from rookie QB Jalen Hurts. In the Eagles last two games Hurts is averaging 340 passing yards, has 5 total TD’s, and has 66.0 yards per game rushing. He’s looking like a true dual threat QB making big throws and showing true escapability, something the Eagles need consistently. The birds have dealt with their fair share of injuries and were officially eliminated from the playoff race last week. This is still a division game for them & with plenty of players trying to bolster their resume this game is going to be a competitive dog fight.
James: Washington
Vince: Washington
Zach: Washington
Patrick: Washington
Ryan: Eagles
Maher: Eagles
Dallas Cowboys (6-9) @ New York Giants (5-10)
Current Lines: DAL -2.0 || O/U 44.5
The other half of the NFC East will be showcased in the Meadowlands this Sunday as the Cowboys and Giants fight for a playoff spot. Dallas has been up and down all season as their QB injuries have haunted them all year, nevertheless they’re in playoff contention in week 17. Andy Dalton will lead his squad into New York coming off a huge week against the Eagles in a must win game. Dalton threw for 377 yards and 3 TD’s in the victory. Ezekiel Elliot has struggled fumbling the ball all year and hasn’t had a true explosive game like we’re used to seeing from him, averaging 4.1 yards per carry and just 66.0 yards per game. Dallas will need to utilize their talented receivers and make plays defensively if they want a shot at the playoffs.
The Giants defense has bailed them out all season leaving them in a position to make the playoffs. They’re giving up just 22.5 points per game and have a solid run defense allowing the 11th least yards per game. Like the Cowboys turnovers have burned the Giants all season. In QB Daniel Jones 13 games he has 10 total TD’s and 10 total turnovers… not good. Wayne Gallman has been a pleasant surprise after Saquan went down with a torn ACL. Gallman is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and has 6 TD’s on the year with 0 fumbles. This is going to be a gritty game in cold weather, and with the playoffs on the line these division rivals will leave it all on the field.
James: Giants
Vince: Giants
Zach: Cowboys
Patrick: Cowboys
Ryan: Cowboys
Maher: Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals (8-7) @ Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
Current Lines: ARI -3.0 || O/U 40.5
Arizona losing last week left a clear opening for the Bears to sneak in and take the final playoff spot, but they can still win and get in here. By the end of last week's game against SF multiple Cardinals players were visibly frustrated on the sideline as the final seconds came off the clock. Arizona is a top 10 offense in this league, averaging the 2nd most yards per game and 10th most points per game. Kyler Murray and Deandre Hopkins have had it going all year, connecting 111 times for 1,372 yards and over 17 plays that resulted in 20+ yards. Their run defense has been a problem all year, they give up 126.5 rush yards per contest and 7.4 rushing 1st downs per game. With the playoffs on the line I hope to see a hungry Arizona D.
Jared Goff is out for his team's most important game of the season, missing his first game due to injury in his career. 25 year old John Wolford is set to make his first start of his career with the season on the line, no pressure. Cam Akers has emerged as the lead back but is questionable going into sunday, potentially leaving the Rams with their QB #2 AND RB #2 this weekend. It doesn’t sound great for LA but with a defense like theirs they don’t necessarily need a huge offensive performance against Arizona. The Rams give up the least amount of yards per game at just 286.5, and give up just 19.2 points per game, solidifying them as a top 5 defensive unit in the league. All Pro Aaron Donald said he has, “No Doubt” John Wolford will play well this weekend, Rams fans better hope he’s right or they might miss out on the playoffs in 2021.
James: Cardinals
Vince: Rams
Zach: Cardinals
Patrick: Cardinals
Ryan: Cardinals
Maher: Rams
* Cover Photo Via: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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