Ladies and gentlemen, we’re in the Endgame. For most teams, this final quarter means the difference between either a bye, playoffs, or a top 5 pick (whatever suits their fancy).
Game of the Week
Niners-Eagles: Eagles (+3.0)
Surely, there’s absolutely no bias here (okay, maybe a little). It’s hard to blame me, though, for being excited about a match of two of the top 3 teams in the NFC, a heated NFC Championship rematch. Ignoring roster construction, the Niners poked the bear by putting a jersey on the Rocky statue. Surely that won’t backfire.
Safe Picks
Bengals-Jags: Jaguars (-9.5)
This would have been a game *with* Burrow. Playing a man down at the most valuable position in football, asking a man who’s only started one game in his career to beat a 7-3 Jags team loaded with talent, need any more be said?
Chiefs-Packers: Chiefs (-6.0)
Packers have a vastly inferior QB, Chiefs have vastly inferior weapons (apart from Kelce and Pacheco). As Mahomes’ receivers illustrate, it’s hard to win in this league when you’re carrying your entire team uphill. Give Mahomes Love’s weapons and the Chiefs are probably the #1 seed in the NFL. For now, however, the best go-to weapon at his disposal is the 12th man on the field (the referees). If this game is as close as I expect it to be (KC and GB are hovering around the same PPG since the start of November), I fully expect them to make an appearance. If I’m wrong, I’ll own it, but that’s how I imagine this game unfolding.
Panthers-Bucs: Buccaneers (-3.5)
HC, OC, and QB coach fired. I won’t stop anyone from gambling on another Antonio Pierce situation, so long as they can point me in the direction of the high-end talent on Carolina’s roster. Carolina doesn’t have a Josh Jacobs or Davante Adams. Even if they did, Carolina’s 25th ranked offensive line isn’t doing Young any favors. Tampa aren’t contenders, but there’s at least a basis: Rachaad White, Tristin Wirfs, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin. Put a similar support system around Young and we’ll see how he does, but for now I don’t imagine him finding much success.
Pats-Chargers: Chargers (-5.5)
As Jabrill Pepper said, “you lucky we ass.” At least Green Bay has a pulse. New England just put up 7 points against a bottom 5 defense in the league, lost to Tommy DeVito, and for all I can tell are (100% speculation) just waiting for the season to be over. Terrible as the Chargers defense may be, they’re not “getting outgunned by Bailey Zappe” bad.
Other Picks
Colts-Titans: Colts (-1.5)
Shoutout to the job that Steichen is doing in Indianapolis. Minshew is one of the more likable quarterbacks in the league, but being likable doesn’t help you win games. Against all odds, however, the Colts are primed for a wild card spot, whereas the streaky Titans have been having a rough go all season. Mike Vrabel’s seat is reportedly hot, so if nothing else, it’ll be interesting to see what happens if they lose.
Falcons-Jets: Falcons (-1.5)
I hear what you’re saying. Arthur Smith, Desmond Ridder. I raise you, however, Tim Boyle (someone who has a TD-INT ratio of 4 TDs to 11 interceptions). While Atlanta is hard to trust long-term, they at least aren’t starting a QB that’s a step down from Zach Wilson. For New York to win this game, it’ll take either Aaron Rodgers coming out of the tunnel or the Jets defense copying the Steelers’ propensity for turnovers.
Lions-Saints: Lions (-4.5)
New Orleans is playing without a full deck. Derek Carr is injured, Michael Thomas is on IR, Chris Olave and Cameron Jordan could play but are a coin flip if anything. Suspect as the Lions might be against better teams, the Saints are a team limping at key positions. Lucky for the Lions, considering they just lost to a Packers team struggling to find its feet.
Cards-Steelers: Steelers (-6.5)
Pittsburgh’s defense was always good (albeit heavily reliant on turnovers), but the Steelers offense is in the midst of a revolution: actually being watchable. With the expulsion of Matt Canada, the black and gold accomplished something they hadn’t done since before his tenure: put up 400 yards. I know passing yards alone aren’t an indicator of an offense’s quality, but it does signify a shift from anemic to seemingly capable, which is a definite upgrade from where they were before.
Dolphins-Commanders: Dolphins (-9.5)
By all means, this is probably going to be a shootout. Two explosive offense in s with questionable D. Despite being ranked 7th in overall defense Miami fans will recall that their Achilles heel is their backfield. There’s reason to be optimistic over Jalen Ramsay’s presence, however. Since his Dolphin debut, no offense has scored more than 21 points. Albeit, that’s the one good QB Miami has faced since then, but the point remains.
Broncos-Texans: Texans (-3.0)
Speaking of shootouts—
This is like the MIA-WAS game, but without the shutdown corner that gives one team optimism. Both teams are ranked in the bottom 12 in terms of defensive units. Both have QBs that have shined this year despite expectations to the contrary. CJ Stroud is putting the team on his back like Greg Jennings, meanwhile Denver’s won five straight to salvage their season. If I could advise you to sit back and enjoy one game this week, this would be in my top 3 with Phi-SF and Mia-Was.
Browns-Rams: Rams (-3.5)
I admit, I had some hangups about Stafford for a couple of weeks. I wasn’t sure how he’d play with his thumb bent out of shape, but that ended up being a non-issue in a 37-13 route of the Cardinals. Albeit, Arizona has a much worse total defense (26) than Cleveland (1), but that’s more of an issue of the mind. The body’s task is to outplay a Joe Flacco that is playing his first game since January.
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Dylan Patrowicz is a featured writer at The Birds Blitz. For more from Dylan, check out his archive and read through our Eagles articles for the latest news about the Birds.
