A couple days removed from the NFL’s trade deadline, let’s predict this week’s set of games.
Abe’s Picks:
Raiders vs Broncos:
The Raiders season is over, some would say it was over after trading for Geno Smith and extending him to a two year $75 million deal. So far it looks to have been an overpay by a wide margin. Smith has 1,711 passing yards ranking No. 20, 11 touchdowns ranking No. 19 and 11 interceptions the most in the NFL. Smith has been holding the Raider offense back with his bad decision-making and reluctance to take what the defense gives him. After trading receiver Jakobi Meyers the Raiders have signaled they are waving the white flag.
The Broncos are a frustrating team, they blowout the No.1 ranked offense and in the same breath they barely beat a winless (at the time) Jets team 13-11. Bo Nix looked sluggish for three quarters then turned it on in the fourth when the Broncos needed him most against the CJ Stroud-less Texans. While I do not think the Broncos are a true contending team they are better than the Raiders.
Prediction: Broncos 31-17
Falcons vs Colts:
Both teams coming off losses to good teams, the Falcons are a wildcard/in the hunt for a playoff type of football team. They are not good enough to beat contenders consistently but they are also not an easy out. Bijan Robinson and Drake London are having breakout seasons, especially London who is coming off a hat-trick touchdown game. If the Falcons want to win this game they will need to stop Johnathan Taylor and make Daniel Jones arm beat them. Something the Steelers did along with forcing six turnovers.
For the Colts they had the most weird game. They did not look like a team who has dominated the NFL for eight weeks. The Steelers defense was able to force turnovers in bunches and for the first time all season Colts fans saw what Jones was like with the Giants when he was not efficient or accurate. On Nov. 4 the Colts made a blockbuster trade for Ahmed Sauce Gardner, the All-Pro corner from the Jets, giving up two first round picks and AD Mitchell. A trade like this signals that the Colts are all in this season.
Prediction: Colts 44 – 20
Browns vs Jets:
The Browns will not win another game until Shedeur Sanders takes the starting role from Dillion Gabriel. We have never seen a rookie QB from a top college football team reach their peak so fast as we have with Gabriel.
The Browns are coming off a bye week hoping for a fresh start and to end the season with some momentum, the only issue is that their QB has the second worst quarterback rating in the NFL with a 26.8 out of 100. Gabriel has played in five games and has 700 passing yards with a 5:2 touchdown/interception ratio. That is not a recipe for winning. The only true issue the Browns have is QB play has been abysmal.
They had Baker Mayfield in 2018 and gave up on him, traded for Deshaun Watson and gave him a five year $230 million guaranteed contract and then drafted two QBS within two rounds of each other in 2025. Jimmy Haslem may need to sell the Browns for them to be good for the first time since Hall of Famer Jim Brown retired in 1966.
The Jets are not much better. Current MVP favorite was drafted by the Jets in 2018 and they gave up on him. Then they thought 40 year-old Aaron Rodgers was going to be effective and he tore his achilles within five snaps as a Jet and came back scared to play. On Nov. 4 the Jets waved the white flag for this season, trading All-Pro Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys and star corner Sauce Gardner. Although they traded great players they did bolster up for the 2026 and 2027 draft gaining five first round picks and two second round picks. This game could truly end up in a tie of 0-0 with the way the offenses play.
Prediction: Browns 13-10
Saints vs Panthers:
The Saints benched Spencer Rattler after his week seven performance and started rookie Tyler Shough who did more of the same if not worse than Rattler. Shough has a 2:1 interception/touchdown ratio, something that is hard to do due to the level of mediocrity you must be. Shough’s average yardage per-completion is 5.6 yards, which is ineffective. It shows that he is not trying to push the ball down the field especially when he has Chris Olave and now Seahawk Rasheed Shaheed, two Pro-Bowl players. In the two losses since he took over the offense has been out-scored 57-13. The Saints are focused on the off-season and trying to get the No.1 pick in the 2026 draft.
The Panthers are good for the first time in a long time, after benching Bryce Young last season and then bringing him back the Panthers ended the 2024 season with some momentum. This season the Panthers have looked like a tough game to win, they have beaten the Cowboys, Packers and Falcons. While they are not contenders they have turned the future outlook of their franchise completely around. Dave Canales seems to be a QB whisperer as he helped Baker Mayfield’s career resurgence when he was in Tampa, Geno Smith with the Seahawks and now with the Panthers and Bryce Young.
Prediction: Panthers 20-10
Patriots vs Buccaneers:
How lucky can the Patriots be? Going from Tom Brady and then shortly after Drake Maye is something else. Maye has been in a tight race with Seahawk Sam Darnold for best QB this season. Maye has been dealing passes all over the field and his new toy Stefon Diggs has been clicking with him on choice routes. Mike Vrabel has changed the culture after one year coach Jerod Mayo was fired, it is a complete 180 from last year when the Patriots always looked a step behind. Sitting at 7-2 and leading the AFC East, the Patriots are poised for top two seedings in the playoffs, with a cupcake schedule left they could very well end up a 13 win team.
The Buccaneers are coming off a bye week hoping to get healthy and star RB Bucky Iriving coming back will help with the run game. Emeka Egbuka was hurt and ineffective against the Lions in week eight, coming off the bye week he will aim to bounce back and continue his strong rookie of the year worthy season. He will have his hands full with Christan Gonzales who is coming off a game he was embarrassed by Drake London, Gonzales will be looking to shut down the star rookie.
Prediction: Buccaneers 34 – 24
Ravens vs Vikings:
Lamar Jackson came back in week nine and shook off the rust and once he did the Ravens took off. Sitting at 3-5 the margin for error is very small for the Ravens if they have any post-season hope. The Ravens defense to start the season was abysmal to start the season but since they played the Rams the defense has picked it up and not allowed over 17 points. If the Ravens can unlock their rushing attack like they did in 2024 and play solid defense they will go back to being the feared team they once were.
JJ McCarthy finally came back after his ankle injury and looked good, he iced the game against the Lions on a back shoulder fade to Jalen Nailor to win the game. Sitting at 4-4 the Vikings cannot afford to lose anymore games in the NFC playoff race, there are nine teams with five wins and you could make the argument all would beat the Vikings as they currently stand. At the trade deadline the Vikings did not add any impact players signaling they either believe they have all they need or that they do not view this season as a contending season. However, there is only so much losing a superstar like Justin Jefferson can handle before he wants to win.
Prediction: Ravens 24-13
Cardinals vs Seahawks:
The best team in the NFL is the Seattle Seahawks, some have seen this potential all season but on Sunday Night Football they showed the world why they are. In the first half the score was 31-7, whether it was the offense, defense or special teams they made plays all over the field. What is so scary about the Seahawks is that they have not been fully healthy all season and have had a top three offense and the best defense in the NFL.
While Pete Carrol created the Legion of Boom the best defense ever in NFL history, Mike Macdonald has created his own mantra for the defense saying they have Mob ties meaning “Movement over Bulls***”. The Seahawks have looked so dangerous especially because of statistically the best WR in the NFL Jaxson Smith-Njigba who is on pace to shatter the NFL record for receiving yards in a season.
For the Cardinals they have had a sneaky good defense and in the last matchup against the Seahawks they held them to 23 points only losing by three. However with the Seahawks new addition of Rahseed Shaheed they will have their hands full potentially having to contain JSN, Tory Horton, Shaheed and Cooper Kupp. If they are somehow able to, the Seahawks have a top five running back duo in Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
The Cardinals are coming off a win against the Cowboys, a game where Jacoby Brisett looked his best. On Nov. 4, it was announced that Kyler Murray was going to be out with an injury for four to eight weeks. The announcement came off as a soft-benching for Murray who had been ineffective for the Cardinals. Murray signed a five-year extension with the team in 2022 and is under contract until 2028, but Johnathan Gannon could be looking to move off the expensive QB who has not matched his salary.
Prediction: Seahawks 34 – 17
Conner’s Picks:
Bills vs Dolphins:
The Bills (6-2) are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season. They defeated the Chiefs (5-4) 28-21, and they would have won by more had Matt Prater made a 52-yard field goal at the end of the game. Since their bye, Josh Allen has had a 75.6 completion percentage and led the Bills’ offense to 68 points.
As for the Dolphins (2-7), they were humiliated by the Ravens (3-5) on Thursday Night Football. Tua Tagovailoa has had flashes this season, but overall has had a terrible season. Surprisingly, he threw four touchdowns against the Falcons, but I do not think we will see a performance like that from him again.
It is also important to note that the Dolphins just traded outside linebacker Jaelan Philips to the Eagles. It is clear that the Dolphins know where they stand this season, which is at the bottom of the league.
Lastly, the Bills have won their last seven games over the Dolphins. The Dolphins are also giving up 27 points a game. The Bills have been on fire recently, and I doubt the Dolphins’ defense will slow down Allen.
Prediction: Bills 26-13
Giants vs Bears:
Ever since losing Cam Skattebo, the Giants (2-7) have not been as energetic. Last week against the Niners (6-3), they put up 24 points, but seven of them came when the Niners were playing prevent defense. As for their rushing game, outside of Jaxson Dart, they rushed for 61 yards. To be fair, they trailed for a majority of the game, but they still missed Skattebo’s energy.
The Bears (5-3) are coming off a crazy comeback win over the Bengals (3-6). They would get more credit, but the Bengals’ defense is atrocious. Regardless, they proved they can find ways to win games. Caleb Williams threw for three touchdowns and 280 yards. Although their defense was shaky, the Bengals’ offense is putting up 32.8 points a game with Joe Flacco at quarterback.
This game will come down to the Bears’ defense stopping the Giants’ offense. The Giant’s defense is one of the worst in the league, while the Bears’ offense has found ways to win, despite not always putting up the most points.
The Bears are allowing over 28 points a game, so the Giants will need to take advantage of that. Jaxson Dart has been efficient, throwing 10 touchdowns to just three interceptions on the year.
However, even then, I still think the Bears find a way to win. Both defenses are underwhelming so I think it will be a close game. The Bears are 3-1 in one-possession games, the Giants are 2-1. The Bears also come into the game with much more momentum and more to play for.
Prediction: Bears 25-21
Jaguars vs Texans:
The last time these teams faced off in week three, the Jags (5-3) won 17-10. This time, I see the game going differently. Since week three, C.J. Stroud has thrown nine touchdowns to two interceptions and 220.6 yards a game. Entering week three, he had thrown two touchdowns, three interceptions and averaged 199.7 yards a game. He has also led the Texans’ offense to 26 points a game. He is clearly heating up.
The Texans also have the best defense in the NFL currently. They are allowing the fewest yards and points per game.
The Jags on the other hand, have allowed 26.8 points a game since week three. Trevor Lawrence has been average this year too. He has thrown five touchdowns to two interceptions since week three, leading the Jags’ offense to 21.2 points a game in that stretch.
We have not seen a lot of promising things out of either team this year, but the Jags have won games. However, with how these teams have developed since Week 3, I think the Texans prevail. They have the better defense, so as long as Stroud can produce against a weak Jags’ defense, I think they prevail.
**Prediction:**Texans 17-14
Lions vs Commanders:
Even though it was disheartening to see Jayden Daniels suffer what could be a career-altering elbow injury last week, the Commanders (3-6) have not been a good team all season. Defensively, they have allowed 26.2 points a game, and their offense has been a fraction of what it was last year. Marcus Mariota, when he has stepped in has been mediocre as well. He has a 1-3 record when starting and has thrown four touchdowns to four interceptions.
The Lions (5-3) are coming off a rough loss to the Vikings (4-4). They have not had the best season, but they have had impressive wins. They are scoring 29.9 points a game, while only allowing 22.3 points. Goff has thrown 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs is also averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Their defense has been shaky from time to time, allowing 27 or more points in two out of their last three games. However, they have done their job most of the time.
It is clear the Commanders’ season is basically over now that Daniels is hurt — they do not have much to play for currently. On the other side, the Lions need this win. They are 2-2 in conference play and hanging on to the last wild-card playoff position. I think they get it done on Sunday.
Prediction: Lions 34-16
Rams vs 49ers:
The Rams (6-2) and Niners (6-3) are both coming off wins against bad teams where they put up 34 points. The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-23 in an overtime thriller the last time these two teams met. The 49ers did it with their JV team. Many thought by now the 49ers might be healthy, but that is not the case. In fact, they are even more injured, especially with Mykel Williams, their first-round draft pick, tearing his ACL last week.
Both teams have been solid as of recently, but the Rams have been on a tear. They have not lost a game since the last time they played the 49ers. Since that game, Matthew Stafford has thrown 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions. I anticipate him being able to do this against the Niners, especially since he threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns against the Niners last time.
I think the Rams will prevail, even though the 49ers won last time in a similar situation. The 49ers do not have Fred Warner, and the Rams’ defense has tightened up in their last three games, allowing just 6.7 points a game. The Niners have also lost three out of their last four games to the Rams, including consecutive losses at home —- the game is at Levi’s Stadium.
**Prediction:**Rams 26-22
Steelers vs Chargers:
The Steelers (5-3) head into this game with a bit of momentum after dropping back-to-back games. They defeated the No. 1-seeded Indianapolis Colts 27-20. Their defense finally showed up, and they did it against the best offense in the league. They picked off Daniel Jones three times and recovered three fumbles. They also held Jonathan Taylor to 45 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
The Chargers (6-3) defeated the Titans (1-8). They did trail 14-10 at one point, but did eventually win 27-20. They have not looked overly impressive since they started out the season 3-0. However, they are now on a two-game winning streak. Justin Herbert has been inconsistent this season, but in his last two games he has thrown five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also had a 68.8 completion percentage in his last two games. Running back Kimani Vidal has been solid as well, averaging 4.2 yards a carry in the last two games.
Even though the Chargers have averaged 32 points in their last two games, I think the Steelers’ defense will come to play, and will shut down Herbert and Kimani. Despite the Steelers’ offense not being overly impressive, Rodgers has played well and he has not turned the ball over often. The Chargers’ defense has only allowed 21.4 points a game this year, but I still think Rodgers will lead the Steelers to victory as long as he does not turn the ball over.
**Prediction:**Steelers 24-20
Eagles vs Packers:
This is one of the key games that all NFC teams should be watching. It could reshape the current NFC playoff picture. However, in general, I am confident that the Eagles (6-2) will prevail. Jalen Hurts has thrown 15 touchdowns and one interception thus far, including seven touchdowns in his last two games. Saquon Barkley should be back after suffering a groin injury against the Giants two weeks ago. He had 174 total yards in that game.
For the Packers, they gave up 130 rushing yards last week to Rico Dowdle. After definitively defeating the Steelers in week eight, many fans thought they would take a step up and prove themselves to be worthy Super Bowl contenders. However, they took a step back and have shown they are inconsistent. They also just lost Tucker Kraft, their leading receiver, for the season due to a torn ACL. The Packers have only won games when he has scored a touchdown.
Even though the Packers have allowed the fifth-fewest yards per game this season, I anticipate the Eagles’ offense to have a solid performance, especially since they have had extra rest from their bye week. The Eagles also do not have the best defense in terms of yards allowed, but they have only given up 23.1 points a game. This should be enough to keep them in the game, and as long as they can do that, they will win. The Eagles are 5-1 in one-possession games this season, while the Packers are 1-2-1. Jalen Hurts is also 4-0 in his career coming off a bye week.
**Prediction:**Eagles 20-17