*Disclaimer* Christmas Day games will be talked about in seperate previews.
Merry Christmas. It's time for some football. Let's get into it.
1:0
Browns (0-14) at Bears (4-10)
Line: Chi -6.5
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| Photo creds to SI.Com |
It might seem as if have no reason to believe the Browns will win Sunday. They're the worst team in the NFL. But my gut tells me that Cleveland won't finish 0-16. If there were ever a time for the Brownies to pick up a W, it would be Christmas Eve. The Bears stink as well, and Cleveland won it's lone game of 2016 one year to the date. So, why can't it happen again?
Browns 17, Bears 10
Lions (8-6) at Bengals (5-9)
Line: Det -3.0
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| Photo creds to WWLP.Com |
It appears Cincy has given up on the season. The Bungles have been shredded by NFC North teams the past two weeks, and don't see Christmas Eve bringing a much different result. The Lions offense has been in solid form the past two weeks, and I expect former Bungle Marvin Jones to light up his old team at Paul Brown Stadium. It won't be as ugly as the Chicago and Minnesota games were, but Sunday will not be a fun day for Cincinnati, but will be an appropriate way to end 2017.
Lions 34, Bungles 17.
Rams (10-4) at Titans (8-6)
Line: LAR -6.5
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| Photo creds to LA Times.Com |
Although I'm not sold on Tennessee, and I think the Rams can go to the Super Bowl, I expect this to be a close game. The Titans are 5-1 at home and will be fired up after a droppinga heartbreaker to Jimmy G last week. The Rams can't get much higher than that 42-7 win over the Seahawks last Sunday, so I think a slight dropoff is realistic. At the end of the day, however, LA much better than Tennessee, and even on an off afternoon, the Rams should be able to get past the Titans. Jared Goff will channel his inner Garoppolo and lead a game-winning drive, capped off by a field goal from "Greg the Leg." NFC West champs, baby.
*correction: Greg the Leg was placed on IR well before Sunday, so this prediction did not come true. Yes
Rams 27, Titans 24
Dolphins (6-8) at Chiefs (8-6)
Line: KC -10.5
The Chiefs might be back. Not only has the offense been scoring a lot the past few weeks; it's also been a balanced attack. KC is getting it done both with Alex Smith in the air and Kareem Hunt on the ground. If the Chiefs offense is clicking, it's hard to beat. Miami, on the other hand, peaked with that Monday night win over New England. KC is rolling, and the Chiefs will march closer to the AFC West championship.
Chiefs 33, Dolphins 14.
Bills (8-6) at Pats (11-3)
Line: NE -11.5
Welp, Buffalo better hope Week 17 goes well, because the Bills are not helping their playoff cause Christmas Eve. No, sir.
Pats 34, Bills 13
Falcons (9-5) at Saints (10-4)
Line: NO -5.5
Both of these teams have capable running backs that are aided by talented offensive lines. So, while a lot of the talk coming into this one has been about Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram from the Saints going against Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman of the Falcons, I think it will come down to which defensive line can win the battle up front and thus, stop the opposite running game. As good as Atlanta's o-line can be, I think the Saints defensive front, led by Cameron Jordan, will do its job, while the New Orleans o-line will be more effective in giving those two studs room. It will be a close game, but the most dominant duo in the NFL will eat a little more than the pair on the opposite end.
Saints 24, Falcons 17
Chargers (7-7) at Jets (5-9)
Line: LAC -6.5
Yes, LA got clowned by the Chiefs last week. But Phillip Rivers and Keenen Allen are still studs on the offensive side of the ball, while Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa are similarly impressive on defense. The Chargers probably won't win the AFC West, but they are still dangerous, while the Jets are the Jets.
Chargers 31, Jets 17
Broncos (5-9) at Redskins (6-8)
Not interested
Redskins 13, Broncos 10
Bucs (4-10) at Panthers (10-4)
Line: CAR -10.5
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| Photo creds to ontherocks |
It's funny how the team I picked to win the NFC South at the beginning of the season will likely end up being the only team in that division to win less than 10 games. Tampa stinks, and Dirk Koetter could be on the way out. Carolina is solid, and if things go right, Ron Rivera could be on the way to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.
Carolina 34, Tampa 20
4:05
Jags (10-4) at 49ers (4-10)
Line: JAX -4.0
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| Photo creds to deadspin |
Don't let the records fool you. Jimmy G will make the Jags earn everything, and I wouldn't be entirely shocked to see a 49ers win. But even with Garoppolo at QN, San Fran isn't a better team than Jacksonville. If the Jags play like anything that resembles a Super Bowl contender, they'll win the game. I think Jacksonville is too hot and too talented to have a setback in Week 16.
Jags 24, 49ers 21
Seahawks (8-6) at Cowboys (8-6)
Line: Dal -3.5
Zeke is back. The Seahawks are banged up. Dallas is hot. Seattale is reeling. The game is in Jerry World. It's a slam dunk.
Cowboys 31, Seahawks 17
Giants (2-12) at Cardinals (6-8)
Line: ARI -3.0
The Giants aren't very good.
Cardinals 33, Giants 21.
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