Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Derek Carr (vs. Chi) – The Saints offense exploded for 38 points last week and it came at a perfect time. Carr and the New Orleans offense were heavily scrutinized the week before and Carr was visibly frustrated. It was nice to see him back bounce under increased pressure and next up they get the lowly Bears at home. Expect Carr and the Saints offense to continue to roll as the Bears are giving up an average of 19.6 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Sit ‘Em

Geno Smith (@ Bal) – Geno Smith hasn’t quite been the same player as he was last year. So far that hasn’t hurt the Seahawks as they are 5-2 and lead the NFC West. If he keeps playing like this though it could hurt their chances down the stretch. Up next they have to travel cross-country to Baltimore where the Ravens have been tough at home. Smith will have difficulties moving the ball against this Ravens defense and it’s best to sit him this week.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Joe Mixon (vs. Buf) – Mixon has been somewhat disappointing this season but did show signs of breaking out last week. He finished with his best performance of the year against the 49ers and racked up 87 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Up next the Bengals will face the Bills at home and I like Mixon to continue to improve. The Bills can at times be vulnerable against the run and I expect this to be a high-scoring contest.

Sit ‘Em

Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. Wsh) – Stevenson has really been a dud the season and that will continue on Sunday vs. the Commanders. At this point in the season, it’s hard to justify starting Stevenson who has yet to break 60 yards rushing in a game. The Commanders defense is vulnerable against the pass but they have held their own against running backs.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Michael Pittman Jr. (@ Car) – Look for Pittman to have another big game on Sunday vs. the Panthers. Pittman is starting to come into his own and has had great chemistry with quarterback Gardner Minshew. He’s had 32 targets in his last three games including 2 touchdowns during that span. Up next is the Panthers defense who have struggled against the deep ball.

Sit ‘Em

DeVonta Smith (vs. Dal) – Smith has had his moments but hasn’t been consistent enough this season. He has had some puzzling drops this year and at times disappears from the game plan for the Eagles. Up next Philadelphia will face the Dallas defense that has locked down the receiver position despite key injuries. I’m not giving up on Smith yet but sitting him for this game.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Taysom Hill (vs. Chi) – Hill has been one of the surprises over the last two weeks including finishing as TE1 last week. Hill has been used heavily in the run game for the Saints but also has 14 targets in his last 3 games. Expect Hill to continue to get utilized for New Orleans who will look to attack the weak Bears defense.

Sit ‘Em

Dalton Schultz (vs. TB) – Before last week’s dud, Shultz had three consecutive weeks with receiving touchdowns for the Texans. I still like Schultz long term but not this week. He will face a Buccaneers defense that is allowing just 5.9 fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Sit Schultz this week but keep him on your roster.

Start of the Week

Gardner Minshew (@ Car) – Minshew is our start of the week as he has a favorable matchup on Sunday. Minshew and the Colts offense have put up 38+ points the last two weeks and I see them putting up big numbers vs. Carolina. Minshew is averaging 19.2 fantasy points per game in his 4 starts and I see him getting 20+ again this week. Really the only thing holding him back is the turnovers (5 int’s the last 3 games). If he can eliminate the mistakes Minshew will be a plus starter the rest of the way.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 9 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

QB Derek Carr $5300
Derek Carr plays against the Titans today whom were 29th in the league in fantasy points to opposing QBs last year. Allowing 274.8 YPG through the air, ranking dead last at 32nd this Titans team didn’t do a whole lot to improve their secondary. They are great up front as they were the number 1 defense against the run last year. Carr is my favorite stack play of the day.

QB Justin Herbert $6900
This game has the highest over under of any game on the slate today. Two high powered offenses with a whole lot of talent, and two defenses while boasting many talented players, do give up a lot of points. Dolphins gave up 23.2 PPG while the Chargers gave up 22.7. Herbert could be in line for a QB1 performance as the Dolphins were 30th in the league last year in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs.

Dart Throws at QB
Desmond Ridder/Baker Mayfield $4900
If you’re looking to play a lot of high priced studs, I can see either of these guys throwing for 2 TDs today.

Running Backs

RB JK Dobbins $6600
Finally healthy with a lot more weapons on the outside will mean that Dobbins will be in an excellent position to succeed. He should see less men in the box as there is more attention paid to the pass catchers in this offense. Dobbins also gets a juicy opportunity against the team that allowed the most rushing yards(170.2) and fantasy points(28.5) to RB per game last year in the Houston Texans.

RB Raheem Mostert $5400
The Chargers allowed 144.2 YPG on the ground last year as they were one of three teams to give up over 2000 yards last year. With Jeff Wilson Jr going on IR the only competition he will really have in the backfield will be rookie Devin Achane. He could be in line for a 100 yard game with a TD.

RB Brian Robinson Jr $5100
The Cardinals are going to be bad this year, and not in the good way. They ranked 29th in fantasy points against RBs as they gave up a lot of over 100 receptions to RBs last year. I expect a huge day in check downs on top of his work on the ground.

Dart Throws at RB
Devin Achane $4900
AJ Dillon $5200
Gus Edwards $4500

Wide Receivers

WR Chris Olave $6500
If Derek Carr is going to dice up this defense, I want to stack him with Olave. As bad as the Titans were against the QB last year, they were the worst against the WR in fantasy, ranking 32nd. I expect multiple Saints receivers to be celebrating in the end zone today, Olave has the best chance at topping 100 yards as well.

WR Justin Jefferson $8800
He was the number 1 player drafted in fantasy for a reason, he’s the highest salaried player for a reason. If you’re playing him, you’re going to need a lot of value plays to match him up. Not much else to say here, he’s amazing.

WR Keenan Allen $7300
I’m expecting a huge bounce back season from Allen as he and Herbert continue to grow their connection. Great matchup to start as Allen should see somewhere near 12 targets today, and a few of those in the red zone.

Dart Throws at WR
Drake London $5400
Michael Thomas $5100
Could see either of these guys in the end zone today.

Tight Ends

TE TJ Hockenson $5900
After trading for Hockenson last year, he quickly became one of Kirk Cousin’s favorite targets. The number two to JJ, in a very solid matchup, Buccaneers ranked 29th against TEs last year. I could see a double digit target number with a TD for Hock today.

TE Greg Dulcich $4000
Sean Payton loves his TE in the red zone, but Dulcich is a solid route runner with above average athleticism. He should have a great year in this system and I would look for him to have a solid return on a low price point today.

TE Logan Thomas $3200
These are the kind of values you need to play other than the higher priced studs. The cliche is a young QB needs a good TE to get the ball out quickly, and I believe the cliche will ring true today. I expect a 8 target day for Logan Thomas and wouldn’t be surprised to see him score.

Dart Throw at TE
Taysom Hill $3700
He could throw a pass, run the ball, and catch the ball. Taysom Hill is the Ultimate Dart Throw.

Defense/ST

D/ST Washington $2800
The Commanders are a better defense than they get credit for. They can pressure the QB and create turnovers. Big upside play.

D/ST Baltimore $4000
Highest defense on the slate, if you have the money left over, don’t be afraid to spend it on the Ravens.

D/ST Eagles $3700
Sacks, sacks, sacks, and of course sacks.

Optimal lineup
QB Derek Carr
RB Brian Robinson Jr
RB JK Dobbins
WR Chris Olave
WR Michael Thomas
WR Keenan Allen
Flex Raheem Mostert
TE TJ Hockenson
D/ST Washington Commanders

Good Luck everyone, I’ll see you out there. Let’s make that money.

The post DFS Plays for Week 1 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Good

We knew Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave had all the tools to be special at the next level. We didn’t know he was going to be this good this fast. Olave had an impressive rookie season with the Saints where he had 1000+ receiving yards despite sub-par quarterback play. He was extremely efficient and for the most part, was the Saints WR1 even though he was a rookie. Olave had a 25% target share in the Saints offense which showed he was a huge part of their gameplan.

Olave will now get the chance to play alongside Michael Thomas who is coming back after missing most of the 2022 season. If Thomas can regain his old form these two receivers could be a deadly combination for Derek Carr and the passing game.

The Bad

The main weakness on this Saints team will be the offensive line. Trevor Penning takes over the LT position after playing limited snaps in 2022. Elsewhere C Erik McCoy should have another solid season as he has been one of the strengths of this line. There are questions though at the RG position as Cesar Ruiz hasn’t quite panned out the way they hoped. The bottom line is if the unit struggles it could really limit what the Saints do on offense. Carr still has some mobility but he is losing some pace as he gets older.

The Prediction

If you look at the Saints schedule it has to be one easiest in the NFL. They have many favorable matchups including opposing quarterbacks they will face. The toughest quarterback they play this season will be Trevor Lawrence and that’s a home game. I see the Saints winning the NFC South as Derek Carr has a successful first year in New Orleans.

2023 Record: 11-6 (1st in the Division)

The post New Orleans Saints Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Good

We’ve touched on the current state of the running back position several times this offseason. One of the running backs in those discussions was Josh Jacobs. Jacobs is coming off a dominant season for the Raiders where he led the league in rushing with 1,653 yards. He until recently quietly stayed away from the Raiders due to his contract situation. This has since been resolved as Jacobs is back with the team practicing again. Thankfully for the Raiders he returned and is looking to build on last year’s success. I see another big season for Jacobs in the silver and black and if you’re a fantasy football player he is a must-target.

With the 7th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech. Wilson is an immediate plug-in-play EDGE defender with a big upside. Pairing Wilson with Maxx Crosby was a great move by the Raiders and the duo should cause nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. The Raiders had their struggles last year on defense but if they can generate more pass rush it should improve that unit overall in 2023.

The Bad

For whatever reason the relationship between Derek Carr and the Raiders soured last season causing his exit. Whether this is the right move remains to be seen but in my mind, Carr wasn’t the issue for Las Vegas. The move to Garoppolo is a risky one. When healthy Garoppolo has shown he can lead a team to the Super Bowl the problem is he has only played one injury-free season in his 9 year career.

Beyond health, Garoppolo has never been one to stretch the ball down the field. I wonder how this will impact Davante Adams next season. Garoppolo thrives in the short to intermediate passing game where he is very accurate. With that said I do believe the Raiders will be looking for a quarterback once again next offseason.

The Prediction

The AFC West should be one of the more competitive divisions in the NFL next season. I do see a slight improvement in wins for the Raiders but they will struggle to get above .500. Their schedule is brutal as three of the first four games are on the road (@Denver, @Buffalo, @Los Angeles Chargers). Expect to see rookie Aidan O’connell at some point this season and I wouldn’t be surprised if he impresses.

2023 Record: 7-10 (4th in the Division)

The post Las Vegas Raiders Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The current ADP below is for Half PPR scoring.

Derek Carr (Saints – QB) | ADP – 138 | QB – 22

Derek Carr had a somewhat down 2022 campaign with the Raiders. Carr had a respectable 4.8% TD percentage with Oakland last season but his INT percentage jumped to 2.8% which was the worst of his career. This was largely due to the Raiders defense which consistently blew large leads last season. Carr had to constantly try and bring his team from behind in 2nd halves which caused more forced throws from the quarterback.

Carr is now the signal caller for the New Orleans Saints and it’s a great situation for him. The Saints defense finished towards the top of the league last year and should be stout once again. This will take some of the pressure off Carr and his interceptions should come down.

There are also plenty of weapons for Carr on this Saints offense to utilize. Chris Olave is entering his second season and has already shown he can be an elite receiver. Michael Thomas is also back with the team and if he can stay healthy he will provide a great 1-2 punch with Olave. I am projecting Carr to finish next season with 4,000+ passing yards and 30+ touchdowns.

Sam Howell (Commanders – QB) | ADP – 181 | QB – 30

There is still a lot of mystery and intrigue around Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell. After all, he has only started one game in his young career and it was against the Cowboys in week 18 of 2022. If you’re on the fence about Howell, I would encourage you to watch that game tape closely. Howell made all the throws with accuracy and showed off his arm on several deep balls. He also showcased his running ability on a 9-yard touchdown run.

Howell will now get his chance as QB1 in Washington and the Commanders will give him every chance to succeed. We already know about the weapons but new offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy will have the biggest impact on Howell. He will find creative ways to get the ball in the play-makers hands and exploit matchups in their favor. You saw this time after time in Kansas City with Travis Kelce. The defenses knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it. 2023 is a big year for Howell and I expect him to make a name for himself.

Kenny Pickett (Steelers – QB) | ADP – 168 | QB – 20

It took some time but Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett started to show his potential late last season. The rookie quarterback led the Steelers to 3 straight wins to close out the 2022 campaign. Pickett may not have the biggest arm but has shown he can throw an accurate deep ball. In fact, according to Deep Ball Project Pickett was the 2nd most accurate quarterback on deep throw accuracy.

Pickett also has the ability to utilize his legs which makes him an intriguing fantasy prospect. He finished last season with 237 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. If he can continue to develop as a passer I see Picket finishing inside the top 15 in fantasy in 2023.

The post 3 Quarterback Sleepers for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears had a decision to make this offseason. They could keep the #1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and draft a quarterback or they could trade the pick and stick with Justin Fields. After much speculation the Bears decided to stick with Fields and in return received a nice trade package. They now have extra picks to build for the future and D.J. Moore who was included in the deal.

I expect Justin Fields to continue his rise and carry the Bears to the playoffs. D.J. Moore will give Fields a much needed receiving weapon and tight end Cole Kmet will take another step forward. The Bears defense should also improve as they added stud linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in free agency. Look for the Bears to grab one of the NFC Wild Card spots next year.

Las Vegas Raiders

In 2022, the Raiders finished with a record of 6-11. When you look back at their year they had several close losses including two overtime defeats. It’s clear they were a better team than their record indicated, they just need to learn how to finish games. With Derek Carr now in New Orleans, Las Vegas will look to Jimmy Garoppolo to help them take the next step.

Garoppolo may not be the most talented quarterback in the league but he is a winner. With a career record of 40-17, he has shown when healthy he can lead a team to the playoffs. Running back Josh Jacobs should have another monster year and he recently landed at #2 in our best running backs in 2023 list. If the defense can show improvement, I expect the Raiders to finish 2nd in the AFC West.

New Orleans Saints

Going into the 2023 season one thing is clear, the NFC South is the worst division in the NFL. Three of the four teams are in rebuilding mode and now is the time for the Saints to capitalize. New Orleans wasted little time in grabbing Derek Carr when he became available this offseason. Carr should elevate this offense which hopes to have Michael Thomas back healthy. The pieces are there for the Saints to make a run and they look like the clear leaders of the division.

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The NFL has laid out these specific guidelines for teams to be exempt from the Hard Knocks show. If a team appeared on Hard Knocks in the last decade they are exempt. Also if a team has a first-year Head Coach or has reached the playoffs in the last two years they are also excluded. With those requirements in mind that leaves us with four candidates for Hard Knocks 2023. Let’s break down each team and what makes them compelling.

Chicago Bears

When you look at the Chicago Bears, they are probably the least compelling of the teams eligible. If they are chosen, all eyes will be on quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears also traded this year’s #1 pick to the Carolina Panthers. As part of the deal, they received D.J. Moore in return. Chicago has lacked a real true #1 receiver in recent years and they are hoping Moore can fill that role.

New York Jets

If you want to garner a large audience then the New York Jets are your answer. They have a head coach on the hot seat and just traded for Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers alone will have fans locked into the show as we want to see how well he adjusts to his new team. The Jets also have a young talented nucleus that could set them up for years of success. The key will be how well the new faces mesh together with the up-and-coming roster. One thing is for sure, if the Jets are chosen it will not lack drama.

Washington Commanders

Washington has had arguably the best offseason of any NFL team and it has nothing to do with on-the-field moves. They will soon have a new ownership group as Dan Snyder is weeks away from being gone. Could the NFL be waiting on the final approval before picking them? Possibly, as we are now in June and a team has yet to be chosen for the show. The Commanders certainly don’t lack drama and a new era in Washington would be compelling to watch.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints made quite the splash this offseason when they signed Derek Carr to a four-year deal. Carr has to have a new level of motivation given what happened with the Raiders. On paper the Saints have the potential to be an explosive offense with Carr, Michael Thomas coming back and of course Alvin Kamara. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints end up being the choice for Hard Knocks. They may not be as captivating as the other teams but should offer enough intriguing storylines to keep us watching.

The post Breaking Down the Candidates for Hard Knocks 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Atlanta Falcons: How Will The Young Offensive Core Do?

The Atlanta Falcons have a sneaky young offensive core that could be one of the NFL’s best sooner rather than later. Kyle Pitts, the super TE, had a rough sophomore season where he barely got passes and got hurt. Drake London had a solid rookie season where he got 72 catches for 866 yards and four TDs. The Falcons started their draft with RB Bijan Robinson, the best RB prospect in a while. All of these while having Desmond Ridder as your QB. Now, the Falcons have put their faith in Desmond this season, but he’s not the QB you would have as your starter. Hopefully, the OC can help lessen the load by giving simple plays to Ridder and let the three do the work. In case it doesn’t work out, there are big names in the upcoming draft who can be the final piece in the core.

Carolina Panthers: Will Bryce Young Get The Start Right Away?

Bryce Young and the Panthers have started camp and there have been some action shots of him taking reps. Currently, Andy Dalton is the starter in name. He is a solid QB but he’s not worth sitting the future for the entire season. The Panthers reloaded this offseason with the additions of Adam Thielen and Hayden Hurst. They did a good job putting in a roster that can lessen the workload of the QB. Now, the million-dollar question is if it’s Bryce Young time by Week 1. Personally, I don’t mind Dalton being the starter of Week 1, but if times are telling, you have to give the keys to Bryce as soon as possible to see if he’s worth the hype.

New Orleans Saints: Can Derek Carr Lead The Saints To The Best Record In The Division?

The odds according to Vegas have slotted the Saints to be the division winner for the NFC South. The Saints were filled with injuries and uncertainties last season as multiple QBs had looks during the season. Currently, Derek Carr is more stable than anyone they had last season. Personally, he’s also the best QB they had since Drew Brees. He’ll have a core of weapons with Kamara, Olave and MT if healthy. With almost every team having a young and inexperienced QB, Carr just needs to be solid enough for the Saints to have home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Can Baker Mayfield Keep The Critics Quiet?

The Tom Brady era in Tampa Bay has finished as he officially retired again. His impact in Tampa Bay will be missed but it’s time to look forward. Baker Mayfield has signed with Tampa Bay after stints in Carolina and the Rams last season. It’s been a rocky past few years for the former top pick of the draft. Going to Tampa Bay is a fresh start for him as he looks to regain his footing in the NFL world as a starting-caliber quarterback. There’s still a lot of talent on offense and defense and the division is still very open. Baker can change the narrative about himself and potentially save his career by being a solid starter in Tampa Bay. However, a bad season means Tampa Bay getting a high pick to draft their QB of the future and potentially Baker losing his starter status permanently.

The post NFC South: Biggest Question to be Answered Per Team appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Denver Broncos: How will Sean Payton work with Russell Wilson?

It was a disaster of a season for Russell Wilson and the Broncos after all the moves they made. One small positive was when Wilson started doing better in the last few games of the season. The Broncos made a home run hire with Sean Payton as the HC. He did wonders with Drew Brees who was aging at the time. Maybe if he can let Russ cook by targeting more short and intermediate passes, he can bring out the inner Drew Brees in him. This team is very talented but they are in a stacked division. If the two can work together, they can get a Wild Card spot to erase the memories of last season.

Kansas City Chiefs: How long will the core be intact?

The trio of Andy Reid, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes will be one for the history books. While Mahomes is still young, Andy Reid is 65 years old and Travis Kelce is turning 34 in October. Kelce has made some comments that Andy Reid will be the last coach he’ll play for. So retirement has been on the mind of the great TE. Even if Patrick Mahomes continues, there is no guarantee he will have the same success without the two. For now, we should enjoy this trio while we can.

Las Vegas Raiders: Is Jimmy Garoppolo an upgrade over Derek Carr?

Derek Carr had a long and difficult career for the Raiders. He was strong throughout all the negative moments that the Oakland/Las Vegas team experienced. But it was time to make a move and Carr is a Saint while Jimmy G is the face of the Raiders. The favorite of HC Josh McDaniels, Jimmy G will be challenged. He has had an amazing record with the patriots and 49ers but has not won the big one yet. For now, Carr was a good QB with what he had. Jimmy G in the 49ers has always been blessed with weapons. With a team less stacked and less expectations, can Garoppolo have his best season and show he’s more than just a system QB.

Los Angeles Chargers: How much pressure is Justin Herbert facing?

Justin Herbert had a tough season and the future is a little uncertain. We saw a lot more checkdowns and we saw less of what Herbert’s arm can do. They ended the season blowing a 27-point lead in the Wild Card against the Jaguars. After spending a few years in the league, Herbert needs a good bounce back season to show he is one of the elite young QBs in the game. With Ekeler and Keenan Allen‘s days possibly coming to an end, the Chargers will have some challenges in the future. If Herbert has a strong season and a playoff win, all the noise will quiet down for now.

The post AFC West: Biggest Question to be Answered Per Team appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Tennessee will be depleted in this game, meanwhile the Cowboys are playing for that #1 seed. Cowboys all the way in this one.

Dallas 27 Titans 10

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)

Colt McCoy appears to be back this week but with Arizona out of the playoff hunt, I like the Falcons in this game. They are fighting for the division. On a positive note, Tyler Allgeier is playing extremely well for Atlanta.

Atlanta 24 Arizona 21

Cleveland Browns at Washington Commanders (-2)

Cleveland has been eliminated from the playoffs while the Commanders are hanging on to the 7th spot in the NFC. Ron Rivera yesterday announced his new starting QB in Carson Wentz. In recent reports, Carson Wentz took time to reflect on what he needs to work on if he did come back. I think we see a different Wentz in this game. Someone that is confident, understands the offense and will be asked to continue the same game plan they had with Heinicke. The only difference is that he may be asked to make some deep throws. The defense needs to step up in this game and stop their two playmakers, Chubb and Cooper. I want to see the defensive line disrupt Deshaun Watson and reek havoc.

Commanders 27 Cleveland 21

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-6)

This should be a good NFC North battle between the Bears and Lions. The Lions are still fighting for that 7th spot while the Bears have been eliminated. I think the Bears play well in this game and beat the Lions by a field goal.

Bears 20 Lions 17

Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5) at Houston Texans

Jacksonville is a hot team right now and seem to be clicking at the right time. They’ll need some work to get in the playoffs but should be able to handle the Texans with ease.

Jacksonville 30 Texans 17

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-13.5)

The Broncos are in turmoil coming off an embarrassing 51-17 loss to the Rams. At this point, they will be playing a lot of backups and the Chiefs are playing for the #1 seed. Take KC by a lot.

Chiefs 33 Broncos 10

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-3)

Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol and the reeling Dolphins have a tough matchup in New England. This will be a low scoring ugly kind of game with the Patriots winning.

Patriots 17 Dolphins 13

Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants (-6)

Giants have a firm hold on the 6th seed in the NFC but still would like to win the last two games. They shouldn’t have a problem this week against a Nick Foles led Colts team.

Giants 24 Colts 14

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5)

Philly will be short handed once again without Jalen Hurts. But that’s OK as Gardner Minshew looked pretty darn good last week. The Eagles are just too good on both sides of the ball even with Lane Johnson out. The Saints have a lot to play for but the Eagles are a complete team.

Eagles 31 Saints 17

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)

The Panthers are another team peaking at the right time while the Bucs look like they don’t even want to play in the playoffs. This should be another low scoring affair. My mind tells me take the Panthers but then I remember who the Bucs have at quarterback. Brady hasn’t been playing well but I think he does just enough to squeak out a victory in Tampa.

Bucs 20 Panthers 16

San Francisco 49ers (-7) at Las Vegas Raiders

Derek Carr was benched this week and the Raiders are out of the playoffs. At this point, they are evaluating players for next year. 49ers all the way.

49ers 28 Raiders 10

New York Jets (-1.5) at Seattle Seahawks

Mike White is back as the Jets starting quarterback but he’s playing in a tough city in Seattle. This is a do or die game for Seattle who is trying to get that #7 seed. I think Seattle plays their best game in a while and take care of the Jets in this one, even with Mike White.

Seattle 23 Jets 17

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-3.5)

This should be a classic. Minnesota already clinching a playoff spot is just one game out for the #1 seed. The Packers have won three in a row and appear to be clicking. The fact that there in Green Bay has me swaying towards the Packers in this one. They are fighting for their playoff lives.

Packers 27 Vikings 23

Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5)

The Rams came alive last week, but not against the Chargers D this week. The Chargers D will have at least two takeaways and control this game.

Chargers 24 Rams 13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-3)

The Steelers are mathematically still alive in the AFC playoff race. The Ravens also need to play well to stay in the #5 spot. Huntley will once again be at the helm. Take the Ravens by a field goal.

Ravens 24 Steelers 21

Buffalo Bills (-1) at Cincinnati Bengals

Could this be a preview of the AFC Championship? Maybe, but the Chiefs might have something to say about that. Is this a statement game? The fact that the game is Cincinnati makes me think they have a slight advantage. In Buffalo, well that’s a different story. Take the Bengals in a close one.

Bengals 34 Bills 31

Last weeks record 10-6

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