Most Likely 1pm Games

Vikings @ Bears (WINNER: Vikings)

The Bears might have Justin Fields but they also have only three wins. The Vikings should win this easily.

Texans @ Colts (WINNER: Texans)

Both teams are out of the AFC South race and two of the worst teams in the league. While this game should be competitive, the Texans have the momentum to win this game.

Chargers @ Broncos (WINNER: Chargers)

The Broncos’ ride this season has been very rough this season and it will end with the Chargers electrocuting the ride.

Cardinals @ 49ers (WINNER: 49ers)

The Cardinals came into this season as a team poised for the playoffs. Now they are team poised for the draft. 49ers will win this game with another stellar Brock Prudy performance.

Rams @ Seahawks (WINNER: Seahawks)

Can’t believe that the reigning Super Bowl champions are out of the playoff hunt already. Baker Mayfield should be a wildcard to this matchup so it will be close, but the Seahawks will want to win to potentially sneak into the playoffs.

Chiefs @ Raiders (WINNER: Chiefs)

This AFC West matchup would have been compelling had the Raiders not been a team prone to collapsing in games. The Chiefs are going to win this game and try to clinch the AFC bye.

Most Likely 4pm Games

Patriots @ Bills (WINNER: Bills)

While this game might not seem compelling at first glance due to the team’s records, this game will mean a lot to both teams. The Patriots will try and clinch the last spot in the AFC playoffs while the Bills will try and clinch the AFC bye. It will be a fun game to watch.

Lions @ Packers (WINNER: Lions)

Week 17 will determine how important of a game this will be but this game will be against two teams trying to desperately make the playoffs and salvage their mediocre seasons. However, the Lions are trending upwards and should give Aaron Rodgers a chance to spend some time with his family this winter.

Cowboys @ Commanders (WINNER: Cowboys)

The Cowboys will be looking to end the regular season strong against a Washington team that will be trying to secure a wildcard spot. The Cowboys should win this game, but Dak is prone to throwing the game away so this will be a good game nonetheless.

Most Likely Saturday Night Game

Titans @ Jaguars (WINNER: Jaguars)

Not only is this a heated AFC South rivalry, this game will decide who will win the AFC South. This should be an intense game but the Jaguars are red hot and will clinch their second ever AFC South title, first since 2017.

Most Likely Sunday Night Game

Ravens @ Bengals (WINNER: Bengals)

No matter if Lamar Jackson plays or not, this game will be a heated AFC North battle. Both teams are going to be fighting for the divisional title and a chance to host a playoff game. The Bengals will most likely win this game, especially if Lamar Jackson is not playing.

Possible 1pm or 4pm Games

Buccaneers @ Falcons (WINNER: Buccaneers)

The NFC South could be still undecided in this game and this would be a chance for Tom Brady to clinch the playoffs after an abysmal season. The Buccaneers should win this game but the Falcons will try to make it close.

Browns @ Steelers (WINNER: Steelers)

Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in his career, but this game could decide if he does. It could also decide whether or not the Steelers could sneak into the playoffs. It’s a longshot, but the Steelers should win and look to the results of other games in the AFC to see if they are a playoff team.

Possible 4pm or Saturday Afternoon Games

Giants @ Eagles (WINNER: Eagles)

The Giants and Eagles will be playoff teams and this NFC East rivalry game will still have some intensity as the both teams will want to lock their playoff seeding. The Eagles should win this and enter the playoffs with a bye and a lot of momentum.

Jets @ Dolphins (WINNER: Dolphins)

The Jets are collapsing right now, but both teams are still in the playoff hunt. This game could decide which team gets that last wildcard spot in the AFC. Even though Tua is always in concussion protocol, the Dolphins should win this game and secure their spot in the playoffs.

Panthers @ Saints (WINNER: Panthers)

Not only could this game decide the NFC South, but this could also decide who gets the last playoff spot in the NFC. This should be a close game but the Panthers should edge this one out.

The post Best Predictions for a Competitive NFL Week 18 Schedule appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Mike McCarthy raised the Dallas Cowboys out of the ashes in 2021. He brought his team from a 6-10 record last season to an impressive 11-5 record and NFC East title this season. Nonetheless, McCarthy will have one more test in his early Cowboys tenure before his 2021 year is in the books. The Cowboys HC will face off against his classic rival in the Philadelphia Eagles. The ring leader on the other sidelines is none other than Nick Sirianni. 

There is no debate over which head coach has a more impressive and respectable legacy. It is none other than Mike McCarthy, who has brought home a Lombardi trophy to Green Bay. But, it is fascinating to witness how McCarthy has performed in Dallas. It’s also worth comparing how each HC has faired in their new NFC East seats. So, let’s rewind the tape and outline the notable highlights for these NFC East rivals. 

McCarthy

• 17-15 in the first two seasons (12-8 with Prescott)
• second in passing yards, 10th in rushing yards, 
• Defense leads league in turnovers
• NFC East title
• DROY favorite in Micah Parsons
• DPOY candidates in Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs
• CPOY favorite in Dak Prescott
• Enormous wins over Patriots, Saints, and Chargers

Sirianni

• 9-7 record in his first season
• 14th ranked offense in YPG 
• Jalen Hurts improved from 52% in 2020 completion percentage to 61.3% in 2021
• Hurts improved his passer rating from 77.6 last season to 87.2 this season
• Monster victories against the Saints, Broncos, and Washington Football Team

It should seem that McCarthy has a slight edge over Sirianni “at the moment”. Nonetheless, it is impressive how Sirianni has found success and a playoff berth with a much less talented roster than the Cowboys. The Cowboys carry a dream-like team, while the Eagles have a second-year QB and no Zach Ertz. The Eagles have been surprising and positive, but they don’t seem to carry a scary ceiling or the ability to throttle an opponent. McCarthy appears to have his team climbing the ladder of quality play, especially after their 56-14 thrashing of the Washington Football Team. 

The Cowboys will need the Rams and Cardinals to lose if they want to claim the #2 seed. A win won’t likely change anything in the playoff picture, but it would mark a very impressive 12th win on the season ”“ which would be three more than Nick Sirianni’s win tally. Yet, if Sirianni’s team comes out with the upset, they would just be a win behind the much more talented Cowboys. 

The post Mike McCarthy vs Nick Sirianni: who really has the edge? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.