Denver Broncos (6-6) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2-10)
Preview
The front runners for the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft will be playing a red-hot Broncos team coming off three straight victories. Unfortunately for Denver, disaster has struck, leaving both Emmanuel Sanders and Chris Harris Jr. on the shelf. The Broncos are coming off two impressive wins over top AFC contenders in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, and now are competing for a spot in the postseason with just four games left in the regular season. It will be tough for the Broncos to overcome the recent injures, but how likely is it the 49ers can muster a win in a lost season?
Players to watch
With Emmanuel Sanders out for the year and Demaryius Thomas in Houston, Broncos rookie and now top receiver Courtland Sutton has some big shoes to fill. With the passing game struggling, Denver will continue to look to their standout rookie running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman to carry the load in a matchup against a middling 49ers rush defense. As Chris Harris Jr. continues to nurse his injury, Nick Mullens will have an easier afternoon attempting to match his 400 yard, 2 touchdown performance from a week ago. After two quiet games, George Kittle will need to have a big performance if the 49ers want any chance to pull off the upset. The 49ers are depleted at the running back position and will continue to look to use Jeffrey Wilson as the bellcow.
Keys to the game
Denver Broncos
Pressure Nick Mullens
Establish the Ground Game
Force turnovers
San Francisco 49ers
Run the ball
Control the clock
Limit Turnovers
Stop Phillip Lindsay
Injury list
Denver Broncos
Shaquil Barrett, LB - Hip (Out)
Tramaine Brock, CB - Ribs (Out)
Chris Harris, CB - Fibula (Out)
Brandon Marshall, LB - Knee (Questionable)
San Francisco 49ers
Matt Breida, RB - Ankle (Out)
Pierre Garcon, WR - Knee (Out)
Jaquiski Tartt, S - Shoulder (Out)
K’Waun Williams, CB - Knee (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Phillip Lindsay, RB (DEN)
Courtland Sutton, WR (DEN)
George Kittle, TE (SF)
Jeffery Wilson, RB (SF)
Case Keenum, QB (DEN)
Prediction
A lot of analysts have this marked down as a cake walk for the Broncos, but it should be a much closer game than many expect. The 49ers are coming off two ugly losses and will look to improve quickly. However, still don't expect them to pull off the upset. Although there may be hope, Phillip Lindsay will have another monster game while leading Denver to a fourth straight win and a 7-6 record. They will be in the thick of the playoff race after this victory.
Final Score: Broncos 27, 49ers 16
Written by: Jason Feiner
Cincinnati Bengals (5-7) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (9-3)
Preview
This matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers features two teams that are opposite ends of the spectrum in the AFC. The Bengals have plummeted after a promising start and are looking at a likely top 10 pick in next year’s draft. On the opposite side, the Chargers are rolling, coming off an impressive comeback victory on the road over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Crazier things have happened but all things point to this game turning into a blowout.
Players to watch
With injuries to both quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, the Bengals must turn to the ground game if they want any chance of winning this game. Running backs Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard have to show up to play as they will be going up against a Chargers defense that has only allowed 104 yards per game on the ground. For the Chargers, the duo of quarterback Philip Rivers and Keenan Allen has been outstanding so far this season. They look to continue the same this week as they face a terrible Bengals secondary that ranks 31st against the pass.
Keys to the game
Cincinnati Bengals
Attack on the ground
Put pressure on Rivers
Put together long drives
Los Angeles Chargers
Stop the run
Limit turnovers
Capitalize on big plays
Injury list
Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green, WR - Foot (IR)
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB - Ankle (Out)
Tony Mcrae, CB - Concussion (Out)
Cordy Glenn, T - Back (Out)
Josh Malone, WR - Hamstring (Questionable)
Vontaze Burfict, OLB - Concussion (Out)
Los Angeles Chargers
Melvin Gordon, RB - MCL (Out)
Trevor Williams, CB - Knee (Out)
Sean Culkin, TE - Back (Doubtful)
Brandon Mebane, NT - No injury related (Doubtful)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Philip Rivers, QB (LAC)
Keenan Allen, WR (LAC)
Austin Ekeler, RB (LAC)
Joe Mixon, RB (CIN)
Tyler Body, WR (CIN)
Prediction
This game has the chance to be a blowout, and it will be. Without any form of passing game, the Bengals have very little hope of staying in this game. It will be just as bad for them on the defensive side of the ball as Rivers should be due for another big game. Cincinnati will score a couple touchdowns to make the scoreboard look a little better but I have the Chargers winning by multiple scores. With the win, the Chargers hold on to the top spot in the wildcard picture and continue their chase of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
Final Score: Chargers 35, Bengals 14
Written by: Ryan Lippert
Detroit Lions (4-8) vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
Preview
Detroit is coming off a tough stretch of games in which they escaped with just a 1-5 record against some of the top teams in the NFC. They now head to Arizona to take on a rebuilding Cardinals team looking to acquire a high pick come draft season. With both teams seemingly out of the playoffs this will be a competition for draft position featuring some of the top commodities in fantasy football. With Arizona struggling in Steve Wilks’ first season as head coach, and the Lions failing to provide much offensive production don’t expect a high scoring game in this contest of NFL bottom feeders.
Players to watch
Many will be tuning into this matchup to keep up with the 2019 draft order and to follow the performances of Matthew Stafford, Kenny Golladay, LeGarrette Blount, and Theo Riddick with the fantasy playoffs looming. On the other sideline, David Johnson will be looked upon to carry his owners to the second round of the postseason in week 15. Johnson may have a tough time running between the trenches with Damon “Snacks” Harris taking up the interior of the field. Josh Rosen has been slowly improving each time he steps on the field, but ball protection has never been his strong suit. He’s committed 11 interceptions and 7 fumbles in 10 games. With their star rookie Christian Kirk heading to IR, more opportunities will be provided to the aging Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Keys to the game
Detroit Lions
Stop David Johnson
Force Turnovers
Establish the Run
Arizona Cardinals
Pressure Matt Stafford
Control the Clock
Protect the Ball
Injury list
Detroit Lions
Kerryon Johnson, RB - Knee (Out)
Trevor Bates, LB - Ankle (Out)
Nick Bellore, FB - Ankle (Out)
Bruce Ellington, WR - Back (Questionable)
Kerry Hyder, Jr., Illness (Questionable)
Devon Kennard, LB - Hip (Questionable)
Brandon Powell, WR - Calf (Questionable)
Michael Roberts, TE - Shoulder (Questionable)
Darius Slay, CB - Ankle (Questionable)
Matthew Stafford, QB - Back (Questionable)
Arizona Cardinals
Deone Bucannon, S - Chest (Out)
Budda Baker, S - Knee (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Larry Fitzgerald, WR (AZ)
Matthew Stafford, QB (DET)
David Johnson, RB (AZ)
Kenny Golladay, WR (DET)
Detroit D/ST
Prediction
The Cardinals are boasting a new look offensive line featuring three rookies in center Mason Cole, left tackle Korey Cunningham and guard Colby Gossett, while filling in their vacant right tackle position with backup Will Holden. Although the Lions don’t possess a dominant pass rush, expect them to reach Rosen’s drop point and harass the young signal caller all game. This won’t be a high scoring affair by any means, but should provide a fifth win for Detroit. They will force turnovers and utilize their combination of lightning (Riddick) and thunder (Blount) in their backfield.
Final Score: Lions 23, Cardinals 15
Written by: Jason Feiner
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4-1) vs. Oakland Raiders (2-10)
Preview
This Sunday afternoon matchup will feature two teams that are both coming off close losses. The Raiders came just short of upsetting the top-ranked Kansas City Chiefs last week. On the opposite side, the Steelers blew a 17-point lead at home in a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Pittsburgh has a lot to play for as they are just a ½ game ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North and are also looking to move up in the AFC playoff seeding. The Raiders are coming into this one with nothing to lose as they are out of the playoff race and looking at a likely top 5 pick in next year’s draft.
Players to watch
Unfortunately for the Steelers, they will be without starting running back James Conner after he suffered an ankle injury last week against the Chargers. They will be calling on rookie running back Jaylen Samuels to start in his place. Samuels will be going up against an awful Raiders defense that ranks 31st against the run, allowing 153.2 yards per game on the ground. If Oakland wants any chance of winning this one, they must have a big game from Derek Carr in the passing game. Outside linebackers TJ Watt and Bud Dupree will look to make things very uncomfortable for Carr as they will be going up against an offensive line that has been devastated by injuries this season.
Keys to the game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Get Samuels going early
Feed Antonio Brown
Finish drives/limit turnovers
Oakland Raiders
Put pressure on Roethlisberger
Protect Carr
Limit big plays
Injury list
Pittsburgh Steelers
James Conner, RB - Ankle (Out)
Anthony Chickillo, OLB - Ankle (Questionable)
Morgan Burnett, S - Back (Questionable)
Marcus Gilbert, T - Knee (Out)
Oakland Raiders
Seth Roberts, WR - Concussion (Questionable)
Maurice Hurst, DT - Achilles (Questionable)
Daryl Worley, CB - Shoulder (Questionable)
Arden Key, DE - Knee (Questionable)
Kyle Wilber, LB - Hamstring (Questionable)
Kelechi Osemele, G - Toe (Questionable)
Doug Martin, RB - Knee (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Antonio Brown, WR (PIT)
Ben Roethlisberger, QB (PIT)
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR (PIT)
Derek Carr, QB (OAK)
Jaylen Samuels, RB (PIT)
Prediction
If all things go they way they should, this game shouldn’t be close. Even without Conner, the Steelers have too many offensive weapons for this Oakland defense. Samuels will have a big day and prove that he is worthy of being used in this offense moving forward. On the opposite side of the ball, Pittsburgh’s defense should have a field day as the Raiders have very few weapons to work with. Oakland may keep it interesting for a little, but talent will take over in this game as the Steelers will get back on track with a huge win.
Final Score: Steelers 31, Raiders 14
Written by: Ryan Lippert
Philadelphia Eagles (6-6) vs. Dallas Cowboys (7-5)
Preview
The Eagles and Cowboys may not have expected the route they took to get to this point in Week 14, but here they are, preparing for a crucial NFC East showdown in Jerry World. The winner will take the outright lead in the division with just three more games to play. While both teams certainly consider this a must-win game, Dallas may be in slightly better position to handle a loss should Philadelphia get the upset. Dallas enters the game as the current NFC East leader and is 5-1 at home on the year, with remaining games at IND, vs TB, and at NYG. Following their huge win against New Orleans last week, a win against Philly would put them in excellent position to win the division and even challenge Chicago for the #3 seed in the NFC playoff picture. The Eagles are also optimistic coming off consecutive division wins against the Giants and Redskins, though they'll have a tougher road beyond this week (at LAR, vs HOU, at WAS). Therefore, a loss in Big D makes a return to the postseason increasingly unlikely for Doug Pederson's team.
Players to watch
In the first matchup between these two teams, Carson Wentz threw for 360 yards and 2 TDs in what was Golden Tate's first game with the Eagles. He has since become more involved in their offensive attack (7 rec, 85 yds, TD vs Washington last week). Another name to keep an eye on is Zach Ertz, who Dallas must figure out how to slow down after letting him accumulate 14 catches for 145 yards and 2 TDs when they first met. Darren Sproles will also be on the field this time around, giving the Philly offense another dimension. Last week against the Saints, Rod Marinelli's defense had success utilizing the athleticism of Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and sometimes even a defensive back (i.e. Jourdan Lewis) to cover Alvin Kamara out of the backfield. Expect a similar plan for the speedy, shifty Sproles. On offense for the Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott has been on a tear during Dallas' four-game winning streak as he has been much more involved as a receiver as of late. Also look for Amari Cooper, who has caught 16 balls for 256 yards and 2 scores the last two games, to consistently challenge the back-end of the Eagles defense.
Keys to the game
Philadelphia Eagles
Efficiency in redzone, touchdowns over field goals
Sustain drives, wear out the Dallas defense
Attack the seams with Ertz
Dallas Cowboys
Take care of the ball (Dak)
Keep utilizing Zeke in the passing game
Tackle in space
Injury list
Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Hicks, LB - Calf (Out)
Jalen Mills, CB - Foot (Out)
Michael Bennett, DE - Foot (Questionable)
Timmy Jernigan, DT - Back (Questionable)
Avonte Maddux, CB - Ankle/Knee (Questionable)
Dallas Cowboys
Tavon Austin, WR - Groin (Out)
David Irving, DL - Ankle (Out)
Sean Lee, LB - Hamstring (Out)
Geoff Swaim, TE - Wrist (Out)
Michael Gallup, WR - Illness (Questionable)
Tyron Smith, OT - Neck (Questionable)
Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG - Ankle/Thumb (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Ezekiel Elliott, RB (DAL)
Amari Cooper, WR (DAL)
Zach Ertz, TE (PHI)
Golden Tate, WR (PHI)
Dak Prescott, QB (DAL)
Prediction
Dallas is riding high after limiting the potent New Orleans offense to just ten points last Thursday night, but it's unfair to expect such a low-scoring affair again. Not much will come easy for either offense, but both teams should be able to find ways to move the ball as the game goes on. It will likely come down to turnovers and efficiency in the red zone. The Eagles seemed to have found a little more offensive rhythm since giving Josh Adams more carries and finding ways to get Golden Tate and Darren Sproles the ball in space, but the Dallas defense can match speed better than most defenses in the league. It will be a one possession game throughout, but just like last time, the Dallas D gets one final stop at the end of the game to extend their division lead and send the Eagles back home with their season in the balance.
Final Score: Cowboys 27, Eagles 23
Written by: Greg Lehr
Los Angeles Rams (11-1) vs. Chicago Bears (8-4)
Preview
The NFC West champ Los Angeles Rams are headed into Chicago to face the soon-to-be NFC North champ Bears, in what could easily be a playoff matchup preview. There are plenty of storylines tied to this game. Not only is it a battle between two of the most creative and electrifying offenses in the league, it’s a duel between the NFL’s two most dominant defensive players in arguably the past decade. Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack have been nearly unstoppable this year, and what they’ve done to opposing offensive linemen should be illegal. Donald is aiming for back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors and is on pace to break Michael Strahan's sack record. Luckily, the Bears are getting Mitchell Trubisky back, their sensational sophomore QB, after suffering a shoulder injury two weeks ago... just in time to run for his life.
Players to watch
Aqib Talib is finally back, but this is obviously going to be showdown between Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack. Regardless of if they admit it or not, these two will be looking to answer the debate as to who the DPOY is. Mitchell Trubisky will need to get outside the pocket, get the ball out quickly, and exploit the Rams linebackers against the elusive Tarik Cohen. Chicago’s all-star cast of LBs in Leonard Floyd, RoQuan Smith, and Danny Trevathan will have their hands full against Todd Gurley, the league’s leader in yards and TDs. Even if the Bears do stop the Rams’ ground game (easier said than done), Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller will need to limit Jared Goff and his WR duo of Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods.
Keys to the game
Los Angeles Rams
Let Aaron Donald him feast
Establish the run and let Gurley go wild
Add a spy or double team Tarik Cohen
Protect Goff from Mack
Chicago Bears
Get the ball out of Trubisky’s hands
Limit Aaron Donald at all costs
Get Tarik Cohen the ball early and often
Make the Rams O one dimensional
Injury list
Los Angeles Rams
Malcolm Brown, RB - Shoulder (Out)
Chicago Bears
Deon Bush, S - Hamstring (Doubtful)
Bilal Nichols, DT - Knee (Questionable)
Eddie Jackson, S - Shin (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Todd Gurley, RB (LAR)
Tarik Cohen, RB (CHI)
Mitchell Trubisky, QB (CHI)
Jared Goff, QB (LAR)
Brandin Cooks, WR (LAR)
Prediction
An immovable object in the Bears’ defense versus an unstoppable force in the Rams’ offense — which team will budge? You have to lean towards the Rams. LA’s offense is just too potent to be shut down, much less slowed down, even against the best defense in the league. The Rams may be vulnerable defensively, but they have an MVP-caliber talent in Aaron Donald, who has been a one-man wrecking crew. Unless the Bears can shut down the two best players at their position in Donald and Todd Gurley, I can’t see how they win this game. Matt Nagy will need to scheme up some quick developing misdirection plays in order to counter the Rams pass rush. Trubisky will need to be damn near perfect if they hope to beat the #1 team in the league, and Khalil Mack will have to have a career game in order to pull this one off.
Final Score: Rams 31, Bears 20
Written by: Jack Bourgeois