Seattle Seahawks (8-5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (3-10)
Preview
Seattle has won all three of their most recent matchups against the division rival 49ers, and the future doesn’t look to bright for San Fran’s win column. Both NFC West squads are coming off impressive wins with dominant performances coming in the form of defense and big plays. George Kittle pushed the top contender for the first pick in the NFL draft over the Denver Broncos with an astonishing 210 yards and 1 score performance in the first half. Kittle was a one man wrecking crew and will be the key for the 49ers again in this showdown against Russell Wilson and Co. The Seahawks, thick in the NFC playoff picture, took down an NFC “powerhouse” in the Minnesota Vikings under the lights of Monday Night Football and will be tough to upset, as they are flying high with the postseason in their grasp.
Players to watch
Russell Wilson has been magic all year and will need to produce his “wow” plays to continue their 4-game win streak past week 15. But Chris Carson may be the key to victory in what is an unpredictable NFC West clash. The Seahawks have run the ball on a higher percentage of plays than any other team in the league and Rashaad Penny could see some usage against a weak front seven of the 49ers. Seattle doesn’t just possess a strong offense, as their defense has continued to improve throughout the season and Frank Clark has led that surge. If he can pressure Nick Mullens, the entire 49ers offense may be in for a long afternoon. The hero of week 14 will be looked to early and often, and if the Seattle secondary can slow down George Kittle, Dante Pettis and others will need to step up in what has turned into a mediocre pass catching corps.
Keys to the game
Seattle Seahawks
Control the Clock
Win the Turnover Battle
Pound the Ball
San Francisco 49ers
Protect the Ball
Get George Kittle Involved
Keep Russell Wilson in the Pocket
Injury list
Seattle Seahawks
Rashaad Penny, RB - Knee (Out)
Maurice Alexander, S - Concussion (Out)
K.J. Wright, LB - Knee (Out)
D.J. Fluker, OG - Hamstring (Doubtful)
Jarran Reed, DT - Oblique (Questionable)
Doug Baldwin, WR - Hip (Questionable)
Bradley McDougald, S - Knee (Questionable)
San Francisco 49ers
Jaquiski Tartt, S - Shoulder (Out)
Matt Breida, RB - Ankle (Questionable)
Cassius Marsh, DE - Concussion (Questionable)
K’Waun Williams, CB - Knee (Questionable)
Marquise Goodwin, WR - Calf (Questionable)
Dante Pettis, WR - Foot (Questionable)
Mark Nzeocha, LB - Groin (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Russell Wilson, QB (SEA)
Chris Carson, RB (SEA)
George Kittle, TE (SF)
Seattle D/ST (SEA)
Nick Mullens, QB (SF)
Prediction
Although division contests can fall either way due to familiarity, the 49ers do not possess the personnel to keep up with the Seahawks. Russell Wilson should begin the game hot, leaving the 49ers in comeback most of most of the game. With the playoffs in arm’s reach, nothing will stop Seattle from winning this game against a 3-win organization.
Final Score: Seahawks 34, 49ers 20
Written by: Jason Feiner
New England Patriots (9-4) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1)
Preview
This is one of the matchups football fans have been waiting for all season. We all remember how last year’s game ended in a dramatic/controversial way in favor of the Patriots. This year, the Steelers will be looking for revenge as New England comes to Pittsburgh. On top of that, this game will be huge for the playoff picture as both teams are looking to move up in the seeding. With that in mind, this should be a very exciting game to watch.
Players to watch
For the Steelers, I look for the duo of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown to be huge. They will be facing a secondary that ranks 23rd against the pass, allowing 259.5 yards per game through the air. On the other side, the Patriots will be relying on rookie running back Sony Michel to get going and take some pressure off Tom Brady and the passing game.
Keys to the game
New England Patriots
Establish the run
Put pressure on Roethlisberger
Create turnovers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Protect Roethlisberger
Put pressure on Brady
Capitalize on big play opportunities
Injury list
New England Patriots
No injury designations - All players cleared to play
Pittsburgh Steelers
Marcus Gilbert, OT - Knee (Out)
James Connor, RB - Ankle (Questionable)
Ryan Switzer, WR - Ankle (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Antonio Brown, WR (PIT)
Ben Roethlisberger, QB (PIT)
Tom Brady, QB (NE)
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR (PIT)
Sony Michel, RB (NE)
Prediction
This game will be a true shootout between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Both teams will take advantage of shaky secondaries and drive their teams down the field. This year will resemble last year’s game a lot but the result will be different. I have the Steelers driving down the field and scoring a game-winning touchdown to win this one and put themselves in good shape in the playoffs.
Final Score: Steelers 35, Patriots 28
Written by: Ryan Lippert
Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) vs. Los Angeles Rams (11-2)
Preview
The Rams are coming off a demoralizing loss that put them a half game behind the New Orleans Saints in the race for first seed in the NFC. They will be looking for vengeance in a game that will feature Nick Foles as the Eagles’ starting signal caller after Carson Wentz suffered a fractured vertebra. This will be the best case scenario for the powerhouse Los Angeles team looking to regain home field advantage throughout the postseason. With the Eagles on the brink of elimination and the Rams hungry for their 12th win of the year, I’m not exactly sure if this will qualify as a Sunday Night thriller.
Players to watch
Jared Goff had perhaps his worst game as a professional athlete last week against an elite Chicago defense. Now he will have the opportunity to tackle a banged up defense and the porous secondary of Philly. However, Goff isn’t the only one who let the Rams down last week, as Todd Gurley accrued 2.8 yards per carry. Sean Mcvay was quick abandon the run game, neglecting to get his star back involved. This will be a different story, as the Eagles have allowed 139.2 yards per game and five rushing touchdowns since week 11. Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks have been one of the better receiver duos up to this point in 2018, and that should continue against the 30th passing defense in the league. On the other sideline, Nick Foles is going to need a lot of help to beat a secondary controlled by Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and a pass rush featuring Aaron Donald. The Rams run defense has been a weak point for this LA squad and could give way to Josh Adams, who has come on strong in recent weeks. Watch for Zach Ertz in the passing game; he will be relied upon if Nick Foles isn’t up to the daunting task in front of him.
Keys to the game
Philadelphia Eagles
Protect the Ball
Limit Todd Gurley
Apply Pressure to Jared Goff
Los Angeles Rams
Feed Todd Gurley
Spread the Ball Around
Force turnovers
Injury list
Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Hicks, LB - Calf (Out)
Timmy Jernigan, DT - Back (Out)
Sidney Jones, CB - Hamstring (Out)
Isaac Seumalo, OG - Pectoral (Out)
Carson Wentz, QB - Back (Doubtful)
Michael Bennett, DE - Foot (Questionable)
Avonte Maddox, CB - Ankle/Knee (Questionable)
Shelton Gibson, WR - Wrist (Questionable)
Los Angeles Rams
No injury designations - All players cleared to play
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Jared Goff, QB (LAR)
Todd Gurley, RB (LAR)
Robert Woods, WR (LAR)
Zach Ertz, TE (PHI)
Brandin Cooks, WR (LAR)
Prediction
With Carson Wentz slated to miss the rematch against quarterback Jared Goff, who was selected 1 spot higher than Wentz in the 2016 NFL Draft, there doesn’t seem to be much hope in the cards for Philly. However, Nick Foles, Super Bowl 52’s MVP, has surprised us before with one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history. He will need to battle against an elite defense to win this one. Todd Gurley should get off to a quick start, and with the lead, the Rams will coast to a smooth record of 12-2. They already need help from the Saints if they want first seed in the NFC — don’t expect them to falter with that goal in arms reach.
Final Score: Rams 38, Eagles 23
Written by: Jason Feiner