Los Angeles Chargers (6-2) vs. Oakland Raiders (1-7)
Preview
This AFC West matchup features one of the hottest teams in the league against the worst record in football. The Chargers come into this game rolling an all aspects and maintaining a Wild-Card slot while chasing the Kansas City Chiefs. On the other side, Oakland has yet to find any sort of luck in what has been an embarrassing first season for head coach Jon Gruden. Unless the Raiders shock the world this week, this should be a very ugly game.
Players to watch
For the Raiders, all eyes will be on quarterback Derek Carr. If they want any chance of winning this game, he must have a successful day. With that in mind, this Oakland offensive line will have to do a better job protecting him as they allowed seven sacks last week against the 49ers. Luckily for them, they won’t have to deal with defensive end Joey Bosa, as he is out another week with a foot injury. The Chargers will be relying on another big game from running back Melvin Gordon to lead their offensive attack. He will be facing a Raiders defense that ranks last in the NFL against the run.
Keys to the game
Los Angeles Chargers
Big play opportunities
Limit turnovers
Put pressure on Carr
Feed Gordon
Oakland Raiders
Protect Carr
Establish the run
Stop Gordon
Limit big plays from Chargers
Injury list
Los Angeles Chargers
Chris Landrum, DE - Hip (Questionable)
Joey Bosa, DE - Foot (Out)
Darius Philon, DT - Ankle (Questionable)
Trevor Williams, CB - Knee (Questionable)
Kyle Emanuel, LB - Hip (Questionable)
Oakland Raiders
No Injury Designations - All Players Cleared to Play
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Melvin Gordon, RB (LAC)
Keenan Allen, WR (LAC)
Philip Rivers, QB (LAC)
Derek Carr, QB (OAK)
Doug Martin, RB (OAK)
Prediction
This game has a chance to get ugly and I believe that it will. The Raiders have no answer on defense for the Chargers’ offensive attack. Melvin Gordon will have another 100+ yard performance along with a couple touchdowns. Oakland may get a late score to make the scoreboard look a little better, but it won’t be nearly enough to win this one. I have the Chargers winning by three scores and keeping their strong season going.
Final Score: Chargers 35, Raiders 17
Written by: Ryan Lippert
Seattle Seahawks (4-4) vs. Los Angeles Rams (8-1)
Preview
In a rematch between division rivals, the Seahawks seem desperate for a win if they want to stay competitive in the race for the playoffs. The Rams have pulled three games ahead of Seattle and this game will have ramifications regarding seeding in the NFC playoff picture. Seattle looks to get back in the win column after dropping week 9’s matchup against the other Los Angeles team. Surprisingly, the Rams are coming off a loss as well, after the Saints ended their undefeated run by displaying the recipe for taking down a dominant Rams squad. These two teams met in week 5 and it proved to be an exhilarating contest that came down to the wire. Knowing each other so well, this divisional contest will prove to be another battle tested brawl.
Players to watch
LA’s achilles heel comes in the form of the ground game, and the Seahawks will need to lean on Chris Carson. If he is good to go, Carson will have a big game suited for the bright lights of LA. Russell Wilson has been nothing short of fantastic over Seattle's last four games, and he will need to continue his stellar play against a daunting Rams defense. If the Rams can’t get pressure on Jared Goff, this game will be over before it starts. That responsibility will lie on Frank Clark’s shoulders. Despite their first loss, Goff strung together 391 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception. The Hawks will have their handsful attempting to cover the Rams three headed monster at receiver, but Cooper Kupp should be on everyone’s watch list as he torched them in week 5 recording 6 receptions for 90 yards and a score. The Seahawks’ porous offensive line will need to do everything in their power to slow down Aaron Donald or it will be a long day at the Coliseum.
Keys to the game
Seattle Seahawks
Slow Down Gurley
Force Turnovers
Control the Clock
Los Angeles Rams
Keep Wilson Contained
Win in the Trenches
Feed Gurley
Injury list
Seattle Seahawks
Neiko Thorpe, CB - Groin (Doubtful)
Chris Carson, RB - Hip (Questionable)
D.J. Fluker, G/T - Calf (Questionable)
Nazair Jones, DT - No Injury Reported (Questionable)
Bradley McDougald, FS - Knee (Questionable)
Jordan Simmons, OG - Calf (Questionable)
Shamar Stephen, DT - Foot (Questionable)
K.J. Wright, LB - Knee (Questionable
Los Angeles Rams
No Injury Designations - All Players Cleared to Play
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Todd Gurley, RB (LAR)
Jared Goff, QB (LAR)
Russell Wilson, QB (SEA)
Cooper Kupp, WR (LAR)
Brandin Cooks, WR (LAR)
Prediction
Divisional games always find ways to become exciting, and these two teams should provide quite the show. In week 5, the Seahawks lost by just two points in a nail biting defeat. This week, I don’t see a different victor, but the margin of victory is certain to change. The Rams are coming off their first loss on the year and are looking to regain their lead in the playoff race. With Aaron Donald dominating the trenches and Todd Gurley controlling the clock, I am expecting a dominant show from LAR that may be over by halftime.
Final Score: Rams 38, Seahawks 23
Written by: Jason Feiner
Miami Dolphins (5-4) vs. Green Bay Packers (3-4-1)
Preview
The surprisingly over .500 Dolphins come into Lambeau to take on a Packers team that certainly isn’t performing up to expectations. The Packers come back home after suffering two disheartening away losses at the hands of the Rams and Patriots. Green Bay looks to take advantage of this weaker slot on their schedule by getting a much-needed home win. The Dolphins look to keep pace in both the AFC East and the AFC wild card race. A close win in the cold-weather environment of Lambeau, especially after the slugfest of a win last week against the Jets, would mean a great deal for Miami’s playoff chances.
Players to watch
Who could talk about a Packers game nowadays without mentioning Aaron Rodgers. Not only is he the heart and soul of this Packers team, but he is one of the few reasons they have even been competitive in recent weeks. He and Davante Adams must connect a great deal in this game in order for the Packers offense to not be completely stagnant. Jimmy Graham will also be key in this, as much attention will be paid to Adams. Miami’s Cameron Wake will be key in ensuring that Rodgers doesn’t get into a rhythm. The rest of the Dolphins ball-hogging defense, especially interceptions leaders Kiko Alonso, T.J. McDonald, and Xavien Howard, will also be key in this effort. In order for the Dolphins to compete if Rodgers gets the ball moving, Kenyan Drake will need to have a great game running the football.
Keys to the game
Miami Dolphins
Continue to create turnovers
Pressure Rodgers and limit mobility
Osweiler, avoid mistakes
Green Bay Packers
Give Rodgers time
Establish the run
Shut down Kenyan Drake
Injury list
Miami Dolphins
Laremy Tunsil, OT - Knee/Ankle (Questionable)
Ja’Wuan James, OT - Knee (Questionable)
Ted Larsen, OG - Neck (Doubtful)
Kiko Alonso, LB - Ankle (Questionable)
Jakeem Grant, WR - Achilles (Questionable)
A.J. Derby, TE - Foot (Questionable)
Ryan Tannehill, QB - Shoulder (Out)
Charles Harris, DE - Calf (Out)
Green Bay Packers
Kevin King, CB - Hamstring (Out)
Bryan Bulaga, OT - Knee (Questionable)
Randall Cobb, WR - Hamstring (Questionable)
Blake Martinez, LB - Ankle (Out)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Davante Adams, WR (GB)
Aaron Rodgers, QB (GB)
Kenyan Drake, RB (MIA)
Danny Amendola, WR (MIA)
Jimmy Graham, TE (GB)
Prediction
No one truly expected the Dolphins to be playing as well as they have been all season. Their defense has certainly had some impressive moments, and I think that unit, with the combination of the running game of Kenyan Drake, will keep this game close. However, Aaron Rodgers, recognizing the importance of this game to the rest of the Packers’ season, will be able to lift the whole team up against this weaker opponent. I expect the Packers to win, but it will not be an easy victory.
Final Score: Packers 24, Dolphins 17
Written by: Phillip Salmo
Dallas Cowboys (3-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
Preview
While neither of these teams are quite the dominant force in the NFC that they have been in recent years, this game between rivals will have plenty of drama given the playoff implications. The Eagles are trying to keep pace with the 1st place Redskins in the NFC East, while Dallas aims to overtake Philly in 2nd place with a win on Sunday. These teams are trending in opposite directions, however, and the Cowboys will need to radically improve their offense to win this game.
Players to watch
Dak Prescott’s play has been subpar to say the least. With an increasingly effective pass rush led by Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham, Prescott will need to make quick reads and get the ball out. The Philly secondary is relatively vulnerable, and Amari Cooper could finally break out. The Eagles need to sort out their backfield situation against a strong Dallas rush defense, and figure out which of Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, and Corey Clement will head the running back committee. Philly’s new acquisition, Golden Tate, has the potential to become a huge spark in the offense, and this will be his first chance to see live game action with QB Carson Wentz. The Cowboys’ secondary of Chidobe Awuzie and Byron Jones will have their work cut out for them.
Keys to the game
Dallas Cowboys
Protect Prescott and give clean looks
Contain Zach Ertz with minimal coverage
Don’t fall into an early deficit
Philadelphia Eagles
Utilize all offensive weapons
Figure out the backfield
Attack Prescott with the blitz
Injury list
Dallas Cowboys
Tavon Austin, WR - Groin (Out)
Taco Charlton, DE - Shoulder (Out)
David Irving, DT - Ankle (Out)
Sean Lee, LB - Hamstring (Out)
Joe Thomas, LB - Foot (Out)
Connor Williams, OG - Knee (Out)
Geoff Swaim, TE - Knee (Questionable)
Randy Gregory, DE - Knee (Questionable)
Philadelphia Eagles
Sidney Jones, CB - Hamstring (Out)
Jalen Mills, CB - Foot (Out)
Darren Sproles, RB - Hamstring (Out)
Lane Johnson, OT - Knee (Questionable)
Josh Sweat, DE - Hip (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Zach Ertz, TE (PHI)
Ezekiel Elliott, RB (DAL)
Alshon Jeffery, WR (PHI)
Carson Wentz, QB (PHI)
Amari Cooper, WR (DAL)
Prediction
Given the state of the Cowboys, I can’t trust them to win a game against a rising, well-rounded team like the Eagles. Their passing game is far too suspect and their secondary needs tons of help. The Eagles keep getting better and just added Golden Tate, a game-changer on the offensive side of the ball. Good luck trying to stop him, Ertz, Jeffery, and the trio of runners in the backfield. This game won’t be close.
Final Score: Eagles 31, Cowboys 16
Written by: Alexander Amir