This article is part of our NFL Game Previews series.
In addition to our game previews below, be sure to keep an eye on our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news. For player usage updates and roster context, check out RotoWire's NFL depth charts, and don't miss the Weekly Projections to see how this week's matchups shape up.
EARLY SUNDAY
Seattle at Carolina (+7), o/u 42.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The Seahawks have a playoff spot locked in, but they want more. If they can win out, the No. 1 seed in the NFC is theirs – and whether you want to call it luck or the refs reffing it up, last week's OT win over the Rams came with a healthy dose of kismet. Sam Darnold's ball security is becoming an issue again – over the last seven games he's got an 8:8 TD:INT, with a few lost fumbles tossed in for good measure – and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will need two big performances to catch Calvin Johnson for the NFL receiving yards record (he's 327 yards short with two games to go, so it's not impossible), but Seattle's success has been fueled all year by Mike Macdonald's defense. Over the team's current five-game win streak, Leonard Williams, Ernest Jones and company have allowed 17.2 points and 306.6 yards per contest, and that's even after giving up 37 and 581 to the Rams.
They haven't won two straight games since mid-October, but the Panthers still find themselves atop the NFC South at 8-7 because they haven't lost two straight since Weeks 1 and 2. (Well, that and the Bucs' near-total collapse.) A win here, and a Tampa loss in Miami, would hand Carolina its first division title since Cam Newton's MVP season a decade ago. Bryce Young continues to shine in the clutch, posting a 10:2 TD:INT, 66.7 percent completion rate and 7.8 YPA over the last five games despite having no pass-catchers who can really move the needle other than rookie Tetairoa McMillan (19-306-5 on 35 targets in those five games). DC Ejiro Evero's unit has been steady over that stretch as well – no offense has managed more than 379 yards and 28 points against the Panthers in that five-game span, but no one's scored fewer than 20 points either. Dave Canales deserves plenty of credit for turning the franchise around quickly after Young's messy rookie campaign, but they still aren't really a whole lot better than competent. Then again, just being a bit better than OK was good enough to snatch wins against the Rams and Packers over the last month.
Key Info
SEA injury report: WR Tory Horton (IR, shin), LT Charles Cross (questionable, hamstring), S Coby Bryant (questionable, knee)
CAR injury report: RG Robert Hunt (IR, biceps), RG Chandler Zavala (IR, calf), RG Brady Christensen (IR, Achilles), DE Tershawn Wharton (questionable, hamstring), LB Trevin Wallace (questionable, shoulder)
Slight lean: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (CAR 28th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: TE Ja'Tavion Sanders (SEA 30th in receiving yards per game allowed to TEs)
Strong fade: WR Cooper Kupp (CAR first in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong fade: RB Rico Dowdle / Chuba Hubbard (SEA first in rushing DVOA, third in rushing yards allowed to RBs, t-first in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
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NFL weather report: 1-10 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Kenneth Walker hits for 80 yards and a score, while Zach Charbonnet also gets into the end zone (the normal way this time.) Darnold throws for 260 yards and two TDs, finding JSN (who tops 100 yards) and AJ Barner. Dowdle leads the CAR backfield with 50 yards. Young throws for under 200 yards and two touchdowns, one each to Sanders and Jalen Coker, and a Nick Scott pick-six keeps things close for a while. Seahawks 31-21
Arizona (+7.5) at Cincinnati, o/u 53.0 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The Cardinals' have lost seven straight games and 12 of their last 13, putting them on the edge of a top-five pick in next year's draft, but somehow Jonathan Gannon's job doesn't seem to be in serious jeopardy. I'm very sympathetic to the "injuries wrecked out season" argument when it comes to giving head coaches a reprieve... when those coaches have a track record to fall back on. Gannon's 3-12 record in 2025 is only marginally worse than his 12-22 record his first two years in Arizona. The franchise has not only had zero success under Nick Siranni's buddy, it's now faced with the prospect of having to eat a huge chunk of Kyler Murray's remaining contract to get rid of him, because Gannon has decided the QB isn't his guy. Murray's hardly been a superstar – the Cards have only made the playoffs once since drafting him – but if you're asking me who's got a brighter NFL future between the two of them, I'm taking Murray without blinking. Jacoby Brissett may be playing well enough to earn a look next season as a bridge QB for a team that hasn't yet found its next young franchise quarterback – basically the same job Murray will probably be looking to fill in 2026 – but as it turns out, Arizona fits that description too, so he'll probably be back. Maybe next year he'll have a healthy offensive line, backfield and secondary to support him.
Last week's big win over the Dolphins was a good reminder of what Joe Burrow can do, but it was also a reminder of how shaky the roster is around him. Even in a relative rout, the Bengals defense gave up 389 yards of offense and 21 points to a team with a seventh-round rookie at QB who was making his first career NFL start. DC Al Golden might have been a misfire of a hire, but at the same time, what's he had to work with? Trey Hendrickson was only healthy enough to play seven games this season and had one foot out the door when he did, while cam Taylor-Britt was done after eight games and also didn't really look like he wanted to be there. Third-year safety Jordan Battle took a nice step forward, and the Bengals might have a decent linebacking duo in rookies Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter, but with no reliable coverage corners or any pass rush to speak of, this defense is a long way from being credible. Loading up on that side of the ball in next year's draft from the 10-12 spot – in a class that seems to have good depth but lacks impact talent at the very top – would probably be the best approach to convincing Burrow he doesn't need to pull a Carson Palmer.
Key Info
ARI injury report: QB Kyler Murray (IR, foot), RB Trey Benson (IR, knee), RB James Conner (IR, foot), RB Bam Knight (IR, ankle), WR Marvin Harrison (questionable, heel), WR Zay Jones (IR, Achilles), WR Greg Dortch (IR, chest), LT Paris Johnson (out, knee), LG Evan Brown (questionable, personal), C Hjalte Froholdt (questionable, elbow), RG Will Hernandez (IR, hip), RT Jonah Williams (IR, shoulder), EDGE Josh Sweat (questionable, ankle), DT Walter Nolen (IR, knee), LB Mack Wilson (IR, ribs), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (NFI, knee), CB Starling Thomas (IR. knee), CB Will Johnson (questionable, thumb), CB Max Melton (questionable, heel), CB Kei'Trel Clark (out, back), S Budda Baker (out, concussion), S Jalen Thompson (questionable, hamstring)
CIN injury report: EDGE Trey Hendrickson (IR, hip), DE Joseph Ossai (out, ankle), DT B.J. Hill (questionable, ankle), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (IR, foot)
Slight lean: QB Jacoby Brissett (CIN 30th in passing DVOA, 29th in passing yards allowed, t-28th in passing TDs allowed)
Strong lean: TE Mike Gesicki (ARI 31st in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Michael Wilson (CIN third in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR Ja'Marr Chase (ARI seventh in DVOA vs. WR1)
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NFL weather report: 9-15 mph wind, 15-25 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Michael Carter pops for 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Brissett throws for 210 yards and two scores, both to Trey McBride. Chase Brown racks up 90 yards and a TD. Burrow throws for 250 yards and three touchdowns, one each to Chase, Tee Higgins and Gesicki. Bengals 28-21
Pittsburgh at Cleveland (+3), o/u 33.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The Steelers are on the verge of clinching their first AFC North title since 2020, and might already have done so by kickoff if the Ravens lose Saturday. Pittsburgh's won three straight games in sneakily impressive fashion – the final scores and stats don't look like much, but Mike Tomlin's crew has beaten three straight foes by essentially stealing their mojo. The Steelers out-muscled the Ravens in Week 14, sped past the Dolphins in Week 15 and then ran over the Lions last week, racking up 230 rushing yards to Detroit's 15. I'm not yet at the point of saying they might be ready to win their first playoff game since 2016, especially with teams like the Bills and Texans looming as possible wild-card round matchups, but there's reason for optimism here for Pittsburgh fans. That run game, headed by Jaylen Warren (143 rushing yards and two TDs against the Lions) and Kenneth Gainwell (128 scrimmage yards and a receiving TD in that win), will be especially important this weekend, as DK Metcalf is suspended and Calvin Austin looking like he won't suit up. Aaron Rodgers will be left working with old friend Marquez Valdes-Scantling and retread Adam Thielen, plus his tight end trio, but it might be a spot for 2024 second-round pick Roman Wilson to emerge from whoever's dog house he's in and get one last chance to show he might not be a bust.
After just half a sack last week, Myles Garrett heads into this one with 22.0 on the season, needing only one more QB takedown over the final two games to break the all-time NFL record. If you're wondering, Rodgers has been sacked five times in the last two games, and while he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who will do someone a solid the way Brett Favre did for Michael Strahan back in the day, he also doesn't have the mobility Tyler Huntley did when he was brought down for T.J. Watt's record-tying sack in 2021. Shedeur Sanders is also in theory trying to prove to the Browns that they don't need to use a high pick on a QB next year, that question seems fairly settled to me. Sanders looks like he could become a high-quality backup, but he's completed below 60 percent of his passes in three of his five starts with an overall 6:7 TD:INT. He's not the guy, any more than Dillon Gabriel was. Sanders is at least showing good chemistry with Harold Fannin, but Quinshon Judkins is done for the year and the offense doesn't have anyone else defenses really need to worry about. If it weren't for Garrett, Carson Schwesinger would probably be getting more attention too – he's fifth in the NFL in tackles and first among rookies with 147, having already set a new franchise record for first-year players, and he's the overwhelming favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Imagine having the DPOY and DROY on the same roster, and still be staring at a 3-12 record. If there's any reason to kick Kevin Stefanski to the curb after the season's over, that would be it.
Key Info
PIT injury report: WR DK Metcalf (out, suspension), WR Calvin Austin (out, hamstring), LT Broderick Jones (IR, neck), LG Isaac Seumalo (questionable, tricep), EDGE T.J. Watt (out, chest), CB James Pierre (out, calf), CB Brandin Echols (out, groin), S DeShon Elliott (IR, knee), S Jalen Ramsey (questionable, illness)
CLE injury report: RB Quinshon Judkins (IR, ankle), RB Dylan Sampson (questionable, hand), RB Jerome Ford (IR, shoulder), TE Harold Fannin (questionable, groin), TE David Njoku (out, knee), LT Dawand Jones (IR, knee), C Ethan Pocic (IR, Achilles), RG Wyatt Teller (questionable, calf), RT Jack Conklin (out, concussion), DT Mason Graham (questionable, ribs), LB Carson Schwesinger (questionable, ankle), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (PUP, neck), CB Denzel Ward (questionable, calf), CB Tyson Campbell (questionable, shoulder), CB Martin Emerson (IR, Achilles), CB Myles Harden (questionable, shoulder)
Slight lean: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (CLE 25th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: TE Harold Fannin (PIT 23rd in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE Darnell Washington / Pat Freiermuth / Jonnu Smith (CLE fourth in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Cedric Tillman (PIT second in DVOA vs. WR2)
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NFL weather report: 10-15 mph wind, 30-40 percent chance of rain
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years including playoffs: 7-5 PIT, average score 24-19 PIT, averaging margin of victory 11 points. The Browns have won three straight meetings at Huntington Bank Field under three different QBs (Jacoby Brissett in 2022, Dorian Thompson-Robinson 2023 and Jameis Winston in 2024).
The Scoop: Warren picks up 80 yards and a TD, while Gainwell adds 50 yards and a score. Rodgers throws for under 200 yards with a touchdown to Scotty Miller. Dylan Sampson leads the CLE backfield with 60 yards. Sanders throws for under 200 yards and a TD to Fannin while tossing two more INTs. Garrett sets the record early in the second quarter, then adds another sack later for good measure. Steelers 21-13
Jacksonville at Indianapolis (+6.5), o/u 48.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Maybe we all should have seen this coming. The last time the Jaguars won the AFC South title was 2022... Doug Pederson's first year as head coach. Their last division title before that came in 2017... Doug Marrone's first year as head coach. (Of course, we got Urban Meyer's first year in between them, but it's probably best for everyone if we all just collectively pretend that never, ever happened.) Jacksonville hasn't quite locked it up yet, but their fate is in their hands as they have a one-game lead over Houston. There's also the matter of the Jags' six straight wins, including last week's impressive trouncing of the Broncos in Denver. The offense isn't even operating at close to peak capacity, as Brian Thomas continues to endure a vicious sophomore slump and 2025 second overall pick Travis Hunter has missed the entire second half of the season. DC Anthony Campanile has his crew playing at an elite level however, stifling the run and generating multiple takeaways in four straight games, pushing them up to second in the league with 28 on the year. It's Trevor Lawrence's turnaround under Liam Coen that's been the biggest story, though. Lawrence has a 12:0 TD:INT and 8.7 YPA over the last four games, and he's already set new career highs in passing TDs (26) and total TDs (33). He won't be in the MVP conversation in 2025, but given how Baker Mayfield looked under Coen in Tampa Bay, Lawrence could be an intriguing dark horse in 2026, especially if either of Thomas or Hunter (or even both) turn it around too.
I have to give Old Man Rivers credit for looking way better than he had any right too last week, but the result was still the Colts' fifth straight loss to put them on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs. It was the defense that finally gave out for Indy in that defeat at the hands of the Niners – even with DeForest Buckner back, at least temporarily, the Colts coughed up a season-worst 48 points along with 440 yards of offense. There's a small chance Sauce Gardner could be back this week, but that would probably come too late to save their season. That would shift the drama to a potential Anthony Richardson cameo in Week 18 and the QB situation in general, but the best outcome for all parties would probably be for Daniel Jones to sign a shorter-term deal to return to the Colts and prove he can do it again (the 'playing well' part, not the 'getting hurt' part).
Key Info
JAC injury report: RB Bhayshul Tuten (questionable, finger), WR/CB Travis Hunter (IR, knee), LG Ezra Cleveland (questionable, shoulder), C Robert Hainsey (questionable, groin), RG Patrick Mekari (questionable, back), CB Greg Newsome (questionable, shoulder), CB Jourdan Lewis (IR, foot), CB Montaric Brown (questionable, neck)
IND injury report: QB Daniel Jones (IR, Achilles), QB Anthony Richardson (IR, eye), C Tanor Bortolini (questionable, concussion), RG Dalton Tucker (questionable, shoulder), RT Braden Smith (IR, concussion), K Spencer Shrader (IR, knee), DT DeForest Buckner (out, neck), CB Sauce Gardner (questionable, calf), CB Charvarius Ward (IR, concussion)
Slight lean: TE Brenton Strange (IND 26th in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight lean: WR Michael Pittman (JAC 28th in receiving yards per game allowed to WR1s)
Slight fade: WR Jakobi Meyers (IND t-fourth in receptions per game allowed to WR1s)
Slight fade: RB Jonathan Taylor (JAC fourth in rushing DVOA, first in rushing yards allowed to RBs, t-fourth in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
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NFL weather report: indoors
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 7-4 JAC, average score 27-21 JAC, average margin of victory 11 points. The home team has won 15 of the last 16 meetings in this rivalry, but the exception was a 31-21 victory for the Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 1 of the 2023 season
The Scoop: Travis Etienne piles up 110 combined yards and a score. Lawrence throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns, one each to Strange, Thomas and Parker Washington. Taylor pieces together 80 yards. Philip Rivers throws for under 200 yards and two TDs, finding Pittman and Tyler Warren. Ameer Abdullah also returns a kickoff to the house. Jaguars 34-24
Tampa Bay at Miami (+5.5), o/u 45.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Things are looking bleak for the Bucs. Three straight losses, and a 1-6 record since their bye, have left them on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs. Baker Mayfield continues to play through an injury to his left shoulder, grinding out a 7:6 TD:INT, 57.0 percent completion rate and 5.8 YPA over the last six games, and even getting Mike Evans and Bucky Irving back hasn't sparked much improvement in Mayfield's production. Even so, a win here, and a Panthers loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, would still give the Bucs a chance to take the AFC South crown with a win over Carolina in Week 18. It's Todd Bowles' defense that really needs to step up here, because Mayfield doesn't look like he can right now. Tampa's lost seven straight games in which it has given up 20-plus points, and the unit doesn't even have the excuse of injuries to blame for its underperformance.
The Dolphins looked perky for a bit after upsetting the Bills in Week 10, parlaying a weak schedule into three more wins after that one, but the glow has faded. Miami's lost two straight to the Steelers and Bengals, not exactly powerhouses, by a combined score of 73-36, and the defenses failed to generate a takeaway in either contest. Mike McDaniel's decision to bench Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers didn't pan out, as the Texas product threw two picks without producing a touchdown against one of the softest defenses in the NFL, so his upside against a more competent squad seems sketchy at best. De'Von Achane pretty much is the whole offense at this point, and McDaniel is another one coach that seems like he'll get another chance in 2026, despite the available evidence suggesting he shouldn't. Jaylen Waddle at least should be able to reach 1,000 yards for the fourth time in his career – he's 90 yards short with two games to go, and he was Ewers' favorite read last week.
Key Info
TB injury report: LT Tristan Wirfs (out, toe), LG Ben Bredeson (IR, knee), RG Cody Mauch (IR, knee), EDGE Calijah Kancey (IR, pectoral)
MIA injury report: WR Tyreek Hill (IR, knee), LG Liam Eichenberg (PUP, undisclosed), C Aaron Brewer (questionable, neck), RG James Daniels (IR, pectoral), K Jason Sanders (IR, hip), Tyrel Dodson (questionable, chest), CB Storm Duck (IR, knee), CB Kader Kohou (IR, knee), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (out, calf)
Slight lean: WR Chris Godwin (MIA 30th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight lean: RB De'Von Achane (TB 30th in passing DVOA vs. RB)
Slight fade: WR Emeka Egbuka (MIA third in receptions per game allowed to WR2s)
Slight fade: WR Jaylen Waddle (TB fourth in DVOA vs. WR1)
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NFL weather report: 1-10 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Irving surges for 120 combined yards and a touchdown. Mayfield throws for under 200 yards but does find Evans for a TD. Achane erupts for 140 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Ewers throws for under 200 yards and commits three turnovers. Buccaneers 20-16
New England at N.Y. Jets (+13.5), o/u 42.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Any combo of two Patriots wins or Bills losses over the final two weeks will give New England the AFC East title, and two wins plus some help would give them the No. 1 seed in the conference. Even a total collapse would still see the Pats claim their first playoff appearance of the post-Belichick era, and just their second of the post-Brady era. Drake Maye has the offense humming along, and the team's scored more than 20 points in 12 straight games, the longest streak going right now. Injuries are beginning to pile up around the second-year QB, though. TreVeyon Henderson left last week's win over the Ravens early with a concussion, while most of the WR room is nursing something or other, and the offensive line will be missing a couple starters Sunday as well. Mike Vrabel's defense isn't in much better shape, which helps explain why the Pats have surrendered 59 points over the last two weeks – the worst two-game stretch the team's had this season. This would be a great time to get to face a pair of in-over-their-heads rookie QBs to close out the regular season. Well hey, would you look at that! Christian Gonzalez's letter made it to Santa after all.
Brady Cook's first three NFL appearances have gone about as well as anyone should have expected, especially given the state of the roster around him. The Jets have lost all three games by an average score of 37-12, and Cook's committed seven turnovers while throwing just one TD pass. As a result, Gang Green has clawed its way up to the fourth slot in the 2026 draft, but with the Raiders and Brown being two of the teams still ahead of them, the only way they might be getting a new quarterback to build around is by trading up with the Giants.. Then again, if the plan is to go for a QB in the 2027 draft instead, keeping Aaron Glenn on as head coach makes more sense. Look, I know Detroit's defense has looked a lot worse this season, but it's not like the Jets' defense has been good, and Glenn has looked very overmatched as a head coach when it comes to strategy and game management. (Also, the Pats poached Terrell Williams from last year's Lions' staff, and he's done a heck of a lot better as a first-year DC than Kelvin Sheppard has.) Breece Hall has been laboring to make something happen, but he's still 46 yards away from his first career 1,000-yard rushing season.
Key Info
NE injury report: RB TreVeyon Henderson (questionable, concussion), WR Kayshon Boutte (out, concussion), WR Mack Hollins (out, abdomen), WR DeMario Douglas (questionable, hamstring), LT Will Campbell (IR, knee), LG Jared Wilson (out, concussion), RT Morgan Moses (questionable, knee), EDGE Harold Landry (out, knee), DT Milton Williams (IR, ankle), LB Robert Spillane (out, ankle), CB Carlton Davis (questionable, hip)
NYJ injury report: QB Justin Fields (IR, knee), RB Braelon Allen (IR, knee), WR Garrett Wilson (IR, knee), WR Josh Reynolds (IR, hip), TE Mason Taylor (out, neck), RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (IR, tricep), EDGE Will McDonald (out, knee), DT Harrison Phillips (questionable, knee), CB Jarvis Brownlee (IR, hip), CB Azareye'h Thomas (IR, shoulder), S Andre Cisco (IR, pectoral), S Tony Adams (IR, groin)
Strong lean: RB Rhamondre Stevenson (NYJ 32nd in rushing DVOA, t-29th in rushing TDs allowed to RBs, 28th in passing DVOA vs. RB)
Strong lean: WR Adonai Mitchell (NE 32nd in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR DeMario Douglas (NYJ t-third in receptions per game allowed to WR3s)
Slight fade: WR John Metchie (NE fourth in receiving yards per game allowed to WR2s)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the low 30s, 40-70 percent chance of snow
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 9-2 NE, average score 22-15 NE, average margin of victory 13 points. The Patriots had won eight straight meetings at MetLife Stadium prior to a 24-3 Jets victory in Week 3 of 2024, in what was Aaron Rodgers' best performances for the team.
The Scoop: Stevenson rumbles for 110 combined yards and a TD. Maye throws for 240 yards and two scores, hitting Hunter Henry and Stefon Diggs, while also running in a touchdown. Hall grinds out 40 yards. Cook throws for well under 200 yards and gets picked off twice. Patriots 31-6
New Orleans at Tennessee (+2.5), o/u 39.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The Saints have gotten feisty at the end of Kellen Moore's first season in charge. They've won three straight, including playing equal-opportunity spoiler in the NFC South title race against the Panthers and Bucs, and they've managed to do it without Alvin Kamara in the lineup. The veteran RB has missed four straight games while dealing with knee and ankle issues, and New Orleans has little reason to bring him back other than maybe to give him one last ride in gold and black before making him a cap casualty. That's pretty much what the Saints did with Taysom Hill last week, giving him 16 touches that he turned into 78 scrimmage yards against the Jets. Is Mark Ingram looking to make a comeback? Maybe he can start a game too. Tyler Shough continues to look good enough, and during Kamara's four-game absence, when the offense was presumably more on the shoulders of the rookie QB, he's produced a 68.3 percent completion rate, 6.9 YPA and 4:2 TD:INT. He looks more like a future Cooper Rush than a Dak Prescott to me, but Shough's doing enough to dissuade the front office from using draft capital on another signal-caller next year, at the very least.
The Titans have also screwed up their draft position with a late surge, winning two of their last three games, and they gave the Seahawks and Texans a bit of a scare before that in late November. The light switch seems to have flicked on for Cam Ward, and over the last three weeks he's delivered a 62.4 percent completion rate, 6:1 TD:INT and 6.1 YPA. The first overall pick in the 2025 draft is still limited by the lack of pass-catching talent around him (if there's a prime landing spot for Carnell Tate, Tennessee is it, especially if the team doesn't rate any of the offensive tackles options available as being worth investing in) but he's been enough of a threat to get defenses to back out of the box a bit, and the run game has broken out as a result. Tony Pollard has run for over 100 yards in all three of those games, piling up 367 rushing yards, three TDs and a stunning 6.1 YPC, while Tyjae Spears has also chipped in 188 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown of his own. The defense still needs plenty of reinforcements, and which side of the ball is the priority will depend a lot on the new coaching staff, but providing better support for Ward really should be the goal.
Key Info
NO injury report: RB Alvin Kamara (questionable, knee), RB Devin Neal (IR, hamstring), WR Chris Olave (questionable, back), WR Devaughn Vele (IR, shoulder), WR Mason Tipton (questionable, illness), C Erik McCoy (IR, bicep), RG Cesar Ruiz (questionable, ankle), DE Bryan Bresee (out, knee)
TEN injury report: WR Calvin Ridley (IR, lower leg), LB Cedric Gray (questionable, concussion), CB L'Jarius Sneed (IR, quadricep), CB Marcus Harris (out, knee)
Strong lean: WR Chris Olave (TEN 31st in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: RB Tony Pollard / Tyjae Spears (NO 26th in rushing yards allowed to RBs, 23rd in passing DVOA vs. RB)
No NO fades against a TEN defense that still has a long way to go
Slight fade: WR Elic Ayomanor (NO third in receptions per game allowed to WR1s)
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NFL weather report: 10-15 mph wind, 30-40 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Audric Estime leads the NO backfield with 40 yards and a score. Shough throws for under 200 yards and a TD to Olave. Pollard pops for 90 yards and two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. Ward throws for under 200 yards and leads a late FG drive for secure the win. Titans 17-14
LATE SUNDAY
N.Y. Giants at Las Vegas (PK), o/u 41.5 – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST
This one's for all the marbles. Or at least, it's for the best marble. The Giants and Raiders are the only two two-win teams left in the NFL so the loser of this game has the top pick in the 2026 draft all but locked up. Big Blue has gotten to this point by losing nine straight games, and losing the dead weight of a head coach and defensive coordinator along the way. Jaxson Dart has at times looked like the long-term answer at QB for the Giants, but he's not exactly finishing the season on a high note – after getting thoroughly bamboozled by Brian Flores' defense last week, Dart has a 3:2 TD:INT, 60.3 percent completion rate and a 5.7 YPA over the last three games. The Ole Miss product has added plenty of value with his legs as a rookie with seven rushing TDs in 12 games, but his willingness to scramble hasn't kept him healthy, and he'll need to learn to pick his spots better. It's otherwise tough to judge how good he can actually be, given that the most important members of his supporting cast are on the shelf, but he's shown enough to at least see what he can do in 2026. If the Giants do wind up with the first pick, that gives them the luxury of trading down for whoever wants to hang their future on Dante Moore or Fernando Mendoza.
The Raiders, on the other hand, will probably be rushing to the podium to grab the top QB on their board if they find themselves picking first. Geno Smith has mostly been a disaster for Las Vegas, leading the NFL in both interceptions and sacks taken, and between that and the state of the offensive line, the clutch of young skill players they added in the 2025 draft – Ashton Jeanty, Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton – have all had their development slowed. Jeanty's fought through his circumstances to pop for an occasional big game, including last week's 188 scrimmage yards and two scores against the Texans, and the Raiders' backfield at least seems to be in good hands. The team's shut down their other offensive star, Brock Bowers, and plans to do the same to Maxx Crosby just to improve their odds of blowing this game, but Jeanty might go out and win it single-handedly if the Raiders aren't careful. Maybe it's time to see if 2024 sixth-round pick Dylan Laube can be anything more than a special-teams player...
Key Info
NYG injury report: RB Cam Skattebo (IR, ankle), WR Malik Nabers (IR, knee), LT Andrew Thomas (out, hamstring), C John Michael Schmitz (doubtful, hand), K Graham Gano (IR, neck), EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (IR, shoulder), DE Rakeem Nunez-Roches (out, ankle), LB Micah McFadden (IR, foot), CB Cor'Dale Flott (questionable, knee)
LV injury report: T E Brock Bowers (IR, knee), LT Kolton Miller (IR, ankle), RG Jackson Powers-Johnson (IR, ankle), RG Jordan Meredith (IR, ankle), EDGE Maxx Crosby (questionable, knee), CB Kyu Blu Kelly (IR, knee), S Jeremy Chinn (IR, back)
Slight lean: WR Darius Slayton (LV 24th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong lean: RB Ashton Jeanty (NYG 32nd in rushing DVOA, 31st in rushing yards allowed to RBs, t-23rd in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
Slight fade: TE Theo Johnson (LV third in receiving yards per game allowed to TEs)
Slight fade: WR Tyler Lockett (NYG eighth in DVOA vs. WR3)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Tyrone Tracy puts together 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Dart throws for under 200 yards but finds Wan'Dale Robinson for a score. Jeanty gains 70 yards and a TD. Smith throws for under 200 yards and a touchdown to Tre Tucker, but he also gets picked off twice. Giants 20-17
Philadelphia (+1) at Buffalo, o/u 44.0 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
The Eagles took care of business the last two weeks, bullying the Raiders and Commanders by a combined score of 60-18, but I wouldn't go so far as to say the defending champs have gotten back on track. The offense still has a tendency to shoot itself in the foot – in four of their five losses this season, the Eagles committed multiple giveaways – and Jalen Hurts has gone four straight games without a rushing TD, as the magic of the Brotherly Shove seems to be slipping away. Saquon Barkley, at least, has stepped back up, hitting paydirt in three straight games and racking up 332 rushing yards with a 5.3 YPC during that stretch. This is still a Super Bowl-caliber roster when everything is clicking, but at least on the offensive side of the ball, that hasn't been happening very often of late against quality competition.
The Bills have won four straight to keep their faint hopes of defending their AFC East crown alive, but they too haven't exactly looked like world beaters of late. The last three victories have been by a single score, and while that was a fine result against the Patriots, and you can make some allowances for Joe Burrow keeping his Bengals close, they were frankly lucky to escape Cleveland with the W last week. Josh Allen struggled while playing with a sore foot, and if he's not 100 percent, the Bills can probably expect to be one and done in the postseason. James Cook has been fantastic, topping 100 scrimmage yards in six straight games while piling up 776 yards and seven total TDs during that surge, but he wouldn't be enough on his own, especially considering the state of the defense. The front seven and secondary are both missing key players, and without Allen to bail the team out in the fourth quarter when necessary, this might only be a slightly above-average roster, at best.
Key Info
PHI injury report: RT Lane Johnson (out, foot), LB Nakobe Dean (out, hamstring), S Andrew Mukuba (IR, ankle)
BUF injury report: TE Dalton Kincaid (questionable, knee), TE Dawson Knox (questionable, knee), K Tyler Bass (IR, hip), K Matt Prater (out, quadricep), DE Michael Hoecht (IR, Achilles), DT Ed Oliver (IR, bicep), S Taylor Rapp (IR, knee), S Jordan Poyer (out, hamstring)
Strong lean: RB Saquon Barkley (BUF 31st in rushing DVOA, 30th in rushing yards allowed to RBs, 32nd in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
Slight lean: WR Joshua Palmer (PHI 26th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight fade: WR Jahan Dotson (BUF fifth in DVOA vs. WR3)
Strong fade: WR Khalil Shakir (PHI first in DVOA vs. WR1)
Strong fade: TE Dalton Kincaid / Dawson Knox (PHI first in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 30s, 55-65 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Barkley hits for 120 combined yards and two TDs. Hurts throws for under 200 yards and a score to A.J. Brown. Cook responds with 140 yards and two touchdowns of his own. Allen throws for under 200 yards as well, but runs in a TD of his own in addition to tossing one to Tyrell Shavers. Bills 31-24
SUNDAY NIGHT
Chicago (+3) at San Francisco, o/u 52.5 – Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST
This game might well end up deciding who wins Coach of the Year, because it's hard to argue with both guys' resumes. Ben Johnson has led the Bears to the verge of their first NFC North title since 2018, and the team still has a chance of claiming the No. 1 seed in the conference. Caleb Williams continues to have baffling success given some of his numbers – over the last eight games, Chicago's 7-1, but the second-year QB hasn't topped a 60.7 percent completion rate in any of those contests, coming away with a 54.4 percent completion rate and a 6.5 YPA but a 14:2 TD:INT. It's almost like he's too willing to throw the ball away if he doesn't like what he sees. DC Dennis Allen's unit has been the real engine of the team's success, though. The Bears have held five of their last seven opponents to 20 points or less, allowing an average of 18.1 points and 324.4 yards while recording 12 takeaways and 14 sacks. Williams' unconventional efforts make it tough to predict a long playoff run for Chicago, but if he keeps getting the job done when it matters, who cares whether it looks pretty in the box score?
Kyle Shanahan has led the 49ers to an 11-4 record, just like Johnson's Bears, but the degree of difficulty has been harder considering the way his roster has been gutted by injuries. Despite getting a combined nine games out of Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, and having Brandon Aiyuk ghost the team, the Niners still have a path to winning not just the NFC West title, but that No. 1 seed. OK, so maybe there's a little more on the line here than a postseason award for the coach. Brock Purdy's coming off his first career five-TD performance, while Christian McCaffrey is 112 scrimmage away from reaching 2,000 for the third time in his career. (The NFL record is four such campaigns, held by three absolute legends in Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk.) DC Robert Saleh's defense has been more opportunistic than dominant, but over San Francisco's current five-game win streak, they've recorded multiple takeaways four times. The unit's also allowed a total of 51 points the last two weeks to teams with Cam Ward and Philip Rivers under center, which isn't a great sign... unless you're scoring 85 at the same time.
Key Info
CHI injury report: WR Rome Odunze (out, foot), LB T.J. Edwards (questionable, lower body), CB Kyler Gordon (IR, groin), CB Nahshon Wright (questionable, hamstring), CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (questionable, knee)
SF injury report: WR Ricky Pearsall (questionable, knee), TE George Kittle (questionable, ankle), LG Ben Bartch (IR, foot), EDGE Nick Bosa (IR, knee), LB Fred Warner (IR, ankle), CB Renardo Green (out, neck)
Strong lean: WR Luther Burden (SF 32nd in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight lean: WR Kendrick Bourne (CHI 27th in receiving yards per game allowed to WR2s)
Slight fade: TE Colston Loveland / Cole Kmet (SF fifth in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE George Kittle / Jake Tonges (CHI eighth in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: no weather concerns
The Scoop: D'Andre Swift leads the CHI offense with 90 combined yards and a score, while Kyle Monangai adds 50 yards. Williams throws for 200 yards and two TDs, one each to Burden and DJ Moore. CMac pops for 130 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Purdy throws for 290 yards and three scores, two to Jauan Jennings (who tops 100 yards) and one to Bourne. 49ers 35-27
MONDAY NIGHT
LA Rams at Atlanta (+8), o/u 49.5 – Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST
Last week's overtime loss to the Seahawks was another tough one for the Rams. They've fallen four times this season – all four have been to potential playoff teams (the Panthers haven't quite punched their ticket yet), and all four have been by a single score, including two in OT. As a result, a possible NFC West title is out of their hands, and while they could still come away with it if both the 49ers and Seahawks falter, more than likely Sean McVay's squad is looking at a wild-card spot. Matthew Stafford remains firmly in the MVP conversation, leading the league in passing yards and passing TDs coming into Week 17 after he lit up a stingy Seattle defense last week for 457 yards and three touchdowns. Puka Nacua is making a late surge to try and catch Jaxon Smith-Njigba in receiving yards, while Davante Adams still paces the league in receiving scores despite missing the loss to the Seahawks with a hamstring strain. The backfield is also stacked, as Blake Corum has found the end zone in four straight games, while Kyren Williams has eight TDs over the last eight weeks. It's instead DC Chris Shula's unit that's showing cracks, allowing more than 30 points in three of the last four games after averaging 16.3 PPG against prior to that. The team's fairly healthy on that side of the ball too; it's really just been a case of the team not quite rising to the occasion against challenging opponents. Jared Verse and company will have two weeks against not-so-challenging teams to figure things out ahead of the playoffs.
The Falcons have won two straight, including a game in Tampa Bay that may have put one of the final nails in the Buccaneers' coffins, so they aren't exactly pushovers. Atlanta's earned its 6-9 record though with inconsistent play that includes at least one giveaway in seven straight games. Kirk Cousins seems to have finally shaken off the rust, posting a 5:1 TD:INT during those two wins with a 64.6 percent completion rate and 7.2 YPA. Last week he even added his first rushing TD since 2022 – I guess the 37-year-old was feeling spry after watching older QBs like Philip Rivers and Josh Johnson spring into action. Four of those five passing touchdowns have gone to Kyle Pitts, a two-game stretch that alone tied the tight end's previous high for a season, and the Falcons got Drake London back last week as well, albeit not quite at full capacity. Bijan Robinson has also been on a tear with 880 scrimmage yards and five total TDs over the last six games. Over that same six-week stretch, the investments in the pass rush have paid off as James Pearce has led the Falcons defense to 21 sacks, and they're the only team other than the Broncos with 50 sacks on the season. The jury's still out on whether Raheem Morris is the right guy to take this team to the next level (and you have to wonder why the deliberations are taking so long after what will be three straight losing seasons to begin his tenure in Atlanta), but the talent mostly seems to be in place.
Key Info
LAR injury report: WR Davante Adams (questionable, hamstring), TE Tyler Higbee (IR, ankle), LT Alaric Jackson (questionable, knee), RG Kevin Dotson (questionable, ankle), RT Rob Havenstein (IR, ankle), EDGE Braden Fiske (questionable, ankle), CB Quentin Lake (IR, elbow)
ATL injury report: QB Michael Penix (IR, knee), WR Drake London (questionable, knee), TE Kyle Pitts (questionable, knee), RT Kaleb McGary (IR, leg), EDGE Zach Harrison (IR, knee), EDGE James Pearce (questionable, foot), CB Mike Hughes (doubtful, ankle), CB Billy Bowman (IR, Achilles)
Slight lean: WR Puka Nacua (ATL 24th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: WR Drake London (LAR 31st in receiving yards per game allowed to WR1s)
Slight fade: TE Colby Parkinson (ATL seventh in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE Kyle Pitts (LAR second in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Williams leads the LAR backfield with 80 yards and a TD, while Corum adds 60 yards and a touchdown. Stafford throws for 330 yards and three scores, one each to Nacua (who tops 100 yards), Colby Parkinson and Xavier Smith. Robinson thunders for 110 scrimmage yards and two TDs, one rushing and one receiving. Cousins throws for under 200 yards with a second touchdown to London, but he gets sacked four times. Rams 38-21
SATURDAY
Houston (+2) at LA Chargers, o/u 39.5 – Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EST
The Texans just need to avoid losing out while the Old Man Rivers Colts win out to make sure a wild-card berth doesn't slip through their fingers, but they also still have a chance of catching the Jaguars for the AFC South title. Houston struggled early when the offense couldn't get going, but DeMeco Ryans' crew has reeled off seven straight wins (three with Davis Mills at the helm, four with C.J. Stroud back under center) to rocket toward the playoffs. While the defense has been elite during that stretch, allowing just 18.3 points and 277.9 yards a game during the win streak, they actually haven't needed to be for the most part. The offense has put up 25.4 points and 327 yards a game in that same span, although the Texans did cut things close against the lowly Raiders last week. The secret sauce in that relative offensive success has been the improved play of the offensive line, so it's a little worrying to see both starting tackles banged up. The defense might need to win some more low-scoring games after all.
The Chargers already have a playoff berth locked up, but with the Broncos only one game ahead for the AFC West crown, they aren't going to let up yet. The Bolts have won four straight since their bye and seven of their last eight, and they're finding ways to get the job done despite the turnstiles they had to install at left and right tackle. I suspect I'm going to wind up with a lot of Justin Herbert shares in 2026 – he's having a fabulous season under tough circumstances, and if he gets better protection next season, he could easily post MVP-caliber numbers given the talent around him. Last week's 300-yard, three-TD (two passing, one rushing) effort came against a shockingly bad Cowboys defense, though, and he'll have no such easy pickings this week. It might be time to see what Omarion Hampton can do in a true lead role instead. He hasn't handled 20-plus touches in a game since Week 3, the game in which Najee Harris got hurt, and he's had to split the workload with Kimani Vidal since the rookie returned from his own ankle injury. Vidal's now dealing with a neck issue though, and Hassan Haskins really isn't suited for a significant role on offense. If Hampton can pop, even in a very tough matchup, it would take a lot of pressure (both literal and figurative) off Herbert.
Key Info
HOU injury report: RB Joe Mixon (NFI, foot), WR Tank Dell (PUP, knee), TE Dalton Schultz (questionable, knee), LT Aireontae Ersery (questionable, hand), RT Trent Brown (questionable, knee), EDGE Denico Autry (questionable, knee), DT Sheldon Rankins (questionable, knee), LB Azeez Al-Shaair (questionable, ankle), CB Derek Stingley (questionable, oblique), CB Kamari Lassiter (questionable, foot), S Jaylen Reed (out, forearm)
LAC injury report: RB Kimani Vidal (questionable, neck), RB Najee Harris (IR, Achilles), LT Rashawn Slater (IR, knee), LT Jamaree Salyer (questionable, hamstring), RG Mekhi Becton (questionable, knee), RT Joe Alt (IR, ankle), NT Teair Tart (questionable, shin), LB Denzel Perryman (out, suspension)
Slight lean: TE Dalton Schultz (LAC 29th in DVOA vs. TE)
Slightest of leans: WR Quentin Johnston (HOU 22nd in receiving yards per game allowed to WR2s)
Slight fade: WR Jayden Higgins (LAC third in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong fade: QB Justin Herbert (HOU first in passing DVOA, sixth in passing yards allowed, t-fourth in passing TDs allowed, t-first in rushing TDs allowed to QBs)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Woody Marks leads the HOU backfield with 80 yards. Stroud throws for 200 yards and two TDs, one each to Nico Collins and Schultz. Hampton erupts for 110 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Herbert throws for under 200 yards and gets sacked four times, but he does find Johnston for a score as this one goes to extra time. Texans 23-20 in OT
Baltimore (+3) at Green Bay, o/u 40.5 – Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
The Ravens' collapse has been somewhat stunning, as they've lost three of their last four to see their playoff hopes almost completely evaporate, but that's what happens when your franchise QB isn't 100 percent. Lamar Jackson hasn't really looked like himself since about Week 3, and now he's got another issue to worry about after getting kneed in the back at the end of a run. Baltimore's saying it's only a bruise, and he'll probably power through it, but things are looking appropriately bleak in Poetown. Derrick Henry has gotten rolling at least, topping 100 scrimmage yards in four straight games while averaging 6.0 yards per carry, but that hasn't been the main problem. DC Zach Orr's unit had at least 27 points hung on it in all three losses, and the improvement it was showing in the middle of the schedule has all but vanished. If Jackson's powers were at their peak, that wouldn't be a big deal, but when the offense hasn't scored more than 24 points in six straight games, giving up 27-plus is a big. big problem.
Bad as the Ravens look right now, the Packers might not be in much better shape. In theory, they simply need to avoid losing their last two games while the Lions win their last two to secure a wild-card spot. In reality, they might need to pull that off with a third-string QB. Jordan Love left last week's OT loss to the Bears with a concussion while also picking up a left shoulder issue along the way, and then backup Malik Willis came out of the contest with a sore throwing shoulder. If neither player can suit up Saturday, former Cardinal Clayton Tune, a fifth-round pick in 2023, would have to be added from the practice squad. Green Bay's already down its best defensive player and No. 1 tight end, and if the roster takes any more hits, the Packers may just have to rely on the Lions blowing it to limp into the postseason.
Key Info
BAL injury report: QB Lamar Jackson (questionable, back), RB Justice Hill (IR, neck), LG Andrew Vorhees (questionable, foot), EDGE Nnamdi Madubuike (IR, neck), NT John Jenkins (questionable, illness), LB Teddye Buchanan (IR, knee), CB Chidobe Awuzie (questionable, foot)
GB injury report: QB Jordan Love (questionable, concussion), QB Malik Willis (questionable, shoulder), RB Josh Jacobs (questionable, knee/ankle), TE Tucker Kraft (IR, knee), RG Aaron Banks (questionable, neck), C Elgton Jenkins (IR, lower leg), C Sean Rhyan (questionable, knee), RT Zach Tom (questionable, back), EDGE Micah Parsons (IR, knee), DT Devonte Wyatt (IR, ankle), S Evan Williams (questionable, knee)
Slight lean: WR Rashod Bateman (GB 28th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight lean: WR Christian Watson (BAL 27th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: TE Mark Andrews (GB sixth in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Jayden Reed (BAL t-first in receptions per game allowed to WR2s)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the mid-30s, 5-15 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Henry stomps for 110 yards and a touchdown. Jackson plays and throws for less than 200 yards and a score to Zay Flowers. Jacobs responds with 120 combined yards and a TD. Willis gets the start for GB and throws for under 200 yards and a touchdown to Watson while also running in a crucial score. Packers 21-20
CHRISTMAS DAY
Dallas at Washington (+8), o/u 50.5 – Thursday, 1 p.m. EST
Having nothing on the line but pride hasn't been working out so well for the Cowboys of late. Three straight losses have officially eliminated them from the playoffs, with the defense collapsing once again. DC Matt Eberflus' unit has coughed up at least 34 points in each loss with just one total takeaway and one sack, while consistently failing to take advantage of their opponents' most obvious vulnerabilities. Perhaps predictably, the offense also stumbled last week under the strain of having to carry the team. Dak Prescott led the team to points on its first three drives then got shut out by the Chargers the rest of the way, and Dallas ended the game with its fewest points 917) and yards (340) since Week 9. Last week was George Pickens' turn to be the top downfield option for Prescott, but it could be CeeDee Lamb back in that role just as easily this week. Without some kind of help from the defense though, coach Brian Schottenheimer will likely need to find a way to make both wideouts productive in the same game to stay ahead.
The Commanders have won just once in their last 10 games and seem comfortably headed toward a top-10 pick in next year's draft, especially considering they're down to their third-string QB. Josh Johnson hasn't started an NFL game since 2021, but the 39-year-old will be under center for this one with both Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota on the shelf. Johnson will at least have a mostly full complement of skills players to work with aside from Zach Ertz, but Dan Quinn's injury-ravaged secondary has been nearly as big a problem for him as the Dallas secondary has been for Eberflus. It's hard to imagine Johnson winning a fireworks display against Prescott if it comes to that, but the Commanders' three-headed backfield of Chris Rodriguez, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols might be effective enough to keep the Cowboys offense off the field for a while.
Key Info
DAL injury report: WR Ryan Flournoy (questionable, knee), WR KaVontae Turpin (questionable, shoulder), LT Tyler Guyton (IR, ankle), RG Tyler Booker (questionable, ankle), DT Quinnen Williams (questionable, concussion), LB DeMarvion Overshown (questionable, concussion), CB DaRon Bland (IR, foot), CB Caelen Carson (questionable, shoulder), S Donovan Wilson (questionable, hip), S Juanyeh Thomas (NFI, migraines)
WAS injury report: QB Jayden Daniels (out, elbow), QB Marcus Mariota (out, hand/quadricep), RB Austin Ekeler (IR, Achilles), WR Noah Brown (IR, ribs), TE Zach Ertz (IR, knee), LT Laremy Tunsil (questionable, oblique), EDGE Dorance Armstrong (IR, knee), EDGE Deatrich Wise (IR, quadricep), DT Daron Payne (questionable, back), CB Trey Amos (IR, lower leg), CB Marshon Lattimore (IR, knee)
Strong lean: TE Jake Ferguson (WAS 32nd in DVOA vs. TE)
Strong lean: QB Josh Johnson (DAL 31st in passing DVOA, 32nd in passing yards allowed, 32nd in passing TDs allowed, 32nd in rushing TDs allowed to QBs)
Slight fade: WR KaVontae Turpin (WAS ninth in DVOA vs. WR3)
No WAS fades against a consistent feeble DAL defense
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NFL weather report: 5-15 percent chance of rain
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 7-4 DAL, average score 28-21 DAL, average margin of victory 21 points. This has been the most volatile rivalry in the NFL in recent years, with only three of the last 12 meetings being decided by less than 15 points. The Cowboys won the first meeting this season 44-22 in Week 7
The Scoop: Javonte Williams churns out 100 yards and a touchdown. Prescott throws for 290 yards and three TDs, one to Lamb (who tops 100 yards) and two to Ferguson. Rodriguez leads the WAS backfield with 80 yards and a TD. while JCR adds 50 yards. Johnson throws for 200 yards and two scores, both to Terry McLaurin. Cowboys 31-27
Detroit at Minnesota (+7.5), o/u 43.5 – Thursday, 4:30 p.m. EST
The Lions' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, but it might be a slightly thicker strand of silk than Detroit fans think. At 8-7, the best they can do is the final wild-card spot in the NFC, which would require them to win out, and the Packers to lose both their remaining games. If Jordan Love misses both those games, though... well, first the Lions have to get their own house in order. They've lost two straight and four of their last six to land themselves in this predicament, and while all four losses were to playoff-caliber teams, that doesn't get them closer to playing deeper into January. The running game has been held in check by the Rams and Steelers in those two most recent defeats, but Jared Goff has kept the offense afloat, going four straight games without committing a turnover while posting a 9:0 TD:INT, 67.1 percent completion rate and 8.2 YPA. The problem is, the defense has surrendered 32.8 points and 444 yards a game during that same four-game stretch, and injuries have once again hit the unit hard. This time around it's the secondary that's taken the brunt, with the Lions missing three starters on the back end, including both safeties.
On the bright side for the Lions, they'll be facing a QB this week who probably can't take advantage. J.J. McCarthy has a new health issue, which puts undrafted rookie Max Brosmer back under center. The last time Brosmer got a start, the Vikings got shut out by the Seahawks, with the poor kid throwing four INTs and getting sacked four times. This time around, he'll be missing his starting center and left tackle against Aidan Hutchinson. Ulp. Minnesota's offense will also be down a couple key skill players, so unless Justin Jefferson somehow puts together an absolutely legendary performance, it's hard to see how Brosmer can keep his team competitive.
Key Info
DET injury report: RB David Montgomery (questionable, illness), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (questionable, knee), TE Sam LaPorta (IR, back), TE Brock Wright (IR, neck), LT Taylor Decker (questionable, shoulder), LG Christian Mahogany (questionable, leg), EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (questionable, abdomen), DR Alim McNeill (questionable, abdomen), CB Terrion Arnold (IR, shoulder), CB Amik Robertson (questionable, hand), S Kerby Joseph (IR, knee), S Brian Branch (IR, toe), S Avonte Maddox (questionable, back)
MIN injury report: QB J.J. McCarthy (out, hand), RB Jordam Mason (out, ankle), TE T.J. Hockenson (out, shoulder), LT Christian Darrisaw (IR, knee), C Ryan Kelly (out, concussion), RT Brian O'Neill (questionable, heel), EDGE Jonathan Greenard (IR, shoulder), DE Javon Hargrave (out, thigh), LB Eric Wilson (questionable, thumb), S Josh Metellus (IR, shoulder)
No DET leans against a stout Brian Flores defense for MIN
Slight lean: WR Justin Jefferson (DET 22nd in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR Kalif Raymond (MIN sixth in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight fade: TE Josh Oliver (DET ninth in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: indoors
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 6-5 DET, average score 28-25 DET, average margin of victory seven points. The Lions had won five straight meetings by an average score of 31-21 prior to the Vikings' 27-24 victory in Week 9
The Scoop: Jahmyr Gibbs collects 90 yards and a score. Goff throws for 280 yards and three touchdowns, one each to St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Shane Zylstra. Aaron Jones manages 60 yards. Brosmer throws for less than 200 yards and gets sacked five times, but he does find Jefferson for his first career TD pass. Lions 31-10
Denver at Kansas City (+13), o/u 36.5 – Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EST
The Broncos remain a game up on the Chargers in the AFC West and still control their own destiny when it comes to the No. 1 seed in the conference, but the biggest obstacle to both will be a Week 18 clash with the Bolts. (It's very, very weird to consider that a game against perennial division heavyweight like Kansas City might be a game Denver needs to make sure it doesn't look past, but here we are.) The Broncos likely avoided that risk with last week's loss to the Jaguars though, their first defeat since late September and the end of an 11-game win streak. It wasn't for a lack of trying by Bo Nix, though. The second-year QB chucked up a career-high 352 yards, and he's topped 300 yards in three of the last four games with a 6:2 TD:INT, 67.7 percent completion rate and 7.2 YPA. Nix kicked things into high gear a little later in 2025 than he did as a rookie, but the throttle seems fully open now. Rookie back RJ Harvey has also scored five TDs in those four games, and while Denver's played some sketchy defenses since a Week 12 bye, averaging 26.3 points and 398.5 yards is going to plenty of support most of the time for DC Vance Joseph's elite defense, which is still nearly lapping the field in sacks – the gap between the Broncos and the second-place Falcons is as big as the divide between Atlanta and 12th place.
Two straight weeks, two quarterbacks lost to serious knee injuries. This truly isn't Kansas City's year. With Gardner Minshew joining Patrick Mahomes on the IR, Andy Reid's offense is in the hands of Chris Oladukon, a 2022 seventh-round pick of the Steelers who has precisely zero NFL pass attempts prior to last week. The South Dakota State product didn't look completely overwhelmed when thrust into action, completing 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards without a TD or a turnover, but that was against a Titans defense which is... not the Broncos. Oladukon's backup is Shane Buechele, and if somehow KC goes 0-for-3 in keeping its QB upright, there will be a handy "sons of former MLB players" narrative for the broadcast team to lean on to fill some time. The team's also placed Rashee Rice on IR and begun to phase Kareem Hunt out of the offense as the focus shifts firmly to 2026, and it's kind of amazing how easily the coaching staff has slipped into rebuilding mode given how little experience they have with it. I can think of a few other teams that should be taking notes.
Key Info
DEN injury report: RB J.K. Dobbins (IR, foot), WR Pat Bryant (questionable, concussion), C Luke Wattenberg (questionable, shoulder), LB Dre Greenlaw (doubtful, hamstring), S Brandon Jones (IR, pectoral)
KC injury report: QB Patrick Mahomes (IR, knee), QB Gardner Minshew (IR, knee), WR Rashee Rice (IR, concussion), WR Tyquan Thornton (IR, concussion), LT Josh Simmons (IR, wrist), RT Jawaan Taylor (out, tricep), CB Trent McDuffie (questionable, knee)
Slight lean: WR Marvin Mims (KC 24th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight lean: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (DEN 26th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight fade: WR Troy Franklin (KC ninth in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong fade: RB Isiah Pacheco (DEN second in rushing DVOA, second in rushing yards allowed to RBs, t-sixth in rushing TDs allowed to RBs, second in passing DVOA vs. RB)
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NFL weather report: 1-10 percent chances of rain
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 8-3 KC, average score 22-20 KC, average margin of victory 12 points. All three recent Broncos victories have come in the last four meetings, but they haven't won a game in Kansas City since Week 2 of the 2015 season, losing nine straight road games in this rivalry.
The Scoop: Harvey puts together 80 scrimmage yards and a receiving TD. Nix throws for 240 yards and two more scores, finding Courtland Sutton and Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Pacheco gets held to 50 yards. Oladukon throws for under 200 yards and gets sacked six times but does hit Travis Kelce for a touchdown. Broncos 24-13
Last week's record: 11-5, 6-8-2 ATS, 12-4 o/u
2025 record: 154-85-1 (.644), 126-106-8 ATS (.543), 123-116-1 o/u (.515)
