Colts (4-8-1) at Vikings (10-3)
WHERE: U.S Bank Stadium: Minneapolis, MN
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
NETWORK: NFL Network
SPREAD: Vikings -3.5
The Vikings will try and clinch their division this week after falling to the Lions in Week 14. However, despite the Vikings’ 10-3 record, they are only four-point favorites at home. Last week the Vikings lost 34-23 to the Lions, which further proved to NFL fans that the Vikings should not be a ten-win team. However, it’s not the offense that is the problem. The defense has been horrendous as of late. Last week Kirk Cousins threw for 425 yards, completing 31 of 41 passes with two touchdowns. That should be a recipe for success, and it’s a problem that it didn’t translate to a win. Additionally, Justin Jefferson had 11 receptions for 223 yards. Jefferson only needs 465 yards to pass Calvin Johnson for the single-season record. Dalvin Cook had a slow game, only rushing for 23 yards, but he did have a crucial touchdown. Minnesota let Jared Goff throw for 330 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions scored on every possession. Their defense gives up 24.1 points a game on average, 24th in the league, but they are dead last, allowing 403.7 yards per game. Over the previous five games, they have given up 152 points, averaging 30.4 points.
On the other side, the Colts are a wild mess as they fired their coach a couple of weeks ago and hired NFL analyst and former NFL player Jeff Saturday. Saturday will be coaching this Saturday; the Colts have lost three straight, which brings their total to 4-8-1 on the season. Even with four wins their still alive in the playoffs because of the awful records in their division. If the Colts want to win this game, it comes down to how well their offense can perform against a poor defense. That starts with all-pro running back Jonathon Taylor. Taylor is ninth in carries (192) and tenth in rushing yards (861. The 23-year-old has been on fire as of late and has four straight games with 80+ yards, onto the passing game where Michael Pittman Jr. has been the most reliable wideout on the team. Pittman has 76 receptions, eight in the NFL, and 755 receiving yards. The Vikings should win this game, but it is also likely to be close at the end.
Prediction: 28-20 Vikings
Ravens (9-4) at Browns (5-8)
WHERE: FirstEnergy Stadium: Cleveland, OH
TIME: 4:30 p.m.
NETWORK: NFL Network
SPREAD: Browns -3
Baltimore will likely be without star quarterback Lamar Jackson for the second straight game when the Ravens face Cleveland in an AFC North battle on Saturday. They found a way to get past Pittsburgh without Jackson last week, escaping with a 16-14 win. Cleveland’s two-game winning streak snapped in a 23-10 loss at Cincinnati during their last time out. The Ravens started the season with poor defense but an explosive offense, however recently they have had a good defense and a lousy offense. Although the Ravens have won six of their last seven games, their last two wins have only been by a combined three points. The Ravens and Bengals are tied at the top of the AFC North standings, as both teams are likely to be in the playoffs, but only one will have a home-field advantage. Tyler Huntley will get the start for Baltimore and lead an offense that ranks 14th in the NFL offensively, averaging 347 yards per game and rank 17th averaging 217 passing yards a game. Cleveland’s passing offense has been poor this season, as they rank 17th, averaging 343.8 yards per game.
Deshaun Watson will gear up for his third start of the season; he’s been subpar so far. The Browns started the season 2-5 and haven’t climbed out of the hole as their sitting at 5-8 but are still mathematically alive for the playoffs. The Browns came up short against the Bengals last week. Watson completed 26 of 42 passes for 276 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, he did not get any help from the running backs, as Nick Chubb ran for 34 yards on 14 carries. Star receiver Amari Cooper suffered a hip injury last week that forced him to leave last night’s game. The Browns are likely to have difficulty keeping up with the Ravens in this one.
Prediction: 34-24 Browns
Dolphins (8-5) at Bills (10-3)
WHERE: Highmark Stadium: Orchard Park, NY
TIME: 8:15 p.m.
NETWORK: NFL Network
SPREAD: Bills -7
The Dolphins head North to play in an important divisional game against the Buffalo Bills. If the Dolphins win, it will put them one game short of first place, while a Bills win would move potentially secure the AFC East title. The Dolphins will be on the road for a third straight week, and their road trip could have been better. They lost to the Chargers 23-17 two weeks ago and dropped a game to the 49ers 33-17 a week ago. Miami’s passing attack continues to be dominant and they are second in the NFL, averaging 277.9 passing yards per game. However, quarterback Tua Tagovalio is starting to level off after starting the season at an MVP level. Against the Chargers, he had a 24.6 quarterback rating, and against the 49ers, he had a 19.8 QBR. The offensive line isn’t helping, as Tua’s been sacked nine times in the last three weeks. Tyreek Hill is still Tyreek Hill, as he caught his 100th pass on the season last week and is up to 1,460 receiving yards. Let’s see how the Dolphins respond against a tough Bills team.
The Bills already lost to the Dolphins once, and they can’t afford to drop another game to Miami. In Week 3, the Bills played better and looked better on paper in every area of the game except the red zone, where the Bills went two for four while the Dolphins went three for three. Before Week 13, the Bills were 0-2 in the division, but after back-to-back divisional wins against the Patriots and Jets, the Bills are looking better than ever. Last week Josh Allen finished with 147 yards, completing 16 of 27 passes. The numbers aren’t pretty, as the weather conditions were horrid, which could also be the case tonight. On the season, Josh Allen has thrown for 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and is third in the NFL with a 73.2 QBR. The Bills are passing for 263.3 passing yards a game, sixth in the league. The run game is starting to make things happen, as they’re rushing for 133.7 per game. All eyes are on the Bills as their fight with the Chiefs for the AFC’s top seed.
Prediction: 24-17 Bills
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Ravens (9-4) at Browns (5-8)
Dolphins (8-5) at Bills (10-3)
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
