I got back to double-digit wins on the predictions front last week, going 10-4 and taking my season record to 108-60. And now we keep rolling as I attempt to forecast what is going to happen on what promises to be another dramatic week of 国产外流网action.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-8)
Cleveland's defense was one of the best in the 国产外流网last season, but it has been a real issue this time around. And that offers up a chance for the Steelers to get back on track after their Week 11 victory over Baltimore consisted of just six Chris Boswell field goals and no touchdowns.
Neil's Pick鈥 Pittsburgh
Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) at Carolina Panthers (3-7)
The Panthers have won consecutive games and will be feeling better having taken some small steps in a positive direction. That said, I don't see any way this contest is close. The Chiefs will absolutely feast on a quarterback who still has a lot of growing to do in Bryce Young.
Neil's Pick鈥 Kansas City Chiefs
Minnesota Vikings (8-2) at Chicago Bears (4-6)
The Vikings will be an NFC playoff team. But to be a true Super Bowl contender, they need to re-discover early season form on offense. Sam Darnold ranks fifth in the 国产外流网with 19 TD passes but he also leads the league with 14 giveaways. Chicago's Caleb Williams looked better last week.
Neil's Pick鈥 Minnesota
Tennessee Titans (2-8) at Houston Texans (7-4)
With Nico Collins now back in the lineup, let's see if the Texans can find some of the offensive consistency that eluded them for the past month. C.J. Stroud is going to benefit from the return of Collins and from the strong and explosive running that came from Joe Mixon in Dallas.
Neil's Pick鈥 Houston
Detroit Lions (9-1) at Indianapolis Colts (5-6)
The Lions are the most complete team in football, scoring a league-leading average of 33.6 points per game. They can decimate an opponent on the ground or through the air. Given the Colts' inability to stop the run, I would not be surprised to see the Lions rush for 200 yards in this one.
Neil's Pick鈥 Detroit
New England Patriots (3-8) at Miami Dolphins (4-6)
The Dolphins have to win games like this at home if they are to drag themselves back into the AFC playoff race. New England will present a stiff challenge given the skills of rookie QB Drake Maye, but Miami should win if they can feed the ball regularly to De'Von Achane and Tyreek Hill.
Neil's Pick鈥 Miami
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) at New York Giants (2-8)
Much will be made of the return of 'Tommy Cutlets'. How much will Tommy DeVito influence a Giants team that has playmaking talent on both sides of the ball? I believe the more significant return will be that of Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. That's good news for Baker Mayfield.
Neil's Pick鈥 Tampa Bay
Dallas Cowboys (3-7) at Washington Commanders (7-4)
This is a "take care of business" game for Washington. The good news for the Cowboys is that this game is not being played in Dallas where they are 0-5 this season. Food for thought鈥 how far and fast has former third overall pick Trey Lance fallen if he cannot oust Cooper Rush as Dallas QB?
Neil's Pick鈥 Washington
Denver Broncos (6-5) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
There are very lay-ups in the NFL, but this feels like a great chance for Denver to sweep the Raiders for the first time in a decade. The Raiders are low on offensive consistency and confidence and the Broncos have the league's third-ranked scoring defense and a red-hot rookie QB in Box Nix.
Neil's Pick鈥 Denver
San Francisco 49ers (5-5) at Green Bay Packers (7-3)
The magic has just not been there for the 49ers this season. Is it the significant injuries to star players or a hangover from two Super Bowl defeats and two NFC title game losses in the past five years? I actually believe this will be a Christian McCaffrey-inspired win to keep the Niners alive.
Neil's Pick鈥 San Francisco
Arizona Cardinals (6-4) at Seattle Seahawks (5-5)
Kyler Murray was on a very nice run of form before Arizona's bye week, looking frenetic when needing to escape, yet also calm under pressure. He looked complete in a four-game winning streak. And now he heads to Lumen Field where the inconsistent Seahawks are 2-4 this season.
Neil's Pick鈥 Arizona
Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) at Los Angeles Rams (5-5)
So much of the attention pointed towards the Eagles in 2024 lands on running back Saquon Barkley. And that is fair. But I'm intrigued to see how a really good and very-quickly-fixed Philly secondary holds up against Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. That's a great battle.
Neil's Pick鈥 Philadelphia
Baltimore Ravens (7-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
Given how the Harbaugh brothers like their teams to play football, you may get bruises just watching this game on television. Jim's Chargers are riding high with a feel-good 7-3 record. John's Ravens are licking their wounds with four AFC losses 鈥 they cannot afford another one here.
Neil's Pick鈥 Baltimore
