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Vikings at Saints -
A few weeks ago, I thought the Vikings were on the path to the playoffs and many others really thought the same exact thing. What has gone wrong the past few weeks, why have fallen on the cusp of elimination? Frankly, they haven't ran the ball as well as they have in the past month and their defense haven't exactly played great. Zimmer's defense has played as well as they could, but they are also fairly banged up on that side of the ball, too. Something else has happened that probably pretty unlikely about three weeks ago and that the Bears/Cardinals are both 2-0 over the their past two games. While the Vikings are 0-2. That makes a difference! So can they beat the Saints? I think they have good shot at doing so. I think they need to be able to run the ball effectively with Cook. And I do believe that defense need to come up with some big time plays vs the Saints. I think they need to win the turnover battle to win this game, honestly.
Saints were the No.1 seed just three weeks ago, but they have lost back-to-back games and now are likely gonna be the No.2 seed, No.3 or No.5 seed. While the No.1 seed is still in play, it would require the Packers to lose their final two games and Saints to win out. Since the Packers have tiebreaker over them. I think it is unlikely for the Saints to lose the division, unless they somehow manage to drop these last two games. And honestly wouldn't that be wild if they entered the playoffs on a 4-game losing streak? I don't see it happening, though. I think the Saints are one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league. I think the Saints are better on both side of the ball than the Vikings. But on offense, I think the Vikings have enough playmakers to make this game close.
Prediction - Both teams are on two games losing streaks, but I think the better team will come out on top and that is the Saints. But this won't be a blowout and I think the Vikings will keep it close. I have the Saints by 6 points on Christmas Day!
Bucs at Lions -
I thought the Lions were headed in a different direction, after a couple promising performances but then they were beat pretty convincingly by the Titans in week 15. And to be fair, I believe the Titans are one of the best teams in this league. But with that said, I don't believe this Detroit Lions' roster is that good and is overall pretty bad. They have a few playmakers, but this team is being carried by Matthew Stafford. I do like some of the young players on this roster and they really have a bright future, but the Lions need to rebuild that defense in the worst way possible. It has been a huge issue for years and it hasn't changed in 2020.
Almost every week, the Bucs show us exactly who they are! But we overlook it because we know how talented this team really is. But every week it seems like this team is making tons of mistakes and getting off to slow starts. Most weeks, they seem to figure it out and go on to win. But they can't be doing that in the playoffs. They have so much talent on that roster, but I don't think they have lived up to the billing. I think they have underperformed by a lot and haven't played close to their best football. We may see bit and pieces of that full-version of the Bucs, but I would be pretty surprised if we see them for a full season. At Bucs' best, I think they are the best team in the NFC. On an average week, I think they are somewhere in the middle. I also worry about them going on the road, such as they are here in week 16. I don't think the Lions are major threats to them, but I feel like they are far more dangerous at home. Could that foreshadow what in store for them in January? It is a possibility!
Predictions - I don't think the Lions are that good and I think the Bucs are too inconsistent for anyone to figure out. But I do like them in this game. I think the Bucs have too much talent and they will figure it out. Bucs by 12 points!
49ers at Cardinals -
Another interesting game and I think this is gonna be a really tight game. The 49ers are out of the playoffs, but teams coached by Kyle Shanahan typically are pretty competitive. Even with bad quarterbacks, they seem to find ways to stay in games and a lot of that has to do with Shanahan's play designs and playcalling. He is an offensive genius and I love watching him go to work! The 49ers are banged up and will need to play a really good to pull off the upset. But I think it very well could happen on Saturday vs their divisional rivals!
Three weeks ago, I pretty much off the bandwagon and called them dead in the water. Well now, they are in a position to pull a step closer to making the postseason. If they win out, they are in the playoffs. It doesn't matter, if the Vikings and Bears both win. As of right now, the Cardinals are controlling their own density. I think Kyler Murray need to have a big game because it isn't gonna be a give me game vs the 49ers. The Rams found out a few weeks ago that the 49ers will still play you tough as nails. And as the Rams found out last week, you can't underestimate any team in this league!
Prediction - I think this will be a really tight game, but I am going with the 49ers getting the upset in this game and put the Cardinals in a tough spot in the playoffs race!
Dolphins at Raiders -
A couple weeks ago, this game might had meant a little more. Even though, I do believe this still could have a major impact on the AFC playoffs picture. I do feel like the Raiders have kinda played themselves out of the AFC wildcard picture more than they were a few weeks ago. I also feel like they are one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. They are capable of dropping 30+ on any given weekend and also capable of scoring zero points. In fact, they have games like that to back it up, too. Earlier this season, they beat the Chiefs. Then they lost by 30 to the Falcons not too long ago. Good luck trying to figure out what team will come out week to week. I am really not sure what team will come out this week, honestly.
The Dolphins have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2020 season and I don't think anyone expected them to be this good this fast. The thing is about the Dolphins is they aren't loaded with big time names or really do anything too flashy. They are just a damn good football team and have performed really well under Brian Flores. It has been impressive to see how well this team has done in 2020. After 14 games, they are 9-5 and has a chance to win 10 games for just the third time since the 2008 season. This Dolphins don't do a lot of things poorly. One of the best things that they do is score a lot of points and not allow many. In fact, they are nearly +100 in points. That is a telling sign of a quality team and that exactly what the Dolphins are!
Prediction - Hard to say how this game will go, but I am leaning towards the Dolphins in this one. They do alot of things really well and I still don't trust the Raiders. Even with Carr back, I don't think they are a better team than the Dolphins. They might be better for a quarter or two, but I have hard time trusting the Raiders to be better than the Dolphins for 4 quarters and that what it will probably time. I have Dolphins by 4 points in this one!
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