Saturday, December 26, 2020

2020 NFL Predictions Week 16 (Part II)

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NFL Predictions - 

Bears at Jags - 

The Bears over the last three weeks are having their best offensive stench in 7 years, as they have scored 30 or more points in each game. It has been impressive and it all started after Matt Naggy stopped calling the plays. I said it last year that Matt Naggy was too focused on trick plays and all the fancy stuff. The Bears are now more focused on getting yards and getting results. Also funny what happens when you run the football and use your quarterback as a run threat. Teams now have to respect Mitch Trubisky as a runner, instead of a guy like Nick Foles whom only could beat you with his arm. At end of the day, the Bears don't scare anyone with their passing attack. I still believe it will  be a tall task to go shot for shot against the Packers in week 17, but they have a pretty favorable matchup here in week 16 vs the Jags. 

The Jags were killed by the Ravens in week 15 and I don't think they really have much upside to wanting to win, honestly. They moved up to the No.1 draft pick, after the Jets beat the Rams in week 15. That was huge because the Jags now can pick a new quarterback in the upcoming draft. And that will likely be Trevor Lawrence. As for this weekend's game, I am not very high on the Jags. They really don't do anything well, but they do run the ball well with Robinson. With Mike Glennon starting at QB, I wouldn't actually be excited any of the passing options for the Jacksonville Jags! 

Prediction - I think the Bears will win this game pretty easily. The Jags have no reason to want to win this game, even though I am sure they will try their best. But like most games this season, I think they will be competitive but the overall talent difference will doom them as the game goes on longer

Bengals at Texans -

A battle between two non-playoffs teams, the Joe Burrow-less Bengals and the Deshuan Waston-led Texans. I was really caught off guard and surprised when I woke up on Tuesday, after the Bengals pulled off the upset on the Steelers. I certainly didn't see that coming and really there should be no reason for that to happen. Especially when you look at that Bengals. It isn't bad, but it will look a lot better in the next couple years. However, they have performed much better than expected since the Joe Burrow's injury. They only have one win to show for since then, but they have been more competitive than I thought that they would be!

Waston is still one of the league's best quarterbacks on a weekly basis, but his team constantly loses every single week. I feel bad for him because honestly the Texans really don't deserve a talent like him! Waston is the only right thing about this Houston Texans' team, in my opinion! No consistent run, lackluster receivers, below average offensive line, non-existent pass rush, bad run defense and secondary. Yeah it not great over in Houston. However, Waston can mask a lot of Houston's flaws and keep them in most games. Much like Aaron Rodgers did during the McCarthy's era over in Green Bay. Guys like Waston are obviously special and you can tell pretty easily! 

Prediction - I don't think one team is vastly better than the other, but I am leaning towards the Texans. They have Waston and he can carry them to win over a team like the Bengals! 

Colts at Steelers -

This is a really interesting matchup between the Colts and Steelers overall. Every time I watch the Colts, they do nothing to jump off the page to me. But they consistently get the job done on both side of the ball. Because of that, they have a 10-4 record now. Phillip Rivers isn't having a great year, but he is doing more than enough behind that stout offensive line. This team goes as the defense goes it seems. They aren't dominant or anything, but good enough to help the Colts win. I think their inconsistent run game is what will eventually do them in. When you can't run the ball, the opposing defense knows exactly what they have to do to win the ballgame. 

The Steelers really struggled on Monday night and lost their 3rd straight game on MNF. So what are wrong with the Steelers? Well first of all, they haven't been able to run the ball well. I would also say that Big Ben has been good this year, but not as good as everyone makes him out to be. Their defense has been really good this year, but make no mistake that teams can score points on them. Pretty much like every other defense in this league! Obviously, they can create turnovers and getting sacks at a lot higher rate than most teams, though. This will be a tough challenge for the Steelers in week 16, regardless. 

Prediction - Tough game to predict, but I am going with the Colts in this one. The Steelers have no momentum and been trending the wrong way recently. I think the Colts defense will do enough to hold this declining Steelers' offense in check. I have Colts by 6 points! 

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