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NFL Predictions -
Cardinals at Rams -
This game could impact the NFC playoffs' picture more than any other game in the NFC! One of these two teams could miss the playoffs or make both could make it in as wildcards! A win by the Rams and it pretty much locks the NFC playoffs' picture in and no other game really matters, other than how the teams are seeded. A win by the Cardinals and then things get interesting because the Green Bay-Chicago game comes really interesting! A win by the Packers and both of these teams in the postseason, but a win by Chicago that would mean the Rams are out of the postseason. Who would had thought that a couple weeks ago?
I think a key element in this game is that fact that both teams will be missing players or have players that aren't 100%. In fact, both starting quarterbacks were banged up in last week's games. Kyler Murray will play, but I don't think he is 100%. And on the other side, the Rams will be without their QB Jared Goff. Both teams are also missing a starting WR because of covid! So yeah, neither teams are at full strength in this one, but I think I would be more worried about the Rams in this one than the Cardinals. Over the last 6 days, they have lost three keys players to their offense and I think that will be a challenge to overcome. Even though, I do love their defense and how they will matchup with a less than 100% Kyler Murray and sometimes inconsistent Cardinals' offense.
Prediction - It is hard for me to like the Rams in this with a rookie quarterback with no zero in-game snaps at quarterback for them. I don't love the Cardinals and i don't think that they will be able to past the first round, if they win this game.
Saints at Panthers -
The Saints are missing several players this weekend due to covid and that including their entire running back room. That is not very ideal in week that they need to win and get some help in the NFC to get the No.1 seed. I think that loss to the Eagles pretty much sealed their fate, in my opinion. Prior to that, they were in control of the NFC and would likely be looking at a bye right now. A loss to the Eagles and the Packers haven't losing a game since week 11 has resulted in this. Also losing to the Packers because of Hill's fumble in the 4th quarter in week 3 also has a factor in this as well. I do think that the Saints are the best team in the NFC, but I still feel like they play better at home than on the road. Maybe it because they play better inside a dome or something? I don't know.
The Panthers haven't been great this season, but they have been a solid football team. I think this Carolina team can give the Saints a lot of problems in this game. I just feel like their limited offense will be the big why they don't win this game. Ever notice that while watching the Panthers? Good team, but it always seems like they are just lacking something. I do believe some of that has to do with missing CMC. To me this offense is designed around him. Teddy does what he can with this offense, but a special running back like CMC would take this offense to new heights. If defense can keep improving like the one we saw this season, then this team has a chance to contend for a wildcard in the 2021-22 season!
Prediction - I want to go with the Panthers, but I feel like the Saints will do enough and have enough offensive power to win this game. As for the Panthers, I think they will play this game fairly tight but come up short in the end!
Packers at Bears -
The news broke of Left Tackle DBak sent shockwaves around the league, as he is regarded as one of the league's top offensive linemen! And I agree that is a big blow, but I don't believe it is big enough to really decrease the Packers shot at a superbowl run. The Packers still have three really solid players on that line who were graded as top 10 players as guards, centers or tackles. Obviously moving Billy Turner to left tackle isn't what you want as the Packers, but he played great there earlier this season and he has had a very solid season,too. I don't think Dbak's injury really affect the pass game, if anything it will have a bigger impact on the run game, in my opinion. To me, the bigger thing is on other side of the ball. The Packers defense is starting to play it best football of the season. In 3 of their last 4 games, they have produced their best pass rush games of the season. Not only that, the Packers are playing bigger up front recently and playing more man-coverage in the secondary. Why is that important? That secondary has been elite this season when they are in man-coverage, compared to when they are in zone. Time will tell, but I think Mike Pettine has figured out some things and I think his players has kinda gave him some hints on some things, too.
The Bears have a chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win over the Packers! But history is not on their since. In the last 28 seasons, they have only won 14 times. Which means they are only producing one win in every two seasons against the Packers. However, the Bears are playing their best football of the season right now. In his last 4 games, they have produced 4 straight 30+ games. First time, they have done that since the 1960s. On offense, they are certainly on a roll right now! And a lot of that has to do with how well they have ran the ball since Naggy stepped down as the playcaller! That should be the key to success for them, as the less Mitch has the ball in his hands, the less chance there will be a turnover! Now, he hasn't been great this season, but lately he has been above average. And that all they need from him, especially with that defense. For them to win this game, I do feel like that they need to win the turnover battle. If you lose the turnover battle to Aaron Rodgers, there is almost a 100% chance that you will lose the football game!
Prediction - I am a big Packers fan, so I try to pick against them if I feel like there is a real shot that they will lose. When I look at this matchup, I feel like the Bears are at a disadvantage and those aren't the games that the Packers typically lose. The Bears' defense isn't what it was a couple years ago and you can run on this defense and you can pass on it. I think Chicago being down two cornerbacks is a massive blow. I think the Packers defense is a bad matchup for the Bears, too. The Packers are getting after the QBs over the past month and that secondary is starting to really get locked in. Since week 10, they have the No.1 and No.2 graded safeties by PFF. Jaire Alexander is also lurking back there. Folks, this is a big matchup!
Vikings at Lions -
When I look at the Vikings right now, I think back to week 1 and 2. Why? Because a lot of the problems that we saw early in the season were kinda the same problem that dragged this team down all season long. In the opener in week 1, what was the first thing we noticed about the Vikings? They couldn't stop the pass and had no pass rush. Those things did improve, but it always exposed them for who they are. In week 2, it was they couldn't stop the run. I think their inability to stop the run actually got worse as the season went on with the injuries piling up. I know Vikings fans will want to blame Kirk Cousins and that below average offensive line, but they aren't the reason that they missed the playoffs. It was the defense and yes it was that bad this season.
As bad as the Vikings has been, I think the Lions has been worse. They fired their coach already and things has improved. But they still are fielding a bad defense and really don't have another gear on offense. I think Stafford does the best he can with what he can, but the man can only do so much! Overall, this is not a great roster. On offense, I think they have some really good pieces to work with for the future. But I think that will depend on how they draft and what Stafford's future is like.
Prediction - Hard to say how this one goes with no Davin Cook for the Vikings, but I still believe that the Vikings are the better team in this one. I think Stafford's arm will keep them in it, but I think the Vikings have more to work with than that Lions do!
Email - Garrybriggs265@gmail.com
Twitter - @Garryy12
