The NFL is the gift that keeps on giving. As families gather around their television this weekend, the league makes prognostications look silly. Imagine if someone said at the start of the season that Jacksonville Jaguars versus Houston Texans would be the hottest game in week 12. No doubt you would tell that fan that they don’t know football. Yet, here we are. What about those Denver Broncos? A team left for dead at 1-5 after a 19-8 loss to the Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. Now they are the hottest team in the league with four straight wins and face the Cleveland Browns in a pivotal game. Who will come out on top in these matchups? These are two of the five hottest games on the slate, and in this article, we will preview and predict the winners.
Last week:2-3
Overall: 32-23
1. Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans-Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
This season could jump-start a new rivalry between these franchises with Trevor Lawrence (24 years old) and CJ Stroud (22 years old) likely to face off for another decade. However, the recent results have been one-sided, with the Texas-based franchise winning 10 of the past 11 games. Earlier this season, the Texans upset the Jaguars on the road by winning 37-17. It marked the first NFL win for Stroud and launched a surge for the team to a 6-4 record after a 0-2 start to second in the division. Last week, Houston won narrowly 21-16 against the Arizona Cardinals, while the Jaguars bounced back from a demolition by the 49ers to beat the Titans by 20 points at home. Stroud struggled in the victory last week by uncharacteristically throwing three interceptions. I think DeMeco Ryan will use the sloppy win as a teaching tool to motivate his players to play a cleaner game. I have the Texans winning.
Texans 31-Jaguars 28
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals-Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Last week, the Steelers’ offense hit rock bottom in an embarrassing 13-10 loss to the Browns at home. As a result, the organization decided to fire Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, whose schemes and designs have come under heavy criticism. I think the change is the jump-start the offense might need to begin producing because there is talent in the unit, but the execution is often lacking. On the other hand, the Bengals were dealt a massive blow in their Thursday Night loss to the Ravens with quarterback Joe Burrow injuring his wrist and being ruled out for the rest of the season. Therefore, backup Jake Browning will be the man under center and has limited experience, especially in such a big game. The Steelers’ defense will make life very difficult for him. I have Mike Tomlin and the Steelers pulling it out in a close divisional battle.
Steelers 20-Bengals 15
3. Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos-Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET Fox
I think this game is going to be a slugfest. The Cleveland Browns’ defense is the best in football, and they proved last week that even without DeShaun Watson, they can make the playoffs because of that unit. However, the Denver Broncos are the hottest team in the league, and Russell Wilson is playing much better this season by completing 69% of his passes for 2,065 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. The key for this game for him is to protect the football and limit the turnovers against a defense that wants to give their young quarterback extra possession and field position. The Broncos’ defense started the season struggling by giving up 70 points to the Dolphins, but during their win streak, they have held opponents to 17 points per game. I think the Broncos win this home game, but it will be a low-scoring and tight finish similar to their Sunday Night win.
Broncos 17-Browns 16
4. Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles-Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
After losing disastrously to the Broncos at home, the Bills rebounded with a resounding victory over the Jets. Josh Allen looked better under the new Offensive Coordinator, Joe Brady. However, Bills Mafia may feel this is an upswing in a rollercoaster season. The Bills are 1-3 on the road, and this Sunday, they head to one of the toughest places to play at Lincoln Financial Field. I think the Eagles were fortunate to win that game on Monday Night because the Chiefs’ receivers dropped catches at pivotal points. However, the win is emblematic of a season where they find ways to win football games. Jalen Hurts can make big plays at the right time, and the duo of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith always deliver in the big moments.
Eagles 30-Bills 26
5. Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers-Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Brandon Staley is on the hot seat after a disastrous loss to the Green Bay Packers. Staley was defiant in his press conference and his responsibility to call plays on defense. However, in back-to-back weeks against the Lions and Packers, his team gave up a combined 64 points. The team is also 2-5 in one-score games, and coaching is usually an edge in those scenarios. I think the Ravens put a nail in his coffin this week with Lamar Jackson and company heading into town. Jackson will take advantage of the porous defense and put on a showtime performance in Hollywood.
Ravens 33-Chargers 20