In addition to our game previews below, be sure to keep an eye on our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news. For player usage updates and roster context, check out RotoWire's NFL depth charts, and don't miss the Weekly Projections to see how this week's matchups shape up.
EARLY SUNDAY
Tampa Bay at Carolina (+3), o/u 45.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The Buccaneers' downward spiral continued last Thursday when they blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Falcons, but a Panthers loss to the Saints a couple days later kept Tampa atop the NFC South on a tiebreaker. The ball is firmly in Baker Mayfield's hands over the final weeks of the season – in addition to Carolina and TB playing each other twice, the Bucs get a trip to Miami to play a team that just benched its starting QB in favor of a seven-round rookie, while the Panthers have to host the Seahawks. That scheduling advantage would look a lot better if Todd Bowles' team hadn't lost five of its last six, though. While Mayfield's taken plenty of heat for that swoon, stumbling to a 57.1 percent completion rate, 9:5 TD:INT and 5.9 YPA over that stretch while nursing an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, the defense is just as much to blame, allowing 29.3 points and 384.0 yards a game since a Week 9 bye. There aren't any key injuries to pin that defensive collapse on, either. In fact, the Tampa roster is as healthy as it's been all year, with the top three wideouts (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and rookie Emeka Egbuka) on the field together last week for the first time in 2025. If Mayfield's not 100 percent though, and he clearly isn't, it may not matter much who he's trying to throw it to.
The Panthers' loss last week wasn't quite as epic, but they held a 10-point lead late in the third quarter before watching rookie Tyler Shough lead the Saints to 13 straight points, which isn't great, especially considering Dave Canales' crew was coming out of their bye. Carolina's been alternating wins and losses since Week 7, so the unassailable science of numerology says they're a lock to win this one, and they do seem to rise to the occasion against tougher opponents – two of their last three wins have been against the Packers and Rams. They also got swept by New Orleans during that time, though. Bryce Young and the offense have been mostly sputtering, topping 17 points only twice in the last eight games, while the defense has been relentlessly mediocre in the second half of the season. While 7-7 is a step in the right direction for sure – the franchise hasn't finished over .500 since 2017 – it still doesn't feel like the Panthers have enough pieces in place to be a credible playoff team. Of course, if the Bucs keep collapsing, how good their division rivals are doesn't really matter much.
Key Info
TB injury report: LG Ben Bredeson (IR, knee), RG Cody Mauch (IR, knee), EDGE Calijah Kancey (IR, pectoral)
CAR injury report: LT Ikem Ekwonu (questionable, knee), RG Robert Hunt (IR, biceps), RG Chandler Zavala (IR, calf), RG Brady Christensen (IR, Achilles), DE Tershawn Wharton (out, hamstring), LB Trevin Wallace (out, shoulder)
Slight lean: WR Mike Evans (CAR 30th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: WR Jalen Coker (TB 28th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Strong fade: WR Chris Godwin (CAR first in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight fade: WR Tetairoa McMillan (TB third in DVOA vs. WR1)
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NFL weather report: 5-15 percent chance of rain
Head-to-head record, last five years: 9-1 TB, average score 29-16 TB, average margin of victory 16 points. The lone Panthers win in the last five years came at home, a 21-3 victory in Week 7 of 2022 when P.J. Walker threw two TDs to beat Tom Brady
The Scoop: Bucky Irving pieces together 90 scrimmage yards and a TD. Mayfield throws for under 200 yards and a touchdown to Evans. Rico Dowdle leads the CAR backfield with 60 combined yards and a receiving score, while Chuba Hubbard adds 50. Young throws for under 200 yards and runs in a TD, but he also tosses a pick-six to SirVocea Dennis that proves to be back-breaking. Buccaneers 21-20
Buffalo at Cleveland (+10), o/u 42.0 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Looks like the AFC East might have an interesting finish after all. Last week's come-from-behind win over the Patriots puts the Bills just one game back of the Patriots with three to play, although New England still has the better divisional record at the moment and would win a tie. That means Buffalo needs to win out and have Mike Vrabel's squad lose at least one of its remaining games against the Jets and Dolphins, neither of which seems likely, to snatch back the division crown. A wild-card spot looks a lot more likely, but if Josh Allen keeps refusing to lose, that's fine too. With 37 total TDs (25 passing, 12 rushing) through 14 games, Allen's on pace to set a new career high, while James Cook already has a new personal best with 1,415 rushing yards. Even without a true No. 1 pass-catcher, the Bills' offense isn't a problem – their three 40-point games and eight 30-point efforts both tie for the league lead. A defense that's coughed up 30 points four times in the last six games and over 200 yards rushing to both the Bucs and Pats, as well as 197 to the Dolphins, is another story though. It likely won't matter this week, but being down to a third-choice kicker in Michael Badgley, who has spent most of his career with teams that play indoors or in sunny California, could come back to bite the Bills as they finish their schedule with what is likely to be three cold-weather games.
With the three straight losses, the Browns have solidified their hold on a likely top-five pick in the next year's draft, and No. 1 is still possible if the Giants, Raiders and Titans all manage to win one more game as Cleveland's strength of schedule is by far the worst of that group. Shedeur Sanders crashed back to earth hard in Chicago last week, failing to throw a touchdowns for the first time in four starts while doubling his INT total from three to six, and on paper the Bills' pass defense will be the toughest one he's faced yet. That should mean more Quinshon Judkins, but he seems to have hit a wall as well, failing to reach 60 rushing yards in four of the last five games with a 3.0 YPC. The only real suspense in Cleveland for the remainder of the season will be whether Allen, Aaron Rodgers or Joe Burrow will be the lucky recipient of Myles Garrett's 23rd sack of the season to break the all-time record. Given that Brett Favre allowed Michael Strahan to get to 22.5, there would be something poetic about Rodgers doing the honors for Garrett, but Allen's been sacked 13 times in the last four games, so there's a really good chance history gets made this weekend.
Key Info
BUF injury report: K Tyler Bass (IR, hip), K Matt Prater (out, quadricep), DE Michael Hoecht (IR, Achilles), DT Ed Oliver (IR, bicep), S Taylor Rapp (IR, knee)
CLE injury report: RB Dylan Sampson (out, calf), RB Jerome Ford (IR, shoulder), TE David Njoku (out, knee), LT Dawand Jones (IR, knee), C Ethan Pocic (IR, Achilles), RG Wyatt Teller (questionable, calf), RT Jack Conklin (out, concussion), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (PUP, neck), CB Denzel Ward (out, calf), CB Martin Emerson (IR, Achilles)
Slight lean: WR Khalil Shakir (CLE 26th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Strong lean: RB Quinshon Judkins (BUF 31st in rushing DVOA, 30th in rushing yards allowed to RBs, 32nd in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
Slight fade: TE Dalton Kincaid (CLE fourth in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Isaiah Bond (BUF seventh in DVOA vs. WR3)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 20s, 15-20 mph wind, 10-20 percent chance of snow
The Scoop: Cook erupts for 150 scrimmage yards and two scores. Allen throws for 230 yards and a TDs to Shakir while running one in himself. Judkins manages 60 yards and a touchdown. Sanders throws for under 200 yards and a score to Jerry Jeudy but gets picked off twice. Bills 31-14
L.A. Chargers (+2.5) at Dallas, o/u 49.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Two games back of the Broncos in the AFC West and with a trip to Denver waiting in Week 18, the Chargers still have a narrow path to a division title, but more likely they're headed for a wild-card spot. Jim Harbaugh's crew has won three straight since a Week 12 bye and got the satisfaction of eliminating Kansas City from the playoffs last week, but the issues on offense, and specifically the offensive line, make them seem like a prime one-and-done candidate. Justin Herbert's been sacked 14 times in the three wins and is now tied with Geno Smith and Cam Ward as the most sacked QB in the league (49 each), which isn't ideal for someone who's already dealing with a fracture in his non-throwing hand. Derwin James and the defense have been keeping the Bolts afloat though, allowing an average of 15.3 points and 253.3 yards during the win streak while racking up eight takeaways and 11 sacks of their own. Over the Chargers' last seven games, only the Jags have topped 20 points against them, and nobody's gained more than the Eagles' 365 yards.
The Cowboys could still in theory make the playoffs if they win out and the Eagles flame out, but Philly has two games left against Washington, so good luck on that one, Jerry. The old man's decided that DC Matt Eberflus is to blame for his team's struggles this season and not his incompetent GM, but that's nothing new in Dallas. To be fair, the defense has been terrible – the Cowboys' 109.1 QB rating against would be the worst in the NFL since the 2020 Lions, and to pick a point of comparison, Kurt Warner won his first MVP Award in 1999 with a 109.2 rating. To pick another appalling number, J.J. McCarthy had a 10.4 YPA against the Dallas secondary last week. This unit is real, real bad. It is good for Dak Prescott's yardage totals, though, as he rolls into the week leading the league with 3,931 yards. CeeDee Lamb's reeled off three straight 100-yard games, but Prescott could shift back to George Pickens (who had over 140 yards in each of the two weeks before that) as his favorite at any moment. Having both wideouts pop in the same game might be beyond coach Brian Schottenheimer's scheme, though.
Key Info
LAC injury report: RB Najee Harris (IR, Achilles), WR Quentin Johnston (questionable, groin), LT Rashawn Slater (IR, knee), LT Trey Pipkins (questionable, ankle), RT Joe Alt (IR, ankle), NT Teair Tart (questionable, shin), S Elijah Molden (questionable, hamstring)
DAL injury report: LT Tyler Guyton (out, ankle), DT Quinnen Williams (questionable, concussion), CB DaRon Bland (out, foot), CB Trevon Diggs (IR, knee), CB Caelen Carson (questionable, shoulder), S Juanyeh Thomas (NFI, migraines)
Strong lean: QB Justin Herbert (DAL 30th in passing DVOA, 32nd in passing yards allowed, 32nd in passing TDs allowed)
Slight lean: TE Jake Ferguson (LAC 28th in DVOA vs. TE)
No LAC fades against this train wreck of a defense
Slight fade: QB Dak Prescott (LAC fifth in passing DVOA, third in passing yards allowed, first in passing TDs allowed)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Omarion Hampton romps for 110 combined yards and a touchdown. Herbert throws for under 200 yards and a score to Ladd McConkey. Javonte Williams churns out 70 yards and a TD. Prescott throws for 260 yards and three touchdowns, two to Lamb (who tops 100 yards again) and one to Ferguson. Cowboys 31-23
N.Y. Jets (+4.5) at New Orleans, o/u 40.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Nothing says "we want the No. 1 pick next year" like starting an undrafted rookie at quarterback. Brady Cook's first two NFL appearances have gone about as well as you might expect, as the Missouri product has a 57.1 percent completion rate, 1:5 TD:INT and 5.4 YPA, but the Jets may have waited too long to give him the job – as things stand right now, they'd only be picking fifth in 2026. There are little flickers of bright spots, mainly from retreads wideouts Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie, but the defense has been largely a mess since trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, giving up an average of 31.2 points and 352.4 yards over the last five games. This is not a team that should be thinking about trading up for a QB in the draft anyway, but if the Jets decide to Jets it up next year, they've got the ammo to go get Fernando Mendoza and turn him into the next Sam Darnold.
The Saints are slotted in just behind the Jets with the seventh pick in 2026 as things stand right now, but two straight wins and a creampuff schedule the rest of the way could see them leave the top 10 in the dust. Tyler Shough has at least played well enough that New Orleans shouldn't feel obligated to find a QB in the offseason, and in four games since the team's Week 11 bye he's delivered a 69.9 percent completion rate, 3:3 TD:INT and 6.8 YPA while getting comfortable in Kellen Moore's scheme. DC Brandon Staley's unit is also playing well against mostly lackluster competition, allowing an average of 17.8 points and 271.4 yards over the last five contests with six takeaways and 10 sacks. This still isn't a good team, or a particularly talented roster, but with the Jets, Titans and Falcons on the closing schedule, the Saints won't need to be.
Key Info
NYJ injury report: QB Justin Fields (questionable, knee), QB Tyrod Taylor (questionable, groin), RB Braelon Allen (IR, knee), WR Garrett Wilson (IR, knee), WR Josh Reynolds (IR, hip), TE Mason Taylor (out, neck), RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (IR, tricep), CB Jarvis Brownlee (IR, hip), CB Azareye'h Thomas (IR, shoulder), S Andre Cisco (IR, pectoral), S Tony Adams (IR, groin)
NO injury report: RB Alvin Kamara (out, knee), RB Devin Neal (IR, hamstring), WR Devaughn Vele (IR, shoulder), WR Mason Tipton (questionable, illness), C Erik McCoy (IR, bicep), RG Cesar Ruiz (out, ankle)
No NYJ leans, especially given their QB situation
Strong lean: QB Tyler Shough (NYJ 32nd in passing DVOA, t-25th in passing TDs allowed)
Slight fade: WR Adonai Mitchell (NO sixth in receptions per game allowed to WR1s)
Slight fade: WR Kevin Austin (NYJ t-third in receptions per game allowed to WR3s)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Breece Hall puts together 80 yards. Cook throws for under 200 yards and a score to Jeremy Ruckert. Audric Estime leads the NO backfield with 60 yards. Shough throws for under 200 yards as well and hits Chris Olave for a touchdown. Saints 16-13
Minnesota at N.Y. Giants (+3), o/u 43.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
J.J. McCarthy might be starting to get the hang of this whole NFL thing. Over the last two games, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 Draft has a 66.0 percent completion rate, 5:1 TD:INT and 8.8 YPA. Granted, that's come against two of the worst secondaries in the league in the Commanders and Cowboys, but the Giants aren't much better, and even next week's opponent (the Lions) has struggled. It's exactly the kind of schedule that will let the QB build some confidence going into the offseason, and let the Vikings build some confidence in him. The amazing things might be that McCarthy's posting solid numbers while still not even being in the same library as Justin Jefferson, forget about being on the same page. Over those two games, Jefferson's scraped together a meager four catches for 33 yards despite 12 targets. His TD drought stands at six games, and he hasn't hit for 100 yards in a game since Week 5, when he was catching passes from Carson Wentz. With Minnesota neither in line for the playoffs nor a premium draft slot, the priority for Kevin O'Connell over the final three weeks has to be finding a way to kindle some chemistry between that duo.
At 2-12, the Giants are currently in line for the top pick in the 2026 draft, but if they keep that spot they'll have earned it against a closing slate that features the Raiders (right behind them in the No. 2 slot) and the Cowboys. Jaxson Dart has shown enough flashes that drafting a quarterback shouldn't be a priority, but last week's concussion check was his fifth of the season, and he might just be speed-running Daniel Jones' career arc rather than providing New York with any kind of stability under center. The rest of the roster is held together with duct tape and Christmas wishes, so losing out should be achievable, and then a new coach can figure out what to do with Dart, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers.
Key Info
MIN injury report: LT Christian Darrisaw (IR, knee), RT Brian O'Neill (questionable, heel), EDGE Jonathan Greenard (IR, shoulder), DE Javon Hargrave (out, thigh), S Josh Metellus (IR, shoulder)
NYG injury report: RB Cam Skattebo (IR, ankle), WR Malik Nabers (IR, knee), K Graham Gano (IR, neck), EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (out, shoulder), DE Rakeem Nunez-Roches (out, ankle), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (questionable, illness), LB Micah McFadden (IR, foot)
Strong lean: RB Aaron Jones / Jordan Mason (NYG 32nd in rushing DVOA, 31st in rushing yards allowed to RBs, t-26th in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
Slight lean: TE Theo Johnson (MIN 22nd in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE T.J. Hockenson (NYG t-seventh in receptions per game allowed to TEs)
Slight fade: RB Tyrone Tracy (MIN fourth in passing DVOA vs. RB)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 30s, 10-15 mph wind, 10-20 percent chance of snow
The Scoop: Jones racks up 80 yards and a touchdown, while Mason also punches in a score. McCarthy throws for under 200 yards and a TD to Jefferson. Tracy leads the NYG backfield with 60 yards, while Devin Singletary gets into the end zone. Dart throws for under 200 yards and a touchdown to Johnson. Vikings 21-20
Kansas City at Tennessee (+3.5), o/u 37.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
While last week's gut-punch combo of being eliminated from the playoffs and having Patrick Mahomes go down to an ACL tear felt like some kind of end of an era, I'm not sure Kansas City is done being a force. For one thing, Mahomes is only 30. He's got plenty of prime years left. For another, there's still some good talent around him, and Andy Reid should still have a trick or two up his sleeve. They might even wind up with a top-10 pick with Gardner Minshew under center and no healthy offensive tackles to protect him, and some key guys hurt on defense as well. Of course, Minshew's the kind of scallywag who might go on a tear just because he can (and also to try and earn some extra money in free agency this spring), but even if he emerges from this game unscathed, KC faces the Denver pass rush next week. If you like to plan ahead in your SuperFlex league, Chris Oladokun, a seventh-round pick of the Steelers in 2022 who has never attempted a pass in an NFL game, is the only QB on the practice squad right now.
The Titans are one of three two-win teams left in the league, but strength of schedule would have them picking third in 2026. Not that they need the top pick to land a QB after taking Cam Ward, but they could sure use the extra assets trading the top pick would bring. Ward's thrown multiple TDs in back-to-back games, which is a nice step forward, and over five games since the Titans' bye he's posted a 62.1 percent completion rate and 6:1 TD:INT, albeit with a pitiful 5.0 YPA. He still has nobody to throw to, but at least the offensive line is playing a bit better, and hes been sacked only four times in the last three games – a stretch that includes facing Myles Garrett. Tony Pollard's also sprung to life with back-to-back 100-yard games and three total TDs, helping Tennessee score at least 24 points in three of its last four games. Unfortunately, the defense has allowed an average of 30.3 points during that stretch. This roster is going to need an awful lot of work in the offseason to give Ward a chance.
Key Info
KC injury report: QB Patrick Mahomes (IR, knee), WR Rashee Rice (out, concussion), WR Tyquan Thornton (out, concussion), LT Josh Simmons (IR, wrist), LT Jaylon Moore (out, knee), RT Jawaan Taylor (out, tricep), CB Trent McDuffie (questionable, knee)
TEN injury report: WR Calvin Ridley (IR, lower leg), WR Van Jefferson (questionable, back), TE Gunnar Helm (questionable, toe), RG Kevin Zeitler (questionable, groin), EDGE Arden Key (questionable, illness), LB Cedric Gray (out, concussion), CB L'Jarius Sneed (IR, quadricep), CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (questionable, Achilles)
Strong lean: WR Xavier Worthy (TEN 31st in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: WR Chimere Dike (KC 23rd in DVOA vs. WR3)
No KC fades, as the TEN defense struggles to reach mediocrity
Slight fade: WR Van Jefferson (KC eighth in DVOA vs. WR2)
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NFL weather report: 15-25 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Kareem Hunt leads the KC backfield with 60 yards. Minshew throws for 210 yards and a TD to Worthy. Pollard picks up 90 scrimmage yards and a score. Ward throws for under 200 yards and a touchdown to Elic Ayomanor. Titans 20-16
Cincinnati at Miami (+4), o/u 47.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
While Joe Burrow took responsibility for last week's embarrassing 24-0 loss to the Ravens, the no-show was a total team effort by the Bengals. Burrow's frustration with Cincy's struggles is palpable, and it's tough to tell whether Zac Taylor can be part of the solution or not. This will be the team's first losing season since 2020, but Burrow's really only had one good defense supporting him his entire career (2022, when Patrick Mahomes denied the Bengals a second straight trip to the Super Bowl), and the QB's about to watch Trey Hendrickson head out the door the way Jessie Bates and others did. It's fine to prioritize spending on one side of the ball over the other, but you do actually have to find replacements for the players you lose doing that, and the Bengals have failed spectacularly the last few years at that part of the plan. That's on the front office not Taylor, of course, but bringing Al Golden back to be DC is at least partially, if not fully, on the head coach. An offseason coaching reset that flips the team's focus on its head and sees a defensive-minded head coach replace Taylor while a young up-and-coming OC plays with the toys on offense might make the most sense for the franchise.
Speaking of teams that might need a coaching reset, the Dolphins have apparently decided Tua Tagovailoa is no longer their franchise quarterback. Good thing they made that decision before signing him to a $212 million contract extension... oh. Incidentally. Tagovailoa would carry a $99 million cap hit in 2026 if they get rid of him completely, and while the Broncos have ably shown how to thrive quickly after wrecking your cap by getting rid of dead weight at QB, I'm not sure how Mike McDaniel would survive the third straight losing season that would inevitably follow in 2026 under those circumstances. That's a problem for Next Year McDaniel, though, assuming he still has the job in 2026. This Year McDaniel has to figure out how to keep the offense going with rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers under center. Leaning heavily on De'Von Achane and a ground game that's averaged over 150 rushing yards the last three weeks would be a good start.
Key Info
CIN injury report: WR Tee Higgins (questionable, concussion), EDGE Trey Hendrickson (IR, hip), DE Joseph Ossai (out, ankle), DT B.J. Hill (questionable, ankle), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (IR, foot)
MIA injury report: WR Tyreek Hill (IR, knee), LG Liam Eichenberg (PUP, undisclosed), RG James Daniels (IR, pectoral), K Jason Sanders (IR, hip), LB Jordyn Brooks (questionable, foot), CB Storm Duck (IR, knee), CB Kader Kohou (IR, knee), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (out, calf)
Slight lean: WR Andrei Iosivas (MIA 29th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Strong lean: RB De'Von Achane (CIN 30th in rushing DVOA, 32nd in rushing yards allowed, 32nd in passing DVOA vs. RB)
Strong lean: TE Darren Waller (CIN 30th in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Tee Higgins (MIA third in receptions per game allowed to WR2s)
Slight fade: WR Jaylen Waddle (CIN sixth in DVOA vs. WR1)
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NFL weather report: 9-10 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Chase Brown snags 90 combined yards and two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. Burrow throws for 200 yards and a second TD to Ja'Marr Chase. Achane jets for 160 scrimmage yards and a score. Ewers throws for under 200 yards and a touchdown to Julian Hill. Bengals 21-17
LATE SUNDAY
Atlanta at Arizona (+2.5), o/u 48.0 – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST
No team is as stuck in limbo as the Falcons right now. They may have their franchise quarterback already... or maybe not, depending on how Michael Penix's recovery goes. Raheem Morris has been head coach for three years and has yet to lead the team to a winning record, but the defense showed marked improvement this year and the team as a whole kind of seems to be headed in the right direction, sort of? Maybe that's good enough to keep him around another year. Also, the Rams own their first-round pick in 2026, which at the moment seems likely to be in the top 10. Whoops. Atlanta can still make that pick worse with a couple winnable games left on their schedule (this one, plus Week 18 against New Orleans), but everything kind of feels like they're stuck just running it back next year and hoping for better injury luck. There are definitely teams in the league with worse plans in place. In the meantime, Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts will continue salvaging their value on the open market, and Drake London might make it back this week too.
The Cardinals, of course, don't wanna hear about anybody else's injuries. Putting the Kyler Murray situation aside, Arizona is down its top three RBs, four starting offensive linemen, and nearly an entire starting secondary. That might be enough of an excuse to save Jonathan Gannon's job, but it's not like the team was enjoying a bunch of success under him before now – the Cards were 12-22 under Gannon coming into 2025. They've lost six straight games, putting them on the cusp of sneaking into the top five in next year's draft, and if they're serious about moving on from Murray, Arizona could be a sneaky candidate to go after a QB. With a new coach in place, this wouldn't be the worst landing spot for someone like Fernando Mendoza either, or even someone like Ty Simpson – the offense has a lot of weapons when everyone's healthy, especially given Michael Wilson's emergence while Marvin Harrison's been sidelined, and the defense has a couple good foundation pieces too. Jacoby Brissett's under contract for one more year too, giving the Cards a proven commodity as a bridge.
Key Info
ATL injury report: QB Michael Penix (IR, knee), WR Drake London (questionable, knee), RT Kaleb McGary (IR, leg), EDGE Zach Harrison (IR, knee), EDGE James Pearce (questionable, foot), CB Mike Hughes (out, ankle), CB Billy Bowman (IR, Achilles)
ARI injury report: QB Kyler Murray (IR, foot), RB Trey Benson (IR, knee), RB James Conner (IR, foot), RB Bam Knight (IR, ankle), WR Marvin Harrison (questionable, heel), WR Zay Jones (IR, Achilles), WR Greg Dortch (IR, chest), WR Xavier Weaver (questionable, hamstring), WR Andre Baccellia (IR, neck), LT Paris Johnson (out, knee), LG Evan Brown (out, personal), RG Will Hernandez (IR, hip), RT Jonah Williams (IR, shoulder), LB Mack Wilson (IR, ribs), LB Cody Simon (questionable, knee), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (NFI, knee), CB Starling Thomas (IR. knee), CB Max Melton (out, heel), S Jalen Thompson (out, hamstring)
Strong lean: TE Kyle Pitts (ARI 31st in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight lean: WR Marvin Harrison (ATL 22nd in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR David Sills (ARI sixth in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight fade: TE Trey McBride (ATL seventh in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Bijan Robinson rumbles for 100 scrimmage yards and a TD. Cousins throws for under 200 yards and two touchdowns, finding a returning London and Pitts. Michael Carter leads the ARI backfield with 60 yards. Brissett throws for 200 yards and two scores, one each to Harrison and Wilson. Falcons 24-23
Jacksonville (+3) at Denver, o/u 47.0 – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST
In a development no one could have predicted back in August, a Week 16 meeting between the Jaguars and Broncos is probably the game of the weekend, and could decide who gets a first-round bye on the AFC side of the playoffs. Jacksonville's surged into the AFC South lead with five straight wins, as Liam Coen finally seems to have unlocked a star in Trevor Lawrence. During the win streak, the first overall pick in the 2021 draft has a 13:4 TD:INT and 8.6 YPA, including a massive six-TD performance last week against the Jets. Brian Thomas appears to be putting his early-season struggles behind him, Jakobi Meyers has been enough of a hit since being acquired at the trade deadline that he got signed to a $60 million extension this week, Travis Etienne has made eight trips to the end zone in the five wins... everything's clicking for the Jags right now, and they're doing it without getting anything on either side of the ball from Travis Hunter. They still have some work to do to lock up just their third division title of the 2000s (2017 and 2022), but they wrap up their schedule after this test – and AFC Championship game preview, maybe? -- with games against the Colts' grandpa QB and the Titans, so if they can pull this one out, they're in excellent shape.
The Broncos laugh at a mere five-game win streak. The AFC West leaders have rattled off 11 straight, the last six all by a single score as Bo Nix and company establish their reputation as this season's cardiac kids. During those 11 wins, they've downed both of last year's Super Bowl teams, a Texans squad hot on the Jags' heels in the AFC South, and last week a Packers team that needed every win it could get to stay on top of the NFC North. Nix had his best performance of the year against Green Bay, tossing four TDs with a season-high 8.9 YPA and zero turnovers, and in three games since the Broncos' bye he's completed 70.9 percent of his passes as he ramps up his efficiency for the stretch run. RJ Harvey also has four rushing TDs in those three contests, and while Sean Payton hasn't quite committed to him as a bell cow yet, the rookie seems close to earning that spot. The pass rush remains the star of the show though. Nick Bonitto leads the way with 12.5 sacks, one off last year's career high, but it's been a true team effort – an incredible eight different Broncos have at least 3.0 sacks this season already, and there's another four guys in the 20.-2.5 range. Malcolm Roach, to pick just one example, had 1.0 sacks in four seasons with the Saints while working as a rotational run-stuffer; he's got 3.0 in nine games for Denver this year.
Key Info
JAC injury report: RB Bhayshul Tuten (out, finger), WR/CB Travis Hunter (IR, knee)
DEN injury report: RB J.K. Dobbins (IR, foot), LG Ben Powers (IR, bicep), S Brandon Jones (IR, pectoral)
Slight lean: WR Parker Washington (DEN 24th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight lean: WR Courtland Sutton (JAC 32nd in receptions per game allowed to WR1s)
Slight fade: RB Travis Etienne (DEN sixth in rushing DVOA, fourth in rushing yards allowed, first in passing DVOA vs. RB)
Strong fade: WR Pat Bryant (JAC first in DVOA vs. WR3)
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NFL weather report: 1-10 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Etienne gains 90 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence throws for 240 yards and two TDs, finding Meyers and Brenton Strange. Harvey gets held to 50 yards. Nix throws for 200 yards and two scores, both to Sutton, and John Franklin-Myers returns a fumble to the house, but the win streak finally comes to an end. Jaguars 30-24
Pittsburgh (+7) at Detroit, o/u 52.0 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
Two straight wins have allowed the Steelers to squeeze out a one-game lead on the Ravens in the AFC North, which could be setting up the Week 18 rematch to decide the division. Aaron Rodgers has been razor-sharp in those two victories, completing 75.4 percent of his passes with a 3:0 TD:INT and 8.3 YPA, and he may have finally decided that DK Metcalf is an acceptable top target – the former Seahawk has a 10-203-1 line on 15 targets in those games, with Week 14's win over Baltimore marking the first time he'd seen double-digit targets all year. As has been the norm under Mike Tomlin the last few years, Pittsburgh's success seems as fragile as a soap bubble, but they need just one more win to secure a 19th straight season of .500 or better under the head coach (and 22nd straight for the franchise, counting the last three seasons under Bill Cowher.) Now all Tomlin needs to figure out is how to win in the playoffs to get the fans off his back.
The Lions have an identical 8-6 record to the Steelers, but they're in a tougher spot, sitting third in the NFC North and currently out of the playoff picture. Detroit's been unable to build any momentum this season, alternating wins and losses since Week 5, but the unassailable science of numerology says they're a lock to win this one after coming up short last week against the Rams. The Lions are also 3-0 against the rest of their AFC North, which is maybe a bit better indication of their chances. The offense has been rolling over the last month, averaging 34.0 points and 412.5 yards across the last four games, but the defense has been coughing up 32.3 points and a stunning 453.0 yards per game at the same time. Injuries are again the culprit, as the secondary's been hit hard, so Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and friends will just have to keep trying to push through that headwind.
Key Info
PIT injury report: LT Broderick Jones (IR, neck), LG Isaac Seumalo (out, tricep), EDGE T.J. Watt (out, chest), CB James Pierre (out, calf), S DeShon Elliott (IR, knee)
DET injury report: TE Sam LaPorta (IR, back) TE Brock Wright (IR, neck), LT Taylor Decker (questionable, shoulder), LG Christian Mahogany (IR, leg), CB Terrion Arnold (IR, shoulder), CB Amik Robertson (questionable, hand), S Kerby Joseph (out, knee), S Brian Branch (IR, toe)
Slight lean: WR DK Metcalf (DET 27th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: TE Shane Zylstra (PIT 26th in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE Darnell Washington / Pat Freiermuth / Jonnu Smith (DET ninth in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Jameson Williams (PIT third in DVOA vs. WR2)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Jaylen Warren leads the PIT backfield with 70 yards. Rodgers throws for 200 yards and two TDs, one each to Metcalf and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Gibbs rattles off 90 yards and a score. Goff throws for 270 yards and three touchdowns, finding ARSB, Zylstra and Isaac TeSlaa. Lions 31-20
Las Vegas (+14.5) at Houston, o/u 38.0 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
The Raiders' current eight-game losing streak is truly a study in abject futility. Bookended by stereo 31-0 losses to last year's Super Bowl teams in which Las Vegas' produced a total of 10 first downs, the team's managed to top 17 points only once in that time, averaging a pitiful 11.6 points and 197.3 yards. Not to be outdone, the defense has allowed at least 24 points to five straight opponents and seven of the eight, and the one time they played well (Week 10 against the Broncos, a 10-7 loss), the offense still couldn't make it work. Somehow, 74-year-old Pete Carroll wasn't able to stabilize a roster that has maybe four guys worth building around, and one of them (left tackle Kolton Miller) hasn't played since Week 4. A Week 17 tilt against the Giants will probably decide who gets the No. 1 pick next year, but even if the Raiders win by losing, what are they going to do with it? Dropping a rookie QB into this mess is just begging to ruin his career, and the team's dysfunctional power structure, which features GM John Spytek having Mark Davis talk to him in one ear and Tom Brady in the other, doesn't seem likely to stumble into a better coaching hire than they did last time out.
The Texans have climbed into a wild-card spot with six straight wins, but but flagging down the Jags in the AFC South still remains very plausible. However they get there, they'll be the team no on wants to face in the playoffs. DeMeco Ryans' defense might be the best all-around unit in the league, allowing an average of 17.8 points and 271.7 yards during the win streak, but the offense is also looking feisty since C.J. Stroud returned to the lineup in Week 13. Over those last three games, the Texans have averaged 26.7 points and 343.7 yards, and the offensive line is playing well enough that Jahwar Jordan ran for 101 yards and a 6.7 YPC in his NFL debut after Woody Marks got banged up. Granted, that was against a Cardinals defense that had basically given up at that point in the game, but it's still impressive. Nico Collins has also been a beast, posting a 12-304-2 line on 22 targets with Stroud back while adding a rushing TD just for fun, and it's not like this team needs a lot of weapons on that side of the ball given how Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley and company are playing.
Key Info
LV injury report: LT Kolton Miller (IR, ankle), RG Jackson Powers-Johnson (IR, ankle), RG Jordan Meredith (questionable, ankle)
HOU injury report: RB Woody Marks (questionable, ankle), RB Nick Chubb (questionable, ribs), RB Joe Mixon (NFI, foot), WR Christian Kirk (questionable, illness), WR Tank Dell (PUP, knee), LB Azeez Al-Shaair (questionable, ankle), CB Derek Stingley (questionable, oblique), S Jaylen Reed (out, forearm)
No LV leans against an elite HOU defense
Slight lean: WR Jayden Higgins (LV 26th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong fade: QB Geno Smith (HOU first in passing DVOA, sixth in passing yards allowed, t-fifth in passing TDs allowed)
Slight fade: TE Dalton Schultz (LV third in receptions per game allowed to TEs)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Ashton Jeanty grinds out 40 yards. Smith throws for under 200 yards and gets picked off twice before getting benched, with Kenny Pickett not faring any better. Nick Chubb leads the HOU backfield with 60 yards and a touchdown. Stroud throws for 240 yards and two TDs, hitting Collins and Higgins. Texans 27-6
SUNDAY NIGHT
New England (+3) at Baltimore, o/u 48.0 – Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST
I did a full-on double-take when I pulled the line for this game. Talk about disrespect. Even after last week's tough loss to the Bills, the Patriots still have the second-best record in the AFC and are in position to win the East, and maybe even secure the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Drake Maye didn't throw a TD last week for the first time since Week 5, but he ran in two as he did a credible Josh Allen impression, while TreVeyon Henderson exploited Buffalo's weak run defense with 148 yards and two scores of his own. It's the third time in the last five games Henderson's scored multiple touchdowns, a stretch in which he's broken out for 571 scrimmage yards, a 6.4 YPC and seven total TDs. Last week was also the first time New England's defense has given up more than 27 points all year, and the first time since Week 2 it has allowed more than 23. The next team that gets to 400 yards of offense against Mike Vrabel's boys will be the first. That defense took some hits injury-wise last week, but Maye and the offense seem capable of bailing them out if regression's coming.
The Ravens, meanwhile, are 7-7 and barely keeping pace with the Steelers in the AFC North. Sure, they stomped a dispirited Bengals team last week, but they lost 32-14 to that same team at home two weeks prior when they desperately needed a win. Baltimore's beaten only one playoff contender all season – the Bears in Week 8 – while going 0-5 against the Bills, Lions, Texans, Rams and Steelers. They get one more crack at Pittsburgh in Week 18, but that game might not even mean anything by then if they can't survive the next two weeks, as they travel to Lambeau after this one. Lamar Jackson did look a little better against Cincy, but who doesn't? He's still not running the way we're used to seeing, and there's just no way he's 100 percent healthy given the way he's been playing since returning in Week 9 from a hamstring strain. Without Jackson at his best, and with the defense still wildly inconsistent and potentially missing some key pieces, sheer stubbornness on John Harbaugh's part might be the only thing that can keep them in this one.
Key Info
NE injury report: LT Will Campbell (IR, knee), EDGE Harold Landry (questionable, knee), DT Milton Williams (IR, ankle), LB Robert Spillane (out, ankle), CB Carlton Davis (questionable, hip), CB Marcus Jones (questionable, knee)
BAL injury report: RB Justice Hill (IR, neck), LT Ronnie Stanley (questionable, knee), EDGE Nnamdi Madubuike (IR, neck), NT John Jenkins (questionable, illness), LB Teddye Buchanen (out, knee), CB Chidobe Awuzie (doubtful, foot), S Kyle Hamilton (questionable, ankle)
Slight lean: WR Stefon Diggs (BAL 24th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Strong lean: WR Zay Flowers (NE 32nd in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR Kayshon Boutte (BAL t-first in receptions per game allowed to WR2s)
Slight fade: WR Rashod Bateman (NE t-fourth in receptions per game allowed to WR2s)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the low 30s, 9-10 mph wind, 10-20 percent chance of snow
The Scoop: Henderson keeps rolling with 120 scrimmage yards and a score. Maye throws for 260 yards and three touchdowns, two to Diggs and one to Hunter Henry. Derrick Henry (no relation) responds with 100 yards and two TDs. Jackson throws for under 200 yards and a score to Mark Andrews. Patriots 28-21
MONDAY NIGHT
San Francisco at Indianapolis (+6), o/u 46.5
Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST
The 49ers just keep hanging around, and hanging around, and hanging around in the NFC West. Their early-season injury plague should have knocked them out of contention, but instead Kyle Shanahan has them 10-4 and all but locked into at least a wild-card spot. Brock Purdy's been sharp since returning to the lineup, posting a 69.2 percent completion rate, 8:3 TD:INT and 7.3 YPA in four starts, with the Niners winning all four. Christian McCaffrey's made six trips to the end zone in those four contests, while Jauan Jennings has four scores and George Kittle three. DC Robert Saleh also has the defense playing at a pretty high level despite missing Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams, as during the win streak the Niners have allowed 15.8 points and 319.3 yards a game with seven takeaways. The lack of a pass rush may eventually cost them, but a first-round playoff matchup against someone like Philly or Tampa is going to seem like a very winnable game for San Francisco if they keep playing the way they've been playing over the last month.
Last week's Philip Rivers comeback was an absurdly fun story, but let's be real here. The Colts still lost their fourth straight game, despite an absolutely heroic effort by the defense in Seattle, largely because Rivers had a YPA that echoed his age at 4.4. He's simply not an NFL-caliber QB, and whatever improvement you think he might make with another week to shake off five years of rust will be at least balanced out by defenses realizing just how limited he is when they look at the film. Jonathan Taylor somehow reached 100 scrimmage yards last week even with the Seahawks knowing he was Indy's only threat, and things aren't going to get any easier for him, either. At 8-6, the Colts are on the outside looking in for a wild-card spot right now, and any shot at the AFC South title has almost slipped away. With DeForest Buckner potentially coming back this week, and the team still hoping to see Sauce Gardner on the field again soon, Indy's only real shot is to repeat last week's formula – play out of the minds on defense and try to grind out a low-scoring win.
Key Info
SF injury report: WR Ricky Pearsall (questionable, knee), LG Ben Bartch (IR, foot), LG Spencer Burford (questionable, knee), EDGE Nick Bosa (IR, knee), DE Sam Okuayinonu (questionable, ankle), LB Fred Warner (IR, ankle), LB Tatum Bethune (questionable, ankle), CB Renardo Green (questionable, neck)
IND injury report: QB Daniel Jones (IR, Achilles), QB Anthony Richardson (IR, eye), LT Bernhard Raimann (questionable, elbow), LG Quenton Nelson (questionable, wrist), RT Braden Smith (IR, concussion), K Spencer Shrader (IR, knee), DT DeForest Buckner (IR, neck), CB Sauce Gardner (out, calf), CB Charvarius Ward (IR, concussion)
Slight lean: TE George Kittle (IND 23rd in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight lean: WR Josh Downs (SF 30th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight fade: WR Jauan Jennings (IND seventh in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: TE Tyler Warren (SF eighth in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: McCaffrey scoops up 100 combined yards and a TD. Purdy throws for 260 yards and three scores, two to Kittle and one to Kendrick Bourne. Taylor pieces together 90 yards and a touchdown. Rivers throws for under 200 yards and a TD to Michael Pittman, but he turns the ball over three times. 49ers 31-17
SATURDAY
Philadelphia at Washington (+6.5), o/u 44.5
Saturday, 5 p.m. EST
They did their best to blow it, but the Eagles find themselves on the verge of clinching the NFC East anyway — they'd have to lose out, and the Cowboys would have to run the table, for Philly to fail to become the division's first repeat champs since 2001-04, when Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid ruled the roost. Last week's rout of the Raiders snapped the Eagles' three-game losing streak, as the defense held Kenny Pickett and company to just 75 yards of offense and seven first downs in a 31-0 win. Saquon Barkley got into the end zone for a second straight game, the first time he's done that since Weeks 1-2, while Jalen Hurts rebounded from a four-INT performance to toss three TDs on only 15 attempts. The defending Super Bowl champions have only gone as far as DC Vic Fangio's unit has taken them this year, though. Philly's 6-0 when holding the opposition to 20 points or less, and 3-5 when it doesn't, with the team's last win against an offense it couldn't stifle coming against the Vikings in Week 7. The offense hasn't put together 400 yards since a Week 9 bye, and it's only hit that mark once in 2025.
Then again, if any defense can make the Eagles' offense look good, it's probably the Commanders. Last week's win over the Giants did snap an eight-game losing streak, but that was just a battle to see who was more dysfunctional now. With Washington out of playoff contention, Jayden Daniels has officially been shut down for the year, which is the smart decision. The second-year QB's difficulties staying healthy is bringing back unpleasant memories of Robert Griffin III, but Daniels' injuries seem to be more of the fluky variety. He's also hardly been the only key player sidelined for the Commanders in 2025, so running it back with Dan Quinn and a hopefully good draft class still seems like their best option.
Key Info
PHI injury report: LG Landon Dickerson (questionable, calf), RT Lane Johnson (questionable, foot), EDGE Jalen Carter (questionable, shoulder), S Andrew Mukuba (IR, ankle)
WAS injury report: QB Jayden Daniels (out, elbow), RB Austin Ekeler (IR, Achilles), WR Noah Brown (IR, ribs), TE Zach Ertz (IR, knee), LT Laremy Tunsil (questionable, oblique), EDGE Dorance Armstrong (IR, knee), EDGE Deatrich Wise (IR, quadricep), LB Bobby Wagner (questionable, knee), CB Trey Amos (IR, lower leg), CB Marshon Lattimore (IR, knee)
Strong lean: WR DeVonta Smith (WAS 30th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight lean: WR Deebo Samuel (PHI 25th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight fade: TE Dallas Goedert (WAS eighth in DVOA vs. TE)
Strong fade: TE Ben Sinnott / John Bates (PHI first in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the mid-30s, 9-10 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain
Head-to-head record, last five years including playoffs: 7-4 PHI, average score 28-24 PHI, average margin of victory 10 points. The Eagles had won three straight meetings at Northwest Stadium prior to last season's 36-33 Commanders victory in Week 16, when Daniels' fifth TD pass of the game found Jamison Crowder with six seconds left
The Scoop: Barkley zips for 110 combined yards and two TDs, one rushing and one receiving. Hurts throws for 200 yards and runs in a touchdown himself. Chris Rodriguez leads the WAS backfield with 60 yards and a score. Marcus Mariota throws for less than 200 yards and gets picked off twice, but he does find Samuel for a TD. Eagles 24-20
Green Bay at Chicago (+1), o/u 46.5 – Saturday, 8:20 p.m. EST
Just one week after beating the Bears and taking over the NFC North lead, the Packers handed it right back by losing in Denver while Chicago stomped Cleveland at Soldier Field. This division could go right down to the wire, but the Pack do at least have a somewhat easier closing slate, facing the Ravens and Vikings (combined 13-15 record) instead of the 49ers and Lions (combined 18-10). The loss to the Broncos snapped a four-game win streak for Matt LaFleur's squad, but it was the defense that let it down, something that can't be surprising after Micah Parsons was lost to an ACL tear. The injury leaves a massive hole in the pass rush, and in the team's Super Bowl hopes. There'll be more pressure on Jordan Love and the offense as a result, especially with Josh Jacobs also banged up, and while Love did throw multiple INTs last week for the first time all season, that was against Patrick Surtain and an elite Denver secondary. If he does what he did against Chicago last time out — 68.0 percent completion rate, 9.4 YPA and a 3:1 TD:INT — the visitors should still be in good shape in this one.
It's really tough to get a read on Caleb Williams' development. Last week's 60.7 percent completion rate was his best mark since Week 8, but a 12:2 TD:INT over the last seven games is nothing to sneeze at. Ben Johnson's been riding his running game during that time anyway as the Bears have gone 6-1 — D'Andre Swift has 471 rushing yards, three TDs and a 5.2 YPC in the last six games, while Kyle Monangai has 495 yards, four TDs and a 4.8 YPC in the last seven. It's not quite Ram or Lion levels of production from the backfield, but it'll do. DC Dennis Allen's unit has gotten healthier, and stingier, during that span as well. Chicago's held four of the last six opponents to 20 points or less, though Green Bay was one of the exceptions, averaging 18.5 PPG allowed and 314.5 yards per game allowed with 11 takeaways and 12 sacks. With three strong teams in both the NFC North and NFC West, someone's going to get left out of the playoff picture, and from that perspective next week's trip to San Francisco might end up being more important to the Bears' postseason chances. Of course, just winning the North would make things a lot easier.
Key Info
GB injury report: RB Josh Jacobs (questionable, knee/ankle), RB MarShawn Lloyd (IR, hamstring), WR Christian Watson (questionable, chest), WR Dontayvion Wicks (questionable, ankle), TE Tucker Kraft (IR, knee), C Elgton Jenkins (IR, lower leg), RT Zach Tom (questionable, knee), EDGE Micah Parsons (IR, knee), DT Devonte Wyatt (IR, ankle), S Evan Williams (questionable, knee)
CHI injury report: RB D'Andre Swift (questionable, groin), WR Rome Odunze (questionable, foot), WR Luther Burden (questionable, ankle), TE Cole Kmet (questionable, ankle), LB Tremaine Edmunds (IR, groin), CB Kyler Gordon (out, groin)
Slight lean: WR Jayden Reed (CHI 30th in receiving yards per game allowed to WR2s)
Strong lean: WR Luther Burden (GB 32nd in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight fade: WR Christian Watson (CHI eighth in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: TE Colston Loveland (GB fifth in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the low 30s, 10-20 mph wind, 5-15 percent chance of snow
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 10-1 GB, average score 30-19 GB, average margin of victory 11 points. The Packers have won six straight games at Soldier Field by an average score of 26-15, with Jordan Love responsible for the last two victories
The Scoop: Jacobs starts, but Emanuel Wilson leads the GB backfield with 90 combined yards and a score. Love throws for 230 yards and two touchdowns, hitting Reed and John FitzPatrick. Swift churns out 80 yards and a TD, while Monangai adds 50 yards. Williams throws for less than 200 yards and two scores, one each to Burden and DJ Moore. Packers 24-21
THURSDAY NIGHT
L.A. Rams (+1) at Seattle, o/u 42.5 – Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EST
The Rams roll into this one with a tiebreaker-sized lead on Seattle in the NFC West thanks to a victory in their first meeting this season in Week 11, so another win here all but locks up the division title. The first clash was a defensive battle, 21-19, but that was the only time since the beginning of November that Matthew Stafford and company have been held to less than four touchdowns. Over seven games since their bye, the Rams have gone 6-1 while averaging 35.0 points and 407 yards of offense a game, and they've topped 40 points and 500 yards in back-to-back weeks against the Cards and Lions. Stafford has a 20:3 TD:INT in those seven games as he stays in the MVP conversation, but he'll likely be without his favorite red-zone target Thursday as Davante Adams nurses a hamstring strain. No worries — Colby Parkinson has been an outstanding Plan B with six TDs in the last six games, including two last week against Detroit. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, meanwhile, have made eight trips to the end zone the last three weeks. Both these teams have strong defenses — both top four in PPG allowed and top 10 in yards per game allowed — but it's hard to overlook just how much of a juggernaut Sean McVay's offense has been while sending three TEs out there nearly a quarter of the time, forcing defenses to guess early whether they're about to have the ball run down their throat again or whether Parkinson or Terrance Ferguson or whoever is going to leak out and create a mismatch.
If the Seahawks do pull out a win, they'll be tied with the Rams atop the division standings, but they'll still have an uphill climb to take the crown — the Rams wrap up their schedule with two also-rans in the Falcons and Cardinals (combined 8-20 record), while the Seahawks get two road games against teams fighting for playoff spots in Carolina and San Francisco (combined 17-11). Still, they'll have almost no chance at all without a win Thursday. Mike Macdonald's crew has won four consecutive thanks to a defense that has been crushing inferior offenses lately, holding the Vikings, Falcons and Colts (or, more accurately, Max Brosmer, Kirk Cousins and Philip Rivers) to just 25 total points and an average of 218.7 yards per game with nine takeaways and six sacks. Needless to say, Stafford and the Rams are a bit of a step up in competition. Sam Darnold's been hit and miss lately, failing to throw any TDs at all in three of the last five games with a 5:5 TD:INT over that stretch, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba's fallen off his 2,000-yard pace as a result. (He's currently tracking to tie Julio Jones' 2015 campaign for third all-time at a mere 1,871 yards.) JSN's really the only member of the offense making a consistent impact, though, so if DC Aden Durde's unit stumbles at all, it could be tough for the Seahawks to keep up.
Key Info
LAR injury report: WR Davante Adams (doubtful, hamstring/knee), TE Tyler Higbee (IR, ankle), RT Rob Havenstein (IR, ankle), EDGE Braden Fiske (questionable, ankle), CB Quentin Lake (IR, elbow)
SEA injury report: WR Tory Horton (IR, shin), LT Charles Cross (out, hamstring)
Slight lean: TE Colby Parkinson (SEA 31st in receiving yards per game allowed to TEs)
Slight lean: WR Cooper Kupp (LAR 22nd in DVOA vs. WR3)
Strong fade: WR Puka Nacua (SEA first in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: TE AJ Barner (LAR second in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: 10-15 mph wind, 80-90 percent chance of rain
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years including playoffs: 8-4 LAR, average score 22-19 LAR, average margin of victory seven points. The Rams have won four of the last five meetings at Lumen Field, including a 30-20 victory in the wild-card round of the 2020 season – Jared Goff's last win with the team
The Scoop: Williams collects 90 yards and a touchdown, while Corum adds 50 yards. Stafford throws for 260 yards and three TDs, one each to Parkinson, Davis Allen and Tutu Atwell. Kenneth Walker leads the SEA backfield with 70 yards. Darnold throws for 220 yards and two scores, finding JSN and Kupp, while Rashid Shaheed takes a punt to the house to keep things close. Rams 31-24
Last week's record: 9-7, 10-6 ATS, 10-6 o/u
2025 record: 143-80-1 (.641), 120-98-6 ATS (.550), 111-112-1 o/u (.498)
