Game of the week
Buffalo Bills (10-3) v Detroit Lions (12-1)
The fighters for the No. 1 seed in both conferences collide in Detroit. The bulldozing Lions want to keep their foot on the accelerator to fend off the Eagles at the top of the NFC while the Bills fall two games short of trailing the Chiefs in the AFC. Sheer sheer prowess from two of the NFL’s top scoring sides that average tick over 30 points per game each will be the order of the day in Democracy v Dictatorship.
Detroit’s team led the way your poison approach through the wasteland running back finally and cool as ice quarterback Jared Goff to keep the points flowing while one man breaking the ball Josh Allen, fresh from scoring six total touchdowns against the Rams; it will be clear in the air and on the ground for Buffalo.
One stop from either defense could be the difference in a potential Super Bowl warmup. The first vital victory is to be claimed at the very end of the top seed.
What do the bills need to do to win; Buffalo needs to play to their strengths (s) and fire up all their guns on offense to try and beat Detroit away. Goff and the Lions usually play with a healthy lead and the stress reduction it provides. Allen’s potential offensive lineman could put the Lions in another position to make monstrous, costly mistakes.
A hot start would also mean Buffalo’s run defense may not be well tested. The Bills are allowing an average of five yards/per carry and are tied for seventh in 20-plus yards allowed with 11. Gibbs (owner of the third-most 20-plus yards with nine runs) and Montgomery have had fewer touchdowns, though, with fewer opportunities to make fewer explosive plays. they would be a great relief.
What the Lions need to do to win; Detroit’s offensive line has to hold its own against the Giants as they dominate the Bills and the scoreboard. If they then make passes, they will be open to Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery while a more certain outcome will likely follow: it’s time for Goff to go to work in the pocket. Detroit’s quarterback is enjoying the best and most accurate season of his career thanks to the improved work of the big men up front.
His 72.4% completion rate is a major factor in how Detroit made the jump from a good team to a great one and thus already equaled last year’s win total. A proposal to win Goff over his opposite number with a higher pedigree could be a subtle and powerful boost to the Lions’ confidence down the stretch.
Rising in the playoff race: Los Angeles Rams
How to turn your playoff credentials late in the season? Stage from the saloon winner after the release with the MVP-designated Allen then win a hard-fought battle with the rival San Francisco 49ers. Sean McVay’s offense was mostly out of sync on Thursday night, but defensive end Brock Purdy shut down while Puka Nacua’s mind meld with Matthew Stafford remained strong. The second-year pass catcher was on pace for 1,000 rebound yards despite missing five games with a serious knee injury.
The 8-6 Rams are now sitting on their feet and can hope to join both the NFC West-leading Seahawks and the Wildcats holding on to 8-5. Seattle, the most likely candidate, will face the playoff-bound Green Bay Packers. The loss would move Los Angeles narrowly ahead of the conference record.
He fell back into the playoff race of the Los Angeles Chargers
The way the playoff picture is shaping up this season is arguably hurting the Rockets. They are almost certain that the draft is due in part to a lack of competition in the AFC. This ho-hum run, with key injuries, dulling (while certainly not sharpening) the teeth, as a strong start to December’s defeats has allowed little to matter. The 8-5 record is just a little too comfortable over wildcard pretenders at 6-7.
This is the biggest flaw in the running game of shields. Without the injured JK Dobbins, the Bolts won’t get anywhere near as fast as a -0.22 EPA/game average, which is what Justin Herbert expected them to do. On Sunday, Ladd did not favor McConkey in a close defeat to the most happy leaders. Head coach Jim Harbaugh needs the rookie receiver to be fit and ready to revive production against Tampa Bay, as Dobbins returns in Week 17 as the hungry Buccaneers look to solidify their place at the top of the NFC South. Another spirit loss for the Rockets would further mark them as a soft touch in the first half of the season.
For the race, they do not collect any 1st draft
Trailing the pack by one shot at 15 for third are the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants at 2-11. Both are enduring a bitter cold streak with heavily depleted rosters enduring nine-game losing streaks and eight-game losing streaks. Despite a surprising turn around in fortunes, Big Blue will remain in pole position for the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 as they host Baltimore on Sunday. The 8-5 Ravens would be a safe bet any week of the season considering the advantages of their talent, but Lamar Jackson and company have only further boosted their chances up north after a refreshing bye week and needing to stay in the AFC North hunt. title
Meanwhile, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce appears to be hoping his quarterback looks redshirted when the Falcons visit. No, Gardner Minshew doesn’t have any user agreement with Atlanta. Falcons QB1 Desmond Ridder has been given the keys to Las Vegas in a desperate attempt to find some life in the desert. This latest and perhaps greatest test of the term “game winning” could see Ridder fired for his replacement, Kirk Cousins – who has thrown no touchdowns and eight interceptions in four consecutive losses — despite still retaining his former ring rust and limited throwing ability. He heavily favored the playoff-chasing Falcons to end the veteran’s horrendous run.