Game of the week
Buffalo Bills (10-3) v Detroit Lions (12-1)
The contenders for the No 1 seed in every convention collide in Detroit. The bulldozing Lions wish to hold their foot on the accelerator to fend off the Eagles on the high of the NFC whereas the Bills chase a two-game deficit to the Chiefs within the AFC. Sheer offensive may from the NFL’s two high scoring sides that common a tick over 30 factors per recreation every would be the order of the day within the democracy v the dictatorship.
Detroit’s team-led pick-your-poison method channelled by means of a devastating operating again tandem and cool-as-ice quarterback Jared Goff to maintain factors flowing whereas the one-man wrecking ball Josh Allen, recent from scoring six whole touchdowns towards the Rams, will pose a continuing menace within the air and on the bottom for Buffalo.
A single cease by both protection could possibly be the distinction in a possible warmup for the Super Bowl. First an important victory must be claimed to edge nearer to the all-important high seeding.
What Bills have to do to win: Buffalo have to play their power(s) and go all weapons blazing on offense to try to rattle Detroit. Goff and the Lions are used to enjoying with a wholesome lead and the discount of stress that affords. Allen’s white-hot scoring potential may put the Lions in an alien place that induces uncharacteristic, pricey errors.
A sizzling begin would additionally imply Buffalo’s so-so run defence may not be examined as completely. The Bills permit virtually 5 yards/keep it up common and are tied for seventh-most 20-plus yard runs allowed with 11. Gibbs (holder of the third-most 20-plus yard runs with 9) and Montgomery are going to get touches although having a handful fewer possibilities at making back-breaking explosive performs could be a fantastic reduction.
What Lions have to do to win: Detroit’s offensive line has to keep up its immense normal to dominate the Bills and the scoreboard. If they do then operating lanes shall be broad open for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery whereas a extra decisive consequence will seemingly comply with: the present of time for Goff to go to work within the pocket. Detroit’s franchise quarterback is having fun with the most effective and most correct season of his profession due to the improved work of the large males up entrance.
His 72.4% completion price is a significant factor in how Detroit have kicked on from being an excellent group to a fantastic one and as such they’ve already equalled final yr’s common season win whole. An announcement win for Goff over his reverse quantity with the upper pedigree could possibly be a refined but highly effective increase to the Lions’ confidence down the stretch.
Rising in playoff race: Los Angeles Rams
How to flex your playoff credentials late in a season? Stagger from the saloon victorious after a shootout with the MVP-elect Allen then chalk up a hard-fought win over a division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Sean McVay’s offence have been largely out of sync on Thursday evening however the underrated defence shut Brock Purdy down whereas Puka Nacua’s thoughts meld with Matthew Stafford remained robust. The second-year go catcher is on tempo to crack 1,000 yards regardless of lacking 5 video games with a severe knee damage.
The 8-6 Rams can now put their ft up as they sit and hope each the NFC West-leading Seahawks and wildcard-holding Commanders be part of them from 8-5. Seattle are the almost definitely candidate as they face the playoff-bound Green Bay Packers. A loss would transfer Los Angeles narrowly forward on convention file.
Falling in playoff race: Los Angeles Chargers
The method the playoff image is forming this season is arguably hurting the Chargers. They are virtually sure to make the postseason owing in some half to the dearth of competitors within the AFC. This ho-hum run, together with key accidents, could possibly be blunting (whereas undoubtedly not sharpening) their offensive enamel as their robust begin has allowed December defeats to matter little. The 8-5 file is just a bit too snug over the wildcard pretenders on 6-7.
The Chargers’ operating recreation is their best flaw. Without the injured JK Dobbins, the Bolts get nowhere quick at a median EPA/play of -0.22 which leaves quarterback Justin Herbert anticipated to do all of it. On Sunday he failed with out favoured goal Ladd McConkey in a slender defeat to the beatable Chiefs. Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants the rookie receiver to be match and able to revive manufacturing towards Tampa Bay, as Dobbins returns in week 17 on the earliest, because the hungry Buccaneers look to cement their place on the high of the NFC South. Another spirit-sapping loss for the Chargers would additional mark them out as a mushy contact within the first spherical of the postseason.
Race for No 1 draft decide
The pair one shot higher than the chasing pack on the fifteenth tee are the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants at 2-11. Both are enduring ferocious chilly snaps with severely undermanned rosters enduring respective nine- and eight-game shedding streaks. Barring a miraculous turnaround in fortunes, Big Blue will stay in pole place for the No 1 general decide in 2025 as they host Baltimore on Sunday. The 8-5 Ravens could be a secure guess any week of the season contemplating their expertise benefit however Lamar Jackson and firm’s likelihood is solely boosted additional by heading north after a refreshing bye week and needing to win to remain within the hunt for the AFC North title.
Meanwhile, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is seemingly hoping his quarterback sees crimson when the Falcons go to. No, Gardner Minshew has no rating to settle with Atlanta. One-time Falcons QB1 Desmond Ridder nevertheless has been given the keys to the Las Vegas offense in a determined try to seek out some life within the desert. This newest and probably best take a look at of the time period “revenge recreation” may see Ridder fired as much as overcome his alternative, Kirk Cousins – zero touchdowns and eight interceptions thrown in 4 successive defeats – although the previous’s ring rust and restricted throwing capacity ought to nonetheless hold the closely favored playoff-chasing Falcons heading in the right direction to finish the veteran’s horrific run.
