Minnesota Vikings (6-4) at Denver Broncos (4-5): Denver’s defense has redeemed itself after allowing 70 points in a Week 3 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Over the team’s past two games, it has forced five fumbles.
“I think those guys got tired of me talking about forcing fumbles,” head coach Sean Payton said following a Week 10 win over the Buffalo Bills, via the team’s website.
Despite a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles), Minnesota is still rolling with backup Joshua Dobbs. (The Cardinals dealt Dobbs to Minnesota before the trade deadline.) In two games with the Vikings, the 28-year-old journeyman has led them to two victories and posted an above-average 87.5 QBR.
Minnesota, which leads the NFL in fumbles lost (12), has ball-security issues, so expect Denver to exploit this problem. As of Wednesday, oddschecker lists the Broncos as two-point favorites.
PREDICTION: Broncos, 24-23
Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-2): The Chiefs host the Eagles in a Super Bowl LVII rematch on “Monday Night Football.” Per ESPN’s Field Yates, this is only the second Super Bowl rematch played the following season in “MNF” history and the first since 1997.
The Eagles are tied for third in the league in points scored (28 PPG) and fifth in sacks (30). Kansas City, meanwhile, is 13th in points scored (23.1 PPG) and tied for third in sacks (31).
Clearly, both teams are evenly matched. Give the Chiefs a slight edge at home, though. The DAZN.com noted Super Bowl winners are 6-2 in the eight previous rematches of the games played the following season.
PREDICTION: Chiefs, 31-28
Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) at Miami Dolphins (6-3): After interim HC Antonio Pierce guided the Raiders to two straight victories, former NFL head coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards recently told SB Nation, “Tell [owner Mark Davis] he’s got the right guy.”
Although Pierce has reignited the team’s competitive fire, he hasn’t solved its passing game problems. Over the past two games, Las Vegas has averaged 167.5 passing yards per game, and rookie QB Aidan O’Connell — who recently replaced Jimmy Garoppolo — has thrown for only one TD (and one interception).
Don’t be surprised if the Raiders struggle to keep up with the Doplhins’ high-powered offense. Miami is first in the league in passing yards (287.4) and points scored per game (31.2)
PREDICTION: Dolphins, 31-21
Los Angeles Chargers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (3-6): On Monday, Los Angeles head coach Brandon Staley acknowledged the defense is holding the team back. Per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, he said it didn’t make “enough plays in that fourth quarter” in a Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Although the Chargers are 24th in the league in points allowed (23.4 PPG), they should get back on track against an inept Packers offense. Green Bay is 21st in points scored (19.9 PPG), and QB Jordan Love is 22nd in QBR (46.9).
Chargers QB Justin Herbert — who’s playing through a fractured left middle finger — is recapturing his elite form. In Week 10, he posted season highs in QBR (83.6) and passing TDs (four).
PREDICTION: Chargers, 27-20
