Better late than never. Last week’s bold predictions were pretty much a flop until the final game of Week 17 on Christmas night in San Francisco. The Baltimore Ravens cooled off the San Francisco 49ers thanks to Lamar Jackson and a big night from a defense that picked off five passes.
This week’s schedule features a Thursday night game at Cleveland, a Saturday evening clash at Dallas and the final 14 contests on Sunday. There’s plenty more to sort out. Meanwhile, a look at his week’s fearless predictions and arguably, the best has been saved for last.
3. Raiders' defense scores a touchdown for the third straight game
The Silver and Black have certainly gone through their share of head coaches in recent years. Jon Gruden resigned after five games in 2021 and Rich Bisaccia guided the team the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
Mark Davis hired Josh McDaniels in 2022 and his tenure with the club lasted a total of 25 games. Enter promoted linebackers coach Antonio Pierce, who has certainly brought a lot of fire since taking over. The Raiders are 4-3 under his command and on Christmas afternoon at Kansas City, they stunned the reigning (and reeling) Super Bowl LVII champion Chiefs, 20-14.
In the 63-21 Thursday night win over the Chargers in Week 15, Las Vegas’ defenders returned a fumble and an interception for a touchdown. Against the Chiefs, it was déjà vu all over again as the defense returned two Kansas City miscues for scores.
It says here that Maxx Crosby sacks Colts’ quarterback Gardner Minshew, scoops up the prize and reaches the end zone.
2. Browns play turnover-free football vs. Jets and clinch playoff berth
It’s been a pretty astounding season to date for a franchise that has had a less-than-impressive run since re-entering the league more than two decades ago.
With a 10-5 record, the Cleveland Browns have already secured just their fourth winning campaign since returning to the NFL in 1999. It’s the second time in four years that head coach Kevin Stefanski has led the club to at least 10 wins. In 2020, the Browns finished 11-5 and defeated the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the wild card round before losing in the divisional playoffs at Kansas City.
This year’s club is led by the league’s top-ranked defense. These days, veteran Joe Flacco is the starting quarterback. Regardless of who has been behind center, mistakes have been a big part of the team’s story in 2023.
The Browns lead the NFL with 32 turnovers after 16 weeks of play. The club has given up the football in 14 of their 15 contests. The lone exception was a mistake-free 27-0 victory in Week 9 against the Cardinals. On Thursday night vs. the visiting Jets, Stefanski’s squad will play its second turnover-free game of the season. A victory over Robert Saleh’s club puts Cleveland in the playoffs.
1. Lions hand Cowboys first home loss this season
This is less about the Cowboys’ recent issues and more about what the Detroit Lions have accomplished so far this season. Dan Campbell’s NFC North champions are right in the mix for the top seed in the NFC. The team owns an 11-4 record, identical to the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles and NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers. Both the Lions and Eagles own 7-3 records within the conference, while the Niners are 9-1 vs. NFC competition.
Campbell’s team faces a daunting task this Saturday night at Arlington. The Cowboys are a perfect 7-0 at home this season and have outscored the opposition by a starting 279-108 count. Dallas has scored 30 or more points in each contest and six of the seven victories have been by 20-plus points. All told, the club has won 15 consecutive home games dating back to Week 2 of 2022.
Of course, it’s also worth noting that Campbell’s club owns an impressive 6-2 road record this season. Only the Ravens (7-1) have been better away from home in 2023.
Dan Quinn’s defensive unit has been fairly vulnerable against the run this year. Meanwhile, only Baltimore and Chicago have gained more rushing yards than the Lions. This has the look of a 34-30 Detroit victory as the Cowboys’ slump continues.