NFL
By Monte Perez
We are almost at the halfway point in the NFL season and the Packers, Dolphins, and Falcons are all battling for a playoff spot.
3-4 Green Bay Packers at the 5-1 Buffalo Bills:
Time: 8:20 PM
TV: NBC
Betting line: The Bills are favored by 11 points.
The Packers have lost 3 games in a row. Last weekend, against Washington, their offense was non-existent. Green Bay had 232 total yards and were 0-6 on 3rd down. The Packers had no third-down conversions for the first time since 1999. Aaron Rodgers has not elevated this team or the players around him but it is not only his fault. The Packers rushed for 38 yards on Sunday.
The Buffalo Bills are 1st in total yards and 1st in passing yards. They are 2nd in scoring averaging 29.3 points per game. This is a team that is clicking on all cylinders. Josh Allen is completing 66% of his passes, has 19 total touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. He could win MVP this year.
Prediction:
The Packers are in a world of hurt here. This game may be over by halftime.
Bills 38… Packers 17
4-3 Miami Dolphins at the 1-5 Detroit Lions
Time: 1 PM
TV: CBS
Betting Line: Dolphins are favored by 4.5 points.
The Dolphins are coming off a 16-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Lions lost 24-6 last weekend against the Dallas Cowboys. The Lions have scored 6 points in their last 2 games and could have the worst coaching staff in the NFL. Dan Campbell is now 4-18 as Detroit’s head coach.
The Dolphins offense was dominating before Tua Tagovailoa got hurt. On the year, Tua is completing 67% of his passes with 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have combined for 91 catches, 1,394 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 7 games. Raheem Mostert has become the featured back and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Miami’s defense needs to improve, they are ranked 23rd, giving up 23.6 points per game.
Prediction:
I expect Tua and Miami’s offense to score over 35 points or more. It is only a matter of time before Detroit fans realize Coach Campbell is a fraud.
Dolphins 37… Lions 27
2-5 Carolina Panthers at the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons:
Time: 1 PM
TV: Fox
Betting line: Falcons are favored by 4.5.
The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, 21-3. They did this with a 3rd string quarterback, a 2nd string running back, and an interim coach. The Atlanta Falcons lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 35-17. The Falcons are ranked 32nd in passing defense and got exposed by Joe Burrow. The Former Heisman Trophy winner threw for 481 yards and 3 touchdown passes in the win.
The Falcons want to run the ball on 1st, 2nd and 3rd down. They are 4th in rushing yards per game but 31st in passing yards. Marcus Mariota is on pace to throw the fewest passes by a quarterback since 1988. Even though Atlanta has Kyle Pitts and Drake London they do not utilize them. In their loss last week, Mariota threw the ball 13 times.
Prediction:
The Falcons can not play from behind. Their offense is not built that way. The Good news is, they should take an early lead and run the ball effectively against a Panthers team that is 21st against the rush. Falcons should win this game and that means they will be in first place in their division by Sunday night
Atlanta… 23… Panthers 20
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