Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson and QB Sam Darnold cannot flop once more
In a 31-9, Week 18, loss to the Detroit Lions, Darnold accomplished 18-of-41 passes for 166 yards, and Jefferson completed with three receptions for 54 yards. The QB-WR tandem higher not have one other dud in Monday’s highway sport towards the Los Angeles Rams at 8 p.m. ET, or Minnesota (14-3) might have an early postseason exit.
The Vikings have received three of their previous 4 video games. Throughout this stretch, Darnold has seven touchdown passes. Jefferson, in the meantime, has three TD catches.
Los Angeles Rams should remedy offensive points to maintain up with Vikings
Though the Rams offense options QB Matthew Stafford and WR Puka Nacua, it has just lately stalled. L.A. (10-7) has failed to attain 20 factors in three of its previous 4 video games.
That will not minimize it towards the Vikings’ explosive offense. Minnesota ranks ninth in the league in factors scored (25.4).
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert could have finest likelihood to win his first playoff sport
Herbert — who has began one playoff sport in 5 seasons with the Chargers — is in a implausible place heading into their highway sport towards the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The Texans (10-7) have misplaced 5 of their final 9 video games and are 14th in points allowed (21.9). Herbert, in the meantime, is on a tear. Over his previous three starts, he has accomplished 73.3% of his passes for 911 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Do not anticipate Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s struggles towards Pittsburgh Steelers to proceed
According to Stathead, in eight regular-season video games towards Pittsburgh, Jackson has accomplished 58% of his passes and has extra interceptions (9) than TD passes (eight).
Regardless of his earlier struggles towards Pittsburgh, Jackson should not lay an egg of their dwelling sport on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Over his past three starts, the two-time MVP logged 764 yards (592 passing and 172 dashing) and eight TDs (seven passing and one dashing).
Steelers ought to think about QB change
After the Steelers’ 19-17 Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Russell Wilson stated he does not “wanna talk about the past.” Nonetheless, it is exhausting to disregard the group’s latest slide.
Pittsburgh (10-7) has misplaced 4 straight video games. During this span, Wilson has posted an abysmal 37.4 QBR. If Wilson’s struggles proceed, the Steelers ought to think about turning to backup QB Justin Fields, who has a 4-2 beginning file this season.
Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels could flourish in postseason debut
Final season, Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud received his playoff debut towards the Cleveland Browns. Though the Commanders are on the highway towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, Daniels might do the identical.
The Buccaneers’ 29th-ranked pass defense (243.9 YPG) presents a good matchup for Daniels. In 17 begins, the 2024 No. 2 general choose tossed 25 TDs and engineered 4 fourth-quarter comebacks.
The Philadelphia Eagles passing assault might rebound towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has rushed for two,005 yards in 16 video games, overshadowing their passing sport’s issues. Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts has averaged 193.5 passing yards per sport in 15 begins, the second-lowest determine of his five-year profession.
A struggling Packers protection ought to give Hurts and Co. a wonderful alternative to search out their groove in Sunday’s dwelling sport at 4:30 p.m. ET. Inexperienced Bay ranks thirteenth within the league in passing yards allowed (215.6). Packers two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was additionally just lately positioned on injured reserve.
Packers should depend on dashing assault
In a 24-22, Week 18, loss to the Chicago Bears, Packers broad receiver Christian Watson — who’s third on the group in receiving yards (620 in 14 video games) — exited with a knee harm. In his postgame news conference, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur stated he is not “tremendous assured” about his availability towards the Eagles (14-3).
With the important thing harm to their receiving corps, the Packers (11-6) ought to lean on operating again Josh Jacobs. In 17 video games, Jacobs has 301 carries for 1,329 yards and 15 TDs.
Denver Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix might give them a combating likelihood
The Broncos (10-7) have their work minimize out for them of their highway matchup towards the Buffalo Payments (13-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. If Nix retains thriving, that might assist them pull off an inconceivable upset.
Nix is scorching getting into the playoffs. Over his past three starts, the 2024 No. 12 general choose has accomplished 79% of his passes for 803 yards with 9 TDs and one interception.
Payments QB Josh Allen ought to shred Broncos’ stingy protection
Denver’s protection options a number of Professional Bowlers, together with edge-rusher Nik Bonitto and cornerback Patrick Surtain II. This proficient unit ought to give Allen little hassle.
In 17 video games, he posted a career-high 77.2 QBR, the second finest within the NFL. Moreover, he has thrown a career-low six interceptions.
