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 recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at 8 p.m. ET, or Minnesota (14-3) may 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 clear up 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 reduce it in opposition to the Vikings’ explosive offense. Minnesota ranks ninth in the league in factors scored (25.4).
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert might have finest probability to win his first playoff recreation
Herbert — who has began one playoff recreation in 5 seasons with the Chargers — is in a implausible place heading into their highway recreation in opposition to 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 count on Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s struggles in opposition to Pittsburgh Steelers to proceed
According to Stathead, in eight regular-season video games in opposition to Pittsburgh, Jackson has accomplished 58% of his passes and has extra interceptions (9) than TD passes (eight).
Regardless of his earlier struggles in opposition to Pittsburgh, Jackson should not lay an egg of their residence recreation on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Over his past three starts, the two-time MVP logged 764 yards (592 passing and 172 speeding) and eight TDs (seven passing and one speeding).
Steelers ought to contemplate QB change
After the Steelers’ 19-17 Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Russell Wilson stated he would not “wanna talk about the past.” Nevertheless, it is arduous 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 contemplate turning to backup QB Justin Fields, who has a 4-2 beginning document this season.
Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels might flourish in postseason debut
Final season, Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud received his playoff debut in opposition to the Cleveland Browns. Though the Commanders are on the highway in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, Daniels may do the identical.
The Buccaneers’ 29th-ranked pass defense (243.9 YPG) presents a positive matchup for Daniels. In 17 begins, the 2024 No. 2 total decide tossed 25 TDs and engineered 4 fourth-quarter comebacks.
The Philadelphia Eagles passing assault may rebound in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has rushed for two,005 yards in 16 video games, overshadowing their passing recreation’s issues. Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts has averaged 193.5 passing yards per recreation in 15 begins, the second-lowest determine of his five-year profession.
A struggling Packers protection ought to give Hurts and Co. a superb alternative to search out their groove in Sunday’s residence recreation 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 speeding 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 in opposition to the Eagles (14-3).
With the important thing harm to their receiving corps, the Packers (11-6) ought to lean on working again Josh Jacobs. In 17 video games, Jacobs has 301 carries for 1,329 yards and 15 TDs.
Denver Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix may give them a preventing probability
The Broncos (10-7) have their work reduce out for them of their highway matchup in opposition to 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 total decide 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.
