1. San Francisco 49ers (7-3) ▲1

Buccaneers Review 

The 49ers have righted themselves after their October losing streak. San Franciso had things clicking in their 27-14 win over Tampa Bay.

Brock Purdy posted a perfect passer rating in the win, the first San Francisco QB to do that in a game since Joe Montana in 1989.

Things will get more difficult in a hurry for San Fran. The next three games feature a pair of matchups with the Seahawks with a trip to Philadelphia sandwiched between the two.

It offers an opportunity to take complete control of the NFC West and potentially seize control of the NFC.

The Niners have converted just 42% of their red zone trips since week six. That figure will need to get better if the Niners are to take command of the conference.

Seattle Seahawks Preview 

Thursday, November 23
5:20 pm PT, NBC

This week San Francisco meets Seattle for the first time this season, on Thanksgiving night. This game takes on less meaning after Seattle’s loss to the Rams.

Brandon Aiyuk had a huge game against the Buccaneers and if he can continue his performance giving the Niners another option on offense they will be in good shape.

The Seahawks might be without Geno Smith and the short week will do them no favors.

My Pick: 49ers  27, Seahawks 17

[Advice: The 49ers are a 6.5-point favorite, I like them to cover and the score will go over the 43-points on offer.]

2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3) ▼1

Eagles Review 

For a half, the Chiefs looked like the best team in the NFL. For a two-minute stretch of the first half their offense looked like the Chiefs offense of old.

The defense was making plays and the offense was scoring points in the opening half. The Chiefs were gashing Philly with the run game.

The Eagles entered Monday Night with the fifth-worst passing defense in the league, allowing 248.1 yards per game through the air.

Monday Night, they limited Patrick Mahomes to 177 yards passing. KC was shut out in the second half.

The offensive issues are mostly the result of dropped passes and penalties, but they need to get things figured out on that side of the ball.

Las Vegas Raiders Preview 

Sunday, November 26
1:25 pm PT, CBS

The Chiefs defense is carrying this team. The second half against Philadelphia was the third straight game KC did not score a point after halftime. The second-half woes are becoming problematic.

Las Vegas is 21st in the NFL in total defense. The Chiefs should be able to move the ball against the Raiders. The Raider pass rush is good, but Mahomes is tough to sack.

This should be one in which the offense gets back on track.

My Pick: Chiefs 27, Raiders 14

[Advice: The Chiefs are favored by 9 and they should cover that big number. The 44-points on offer seem perfect, if you get a half point either way take it. I’ll go under with the under since I have to take one and KC’s defense could limit the Raiders offense.]

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-4) ◄►

Rams Review 

A season sweep at the hands of the Rams could prove costly for Seattle. They probably should not have lost either of them, and they would be leading the division if they had flipped those outcomes.

But they did not win them. Geno Smith returned from his elbow injury and got the Seahawks into position for a GW field goal but the kick was missed by Jason Myers.

The biggest issue for Seattle in the loss was discipline. The Seahawks committed 12 penalties for 130 yards. The yardage was the most in the NFL this season and Seattle’s most since 2018.

San Francisco 49ers Preview 

Thursday, November 23
5:20 pm PT, NBC

How much time will Geno Smith miss with his elbow injury? That is the question, he returned for the end of the Seahawks’ loss to LA. With a short week, it might be hard to envision him being ready to go.

Whether it is him or Drew Lock they will have a productive DK Metcalf at their disposal.

The receiver had five receptions for 94 yards against the Rams and that was even playing with a snap count due to his hamstring recovery.

The Seahawks may be reeling after the loss to LA, but they have an opportunity with a pair of meetings with San Francisco in the next three weeks.

My Pick: 49ers  27, Seahawks 17

[Advice: The 49ers are a 6.5-point favorite, I like them to cover and the score will go over the 43-points on offer.]

4. Denver Broncos (5-5) ◄►

Vikings Review 

Denver allowed the Jets to score 31 points in a game and the Dolphins to score 70 on their way to a 1-5 start to the season.

Now they have won four in a row and sit at .500 on the season. It is the first time the Broncos have had a four-game winning streak since 2016.

The Broncos have fought their way back into the playoff picture. Denver fell behind Minnesota but got back in it with a 12-0 fourth quarter. They forced three turnovers that keyed things.

Cleveland Browns Preview 

Sunday, November 26
1:05 pm PT, FOX

The Broncos still settled for too many FGs in the win, with five of them and just one TD. Against the Browns, the Broncos will not be able to squander opportunities like that.

Three points need to become seven. Ja’Quan McMillion was very good in coverage against the Vikings and Denver will need more of that this season.

The issue for the Broncos defense was stopping the run against Minnesota. The Vikes ran for 170+ yards. Heck, the Jets ran for over 300 against the Broncos.

Cleveland has got to be licking their chops as they get ready for this one.

My Pick: Browns 17, Broncos 14

[Advice: Denver is hot, but the run game and defense of the Browns will be too much. Browns win outright and cover the 2.5 points they are being given. The point total is set at 38, that is low, but think it stays lower.]

5. Las Vegas Raiders (5-6) ◄►

Dolphins Review 

The Raiders lost for the first time under Antonio Peirce. Though they may have lost, they certainly look like a different team since the coaching change.

The Raiders defense gave up 422 yards but also created three turnovers and got a fourth down stop against Miami’s potent offense.

That kept the Raiders in striking distance and Vegas had a chance at the end. It was a loss, but the Raiders are looking like a much better team in the last three games.

Kansas City Chiefs Preview 

Sunday, November 26
1:25 pm PT, CBS

While the defense kept them in it, the offense struggled and will need much better production against Kansas City. It is the first of two against the Chiefs remaining on the schedule.

Aside from those games, the Raiders have to feel like the rest of the schedule could be winnable. If they are to steal one from the Chiefs this one at home is the one they need to get.

In order to progress the offense will have to get a lot better. And that starts with the play calling of Bo Hardegree and the QB play of Aidan O’Connell.

One is a first-time NFL playcaller, the other a first-time NFL QB. The problem is it is midseason, and the Raiders need them to perform at a midseason level.

My Pick: Chiefs 27, Raiders 14

[Advice: The Chiefs are favored by 9 and they should cover that big number. The 44-points on offer seem perfect, if you get a half point either way take it. I’ll go under with the under since I have to take one and KC’s defense could limit the Raiders offense.]

6. Los Angeles Rams (4-6) ▲1

Seahawks Review 

Los Angeles broke their three-game losing streak with a sweep of Seattle.

The defense did a number on the Seahawks after an opening TD it was just four FGs for Seattle the Seahawks on the day.

For the second time this season, the Rams defense shut down Seattle after half time allowing just three points in the second half on Sunday.

The Rams are just 4-6, but with some winnable games coming up on the schedule this team could make a playoff run. The Rams struggled on third downs Sunday, converting on just two of nine for the game.

Arizona Cardinals Preview 

Sunday, November 26
1:05 pm PT, FOX

The games that are winnable coming up begin with the Cardinals this week. They will look to complete the sweep of Arizona and push their division record to 4-1 on the season.

In the first meeting, the Rams outscored the Cardinals 20-0 after halftime but it was Josua Dobbs at QB that afternoon and not Kyler Murray.

My Pick: Rams 23, Cardinals 20

[Advice: Los Angeles is a one-point favorite on the road, I look for them to cover and the score total will be just under the 44 on offer.]

7. Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) ▼1

Packers Review 

The Chargers have been a disappointment this season. You have to wonder how much longer the leash will be for Brandon Staley.

They have far too much talent on both sides of the ball to be sitting at 4-6 on the season. And some of the losses, this week to the Packers, have come at the hands of teams Los Angeles should be beating.

Khalil Mack is one of those talented players and he showed up against Green Bay.

His 11 sacks this season are his most in a season since 2018 as he finished the game against the Packers with two sacks, a forced fumble, and seven QB pressures.

Baltimore Ravens Preview 

Sunday, November 26
5:20 pm PT, NBC

The Chargers have struggled against teams with winning records this season and the Ravens certainly have a better than .500 mark on the year.

L.A. was terrible in the red zone against Green Bay and the Ravens will offer a much stiffer test on the defensive side of the ball than Green Bay offered.

If the Chargers’ offense cannot produce, they could be in for a long day against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ rushing attack.

My Pick: Ravens 25, Chargers 20

[Advice: The Ravens are a 4-point favorite at L.A., I think the visitors cover and the total stays below the 47 point total.]

8. Arizona Cardinals (2-9) ◄►

Texans Review 

The Cardinals continue to play hard and be in games.

Arizona limited Houston in the Red Zone and made CJ Stroud look like a rookie, something that has not happened often this season.

The Cardinals intercepted the rookie QB three times. He had only thrown two interceptions all season entering this one.

Los Angeles Rams Preview 

Sunday, November 26
1:05 pm PT, FOX

The Rams are coming off a win over the Seahawks and beat up on the Cardinals in the second half the first time the teams met.

The Rams might be thinking they have an outside shot at the playoffs but the Cardinals have to figure this may be one of their last legitimate chances at a win.

The Bears are on the schedule for Christmas weekend, but it might be the two holiday weekends the Cardinals can point to as potential wins remaining.

My Pick: Rams 23, Cardinals 20

[Advice: Los Angeles is a one-point favorite on the road, I look for them to cover and the score total will be just under the 44 on offer.]