Texans Take On Chargers; Giants and Raiders Duke It Out
(Broncs Defy TMJ’s Football Insider, Again and Again)
Trevor Phipps
Well luckily for us Bronco fans, the team keeps on proving me wrong on multiple occasions. It seems like the games I have picked them to lose; they come out swinging.
But I think it’s safe to say that everyone was shocked when the Broncos overtook the Packers in Week 15, in another big comeback in the second half. Even the gurus in Vegas were proven wrong on that one.
After that game, I feel like it’s hard for so called “experts” around the league to not be convinced that the Broncos are a stellar team. With a 12-2 record after week 15, the Broncs were the best team in the league. The path to the Super Bowl could go through Denver, which would make all of the naysayers cry. Even former great Tom Brady, now an NFL analyst for Fox Sports, has started to compliment the Broncs’ Bo Nix and company.
But the team still has a rough path to get there. Their last two games will not be easy. Their division rivals will surely want to ruin their season.
However, the Broncos are in the playoffs, whether or not they lose the rest of their games. These last two matches will merely decide what seed they will play in the postseason. But that is an important element, especially if they get home-field advantage.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday (Christmas) 6:15 p.m.
A few weeks ago, I thought this match would be one that the Broncos would surely lose. Playing the Chiefs at home is never easy, and they did nearly beat the Broncos on their home turf earlier in the season.
But the Broncos this year seem to be getting better as the season progresses. And other teams, such as the Chiefs, which ruled the AFC West Division for years, seem to be getting worse.
After their loss against the Chargers in week 15, the Chiefs were officially eliminated from the playoffs. But normally, this wouldn’t be a huge factor because Kansas City would love to mess up the Broncos’ stellar season.
But the big deciding factor this week is the fact that the Chiefs’ star QB Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL during the Chargers game in week 15. At press time, he was looking at surgery options, and he is done for the season.
The Chiefs do have a decent backup and a good team surrounding Mahomes, but that probably won’t be good enough. The Broncos will be trying hard to pick up a win this week in hopes to secure home field advantage throughout the postseason.
Trevor’s Pick: Denver Broncos 34, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Vegas Line: Chiefs by 4.5.
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Just when I thought the Chargers were going to fall short of my earlier lofty expectations for this team, the rebounded with some wins and are only a couple of games behind the Broncos.
Like the Broncos, the Chargers also have the ability to play a game until the bitter end. After week 15, the Chargers were in 10th place in power rankings. Experts like what they see, but they are concerned about their sketchy offensive line.
The Texans on the other hand, have been on quite a good streak. After week 15, the Texans had won six games in a row and jumped up to 11th in NFL Power rankings.
Statistically, these two team are pretty evenly matched. Neither of them rank in the top five when it comes to their offensive production. But they both have decent defenses.
The Texans are in first place in the league with the least amount of yards allowed (269.2 yards per game on average). The Texans are second in the league with the most turnovers.
But the Chargers defense comes in second place with only allowing around 279 yards per game. They are also in fifth place when it comes to the most sacks per game.
Overall, this game should be a good way to spend a post-Christmas Saturday afternoon. A Houston win helps the Broncos the most, so that’s pretty much why I went with them.
Trevor’s Pick: Houston Texans 28, Los Angeles Chargers 26
Vegas Line: Chargers by 3.5.
New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday 2:05 p.m.
This game basically means nothing because both teams are eliminated from the playoffs. Both teams disappointed their fans and are basically looking forward to a good draft picks next year.
But for Raiders’ fans, this could be their week. Even Vegas picked the worst power ranking team over the Giants.
Trevor’s Pick: Las Vegas Raiders 34, New York Giants 21
Vegas Line: Raiders by 2.5.
Other Games To Watch
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday 11 a.m.
The Jags have been on a roll, and they need to keep winning to secure their playoff spot. The Colts have suffered after their QB got hurt and nobody thinks Phillip Rivers will be their saving grace.
Trevor’s Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars 32, Indianapolis Colts 14
Vegas Line: Colts by 1.5.
Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills, Sunday 2:25 p.m.
This will be a much better game to watch than the Raiders v. Giants. Hopefully the Eagles can send the Bills back from the Broncos a few notches. But, I doubt it.
Trevor’s Pick: Buffalo Bills 28, Philadelphia Eagles 24
Vegas Line: Bills by 1.5.
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday 6:20 p.m.
This match will probably decide quite a bit in the NFC playoffs. These teams are pretty evenly matched so I’m going with my second favorite team: the 49ers.
Trevor’s Pick: San Francisco 49ers 31, Chicago Bears 30
Vegas Line: 49ers by 3.5.
