Last week: 11-5 (.688)
Season record: 113-64 (.638)
THURSDAY
Dallas Cowboys (10-1) at Minnesota Vikings (6-5), 8:30 p.m. — It should be noted the Cowboys and Vikings are getting a huge (unfair?) break with this Thursday night game. Because each team played on Thanksgiving, they don’t have to worry about getting ready on a short week, unlike the rest of the NFL when they play on Thursday night. Half of the Cowboys’ 10-game winning streak has been compiled on the road, where they remain one of three unbeaten teams. The Vikings have lost four of their past five to drop a game behind the Lions in the NFC North Division, but they play well at home. Prediction: Vikings, 24-20
SUNDAY
New York Giants (8-3) at Steelers (6-5), 4:25 p.m. — The Giants are one of the hottest teams in the league, having won six in a row. But, despite Eli Manning and a talented trio of receivers, they have never scored more than 28 points in a game. The Steelers, meantime, have scored 104 points in their past three home games when Ben Roethlisberger is the quarterback. Prediction: Steelers, 30-28
Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) at Atlanta Falcons (7-4), 1 p.m. — The Chiefs have won 18 of their past 21 regular-season games and were impressive in their comeback win in Denver. But the Falcons have averaged 37.3 points in their past four home games. And we saw the Chiefs be vulnerable to deep pass plays against the Broncos. Prediction: Falcons, 30-27
Detroit Lions (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (5-6), 1 p.m. — If the Saints can put up 49 points on one of the league’s stingiest defenses, they are certainly capable of putting up a bunch on the Lions. But the Lions have been a resilient group. All seven of their victories have come with comebacks in the fourth quarter, including their Thanksgiving Day victory against the Vikings. Prediction: Saints, 45-42
Los Angeles Rams (4-7) at New England Patriots (9-2), 1 p.m. — The Rams had allowed only 40 points in the previous four games before giving up 49 to the Saints. Might they be in for more of the same with the Patriots? Since coming back from suspension, Tom Brady has thrown 18 touchdowns and just one interception in seven games. Imagine his numbers if his favorite target, Rob Gronkowski, could stay healthy. Prediction: Patriots, 30-15
Denver Broncos (7-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9), 1 p.m. — The Broncos have to be careful not to slide too far away in the AFC, especially after losing at home to the Chiefs. The Jaguars have lost six in a row, but their past four defeats have been by a total of 22 points. Of course, they have a name for almost winning: losing. Prediction: Broncos, 27-16
Houston Texans (6-5) at Green Bay Packers (5-6), 1 p.m. — The Packers ended their four-game losing streak by doing something they hadn’t been doing — limiting points allowed. After allowing 153 points during their losing streak, they held the Eagles to 13 points. The Texans were one of three unbeaten teams at home until they were surprised by the Chargers. Prediction: Packers, 27-18
Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1), 1 p.m. — The Bengals have been left for dead after winning just once in their past seven starts, and that a lot has to do with the struggles of QB Andy Dalton. The Eagles haven’t been much better. They have lost six of their past eight games after hammering the Steelers. Prediction: Bengals, 23-20
Miami Dolphins (7-4) at Baltimore Ravens (6-5), 1 p.m. — Are the Dolphins this year’s version of the 2015 Chiefs? After a 1-4 start, they have reeled off six consecutive victories. And, like the Chiefs last season, the streak began with a win against the Steelers. But the Fish are 2-3 on the road, and the Ravens are stingy at home, allowing just 12.8 points in the past four there. Prediction: Ravens, 17-16
San Francisco 49ers (1-10) at Chicago Bears (2-9), 1 p.m. — The 49ers are getting suspiciously close to ending their league-high 10-game losing streak. In fact, they came 2 yards short of doing just that last week in Miami. If ever there was a time to end the misery, it against the other miserable team in the league — the Bears. Prediction: 49ers, 3-2
Buffalo Bills (6-5) at Oakland Raiders (9-2), 4:05 p.m. — The Bills have won two in a row and are trying to stay relevant for a wild-card spot. Of course, those wins came against the Bengals and Jaguars, teams with a combined five wins. The Raiders have won five in a row and are tied for the best record in the AFC. This is also their fourth consecutive home game (counting Mexico). Prediction: Raiders, 23-17
Washington Redskins (6-4-1) at Arizona Cardinals (4-6-1), 4:25 p.m. — What’s happened to the Cardinals? Considered to have one of the most talented rosters in the league, they have just one win in their past five starts, and that was against the one-win 49ers. But they are unbeaten (2-0-1) in their past three games at home. Prediction: Cardinals, 38-34
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) at San Diego Chargers (5-6), 4:25 p.m. — The Bucs have moved within a game of the division lead after back-to-back wins against two of the best teams in the league — Kansas City and Seattle. What’s more, after allowing 43 points to Atlanta, the resurgent Bucs defense has allowed just 32 points in the past three games. Prediction: Buccaneers, 24-23
Carolina Panthers (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (7-3-1), 8:30 p.m. — For three weeks, the Seahawks looked like a Super Bowl team and Russell Wilson looked like a league MVP. Then they go to Tampa Bay, manage just five points and Wilson has his worst game of the year. One thing’s for sure: This does not have the look of last year’s divisional playoff game, won by the Panthers. Prediction: Seahawks, 31-19
MONDAY
Indianapolis Colts (5-6) at New York Jets (3-8), 8:30 p.m. — The Jets were already flexed out of last week’s prime-time game against the Patriots; too bad they can’t be flexed out of another. That’s because only Sunday night games can be switched. That’s too bad for Monday-night carrier ESPN, which pays more than double of any rival network for NFL games. Prediction: Colts, 24-21
First Published: November 30, 2016, 8:52 p.m.
