Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is hotter than grandma with 13 touchdowns in his last four games and will surely give Washington a second-place finish in the team’s ninth victory in the Christmas series.
PREDICTION: Cowboys 28-17
New England Patriots (2-8) and New York Giants (3-8):
No, Daniel Jones. No Darren Waller. No problem. An underachieving Giants team, fresh off a win in Washington, may have something for a shaky New England team. The Pats are saying goodbye, but is this the week they finally tell quarterback Mac Jones to quit?
Bailey Zappe replaced Jones in last week’s game after his 10th interception and five sacks in a loss to the Colts. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson had 20 carries for 88 yards in the game and remains the Patriots’ main offensive threat.
The same can be said for Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who averaged 91 rushing yards over the last four games and scored twice in Sunday’s game against the Commanders.
Winger Darius Slayton may be unavailable after missing last week’s game with a shoulder injury. Look for Patriots coach Bill Belichick to take advantage of a depleted New York squad and give the team a third victory at MetLife Stadium.
PREDICTION: Patriots 14-10
Buffalo Bills (6-5) – Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
Was former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey the problem, or were the New York Jets the cure for Buffalo’s ailments? Bills fans are hoping this is the former as the team prepares to face the team with the best record in the NFL.
Even after a 32-6 victory over New York, Buffalo knows it has something to work on. He has lost three of his last five games, and while quarterback Josh Allen leads the league with 22 touchdowns, he is tied with Washington’s Sam Howell for most interceptions (12).
The Bills will have to face a team that held Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to 177 yards on Monday night. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has thrown for even fewer yards (150) than Mahomes, but he seems eager to secure another No. 1 seed for his team.
Of course, with the short week and the 49ers on board, this matchup has all the hallmarks of a “trap game” for Philadelphia. The team will wear Kelly Green uniforms for the second time. Philadelphia has already beaten Miami 31-17 in popular colors and will do the same on Sunday against Buffalo.
FORECAST: Eagles 28-24
