Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) at Denver Broncos (2-5): This Sunday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes seeks his 13th straight victory against Denver. If the Chiefs beat the Broncos, he will become the first QB to start 13-0 against any opponent, per Pro Football Talk.
Denver, meanwhile, wants to eventually move on from QB Russell Wilson, who’s posted a below-average 46.1 QBR this season. An anonymous general manager reportedly believes head coach Sean Payton would trade him if there was a market.
Another Mahomes victory seems imminent. ESPN Analytics gives Kansas City an 82.6 percent chance to win this matchup.
PREDICTION: Chiefs, 28-17
Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) at Detroit Lions (5-2): On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said it’s unclear if QB Jimmy Garoppolo has recovered from a back injury that sidelined him in Week 7.
If Garoppolo can’t play, McDaniels will turn to Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O’Connell, neither inspires confidence. This season, each has started a game and lost. So, don’t be surprised if the Raiders offense, 30th in the NFL in points scored (16 points per game), keeps floundering.
Detroit wants to rebound after a 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. “You don’t want these to happen, but when it does, it re-centers you, it refocuses you,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell told the media after the blowout. Don’t be surprised if they get back on track against the Raiders and prove they’re not a pretender.
PREDICTION: Lions, 27-16
Chicago Bears (2-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-4): The Chargers playoff odds continue to dwindle after consecutive losses. The New York Times simulator gives them a 30 percent chance to make the postseason. After a Week 7 loss to the Chiefs, quarterback Justin Herbert insisted “no one’s going to panic” despite the recent struggles.
Per Bears HC Matt Eberflus, QB Justin Fields is doubtful (dislocated right thumb), and undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is expected to get his second start. The former Division II star out of Shepherd University in West Virginia surprised in a 30-12 victory against the Raiders, completing 21-of-29 passes for 162 yards and a TD. Expect him to have another solid outing against the Chargers, whose passing defense is last in the NFL in yards allowed (310 yards per game).
Yet the Bears defense is allowing 26.9 points per game, 28th in the NFL. Herbert, who’s sixth in the league in QBR (65.2), should dominate and help his team snap its losing streak. Also, the Chargers are heavily favored. ESPN Analytics gives them a 74.2 percent chance to win.
PREDICTION: Chargers, 24-17