Throughout the NFL season, The Press suggests three duels to follow each week. The match sealed in advance, where a team’s victory is almost assured. The most surprising duel, where a team could beat a seemingly more powerful rival. Then the part not to be missed, where popcorn and cold drink will be necessary to accompany the action.
The certainty
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday 1 p.m.)
PHOTO MARIA LYSAKER, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff
Two teams at odds with each other. One is regressing and hasn’t won since October 20. The other continues to gain ground and has not lost a match since September 15. The Lions faced a little more adversity last week against the Texans, but they needed it to improve and prepare for playoff matchups. Jared Goff showed why he was sometimes fallible. We could be concerned about the fate of the Lions this week if the team faces another power. However, they will host the Jaguars, a team having scored only seven points last week. Trevor Lawrence was unable to operate their only offensive weapon, receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Nothing is going well in Jacksonville anymore. In defense, it’s not much better. No team has allowed more yards to their opponents this season. It will be a real feast for the Lions at home.
Prediction: Lions 39, Jaguars 21
The surprise
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday 1 p.m.)
PHOTO KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) and running back D’Andre Swift (4)
The Bears offense is full of promise. But over the last four weeks, this team’s production has melted like ice cream in the sun: 35 points against the Jaguars, 15 against the Commanders, 9 against the Cardinals and 3 against the Patriots. In this latest carnage, Caleb Williams threw for just 120 yards of offense. Against a team which, so to speak, does not aspire to great honors this season. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has since been fired. And it was the passing game manager, Thomas Brown, who took over. This may be the shock this team needed. It’s impossible for D’Andre Swift, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen and DJ Moore to remain so invisible. On the other hand, the Packers were manhandled by the Lions a week ago. Jordan Love had difficulty reaching his receivers. The Bears defense could undermine the Packers quarterback’s work.
Prediction: Bears 22, Packers 17
The unmissable
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday 4:25 p.m.)
PHOTO KYUSUNG GONG, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
This is obviously the most anticipated duel of the week, if not the season. Of course, this is a summit clash between two excellent teams. But above all it is a clash between, possibly, the two best quarterbacks in the NFL: Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The Chiefs quarterback won four of seven meetings against his rival, including all three in the playoffs. On a statistical level, by the way, Mahomes also holds the cumulative advantage of the seven duels. Both quarterbacks will undoubtedly live up to expectations. To determine a winner, we must rely on the depth of the squad in place. The Bills excel in three areas: scoring, scoring touchdowns through rushing and protecting Allen in the pocket. On the other hand, the Chiefs stand out in the average points allowed, the number of yards allowed on the ground and the reduction in passing options. It will be a real clash of titans. But the Bills’ two losses came against the two best teams they’ve faced. So, because they have often fallen behind without panicking, because they always find a way to get by and because we can no longer bet against the best quarterback of his generation: Chiefs advantage.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Bills 24
