Week 13 is here, and the playoff picture is starting to become more evident. The Steelers, the Chiefs, and the Saints all have opportunities to clinch a playoff berth this week. A win for the Buffalo Bills will keep them in a comfortable position to fend off Tua Tungovila’s surging Dolphins. A win for Cam Newtons Patriots is an absolute must if they want to even have a chance to make it to the playoffs. Here’s all you need to know for this week’s matchups
Will Chase Young carry his team to victory?
Chase Young is arguably the best rookie in the NFL. He’s already proven to be a pro-bowl caliber edge rusher in his first 12 games. If the Washington Football Team wants to knock off the unbeaten (but very much beatable) Pittsburgh Steelers, they will have to do it with their defense. While Young is the main guy in the best defensive front line in football, there are plenty of other big-name guys. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will need to get penetration upfront and allow Young and fellow star edge rusher Montez Sweat to get to Big Ben. With the Steelers looking like a very one-dimensional team right now, Young and Sweat will be the ones who can win this game for Washington.
Can the Niners pull off an upset?
Despite all the injuries that the Niners had to deal with, they have not been too bad under Nick Mullens. They’ve had one of the more challenging schedules, facing the Rams twice as well as the Packers, Saints, Cardinals, and Seahawks once. It will be up to Nick Mullens and Co. to keep pace with Buffalo’s high-powered offense. Mullens could be the starter next year as there has been a lot of talk about not resigning Jimmy G. If Mullens can string a few good performances here at the end, not only will the Niners look like a more respectable team, but he could end up as a starter in the league.
Will Damien Harris Stay be at his best?
After a breakout game against New England, Harris has had lackluster performances in the last two weeks. With the Patriots still in the hunt for a playoff spot, Harris will need to be firing on all cylinders for the rest of the season. In what should be an easy game against Justin Herbert’s Los Angeles Chargers, Harris needs to pull in a big game. It should not be too difficult as the Chargers have allowed at least 90 yards rushing in every game since week 3. If Harris gets the run game going, the Patriots may still have a shot to make the playoffs.
That’s it for this article. Don’t forget to check back to see my analysis of these games next week. If you have any thoughts on these players, let me know in the comments section.
