Will Chase Young carry his team to victory?
Answer: Yes. While Young and the rest of Washington’s front 7 weren’t able to get to Big Ben at all, they did completely slow down the Steeler running game. In the absence of star running back James Conner, the Steelers turned to Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels, and rookie running back Anthony McFarland, who combined for just 21 rushing yards. This prevented the Steelers from icing the game in the second half allowing Alex Smith to mount a comeback. The Steelers will still maintain their number one seed because their loss came out of the division.
Can the Niners pull off an upset?
Answer: Nope. The Niners never really got back from that second-half deficit. Despite a strong rushing attack and a near hundred yard game from rookie Brandon Aiyuk, the Niners couldn’t keep up with the high powered Bills aerial attack. If Mullens was able to protect the ball, the game could have ended up very differently. I still think the Niners will not re-sign Jimmy G, but Mullens may not be handed a starting job due to players like Kirk Cousins and Matt Ryan potentially hitting free agency. Mullens still has a chance to win the job, as strong performances against Washington, Seattle, and Arizona could still be enough for the Niners to pass on a QB.
Will Damien Harris be at his best?
Answer: Yes. Harris had limited opportunities against the Chargers as Sony Michel got a good chunk of carries at the end, but he made the most of his share, finishing with 80 yards on 16 carries at an outstanding 5.0 ypa. He seemed explosive, racking up a handful of solid runs, and consistently getting to the second level. While the statline says that he finished with 0 touchdowns, it should be noted that there were two Cam Newton rushing touchdowns which could have very easily been Harris’. I think if the Patriots keep playing like this, they could have a legitimate shot at a playoff run.
That’s it for this article. Check back before Sunday’s game to know all that you need to watch for in the Week 14 matchups.
