Bruce's Picks (5 Live)
Bolts news first, as word from Chargers camp is that QB Justin Herbert is a go tonight despite the cast on his left wrist from last week. Practically speaking, this means that Herbert is likely to be taking snaps out of the shotgun, and not behind center. Herbert has played with this sort of limitation before and not been negatively impacted. The bigger question is the Eagles, who have hardly looked their Super Bowl form of last season, with OL issues limiting the damage caused by Saquon Barkley, and the defense in some level of distress after allowing the Bears to pound for 281 YR when winning on Thanksgiving Friday at the Linc. Play Chargers.
Jumping right to it, the main issue tonight at Inglewood is Justin Herbert, as the Bolts' QB has a cast on his left wrist. Word is he'll be in the lineup, but likely only able to take snaps out of the shotgun. Herbert, however, has dealt with this type of situation before. Meanwhile, the Eagles' defense was strafed by the Bears' running game to the tune of 281 YR on Thanksgiving Friday, and Philly has been giving indicators this is more a 2023 redux than 2022 or 2024. Still, note that Saquon Barkley and the offense had big nights the last time they played at So Fi (vs the Rams) last season, and this 41.5 total hardly looks prohibitive. Play Eagles-Chargers Over
The buy signal flashes for the Texans, now with CJ Stroud back at QB and looking quite menacing as they bring a four-game win streak into Arrowhead. The DeMeco Ryans defense has been ornery all season and has dealt with Patrick Mahomes before, and has allowed 19 or fewer points in five of the last six games. But it's the upside of the offense that intrigues with Stroud back in the lineup last week for the first time since getting KO'd vs. the Broncos on November 1. For the Chiefs, it's been one close game after another this season, with KC mostly losing in those games (1-6 in one-score games), and now leaving itself no room for error to qualify for the playoffs. Play Texans
How about 3-0 with...and 1-8 without. No, we're not talking about cheese steaks (at least for the moment), but that's the Bengals' record in games with Joe Burrow starting at QB, and games without Burrow starting at QB. Burrow is back and starting at QB again on Sunday at buffalo. There's more, but the Cincy argument always circles back to Burrow, especially in December, when the Bengals rallied min 2021, 2022, and 2024, all with Burrow at the helm (he missed December 2023 with injury). Not sure dominating a fading Pittsburgh last week and running roughshod over an tired Steelers defense was really a buy signal on the Bills, who have had their problems vs. Cincy in recent years. Play Bengals
For the Commanders we think the return of Jayden Daniels is a plus; for the Vikes, the return of JJ McCarthy,...we're not so sure. Te Commanders' seven-game losing streak has lasted long enough, especially as the team hasn't looked so bad behind Marcus Mariota in recent weeks. While the playoffs seem a lost cause, Dan Quinn's squad might have found something in last week's gallant OT loss to Denver, utilizing more quick-hitters on offense and improved schemes on defense. Nothing this season has suggested that the return of JJ McCarthy to the Vikings' lineup is going to be a plus save for the fact he'll likely be an improvement upon last week's rookie starter, Max Brosmer. Play Commanders
The Colts look to be leaking oil, dropping three of their last four and in the process the lead in the AFC South, the offense suddenly looking less potent as QB Daniel Jones has been starting to resemble his old Giants form. Jones wasn't all that bad last week vs. Houston but unlike the first half of the season when making all of the big plays, Jones and the rest of the offense have bene unable to consistently generate winning plays the past month as the downturn has endured. Meanwhile, the Jags are stirring, with wins in three straight, and a defense full of ballhawks ready to pounce on the next Jones mistake. The last three wins have been by a combined 87-33. Play Jaguars
Either something is wrong with the Ravens, or they're not that good. For several weeks, despite a recent 5-game win streak, we have suspected the same, much of it to do with QB Lamar Jackson and his return from a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for a month. Jackson has lacked the same electric burst from the pocket that he made famous in recent years. Baltimore still has Derrick Henry, however, and that might be enough to push past the Steelers, who have looked miserable in recent weeks. The old Steel Curtain defense is also showing real signs of wear and tear, such as allowing 249 rush yards last week to the Bills in the latest loss. Play Ravens
These two are playing so much on Thursdays that they might as well join the MAC! In the meantime, plenty of buzz about the recent form of the Cowboys, who have won three on the spin since getting humbled by the Cards on a Monday night, and while beating the Eagles and Chiefs in succession impresses, both of those wins came at home. We can't seem to get out of our mind how the Lions throttled Dallas 47-9 last season, and now some urgency on Detroit's side after recent losses has it outside the NFC playoff field. Dan Campbell's play-calling and gung-ho decision-making (especially 4th downs!) can rankle, but the Lions are equipped to outscore the Cowboys, no matter Dak Prescott's recent exploits. Play Lions
Though Jameis Winston gave the G-Men a fighting chance at QB the past two weeks, tonight's return of Jaxson Dart to the lineup should be a plus for New York, which if nothing else has shown a fighting spirit and sense of swashbuckling in two games under interim HC Mike Kafka (who also just dismissed DC Shane Bowen) . Dart was good enough to beat the Chargers and Eagles earlier and come within a whisker of beating the Broncos in Denver. Three straight spread covers for the Giants suggests this price should intrigue, especially as Mike Vrabel's high-flying Patriots have cut it close a few times in recent weeks even as they haven't lost a game outright since September 21 vs. the Steelers. Play Giants
There is possible foul weather tonight in Landover but we hardly see where that helps the host Commanders. Washington has been in an extended slump, tis last win on October 5 in Inglewood vs. the Chargers, with six losses on the spin since. Terry McLaurin is apparently back to active duty tonight, but still no Jayden Daniels, as Marcus Mariota gets another start at QB after being at hem for the last four consecutive Washington defeats. Though not always scoring style points, Denver keeps winning (eight straight), gets back star CB Patrick Surtain tonight, and has beaten NFC teams seven straight times since last season (6-1 vs. line in those games). Play Broncos