It could be a photo finish.
Draw a week ago we disagreed on a game. MDS took the Browns, I took the Steelers, and Big Ben Night ended up pushing me to 13-3. MDS was 12-4.
I’m 165-90-1 and he’s 164-91-1. With 16 games left in the regular season, we disagree on five of the week.
For all elections in week 18, roll away.
Cowboys (-7) at the Eagles
MDS ‘position: None of these teams have much to play for, but it sounds like the Cowboys think it’s worth the risk of injury to try to improve their playoff seed, and I think they will win.
MDS ‘choice: Cowboys 30, Eagles 20.
Florio’s position: In the last week of the season, the team has more to gain the advantage.
Florio’s choice: Cowboys 27, Eagles 17.
Chiefs (-10) at the Broncos
MDS ‘position: Chiefs need a win to stay in the battle for the AFC No. 1 seed. They get it against a Broncos team that has already been eliminated.
MDS ‘choice: Chiefs 34, Broncos 21.
Florio’s position: Chiefs need to regain their confidence after a terrible second half in Cincinnati.
Florio’s choice: Chiefs 35, Broncos 23.
Packers (-2.5) at Lions
MDS ‘position: It’s hard to know how hard the Packers will play now that they have the No. 1 seed locked, but I expect them to beat the Lions even though Jordan Love is the quarterback.
MDS ‘choice: Packers 28, Lions 21.
Florio’s position: The Packers need to learn from the example set by the Ravens in 2019 and not take a three-week break between meaningful games. Green Bay should keep the saw sharp, the risk of injury is cursed.
Florio’s choice: Packers 31, Lions 24.
Bears (+2.5) at Vikings
MDS ‘position: Both of these teams are out of contention, but the Bears seem to be playing a little harder while playing out of the string.
MDS ‘choice: Bjørne 24, Vikinger 21.
Florio’s position: Mike Zimmer gets a win in what could be his last match with the Vikings.
Florio’s choice: Vikings 24, Bears 21.
Patriots (-6.5) by Dolphins
MDS ‘position: The Dolphins laid an egg at a big moment last week in their loss to the Titans, and now that they’re out of it, I think they’ll fold and lose big again.
MDS ‘choice: Patriots 30, Dolphins 13.
Florio’s position: The Patriots have had problems in Miami, but New England must win and the Dolphins are on their way to another season without a playoff after winning seven in a row.
Florio’s choice: Patriots 27, Dolphins 17.
Colts (-15.5) at Jaguars
MDS ‘position: A Jaguars victory would be the biggest disruption of the season – and would cost the Jaguars the first overall pick in the draft and likely cost the Colts a playoff spot. It does not happen.
MDS ‘choice: Colts 27, Jaguars 12.
Florio’s position: The Jaguars started the 2020 season with a win over the Colts at home before losing 15 in a row. This time, the stakes are much higher for the road team with a playoff spot on the line.
Florio’s choice: Colts 31, Jaguars 3.
Jets (+16.5) at Bills
MDS ‘position: The Jets have been playing more competitive football lately, and I think they will keep it close to the Bills for about half a year before the Bills retire.
MDS ‘choice: Bills 27, Jets 17.
Florio’s position: The Bills find more offensive balance, but Josh Allen needs to equalize revenue. This is a good tuneup before the playoffs.
Florio’s choice: Bills 34, Jets 13.
Panthers (+8) at Buccaneers
MDS ‘position: The Bucs do not have much to play for on Sunday, but Bruce Arians says they play to win and I think they will.
MDS ‘choice: Buccaneers 34, Panthers 14.
Florio’s position: This is a great pre-season opportunity for the Bucs to make Tom Brady more comfortable with his available offensive players.
Florio’s choice: Buccaneers 41, Panthers 21.
Titans (-10.5) at Texans
MDS ‘position: With No. 1 seed on the line, I can not see the Titans stumble.
MDS ‘choice: Titans 24, Texans 13.
Florio’s position: The top seed plus Derrick Henry’s potential return will make the Titans a potential Super Bowl challenger.
Florio’s choice: Titans 30, Texans 17.
Washington (-6.5) at the Giants
MDS ‘position: None of these teams are going anywhere, but Ron Rivera wants his team to play hard, and Joe Judge will not.
MDS ‘choice: Washington 28, Giants 10.
Florio’s position: It’s a lot more fun to watch Joe Judge press conferences than it is to see his team play.
Florio’s choice: Washington 27, Giants 17.
Saints (-4) by the Falcons
MDS ‘position: The Saints are still in contention heading into the final game of the season, which is impressive considering their injuries and COVID-19 situations this season. I think they take care of the business on Sunday.
MDS ‘choice: Saints 27, Falcons 17.
Florio’s position: The Saints still have a chance to get to the playoffs. If they can do it, they can make things interesting. Especially for Buccaneers.
Florio’s choice: Saints 24, Falcons 17.
Steelers (+5.5) at Ravens
MDS ‘position: TJ Watt will break the sack record and the Ravens send Ben Roethlisberger out with a loss.
MDS ‘choice: Ravens 20, Steelers 17.
Florio’s position: Sunday’s experience in Baltimore for Big Ben will be the exact opposite of Monday’s experience in Pittsburgh.
Florio’s choice: Ravens 24, Steelers 14.
Bengals (+1.5) at Browns
MDS ‘position: I do not know if the Bengals have to play to win or not, but I suppose they will rest some key players, and yet I like that they still win against a Browns team that seems ready to pack it this week.
MDS ‘choice: Bengals 24, Browns 20.
Florio’s position: This is impossible to choose as Joe Burrow (and probably other starters for Cincinnati) will not play. Give the home team the edge.
Florio’s choice: Browns 23, Bengals 21.
Seahawks (+6.5) at Cardinals
MDS ‘position: The Cardinals will win, forcing the Rams to win if they want to win the NFC West.
MDS ‘choice: Cardinals 24, Seahawks 20.
Florio’s position: In what could be the final game in the Pete Carroll / Russell Wilson relationship, they send Arizona into the offseason with their fifth home loss in a row.
Florio’s choice: Seahawks 27, Cardinals 20.
49ers (+4) at Rams
MDS ‘position: Rams will win, win NFC West and send 49ers home.
MDS ‘choice: Rams 23, 49ers 17.
Florio’s position: The 49s continue their dominance of the Rams, and they set out to become a disruptive force in the off-season.
Florio’s choice: 49ers 23, Rams 20.
Chargers (-3) at Raiders
MDS ‘position: In the final match of the regular season, a big match from Justin Herbert will give the Chargers a big win.
MDS ‘choice: Chargers 34, Raiders 24.
Florio’s position: With everything the Raiders have endured this year, a win-and-win opportunity will not be wasted against a Chargers team that has been too inconsistent.
Florio’s choice: Raiders 24, Chargers 21.
