The Eagles pass defense has been one of the worst all season
and with Darius Slay still sidelined doesn’t figure to suddenly
get better. Taylor threw for 319 yards and a score last Sunday
against a similarly bad Rams’ pass defense. Additionally,
if the scoreboard shows Dallas dominating Washington as expected,
the Eagles would be locked into the No.5 seed, and they likely
pull all their starters in the second half.
The Browns have nothing to play for and so only bad things can
happen if they play their starters. Jake Browning has been a solid
backup for Joe Burrow, throwing at a 69.9-percent completion rate
and accounting for 12 touchdowns in eight games. He’s thrown for
over 300-yards in three of the last five games and against backups
with a healthy Ja’Marr Chase should be a viable option.
Joshua Dobbs and Jaren Hall have come and gone and Nick Mullens
will start in Week 18 at Detroit. The Lions' pass defense is 29th-ranked
for the season, but has been even worse over the last five games
ranking 31st (24.1 FPts/G). Justin Jefferson and KJ Osborn are
healthy, rookie Jordan Addison was healthy enough to play last
weekend and tight end Johnny Mundt caught four balls including
a touchdown. The weapons are there for him so succeed against
a porous Lions’ pass defense.
Despite the Joe Flacco abuse they suffered last Thursday, the
Jets’ pass defense is still top notch. Mac Jones did little in
the first meeting between these two teams and Bailey Zappe doesn’t
figure to do any better. The Patriots just don't have the receivers
to beat “Sauce” Gardner or DJ Reed.
The Cowboys’ defense has kept the last four quarterbacks they
faced under 20 fantasy points and those were big names: Jalen
Hurts, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff. With the NFC
East title in sight, they won’t allow Sam Howell to get the best
of them. Division games can sometimes be more competitive than
expected but this has 31-7 written all over it.
The Bills’ pass defense has been much improved since giving
up 40 fantasy points to Jalen Hurts. In the four weeks since then,
they held Patrick Mahomes in check and haven’t given up
a passing touchdown in three games. Tagovailoa will be without
Jalen Waddle and possibly Raheem Mostert. Tua won’t be held
complete in check as long as Tyreek Hill is heathy, but Cedrick
Wilson is no Waddle.
