NFL WEEK 12 PRIMER
Raiders (6-4) at Falcons (3-7)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Raiders by 3
Raiders’ keys: Let QB Derek Carr air it out to big-play WRs Henry Ruggs III and Nelson Agholor against a young secondary. Also, throw the ball to RB Josh Jacobs in space. Falcons’ keys: Atlanta must stop the run and do a better job of protecting QB Matt Ryan after he was sacked eight times by the Saints. – Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Chargers (3-7) at Bills (7-3)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Bills by 5 1⁄2
Chargers’ keys: While it’s been the QB Justin Herbert show, Los Angeles needs to use its rushing attack. Buffalo’s rush defense is bottom five. Bills’ keys: After the bye, Buffalo will have a healthier offensive line. QB Josh Allen should find ways to get the ball to WRs Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley.
– Nick Wojton, Bills Wire
Giants (3-7) at Bengals (2-7-1)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Giants by 5 1⁄2 Giants’ keys: The ground game will help insulate QB Daniel Jones and could dictate pace and keep the Bengals’ offense off the field. Bengals’ keys: Put QB Ryan Finley in empty sets, spreading out the defense, and pepper WRs Tyler Boyd and WR Tee Higgins with targets.
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Panthers (4-7) at Vikings (4-6)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Vikings by 4 1⁄2
Panthers’ keys: This is a Vikings defense that is susceptible to the pass. If QB Teddy Bridgewater (returing from a sprained knee) has an efficient outing, Minnesota could be in trouble.
Vikings’ keys: Shut down the Panthers’ run game and keep giving carries to RB Dalvin Cook.
– Jack White, Vikings Wire
Titans (7-3) at Colts (7-3)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Colts by 3
Colts’ keys: The Colts have to control the line of scrimmage with rookie RB Jonathan Taylor and keeping RB Nyheim Hines involved. Titans’ keys: Tennessee has to use play-action, getting QB Ryan Tannehill in a rhythm with WRs A.J. Brown and Corey Davis. – Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire
Cardinals (6-4) at Patriots (4-6)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Cardinals by 2 1⁄2 Cardinals’ keys: QB Kyler Murray shouldn’t be afraid of CB Stephon Gilmore in coverage of WR DeAndre Hopkins. Patriots’ keys: New England has added speed to its safety and linebacker groups to stop mobile passers. The secondary also has to minimize big plays. – Henry McKenna, Patriots Wire
Dolphins (6-4) at Jets (0-10)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Dolphins by 7 Dolphins’ keys: Rookie Tua Tagovailoa will be under center this time, and his mobility should help them replicate a balanced attack that produced a win against the Jets in Week 6. Jets’ keys: The O-line must do a better job of protecting its quarterback, while the D-line needs to bring pressure.
– Gary Phillips, Jets Wire
Browns (7-3) at Jaguars (1-9)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Browns by 6 1⁄2 Browns’ keys: They should pound the ball. RBs Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb have combined for 1,219 yards and nine TDs on the ground.
Jaguars’ keys: RB James Robinson needs to get 20 carries or more because Jacksonville’s quarterbacks have had big-time struggles in the pocket. – James Johnson, Jaguars Wire
Ravens (6-4) at Steelers (10-0)
TV: 1:15 ET Sunday, NBC BetMGM line: Steelers by 4
Ravens’ keys to victory: Players like WR Marquise Brown and TE Mark Andrews need to play better to support Lamar Jackson, who is limited as a passer. Steelers’ keys to victory: Give the secondary a chance to create turnovers. Offensively, QB Ben Roethlisberger has his choice of weapons at wide receiver. – Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
Saints (8-2) at Broncos (4-6)
TV: 4:05 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Saints by 6 Saints’ keys: They will want to run the ball often, featuring RBs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray.
Broncos’ keys: They should stack the box to slow Kamara and Hill. Denver QB Drew Lock needs to protect the ball; he has 12 turnovers in eight games. – Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Chiefs (9-1) at Buccaneers (7-4)
TV: 4:25 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Chiefs by 3 1⁄2 Bucs’ keys: Tampa Bay has to sustain long drives and finish them in the end zone, keeping QB Patrick Mahomes off the field. Chiefs’ keys: Mahomes will need to get the ball out of his hands quickly, and he has the playmakers (led by WR Tyreek Hill) to make the Bucs pay for playing man coverage.
– Luke Easterling, Bucs Wire
49ers (4-6) at Rams (7-3)
TV: 4:25 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Rams by 6 1⁄2 49ers’ keys: They’ll need to avoid careless turnovers. San Francisco must run the ball consistently with RBs Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon.
Rams’ keys: The ground game has been their most reliable avenue to success with their three-headed monster led by RB Cam Akers and RB Darrell Henderson. – Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
Bears (5-5) at Packers (7-3)
TV: 8:20 ET Sunday, NBC BetMGM.com line: Packers by 81⁄2 Bears’ keys: Without a powerful offense, they must get a standout effort on defense. The Bears are 5-2 when getting at least one takeaway. Packers’ keys: Win the line of scrimmage on both sides. Opening running lanes for RB Aaron Jones and protecting QB Aaron Rodgers will be priorities.
– Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
Seahawks (7-3) at Eagles (3-6-1)
TV: 8:15 ET Monday, ESPN BetMGM.com line: Seahawks by 5
Seahawks’ keys: It’s all about letting QB Russell Wilson cook while properly using his special recipes in WR Tyler Lockett and WR DK Metcalf. Eagles’ keys: Establish a running game and use the unique skill sets that RBs Miles Sanders, Boston Scott and Jordan Howard all present.
– Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire