We are in the final stretch of 2020, and as one of the most special and strange in human history, this year contains a few more surprises, including the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Playoff qualifiers.
That’s right, the Browns and Buccaneers, the teams with the longest post-season active absences in the NFL, aged 18 and 13, respectively, could end those long and even painful droughts in Week 16 of the regular season.
Only two teams can enter the Postseason with a win, the Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams, who could have secured their spot a few days ago had they not suffered some of the most unexpected and humiliating losses of recent years.
As some try to make it to the playoffs or stay alive, ESPN Deportes experts offer their analysis and their choices to keep the 2020 prediction race interesting.
NOTE: Each expert’s choices are in capital letters and bold.
ALFONSO MANCILLA / Twitter: @poncho_mancilla
– WHO LOVES THE TITLE OF NFC WEST, RAMS OR SEAHAWKS?
At the start of the season, the predictions were that the Seattle Seahawks would be in the Playoffs. The route was more complicated than expected, mainly due to the low level of defense, but in their next game against the Rams, it seems to me that they will level the division.
Los Angeles’s disdain goes beyond the role played last Sunday when they lost to the shabby Jets, it’s because their performance has been erratic throughout the calendar. Therefore, it seems to me that Seattle will come out more focused and prepared for a win that guarantees them to play at least one home game at home in the postseason. The Rams will get another chance next week when they host Arizona.
FANTASY PREDICTIONS
QB with the most meters by air: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), 350 meters
RB with the most rushing yards: Alvin Kamara (N. Orleans), 150 meters
Defensive so that fewer points are possible: Baltimore (12 points)
CHOICES
MIAMI vs. Las Vegas
Indianapolis vs. PITTSBURGH
PHILADELPHIA vs. Dallas
Ram vs. SEATTLE
Tennessee vs. GREEN BAY
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Giants vs. BALTIMORE
EDUARDO VARELA / Twitter: @LaloVarelaTV
– IS THE DUEL BETWEEN DOLPHINS AND RAIDERS A GAME BETWEEN SURPRISE AND DISAPPOINT OF THE YEAR IN AFC?
As for the role of the dolphins, I think it confirms the good work Brian Flores has been doing since last season. On the one hand, there is what he learned from Bill Belichick and on the other, there is the one who has the vision to develop the talent at his disposal and seems to know what he wants and where he is going. As for the Raiders, they are one of the teams that have risen very quickly this season and have fallen behind. Yes, the word disappointment can be applied to them.
FANTASY FORECASTS
QB with the most meters by air: Tom Brady (Tampa Bay), 300 meters
RB with the most rushing yards: Derrick Henry (Tennessee), 150 yardas
Defensive so that fewer points are possible: Baltimore (10 points)
CHOICES
Miami vs. LAS VEGAS
Indianapolis vs. PITTSBURGH
PHILADELPHIA vs. Dallas
Ram vs. SEATTLE
TENNESSEE vs. Green Bay
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Denver vs. CHARGERS
SEBASTIÁN M. CHRISTENSEN / T.whiter: @SebastianMCESPN
– WHO GETS THE AFC NORTH, STEEL BINS OR BROWN?
A few weeks ago, against all odds, the Steelers could lose the division. They have two brave duels left against the Colts and the Browns themselves and the latter could become a defining match for the division crown, but play out at home or not, especially in a season with virtually no fans in the stands. The most important thing for Pittsburgh must be to rediscover its identity.
Ben Roethlisberger didn’t look good at all last Monday night and he won’t win many games with pure four meter passes. The Steelers have to insist on the running game or you’re not going anywhere. In my opinion Benny Snell is more explosive than James Conner, who also cannot stay healthy.
At the same time, I understand that the defense has lost some important pieces, but if they are not a dominant unit, the Steelers’ chances are practically nil.
FANTASY FORECASTS
QB with the most meters by air: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), 402 meters
RB with the most rushing yards: Nick Chubb (Cleveland), 181 yardas
Defensive, allowing fewer points: Indianapolis (13 points)
CHOICES
MIAMI vs. Las Vegas
INDIANAPOLIS vs. Pittsburgh
PHILADELPHIA vs. Dallas
RAMS against Seattle
TENNESSEE vs. Green Bay
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Carolina vs. WASHINGTON
CARLOS NAVA / Twitter: @TapaNava
– WHO WILL WIN NFC EAST: WASHINGTON, COWBOYS, GIANTS OR EAGLES?
Washington wins the Eastern Division of the National Conference on its own and using the rules of the game.
The capital’s team has a game ahead of its closest pursuer, Dallas, and the last two games seem accessible: Carolina and Philadelphia. Additionally, if the Cowboys miraculously end up with the same goal, Washington has the tiebreaker in favor, as they swept the annual series against Dallas.
Most importantly, Washington is the team that plays “most consistently” across the division.
FANTASY FORECASTS
QB with the most meters by air: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), 415 meters
RB with the most rushing yards: David Montgomery (Chicago), 156 meters
Defensive so that fewer points are possible: Cleveland (10 points)
CHOICES
MIAMI vs. Las Vegas
INDIANAPOLIS vs. Pittsburgh
Philadelphia vs. DALLAS
Ram vs. SEATTLE
Tennessee vs. GREEN BAY
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BUFFALO vs. New England
PABLO VIRUEGA / Twitter: @PabloViruega
– DOES THE GAME AGAINST TITANS GIVE A CLEAR IDEA OF HOW FAR THE PACKERS CAN GO IN PLAYOFFS?
It’s a good measure because up front they will have a team that made it to the final of the conference last year just like they did, but most of all, it will be because Tennessee has the strength that can expose Green’s weakness. Bay: slow the running game.
The Titans are a very physical team on both sides of the ball, especially when they run with Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill makes few mistakes in passing play. His defense can pressure Aaron Rodgers and force him to take sacks or interceptions.
Tennessee is a team that is among the best in the AFC, just like the Packers in the NFC. They are very even forces, so I could say it will serve as a gauge not only for Green Bay, but for Tennessee to see if it can repeat what it did last year.
FANTASY FORECASTS
QB with the most meters by air: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), 350 meters
RB with the most rushing yards: Derrick Henry (Tennessee), 150 yardas
Defensive, allowing fewer points: Baltimore (13 points)
CHOICES
MIAMI vs. Las Vegas
INDIANAPOLIS vs. Pittsburgh
PHILADELPHIA vs. Dallas
Ram vs. SEATTLE
Tennessee vs. GREEN BAY
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Atlanta vs. KANSAS CITY
IVIS ABURTO / Twitter: @IvisAburto
– ARE THE ACCOUNTS ALREADY THE TEAM EXPECTED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE REGULAR SEASON?
They’re already on that rung and the most dangerous for the other six teams heading to the Playoffs in the AFC is that Buffalo’s room for improvement is great with Josh Allen’s way of leading this attack with Stefon Diggs as a companion and an attack earthly that the comparison strengthens. I mean, in violation, the bills are better than last season.
The unit that disappointed at the start of the season from the 2019 level is defense, but last month this group looks a lot like the one that wore the Bills last season. Example: After the farewell week, Buffalo’s defense has allowed 19 or fewer points in three of the last four games, plus seven sacks and five interceptions in that period, and has scored the last two defensive touchdowns.
In 2019, the bills posed a defensive threat. The 2020 version is a double-edged sword.
FANTASY PREDICTIONS
QB with the most meters by air: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), 400 meters
RB with the most rushing yards: Ronald Jones (Tampa Bay), 135 meters
Defensive so that fewer points are possible: New Orleans (7 points)
CHOICES
Miami vs. LAS VEGAS
INDIANAPOLIS vs. Pittsburgh
PHILADELPHIA vs. Dallas
RAMS against Seattle
TENNESSEE vs. Green Bay
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Minnesota vs. N. ORLEANS