BYE WEEK: CARDINALS, PANTHERS

THURSDAY NIGHT PREVIEW

BILLS AT PATRIOTS – 5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET [PRIME VIDEO]

Buffalo is in a vice after Von Miller’s injury. Either someone steps up after learning enough from the future Hall of Famer, or a lot of pressure is put on Josh Allen and the offense. It won’t be easy against a decent defense in New England. The Patriots make their “Prime” time debut at home and are hanging on at eight in the playoff standings. Rhamondre Stevenson’s uptick in touches since Damien Harris’s injury made New England’s offense just formidable enough to challenge the Bills’ worn defense.

After Von Miller’s injury, the Bills’ Super Bowl opportunity may have hit a skid until they figure out their situation with backups and the next man up. They’re also 0-2 in the division, which doesn’t make their situation any better. A loss drops them in third place and just in front of New England in the playoff standings. They can’t be put in that position, which means they will play much harder to survive past New England to stay with Miami in the division standings.

MY PICK: BILLS

SUNDAY MORNING WATCH

BROWNS AT TEXANS – 10AM PT/1PM ET

All eyes are on Deshaun Watson taking the field. How do Texans fans react to his presence? What’s his reaction in his return? What will fans’ signs look like or say in the stands? I don’t have to go into too much detail because we all know who the Texans are but understand that they still have a decent defense with dog mentality and Dameon Pierce is their workhorse on offense. But Cleveland is more talented and formidable, and Watson’s return becomes interesting with the final score. What we must see is how Deshaun Watson feels after his first throw. After all, it’s been technically two years since he last threw a football in action. If he plays like his normal self and is familiar with the players and the playbook, it should be a cakewalk. If there’s small a hiccup and he is rusty, Houston’s defense will guarantee an upset alert against Watson and company.

MY PICK: BROWNS

GAME OF THE WEEK

DOLPHINS AT 49ERS – 1:25PM PT/4:25PM ET

Hope all the Niner fans and Dolphins (secretly Niner fans) are ready for some great afternoon football. It’s a battle between an unstoppable force and an immovable object. If there’s another reason to anticipate this game, how about Kyle Shanahan reuniting with his former coworker Mike McDaniel (former 49ers offensive coordinator). Once McDaniel touched down in Miami, anything he touched made Miami’s offense virtually lethal. Ranging from Tua Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and even former 49er Trent Sherfield, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert. San Francisco, to an extent, prospered without Mike, but it took the addition of Christian McCaffrey to make this offense creative, innovative, and create confusion amongst some opposing defenses. It even made Jimmy G’s life a bit easier (and mistake free. Yay!). The real credit goes to the defense. They’re 4-0 and allowed basically no touchdown in the second half in that span.

This should be one heck of a homecoming for Mike McDaniel and a few former Niners. It should also be exciting to see who breaks down first, and it literally comes down to who wins that battle. Miami could break out and beat the living tar out of San Fran’s defense, but San Fran could solve Miami’s offensive assault and punish Tua for the rest of the game. While San Fran has CMC, Deebo Samuel, and Arik Armstead questionable with injury, Miami has Terron Armstead doubtful and limited options at running back due to injury. Miami can throw all they want, but if they can’t get a consistent run game going, forget succeeding against San Fran’s defense.

MY PICK: 49ERS

THE REST OF WEEK 13 NFL PICK’EMS

STEELERS AT FALCONS

PACKERS AT BEARS

JAGUARS AT LIONS

JETS AT VIKINGS

COMMANDERS AT GIANTS

TITANS AT EAGLES

BRONCOS AT RAVENS

SEAHAWKS AT RAMS

CHIEFS AT BENGALS

CHARGERS AT RAIDERS

COLTS VS. COWBOYS [SUNDAY NIGHT]

SAINTS AT BUCCANEERS [MONDAY NIGHT] TOTAL: 42 POINTS