Week 15 M*A*S*H Report: Lions Will Struggle To Score; Rams Should Score Plenty
Some bad teams, like the Lions and Jaguars, look worse due to injuries and lead teams that bettors should fade. Of course, we will also preview the injury situation in the more interesting games.
Lions vs Bills
Quarterback Matt Stafford has been limited all week due to his back. He played through his back issues against Arizona’s bottom-ranked pass defense and mustered only 101 yards. Stafford is also missing some wide receivers due to injury (Marvin Jones) or departure (Golden Tate). Detroit has only two wide receivers with more than 103 yards on the season, Kenny Golladay and Bruce Ellington. Ellington has been ruled ‚out‘ with a hamstring injury. For Buffalo, running back Chris Ivory will definitely play, but LeSean McCoy’s status is still questionable. Detroit’s defense has anyhow been strongest against the run and, with Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen completing only 52% of his passes, the „under“ is worth your consideration.
Packers vs Bears
In their past three games, Green Bay has been allowing a sack at a 7.56% rate of drop backs, which ranks it in the bottom 10 in pass protection. it isn’t likely to improve in that regard with tackle Bryan Bulaga listed as ‚doubtful.‘ Chicago may miss one of its top playmakers on defense, safety Eddie Jackson, who has seven interceptions on the season. He is listed as ‚questionable‘ with a shin injury.
Titans vs Giants
Tennessee will miss one of its best pass rushers and run stuffers, linebacker Brian Orakpo, due to an elbow injury. The Giants will miss top receiver Odell Beckham Jr. He was also absent last week, although the Giants nevertheless scored 40 points in Washington.
Redskins vs Jaguars
The Redskins have two quarterbacks, Alex Smith and Colt McCoy, on injured reserve and refuse to play Mark Sanchez, who was benched last week after the Skins fell behind 40-0. So, dual-threat Josh Johnson will get the start. Washington has already lost multiple starting offensive linemen to injured reserve. Additionally, its starting right guard has been ruled ‚out.‘ Plus, Washington may miss its two leaders in receiving yards. Tight end Jordan Reed has already been ruled ‚out‘ and wide receiver Josh Doctson is listed as ‚questionable.‘ For Jacksonville, tackle Jeremy Parnell has been ruled ‚out‘ and joins a list of injured offensive linemen that includes the starting left tackle, left guard, and center.
Seahawks vs 49ers
For San Francisco, key wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis have been limited in practice this week due to injury and are listed as ‚questionable.‘ The 49ers could, however, get starting running back Matt Breida back. Breida would have the advantage of facing a Seattle defense without starting linebacker K.J. Wright. Seattle’s rush attack will be limited by the injury of Rashaad Penny, who averages 5.1 YPC.
Patriots vs Steelers
The Pats are completely healthy. Pittsburgh will miss tackle Marcus Gilbert again. The big question is running back James Conner. He practiced on Friday for the first time this week, but was limited. He’s listed as ‚questionable’ with an ankle injury. Pittsburgh’s rush attack was woefully ineffective without him last week on the West Coast.
Eagles vs Rams
Superbowl hero Nick Foles will start at quarterback for the injured Carson Wentz. Philly's defense will miss starting linebacker Jordan Hicks. Cornerback Sidney Jones will join him and a list of three other injured Philly cornerbacks. The Eagles are double-digit underdogs, but the Rams could score points in a hurry on a pass defense that is allowing an average 106 passer rating on the road.
Cowboys vs Colts
Running back Ezekiel Elliot did not practice on Wednesday because of a shoulder injury. But, he has returned to full participation in practice, so he should be ready to go. Dallas will miss starting guard Zack Martin. Indianapolis is still suffering a scare with star receiver T.Y. Hilton. He hasn’t practiced all week because of his ankle and is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Indy will also miss starting guard Mark Glowinski. However, starting center Ryan Kelly comes back from injury.
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Dolphins vs Vikings
Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill was limited in practice this week with shoulder and ankle issues. But he will play. On defense, Miami’s top corner, Xavien Howard, has not practiced at all this week due to a knee injury and is listed as ‚doubtful.‘ Safety T.J. McDonald may join him. He is listed as ‚questionable.‘ These injuries are especially worrisome because Miami’s secondary has been torched lately, allowing an averaging passer rating of over 100 in its last three games and on the road. Minnesota’s offense is in a good spot to bounce back after two straight road games.
Some bad teams, like the Lions and Jaguars, look worse due to injuries and lead teams that bettors should fade. Of course, we will also preview the injury situation in the more interesting games.
Lions vs Bills
Quarterback Matt Stafford has been limited all week due to his back. He played through his back issues against Arizona’s bottom-ranked pass defense and mustered only 101 yards. Stafford is also missing some wide receivers due to injury (Marvin Jones) or departure (Golden Tate). Detroit has only two wide receivers with more than 103 yards on the season, Kenny Golladay and Bruce Ellington. Ellington has been ruled ‚out‘ with a hamstring injury. For Buffalo, running back Chris Ivory will definitely play, but LeSean McCoy’s status is still questionable. Detroit’s defense has anyhow been strongest against the run and, with Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen completing only 52% of his passes, the „under“ is worth your consideration.
Packers vs Bears
In their past three games, Green Bay has been allowing a sack at a 7.56% rate of drop backs, which ranks it in the bottom 10 in pass protection. it isn’t likely to improve in that regard with tackle Bryan Bulaga listed as ‚doubtful.‘ Chicago may miss one of its top playmakers on defense, safety Eddie Jackson, who has seven interceptions on the season. He is listed as ‚questionable‘ with a shin injury.
Titans vs Giants
Tennessee will miss one of its best pass rushers and run stuffers, linebacker Brian Orakpo, due to an elbow injury. The Giants will miss top receiver Odell Beckham Jr. He was also absent last week, although the Giants nevertheless scored 40 points in Washington.
Redskins vs Jaguars
The Redskins have two quarterbacks, Alex Smith and Colt McCoy, on injured reserve and refuse to play Mark Sanchez, who was benched last week after the Skins fell behind 40-0. So, dual-threat Josh Johnson will get the start. Washington has already lost multiple starting offensive linemen to injured reserve. Additionally, its starting right guard has been ruled ‚out.‘ Plus, Washington may miss its two leaders in receiving yards. Tight end Jordan Reed has already been ruled ‚out‘ and wide receiver Josh Doctson is listed as ‚questionable.‘ For Jacksonville, tackle Jeremy Parnell has been ruled ‚out‘ and joins a list of injured offensive linemen that includes the starting left tackle, left guard, and center.
Seahawks vs 49ers
For San Francisco, key wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis have been limited in practice this week due to injury and are listed as ‚questionable.‘ The 49ers could, however, get starting running back Matt Breida back. Breida would have the advantage of facing a Seattle defense without starting linebacker K.J. Wright. Seattle’s rush attack will be limited by the injury of Rashaad Penny, who averages 5.1 YPC.
Patriots vs Steelers
The Pats are completely healthy. Pittsburgh will miss tackle Marcus Gilbert again. The big question is running back James Conner. He practiced on Friday for the first time this week, but was limited. He’s listed as ‚questionable’ with an ankle injury. Pittsburgh’s rush attack was woefully ineffective without him last week on the West Coast.
Eagles vs Rams
Superbowl hero Nick Foles will start at quarterback for the injured Carson Wentz. Philly's defense will miss starting linebacker Jordan Hicks. Cornerback Sidney Jones will join him and a list of three other injured Philly cornerbacks. The Eagles are double-digit underdogs, but the Rams could score points in a hurry on a pass defense that is allowing an average 106 passer rating on the road.
Cowboys vs Colts
Running back Ezekiel Elliot did not practice on Wednesday because of a shoulder injury. But, he has returned to full participation in practice, so he should be ready to go. Dallas will miss starting guard Zack Martin. Indianapolis is still suffering a scare with star receiver T.Y. Hilton. He hasn’t practiced all week because of his ankle and is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Indy will also miss starting guard Mark Glowinski. However, starting center Ryan Kelly comes back from injury.
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Dolphins vs Vikings
Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill was limited in practice this week with shoulder and ankle issues. But he will play. On defense, Miami’s top corner, Xavien Howard, has not practiced at all this week due to a knee injury and is listed as ‚doubtful.‘ Safety T.J. McDonald may join him. He is listed as ‚questionable.‘ These injuries are especially worrisome because Miami’s secondary has been torched lately, allowing an averaging passer rating of over 100 in its last three games and on the road. Minnesota’s offense is in a good spot to bounce back after two straight road games.
