Fansided

NFL Week 17: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Brandon Allen #8 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass over the defense of the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the game at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Brandon Allen #8 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass over the defense of the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the game at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens (10-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1), 1:00 pm

Ravens: John Harbaugh’s team has prevailed in the last four meetings between the teams, including a 27-3 win this season at Baltimore in Week 5. The Ravens are in the midst of a four-game winning streak in which they’ve totaled 148 points, 933 yards on the ground and 18 offensive touchdowns – all following three straight losses by the club.

Bengals: After winning just twice in their first 13 outings, the club has strung together back-to-back victories and have gotten big contributions from the ground attack. The Bengals ran for 152 yards in the Monday night win over the Steelers and six days later, rolled up 169 rushing yards in the win at Houston – the team’s lone road win in ’20.

Minnesota Vikings (6-9) at Detroit Lions (5-10), 1:00 pm

Vikings: Mike Zimmer’s team will be without running back Dalvin Cook due to the death of his father. The Vikings’ offense ranks sixth in the league in total offense and rushing, with Cook the NFL’s second-leading ground gainer. Minnesota’s rebuilt defense has taken its lumps this season and only four teams have been worst vs. the run.

Lions: Another long season in the Motor City means the Lions will finish last in the NFC North for the third straight year. The team has given up a league-high 482 points and it’s worth noting that only three times in NFL history has a club allowed 500-plus points: The ’81 Colts (533), ’08 Lions (517) and ’66 Giants (501) – the latter in 14 games.

Home/NFL