They don't call Mike Shanahan "The Mastermind" for nothing. Kirk Cousins gets the best matchup possible this week in his first 2013 start against a sagging defense that can't rush the passer. Expect the Redskins to score plenty in the Georgia Dome.
Jason Campbell is playing well when he's protected. And there's no reason to think that Chicago's dormant defense will bother him much in this game. Josh Gordon leads the league in average yards-after-the-catch, and that number should only rise in this game.
Colts wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers is starting to take snaps away from Darrius Heyward-Bey. Rogers is a physical receiver who can run away from defenders. He gives Andrew Luck a real option for tough catches in traffic on third down.
The Patriots are the worst offense in the league on third-and-short. They have done a better job even avoiding third downs lately because of running back Shane Vereen. He's lining up all over the field and averaging eight catches-per-game. That paces out to 128 catches if he was healthy the whole season.
The Eagles' offensive line gets better every week. It's an athletic group that also mauled Detroit's interior defensive line in the running game late last week. Philadelphia should have no problem scoring against Minnesota.
The Seahawks score 10 fewer points-per-game and give up three more points-per-game on the road. If Russell Wilson can win this road game, he'll have more wins in his first two seasons than any quarterback in NFL history.
Don't expect a lot of passing yards in this game. Both teams love to run the ball and these are the top two defenses in the league in preventing yards through the air. Mike Glennon has played his two worst games of the season in succession the past two weeks.
Not a good matchup for the Jets. The Panthers are allowing a league-low 14.5 points per game this season and New York is tied with Jacksonville for the fewest offensive touchdowns all season. Geno Smith says he's playing looser, but the rookie passer hasn't recorded an interception-free game since Week 5.
What's up with Kansas City? After ranking in the top 10 of most defensive categories through Week 10, the Chiefs are in the bottom half of the NFL statistically over their past four games. Meanwhile, K.C.'s low-octane offense has averaged 37 points per contest over the past three weeks.
With or without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have a shot to move the ball against a Cowboys defense allowing a league-worst 426.8 yards per game this season, the fourth most by any NFL team since 1933.
It hasn't been an easy season for the Rams, but pass rusher Robert Quinn sits No. 2 on Gregg Rosenthal's list of Defensive Player of the Year candidates. His 13 sacks are a career high, but he's failed to record a takedown over the past two weeks. The up-and-down Saints offensive line looks like a good matchup.
Titans corner Alterraun Verner has been outstanding this season, but he'll be tested by one of our favorite receiving duos in Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. Fitzgerald leads the Cardinals with 67 catches, but it's Floyd who's been the big-play machine of late.
The Lions and Ravens own the NFL's two worst turnover differentials among teams with winning records, one reason this game is tough to pick. Baltimore has struggled on the road, however, posting a 1-5 mark in 2013. Opposing offenses are scoring 12-plus more points when Baltimore's away, making the Lions a strong pick.
*The latest "Around The League Podcast" reviewed our biggest disappointments of the 2013 season and much more. *
