By Travers Cummings
49ers over Colts (Monday night): My 49ers will take their four-game winning streak into Indianapolis to take on the Colts and the corpse of what was once Phillip Rivers. Last week was Rivers’ first start in four years, and he looked very, well…old. He’s always had a very awkward throwing motion, but it looks much, much slower now. The Colts didn’t ask him to do much, just very basic passes, and it did take a last-second field goal by the Seahawks to win the game that was much closer than anticipated, but I don’t think that’s going to work against SF now that they have game film on him. The Colts are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, so with three games left, they can’t afford any more losses. Last week was easily Brock Purdy’s best performance all season. Totaling 339 yards (295 through the air, 44 on the ground), he looks crisp and like his old self. The Niners are in a tough battle with the Rams and Seahawks for the NFC West crown, so every win matters.
Titans over Chiefs (Sunday noon): It was a very sad sight to see last week when Patrick Mahomes crumbled to the turf holding his knee. However you feel about Mahomes, Kelce, and the Chiefs in general, you never want to see superstar players get hurt, let alone tearing their ACL. For the first time since 2014, Kansas City will not be in the playoffs, which is just strange to say considering they’ve been in the last three Super Bowls. Veteran QB Gardner Minshew will start the final three games that are meaningless now, other than jockeying for a better draft pick. It’s not that I believe the Titans are better, but Mahomes being hurt sucked the life and energy out of this team; the morale has to be at an all-time low. Tennessee stinks, but they did play decently against the 49ers last week.
Lions over Steelers (Sunday afternoon): After getting their backs blown out, courtesy of the LA Rams, the Lions will look to regroup back home to take on a familiar face from their past. Aaron Rodgers, who terrorized Detroit for years as a member of the Green Bay Packers, will now face off against them for the first time as a member of the Steelers. It looks like Pittsburgh will continue their tradition of finishing with at least eight wins on the season. How they manage to stay so consistent over the years is beyond me, but no matter the roster, they always seem to squeak into the playoffs. Detroit, for all the offensive weapons they have, are on the outside of the playoff picture, sitting a game and a half behind the Packers for the final wildcard spot. A loss here would essentially end their season, so I expect them to rally and get a win.
Last week: 2-1
Season overall: 29-16