How many games will the Broncos win over the next three weeks? Here are our predictions.
Going into the final stretch of the 2024 NFL season, the Denver Broncos are 9-5 and on pace to make the NFL playoffs. With three games remaining, the Broncos need just one more win to clinch a playoff berth.
Here are our updated score predictions for Denver’s next three games.
Week 16: Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Score prediction: Broncos 23, Chargers 22
Record: 10-5 (playoffs clinched)
Week 17: Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Score prediction: Bengals 27, Broncos 25
Record: 10-6
Week 18: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Score prediction: Broncos 29, Chiefs 18
Record: 11-6 (Wild Card berth)
The Broncos are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC with the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) above them in the standings and the Chargers (8-6) right below them. If the season ended today, Denver would face the No. 3 seed, currently the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4).
Sean Payton and Bo Nix going on the road to face Russell Wilson in the first round of the NFL playoffs would be must-watch TV. First things first, the Broncos need to win one more game to get into the postseason.
The experts are feeling very bullish about the Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl next Friday.
Billy Napier and the Florida Gators are heading to a bowl game this year after missing out on college football’s postseason in 2023. This time around, the Orange and Blue will be playing in the Gasparilla Bowl for the second time in four years, with the Tulane Green Wave slated as their opponent.
The Green Wave went 9-4 this fall but faltered down the stretch, losing their last two including a blowout loss in the American Athletic Conference title game. The Gators finished just 7-5 but beat a pair of top-25 schools en route to three straight wins to wrap up the regular season.
So how do the experts feel about this game? Who has the edge in this battle between these two bayou-based schools?
USA TODAY Sports picks for Florida-Tulane
Six members of USA TODAY Sports’ writing staff consisting of Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus and Dan Wolken unanimously picked Florida to prevail over Tulane in Tampa.
Gasparilla Bowl game ranking
According to Timanus’ rankings of 35 non-playoff postseason matchups based on what he believes will have the highest entertainment value, the Florida-Tulane matchup in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl comes in at No. 28.
“The matchup here is a lot less attractive than the records might indicate,” he notes. “The Green Wave’s promising year wound up in a series of disappointments including transfer exits, while the Gators made a surprising push late and will now look to carry that momentum into the offseason.”
How to watch Gasparilla Bowl
The Gators will face the Green Wave in the Gasparilla Bowl held inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 20. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Almost every expert is predicting the New Orleans Saints will lose to the Washington Commanders in Jake Haener’s NFL debut:
It is no secret that the New Orleans Saints are heavy underdogs on Sunday afternoon against the Washington Commanders, but just how heavy is the question?
According to surveys by Pickwatch, a whopping 97% of experts expect the Saints to drop Sunday’s matchup with the Commanders. It is the fourth-highest agreement of the week.
The only ones higher were the Baltimore Ravens over the New York Giants, the Cincinnati Bengals over the Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings over the Chicago Bears.
Being in the same conversations with the Giants, Bears and Titans has to be a new rock bottom for New Orleans.
The doubt doesn’t come from nowhere, though. With Derek Carr out, the Saints will be turning to the efforts of Jake Haener to take on Washington. On top of that, the red hot Commanders offense will be hard to stop.
There is a world where New Orleans finds a new offensive groove under Haener. If the Saints want to prove the doubters wrong, they should hope that is this world.
The Washington Commanders (8-5) face the New Orleans Saints (5-8) in NFL Week 15 action from the Caesars Superdome.
It will be the first game in the burgundy and gold for cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who will face his former team. The Commanders traded for Lattimore at last month’s NFL trade deadline. Lattimore spent the first 7.5 seasons of his NFL career in New Orleans.
Since Washington acquired Lattimore, he’s been sidelined with a hamstring injury. He practiced fully last week and will start.
Meanwhile, the Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen after a 2-7 start. New Orleans promoted special teams coach Darren Rizzi to interim coach, and the Saints have won three of their last four.
However, entering Sunday’s game, New Orleans will be without starting quarterback Derek Carr. Second-year QB Jake Haener will make his first career start. Haener will be bereft of offensive weapons, as the Saints have lost Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Taysom Hill over the last several weeks.
The good news for Haener is he’ll have running back Alvin Kamara.
As expected, the Commanders are big favorites over the Saints. While oddsmakers see Washington coming away with the win, what do the experts think?
According to NFL Pickwatch, 99% of the expert picks favor the Commanders. Washington has been on the other side of these odds for years. Just a few weeks ago, the Commanders were double-digit favorites over the Cowboys and lost a wild game.
Analyzing Commanders vs. Saints game with odds and lines, predictions and best bets.
The Washington Commanders (8-5) are back in action Sunday, traveling south to face the New Orleans Saints (5-8).
Washington looks to continue its playoff push. The Commanders lead the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed by half a game.
The Saints enter Sunday’s game winners of three of their last four games but will likely be without starting quarterback Derek Carr. Carr suffered a fractured non-throwing hand and a concussion last week. Jake Haener is expected to start for New Orleans.
Below are the latest odds and our final score prediction for Sunday.
The Commanders are coming off a much-needed bye week. They did receive some bad news last week when coach Dan Quinn revealed wide receiver Noah Brown would likely be out for the remainder of the season. On Sunday, expect OC Kliff Kingsbury to establish the run early and create some downfield shot plays to Terry McLaurin. Also, don’t be shocked to see Dyami Brown to continue to receive more opportunities. Defensively, the Commanders will get after Jake Haener early and often. Commanders 31, Saints 10
Ivan Lambert:
Well, the Commanders just signed their seventh kicker to their active roster this season.
But the Commanders are looking to pound the ball many times against the Saints, hoping the place-kicker problems won’t matter in New Orleans.
CB Marcus Lattimore makes his debut, but WR Noah Brown is most likely lost for the remainder of the season.
Most Commanders fans will have not even heard of Saints starter QB Jake Haener.
If the Commanders can control RB Alvin Kamara, getting on top of the Saints early, it could result in a miserable start for Haener.
The Saints’ run defense is one of the worst in the NFL, so look for Kliff Kingsbury to have the Commanders and Jayden Daniels running the ball. Commanders 26, Saints 13
Serena Burks: The Commanders are fresh off their bye week and facing a struggling Saints team that has lost several skill players this season. The Saints haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention yet, but the likelihood is slim in the ultra-competitive NFC. The Commanders are still on their way to a wild card berth as long as they continue to win, and with more players healthy this week, the likelihood that they win on the road is good. The Commanders have some serious offensive weapons, and the Saints’ defense ranks near the bottom of the league in most metrics. Meanwhile, the Saints have limited offensive weapons, mainly Alvin Kamara, and the Commanders’ defense is equipped enough to handle a one-dimensional attack. Commanders 35, Saints 13
Commanders vs. Saints channel, start time, streaming:
The Commanders vs. Titans game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on FOX.
This NFL writer’s bold prediction is that Marquez Valdes-Scantling will pull off something he’s never done before against the Giants:
Marquez Valdes-Scantling has overproduced in a way since joining the New Orleans Saints. He was brought in for one purpose, give Derek Carr another deep threat after Rashid Shaheed went out for the season with injury. Valdes-Scantling has done that.
As the Saints prepare to take on the New York Giants, Michael F. Florio compared the production of Valdes-Scantling and Shaheed as he made a bold prediction. Florio believes Valdes-Scantling will catch two touchdowns of more than 50 yards.
Shaheed caught three passes that traveled over 20 yards in the air. Those three catches resulted in 172 yards and three touchdowns. Valdes-Scantling has caught the same amount of passes for 135 yards and two scores. That’s slightly less yards and one less touchdown, but comparable production.
Being a step below Shaheed still makes Valdes-Scantling a solid deep threat. The Giants have allowed the highest completion percentage on throws over 20 yards.
This is a great set of circumstances for the Saints. Two fifty-yard touchdowns is certainly bold, but the Giants allowing completions on 70 percent of deep targets at least suggests New Orleans can stretch the field consistently. It’ll be on Valdes-Scantling to make the most of those opportunities and on Carr to get him the ball.
The Washington Commanders (7-5) host the Tennessee Titans (3-8) in one of the most interesting NFL Week 13 games.
In a meeting of teams with first-year head coaches and young quarterbacks, the Commanders and Titans appeared to be heading in completely opposite directions a few short weeks ago. However, Washington has lost three games in a row — all by one score — while the Titans have played much better behind second-year quarterback Will Levis.
Levis led the Titans to an upset road win over the Houston Texans last week, passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns despite being sacked eight times. Meanwhile, the Commanders were disappointing for 55 minutes against Dallas before the offensive came alive with two Jayden Daniels touchdown passes in the final five minutes. Unfortunately for Washington, kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point, giving Dallas the upset win.
The Commanders enter Sunday as a six-point favorite over the Titans.
We made our picks. What do the experts think?
According to NFL Pickwatch, 89% of the experts’ picks are going with the Commanders. Last week, 99% of the picks came in for Washington over Dallas.
Can the Commanders avoid another upset before their Week 14 bye?
Analyzing Commanders vs. Titans game with odds and lines, predictions and best bets.
The Washington Commanders (7-5) host the Tennessee Titans (3-8) in Week 13 action from Northwest Stadium. The Commanders hope to snap a three-game losing streak before finally hitting their bye next week.
Despite its recent struggles, Washington still has one of the NFL’s top offenses. However, the team will be without two key performers: running back Austin Ekeler, who is now on injured reserve, and right tackle Andrew Wylie, who will miss Sunday’s game. The Commanders will also have to deal with Tennessee’s No. 2-ranked defense.
Below are the latest odds and our final score prediction for Sunday.
Commanders RB Austin Ekeler: Out (concussion, placed on IR)
Titans OT Leroy Watson: Out (back)
Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie: Out (groin)
Commanders vs. Titans prediction, pick:
Bryan Manning:
This game looks much different now than it would have a few weeks ago. The Commanders were rolling, and the Titans looked lost. Over the last three weeks, Tennessee has played much better behind second-year quarterback Will Levis. Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels and Washington’s offense isn’t playing at the same level as it was during the first half of the season. On Sunday, the Commanders face a stingy Titans defense. Daniels will find a way to get it done and end Washington’s three-game skid. Commanders 20, Titans 16
Ivan Lambert:
The Commanders come into the game averaging 27.8 points per game, while the Titans have only been able to generate 18.4.
Jayden Daniels has certainly had a much better season than the Titans’ Will Levis. This is illustrated in the Commanders passing for 222.8 yards per game, while the Titans have managed 183.7.
With Austin Ekeler on injured reserve and Brian Robinson injured again last week, Robinson will not be 100 percent.
Thus, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez must be ready to step up and produce. The Commanders have been averaging 147.8 rushing yards this season. While the Titans have only been managing to produce 118.4.
The question will be, what kind of rushing attack can the Commanders generate? If they can’t accomplish a good rushing threat, the Titans’ pass rush will have more success against Daniels. Commanders 20, Titans 17
Serena Burks: Earlier this season, the conversation would have been very different if these two teams had met. Jayden Daniels took the league by storm, and Will Levis looked like he didn’t belong. Now, though, both teams look different. The Titans are on an upswing, while the Commanders have lost three in a row. The Titans’ stout defense will do everything in its power to stop Jayden Daniels, but the truth is, if they can take away his weapons and force Daniels to do it on his own, the Titans have a strong chance of winning. Still, the Commanders are at home and desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive. It will be a fun game to watch and it will probably be close in the end, but the Commanders will pull it off at home. Commanders 27, Titans 24
Commanders vs. Titans channel, start time, streaming:
The Commanders vs. Titans game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS.
Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Oklahoma vs. LSU Tigers in Week 14.
The Oklahoma Sooners put themselves in a position to clinch a winning season as they get ready to go on the road to face the LSU Tigers. Prior to the bye week, OU was looking like a team that would finish 5-7 and miss bowl season for the first time since 1998.
But the Sooners put together a strong gameplan to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 13 behind a dominant performance in the run game and on the defensive side of the ball.
Now, they go to Baton Rouge to take on an LSU Tigers team that fell out of College Football Playoff contention with a three-game losing streak over the last month. LSU snapped it with a win over Vanderbilt, but it was hardly a dominating performance.
Can the Sooners finish the regular season on a high note and win back-to-back games for the first time since starting SEC play? Here are this week’s Sooners Wire Staff Predictions.
Sooners Wire Staff Predictions
Both of these teams have their flaws, and both of them have things that they do well.
The key for the OU defense will be in the secondary. If they can avoid getting beat deep by LSU’s stable of excellent wideouts, they’ve got a chance.
The Tigers have seen the film from what the Oklahoma offense did last week, and they’ll certainly stack the box and force Jackson Arnold to push the ball downfield, something he hasn’t proven capable of doing against SEC competition.
The gameplan for OU is similar to a week ago. Run the ball, shorten the game, keep everything in front of you, and force some turnovers. That’s the recipe for a low-scoring game with a ton of weight on the shoulders of the Oklahoma defense.
Here’s how the Gators Wire staff thinks things will go down in Doak Campbell Stadium this Saturday.
The final weekend of the college football regular season is nearly upon us and as has been the tradition since the 2002 campaign the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles will face off in one of the more notable rivalry games in the sport’s history.
Speaking of history, UF holds a 37-28-2 record in the all-time series dating back to 1958. However, FSU has had the upper hand in recent years, winning two straight and seven of the last 10 meetings.
This year, though, the Garnet and Gold limp into their final game with just two triumphs in 11 tries while the Orange and Blue cemented its postseason appearance with a victory over the Ole Miss Rebels last weekend to put it at 6-5 overall.
Ahead of the annual affair, the Gators Wire staff weighed in with their respective takes on what they expect this Saturday inside Doak Campbell Stadium.
Florida should run score up if possible
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Back-to-back upsets against ranked teams mean Florida is a heavy favorite to put a smackdown on Florida State on Saturday. The Seminoles might be the most disappointing team in the country this season and are sporting a 2-9 record with wins over Cal and Charleston Southern.
This could be the game that [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] explodes and launches his 2025 Heisman campaign, putting the rest of the NCAA on notice — if they aren’t already. These teams do not like each other, and Florida should run the score up if at all possible. — David Rosenberg
Florida 45, Florida State 16
Give me Florida winning big
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
What a year it’s been for the Gators. Coming off back-to-back wins against ranked opponents, you already know Florida will come into Tallahassee amped up for this rivalry game. The key for Florida will be controlling the tempo through a strong ground game and limiting turnovers.
If Lagway can continue to play well and the defense can generate pressure, the Gators shouldn’t have any problem. While it’s been an absolute disaster of a season for FSU, rivalry games are notoriously unpredictable, so the Gators need to make sure that they stay focused.
With that being said, I don’t see any way that this is a close game. Give me Florida winning big. — Aidan Gallardo
Florida 37, FSU 17
Difficult to not predict a Florida victory
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Florida simply cannot afford to fall into a trap game against their fiercest in-state rivals, but anyone who has followed this series over the years knows that anything is possible. The Gators should easily prevail, but this fan of 47-plus years knows better than to be complacent.
That said, it is difficult to not predict a victory — and victory will be had by the Orange and Blue. However, I do not think it will be a beautiful affair and will likely be closer than most expect.
Florida 35, FSU 21
How to watch UF vs FSU
The Gators will face the Florida State Seminoles inside Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN 2.
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