Backup QBs Rise Amid Injuries in Pro Picks Showdowns

• Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates his tackle of Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

• Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

• Pro Picks favors an upset win by Chargers against Raiders with a 20-17 score.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates his tackle of Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Las

AP

Hello, fellow football enthusiasts, admirers of the perfectly thrown spiral, and aficionados of the powerful defensive sack! Welcome to a fun-filled, adrenaline-pumping look at the upcoming games in the world of football!

Our spotlight shines dazzlingly on Easton Stick, a fresh face in quarterback territory. The Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) seem to churn with newfound energy and intensity after Justin Herbert's unfortunate exit. This Thursday night game against the Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) is giving way to Stick’s debut lead. When the turf gets hot with the Raiders, who incidentally are bearing the heavy weight of a 3-game losing streak, Easton Stick has got sizeable cleats to fill. It’s like a high-stakes poker match with quarterback surprises, will it be Aidan O’Connell or veteran Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm of Raiders?

Flipping the coin, our UPSET SPECIAL is CHARGERS versus the Raiders. A thrilling game waiting to unwind, with scores as unpredictable as a pinball on speed, finally settling at CHARGERS, 20-17.

And next, we enter the realm of Falcons and Panthers, where the Desmond Ridder-Drake London connection for the Falcons (6-7) is scorching the airwaves! However, it's no time for hubris, as the underdog Panthers (1-12) lurk in the shadows, seeking an upset. The best bet? FALCONS, 24-13.

In another part of the football universe, we follow the Vikings (7-6) as they are on to their fourth starting quarterback, switching from Joshua Dobbs to Nick Mullens. Can Jake Browning save the Bengals’ season after Joe Burrow fell to injury? We’re biting our nails here in anticipation. The oracle predicts: BENGALS, 27-20.

As we continue our explorative journey, we meet the Broncos (7-6) and Lions (9-4). The former, led by their star player Russell Wilson, could have a field day exploiting a defense that’s allowed an average of 29.8 points over the past five weeks. LIONS are in the lead, but a mere breath away at 27-26.

Blink, and you might miss this exhilarating play by Baker Mayfield whose last-minute touchdown pass propelled the Buccaneers on top of the weak NFC South. Fasten your seatbelts as we predict a PACKERS, 20-17 win against the Buccaneers.

As the Browns (8-5) gain heat, they’ll meld against the Bears (5-8). Justin Fields and his explosive, strategic plays have lead the Bears to consecutive wins making the prediction a nail-biter: BROWNS, 23-19.

The last frontier to touch upon brings us to the Titans (5-8) versus Texans (7-6) – with uncertainty swirling around Texans' QB C.J. Stroud, the odds could be in favor of the Titans. We suspect the Titans might take the cake at 22-17.

So, dear football worshipers, sit back, munch on your favorite game-time snacks, and prepare for an exhilarating ride!

This wraps us our game-day predictions. Till the next whistle blows, and remember, in the high-stress, high-reward world of football, anything is possible!