Two exciting rookie QBs with playoff implications a plenty, what's not to love?
Sunday's primetime matchup between the Commanders and Falcons features two QBs selected in the top 10 of this year's NFL Draft, but who have both taken very different paths to their starting roles.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels took the league by storm from Week 1, and after his best performance of the season last week against the Eagles, he seems like a lock to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Meanwhile, Falcons rookie Michael Penix Jr. waited behind veteran Kirk Cousins until last week when Atlanta called his number for his first career start.
Penix's numbers didn't jump off the page in Week 16, and he did play the abysmal New York Giants, but he played a clean game, which was something the Falcons were sorely lacking in Cousins' final few starts.
It's going to be a much tougher test for Penix against the Commanders, and adding to the pressure is the fact that the Falcons are in control of their own playoff destiny. Two wins over the final two weeks, and the NFC South crown is theirs. One loss, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) can swoop back in to earn a playoff spot.
It should be a fascinating matchup between the two rookie QBs who could very well be stars in the league for years to come.
Game to Watch: Atlanta Falcons (8-7) @ Washington Commanders (10-5) — Sunday, 6:20 p.m. ET
Forrest's Favourites (Season record: 22-21) — All odds courtesy of BetMGM:
Panthers @ Buccaneers — Pick: Panthers +8 (-110): Bryce Young was stellar in the Panthers' upset of the Cardinals last week. He continues his strong play and the Panthers keep it within a TD against the Bucs.
Packers @ Vikings — Pick: Vikings -1.5 (-110): Darnold and the Vikings have a lot more to play for than the Packers. Take them to get the job done.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas)
Kansas City Chiefs 29, Pittsburgh Steelers 10
Baltimore Ravens 31, Houston Texans 2
Thursday, Dec. 26
Seattle Seahawks 6, Chicago Bears 3
Saturday, Dec. 28
Los Angeles Chargers 40, New England Patriots 7
Cincinnati Bengals 30, Denver Broncos 24 (OT)
Los Angeles Rams 13, Arizona Cardinals 9
Sunday, Dec. 29
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns, 4:05 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 4:25 p.m. ET
Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders, 8:20 p.m. ET
Monday, Dec. 30
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. ET
2:26