Welcome to Glass Slipper! The Bengals are up to their old tricks; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

**NOTICE: Glass Slipper will arrive on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday this week.

Every Sunday morning, I will make five bold predictions regarding the upcoming NFL games. Each time I get one incorrect, $10 is added to the money pot. At the end of the 18-week regular season, that pool of cash will be spent on gifts for random Glass Slipper subscribers. I hope you have a lot of fun rooting against me! Let’s go.

Prediction 1: Josh Allen commits at least two turnovers against the Jets.

A watched a clip recently where Josh Allen’s dad repeatedly claimed that individual achievements weren’t important to his son. It’s okay, man. There’s no need to lie on his behalf. Watch sports long enough, and you’ll realize that every professional athlete cares about that stuff. Michael Jordan was mad at the 1993 MVP voting. LeBron remains upset over the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year. TJ Watt told everyone that he only had team-related goals, then fired off that infamous passive-aggressive tweet when Myles Garrett beat him out at the NFL Honors. There’s no shame in wanting to be recognized for your work.

Let’s make this MVP race a little tighter. Lamar Jackson was brilliant on Wednesday, and Buffalo’s signal-caller will be pressing against the opponent that has always given him the most trouble.

Prediction 2: 134+ rushing yards for Saquon Barkley.

There’s one guy with a chance to crash that Allen-Jackson party. Saquon is 268 yards from breaking the single-season rushing mark; I think he gets halfway home this afternoon.

Eric Dickerson openly declared that he was rooting against Barkley in his chase for the record, and I actually loved the honesty. If a dude was about to erase part of my legacy - and he got a bonus 17th contest to do it - I’d feel the same way. Buckle up, Mr. Legend.

Prediction 3: Green Bay defeats Minnesota by 4+ points.

The Vikings took the first matchup in Lambeau, and they’re now home favorites riding an eight-game win streak. I just can’t betray my eye test, though. The Packers look better at every position group outside of wide receiver, linebacker, and kicker, and the squad is rounding into form at the perfect time.

I’d feel more confident if Jaire Alexander was healthy, but Jeff Hafley will find a solution. Give me Green Bay to grab a victory that makes Week 18 awfully interesting for these two teams.

Prediction 4: Michael Penix and Jayden Daniels combine for 500+ total yards.

The future of the NFC is going to be on full display on Sunday evening. I anticipate Penix and Daniels meeting with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line at some point. When that time comes, the broadcast will be coming back to this clash to piece together a classic let’s-reminisce-about-their-first-meeting highlight package. Enjoy this one.

Prediction 5: The 49ers score 24+ points on Monday Night Football.

I don’t really have a reasonable explanation for how it might happen. San Francisco has reached this benchmark exactly one time since the start of November, the reserve offensive linemen have now taken over, and it’s within the best interest of the organization to lose.

Maybe I’m just hoping to see some pride. The Cowboys fought hard in primetime a week ago, immediately after being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention; I’ll trust Kyle Shanahan’s group to battle for him.

• Week 16 Results: 2-3

• Overall Season Picks Record: 25-55

• Current NFL Prize Pot: $550

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