Thursday Night Football - Denver at Indianapolis - An irrelevant match-up, as far as the playoffs are concerned. The Colts have been unofficially out of it for months, but then again, so have the Broncos. It is hard to believe that Denver won the Super Bowl just two seasons ago, because they have looked pretty bad ever since. That said, they did just enjoy a convincing, shutout win over the Jets that had to feel satisfying, as it ended more than two months of futility. Of course, it was too little, too late, as Denver has no chance of making the playoffs. But can they get a road win before this season is out? Maybe, but Indy tends to be tough at home, and they seem to be better than their record suggests, as well, much like the Broncos. It is a tough call, and it could go either way. But if I had to put money on it, I would not bet against the home team. My pick: Indianapolis
Saturday Games:
Chicago at Detroit - The Lions are obviously fighting for their playoff lives, and cannot afford a loss. So, they obviously cannot have a letdown versus the Bears. But Chicago is coming off their most impressive win of the season, the kind of game that gave this team, and their fans in the Windy City, a shot in the arm, and enthusiasm for the future. That does not necessarily translate to being able to win this game, and indeed, Detroit is not an especially easy place to win a football game. With so much at stake, the Lions should be able to prevail, although expect the Bears to at least do some things to challenge them. My pick: Detroit
L.A. Chargers at Kansas City - This one is probably going to be for the division title. The Chiefs won the one out in Los Angeles earlier this season, but that was when they were off to their red hot start, while the Chargers were off to their ice cold start to the year. Both teams are in a much different position now. And although KC managed to get a very timely win last weekend over Oakland, they will be facing a much better, and much hotter, Chargers squad on Saturday. The Chargers have found ways to win all sorts of games, showing that they can win shootouts or slug fests. The Chiefs, in the meantime, should feel encouraged with their win against the Raiders, but the Chargers are a couple of notches above Oakland. This should be a very good game, and is an enticing match-up. Possible game of the week! My pick: L.A. Chargers
Sunday Games
Arizona at Washington - Another irrelevant game, mostly. Sure, Arizona is not officially out of it just yet, but...well, it's a matter of time, really. And Washington got knocked out with that loss to Dallas a couple of weeks ago, and looked pretty bad against the Chargers last weekend, too. I suspect that the Cardinals, still apparently with hopes for the playoffs (thought they need a ton of help), will nonetheless come out swinging and pull off an impressive road victory, despite that team generally being weak on the road this season. My pick: Arizona
Baltimore at Cleveland - The Ravens are reeling after a disappointing loss at Pittsburgh last week. But they still have playoff hopes, although they cannot afford a loss, especially a letdown loss to a weaker opponent. The Browns have been playing tough of late, and might indeed find a way to win a game before season's end to avoid the indignity of an 0-16 season. However, they probably cannot win this game against a Ravens teams that will be determined to win at all cost. My pick: Baltimore
Cincinnati at Minnesota - The Vikings just lost a disappointing game, and in the process, lost the short-lived lead for the home field advantage in the NFC playoffs. They still might get it back should Philly slip, although they no longer control that particular aspect of their destiny. What Minnesota can control, however, is not allowing a loss to become a losing streak, which would happen if they suffer a letdown against the Bengals. But they won't Cincy is relatively weak, their playoff hopes are done, and they are on the road in a very tough place to play. Nothing in there to suggest that the Bengals can keep up with the Vikings here, let alone pull of what would truly be a shocker. My pick: Minnesota
Green Bay at Carolina - Big game! Both of these teams are still playoff hopefuls. A loss here for either team might be fatal to their playoff chances, without exaggeration. The Panthers would likely lose their share of the NFC South lead, and might fall behind Atlanta for second place in that division, and would lose the tiebreaker against the Pack, should these two teams wind up with the same record. On the other hand, the Packers are hanging on by a threat, and a loss to the Panthers would likely outright end what slim playoff hopes that still exist for Green Bay. The stakes are incredibly high, and that makes this a very intriguing! With Rodgers back in the lineup, it makes this especially interesting! My pick: Green Bay
Houston at Jacksonville - The Texans really stink this year, don't they? I mean, they just keep losing and losing, and now rank probably as one of the league's worst five or so teams, or at least close to it. A few weeks ago, they were seemingly fighting for their playoff lives, but now, seem to have essentially given up. Now, they have to go down to Florida to take on a hot and determined opponent in Jax? Frankly, it is hard to see how the Texans can stand up to the Jaguars in this one. My pick: Jacksonville
Miami at Buffalo - This game takes on some extra added significance in the aftermath of Miami's huge upset win against New England last week. They are fighting with everything that they have got, which makes this game intense! I think that they have a chance, too, although playing in Buffalo in December? That's rough, boy! The Dolphins were in the comfortable confines of home for that win against the Pats, but in Orchard Park? Very different story. The Bills are playing well, and seem to be getting a bit hot in the cold of December, and I like their chances here. My pick: Buffalo
N.Y. Jets at New Orleans - The Saints have everything to fight for, as they are one of the better NFC teams, and still fighting for a division title and possible playoff bye (although that hope is surely fading fast). The Jets, meanwhile, just suffered a dispiriting shutout loss at Denver, and their playoff hopes are finished. They are on the road against a tough and motivated opponent, and it is hard to like Gang Green's chances here. The Saints have a tough defense, a tough rnning game, and an all-time quarterback great. It would be shocking, frankly, to see the Jets pull off a stunning upset in this one. My pick: New Orleans
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants - The Eagles clinched the NFC East with a big win at the Rams last week. Yet, they stay on the road, this time facing my Giants, who have the second worst recod in the league right now at 2-11. The G-Men may or may not win another game this season, but if they do, I would be shocked if it were this one. The Eagles might very well be the best team in the league, and certainly are among the best teams in the NFC, while the Giants are at the other end of the spectrum this year. Home field advantage or not, Big Blue will not likely win this one. My pick: Philadelphia
L.A. Rams at Seattle - Another huge showdown! This one will likely be for the NFC West. The Rams have been on top of this division all season long, and will continue to be at least tied atop the NFC West following this weekend, even if they lose. That said, a loss would be devastating for their chances to win the division, because it would complete a season sweep for the Seahawks, and obviously give them the advantage to win the NFC West, as they would control their own destiny. But I expect the 'Hawks to win, because I am still not convinced that the Rams are ready to take the mantle of best team in this division just yet. Plus, the Emerald City is not an easy place to play. I see the Seahawks winning this one, and likely ultimately winning the division title at season's end. My pick: Seattle
New England at Pittsburgh - This is the big game that will likely determine who has home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Steelers are good, but they have generally struggled against the Patriots since Belichick and Brady came on the scene. They have won some regular season battles here and there, but most of these games, and all of the playoff contests during the Brady/Belichick era, have gone in New England's favor. Still, Pittsburgh is red hot, and playing extremely well, so they obviously have a decent chance in this one, although that does not guarantee a playoff win against New England. However, my guess is that the Pats will not drop a second game in a row, after the flat performance they put on in Miami. Belichick will have a game plan, and Brady will rebound with a better game. I like the road team to win. My pick: New England
Tennessee at San Francisco - The 49ers have been coming on as of late, and the Titans have lost some important, and surprising, games. But they simply cannot afford to lose this one, or they will likely critically harm their playoff hopes. With Mariota still getting better, and facing a still struggling San Fran team that has not yet beaten a truly quality opponent, I see the Titans comin gout swinging and earning a tough and gritty victory here. My pick: Tennessee
Dallas at Oakland - This could have been a particularly important and intriguing game had the Silver and Black beaten the Chiefs last weekend. But with the loss, the Raiders are all but officially out of the playoff picture. Meanwhile, although their chances are not great, the Cowboys are fighting with everything that they have got for their playoff lives. A road trip to face a diminished Raiders team should not be too much of an obstacle as to derail the Cowboys chances, because Dallas simply cannot afford to lose this game, or they are done. They need a lot of help, but first and foremost, they need to help themselves by winning this, which I think they will. My pick: Dallas
Monday Night Football - Atlanta at Tampa Bay - The Falcons are playing some lights out football, and they have a relatively weak Buccaneers team now on tap. True, the Bucs are at home, but that should not matter too much if Atlanta stays hot. This team just seems like they are in the zone, and with an extra day to prepare on top of it? Well, I would not want to put money on Tampa's chances, even at home. Too much at stake for the Falcons to suffer a letdown now, because that might be fatal to their playoff chances. My pick: Atlanta
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