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Cleveland at Green Bay – The Browns were just handed one of the most painful losses that they have suffered in recent years. They surely had to feel dejected, watching that field goal on the game’s last play split the upright and decide the game against them. Now, the Browns will need help to qualify for the postseason. It could be argued that they still control their own destiny, as they very likely will make the playoffs – and perhaps even win the AFC North – if they win out the rest of their games. But that is a tall order indeed, especially since this game is on the road against the Green Bay Packers, at the frigid frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. The Packers have the league’s best record at 11-3, and are on the cusp of the number one seed, and a valuable playoff bye along with it. They outright control their own destiny with that, and have already clinched the NFC North division title. The weather should not be too much of a factor, one way or another, as both of these teams are very used to inclement weather, of course. That means that it will be about who is the better team, and who is at full strength. Right now, the Browns probably still have some key personnel out, and the question remains about their running game and full offensive line in particular, which they will need for any chance at winning this one. Without being at full strength and on the road against a better team still motivated to win in order to clinch what they can clinch, Cleveland will struggle in this one and, ultimately, fall short. My pick: Green Bay
Indianapolis at Arizona – Few teams look or feel as dangerous as the Colts have looked in recent weeks. A playoff berth feels inevitable, even predestined, for Indy. Everything is falling into place, and it also seems like this team was specifically built to not merely survive, but even to thrive at this point in the season. They are a tough, physical team that should pose a real problem to whoever they face once they get to the playoffs. Of course, they have not quite made it official yet. For that, they need to keep winning. They just beat the red-hot Patriots last week, snapping New England’s seven game winning streak and strengthening their own positioning in the process. Now, they take on a Cardinals team that ha shown some struggles after a very impressive, undefeated 8-0 start to the season. They are still in a battle for their life to try and win the division title, trying to hold off the surging Rams. That should help their chances here, because they clearly have every motivation to win. Still, the Colts feel like the hotter team, peaking at the right time, while the Cardinals feel like a good team that is kind of on a downward slope right now. That is why I have to go for the road team here. My pick: Indianapolis
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