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Carolina at Buffalo - It feels like I say this every week, but the Bills have been on a downturn lately, and need to turn things around in a hurry. Well, this is an important game, the type of game that they simply cannot afford to lose. That is especially true since the Patriots lost last night at Indy, which gives the Bills a chance to still win the division. But this game is an absolute must, and then they can focus on the Pats. The Bills really are the better team, and should win this one. My pick: Buffalo
Dallas at NY Giants - This should be a good game. It feels like it has been a long time since the Giants managed to beat the Cowboys. If there ever was a time in the past five or so years when the G-Men needed to beat the 'Boys, this would be it. Playoff hopes hang in the balance. And in the cold Meadowlands, I actually do expect the Giants to find a way to win and remain alive in the NFC playoff picture, at least for another week. My pick: NY Giants
NY Jets at Miami - Like their crosstown rivals, the Jets also are in a game with some serious playoff ramifications. Unfortunately for Gang Green, it has everything to do with the team that they are playing, and the teams that are competing against the Fins for that final spot. The Jets themselves have been out of the playoff picture for a very long time, probably since October or so. They will have the sunshine and warmth of southern Florida today, but the sun will likely not be shining on their level of play. Expect the Dolphins to take over early and win convincingly. My pick: Miami
Tennessee at Pittsburgh - Some major playoff ramifications here for both teams involved. The Titans need to win to stay comfortably ahead of the Colts in the AFC South race, while the Steelers basically need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They cannot afford to lose and give more ground in the division, or more generally, in the AFC playoff race. Somehow, I suspect that the Titans find a way to win, albeit narrowly. My pick: Tennessee
Arizona at Detroit - The Lions cannot catch many breaks this season, can they? How can the team with the best record in the NFL (tied for it, anyway) face the team with the worst record, even though they are not division rivals? Well, that is just the way things worked out. Unfortunately, the Lions and their fans cannot claim to be strangers to this team having the worst record in the league at this time of the year, because it has happened a number of times already in seasons in the not so distant past. There's a reason for it, and there is a reason for why the Cardinals are as good as they have been to this point in the season. Most likely, the reasons for both will be on display in this game. My pick: Arizona
Houston at Jacksonville - Two of the worst teams in the league meet for the second time this season. The Texans won the first meeting to open the season, but the Jaguars have looked better since. The loser of this game probably will not even have the first pick in the draft to look forward to, since the Lions have a worse record than either of these two teams at the moment. Still, they have to play it. Look for the Jaguars to win this one. My pick: Jacksonville
Cincinnati at Denver - Two teams basically competing against one another for those final AFC playoff spots, or possibly even the final spot. Both teams also have at least dim hopes of still winning their division titles, although that feels a bit more realistic for the Bengals entering this game than it does for the Broncos. However, that might not last if Cincy loses this one. Tough game to call, as either team is capable of playing well and winning, or making mistakes and losing. Perhaps home field advantage helps just enough here. My pick: Denver
Atlanta at San Francisco - This is actually a big game, with some serious playoff ramifications. That certainly would not have felt like the case earlier this season, when these two teams were both struggling and sporting losing records. Right now, they both have serious and realistic playoff hopes, although the Niners are clearly closer to getting there, at least at the moment. This is a game where home field advantage should help. My pick: San Francisco
Green Bay at Baltimore - Serious playoff and division title ramifications for both teams in this game, even though they are in different conferences. Does not feel like a possible Super Bowl preview, although you never know, right? Home field should help, and Lamar Jackson has never lost against an NFC team. That could change against a solid quality team like the Packers. Yet, the Ravens, coming off two straight losses, should come out swinging, feeling a bit of desperation, and that is why they are my pick here. My pick: Baltimore
SNF: New Orleans at Tampa Bay - Despite this seeming like a mismatch, I actually expect the Saints to hang tough, and have some real chances. They should be able to keep this one close. However, the Bucs smell blood, and as champions, they should also be able to show why they won it all and display their killer instincts here, even if it comes only at the end. My pick: Tampa Bay
Early Monday Game: Las Vegas at Cleveland - Not sure if the weather will be anywhere near as much of a factor as it would have been on Saturday, when this game was originally slated to be played. Still, the Browns feel like a team that could be rising, and with a possible division title within reach, as well as home field advantage in frigid Cleveland on Monday afternoon/evening, the Browns should be able to win, even without their running game at full strength. My pick: Cleveland
MNF: Minnesota at Chicago - The Vikings have a real chance at qualifying for the playoffs. And while the Bears have not yet officially been eliminated, it feels like just a matter of time. I expect that the time might arrive right after this game ends, as the Vikings should show themselves to be the better team, and find a way to win a solid divisional game on the road. My pick: Minnesota
Tuesday: Seattle at LA Rams - One of two games pushed back to Tuesday because of Covid. Not sure how the absence of some players will impact this game. The Rams are apparently really hurting, with more than two dozen players out because of Covid. Normally, I would pick the Rams at home in this game. But with that many players out, and with the Seahawks surging at the moment, it feels like this one should go the other way. My pick: Seattle
Tuesday: Washington at Philadelphia - Like with the Rams, Washington has a lot of players out for this game because of Covid. They also just got handed a devastating loss against the Cowboys, and have to go on the road to Philly, a team that is familiar with them. All that, plus they are not at full strength? Frankly, no excuses for the Eagles not to win this one. My pick: Philadelphia
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