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Saturday Games:
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh - Three weeks ago, this game felt like it might not even matter. The Bengals had lost Joe Burrow for the season, and had lost two consecutive divisional games to Baltimore, and at home to this Steelers team. They were 5-6, and in last place in the AFC North. Meanwhile, the Steelers were 7-4, and right on the heels of the Ravens in the division. It sure seemed like they would skate easily to the playoffs, with the only mystery being whether or not they might win the division. Since then, however, the Bengals have caught fire and won three in a row, while the Steelers suddenly got cold and lost three in a row. Now, shockingly, Cincy is one game ahead of Pittsburgh, and if they win this one, the Steelers will all but officially (and maybe even officially) be out of the playoff race. Can the Bengals continue their Cinderella run? Will the Steelers finally recover from whatever has been ailing them on time to continue to contend for a playoff position? This should be interesting. But I am going with the hotter of these two teams. My pick: Cincinnati
Buffalo at LA Chargers - The Bills have won three of their last four, and played well in that one loss. So despite a subpar season prior to that point, the Bills now have bounced back, and they feel like one of the hottest teams in the league. Call me crazy, but I still believe that they are good enough to beat anyone on any given Sunday. And they should be able to beat the Chargers, who have lost two games in a row. My pick: Buffalo
Sunday:
Washington at NY Jets - Apparently, there was some talk that Aaron Rodgers might play in this game. But I just looked it up and saw a headline on ESPN suggesting that he will only practice for the Jets for the duration of the season. That is good, because I got a bad feeling that he would have gotten still another injury if he had actually played, and for no good reason, at that. After all, Gang Green have already officially been eliminated from playoff contention. As for this game,. the Jets should win, although the Commanders feel long overdue for a win by now, having lost five straight. My pick: NY Jets
Cleveland at Houston - Now, this should e a good game! Both of these teams are fighting not only for their playoff lives, but for a chance at an unlikely division title. They also both have been playing better than many expected, even while tey both faced adversity. One of them will keep winning this weekend, while one will drop this game and compromise, if not end, their playoff hopes. I really expect that this will be a good game, and hard to predict. Going to go with the home team for this one. My pick: Houston
Green Bay at Carolina - The Packers are still in the playoff picture, although their hopes are seriously flickering at this point. But they need a victory to stay alive, at least through this weekend. And playing the team with the worst record in the league should help them do it. My pick: Green Bay
Indianapolis at Atlanta - This is an interesting game. Both teams still not only have playoff hopes, but are still fighting to try and win a division title. Overall, it feels like the Colts are the better team. But the Falcons tend to be tough at home. At least they were, although that has not been the case in recent weeks. Still, I suspect that they pull this one out, albeit narrowly. My pick: Atlanta
Seattle at Tennessee - The Titans have been eliminated, while the Seahawks are still very much in the NFC Wildcard chase. The Seahawks have been subpar on the road, and Tennessee is still a tough place for road teams to play. It will not be easy, yet I do feel that, given the urgency of the situation, the Seahawks pull off a win here in this one. My pic: Seattle
Detroit at Minnesota - Huge game for both teams! A division rivalry. The Lions have a chance to wrap up the NFC North division title, finally, if they manage to win this one. That's a big "if." The Vikings, meanwhile, can stay right in the thick of the playoff race if they win. Also a big "if." Surprisingly, the Lions have been solid on the road all season. And the Vikings have been shockingly poor at home. This one should be a tough game, and I suspect will be decided only at the end. My pick: Detroit
Jacksonville at Tampa Bay - Two Florida teams do battle here, both still with playoff and even division title hopes. Jax is desperate for a win, having dropped from one of the league's elites a few weeks ago, at 8-3, to now needing to fight just to qualify for the playoffs at 8-6. Meanwhile, the Bucs have been relatively hot recently, and suddenly find themselves entering this game in sole possession of first place in te NFC South. But the Jaguars will be a tough test for them. This should be a good game, and I expect that it will not be decided until the final couple of minutes, if not even possibly the final play of the game. My pick: Jacksonville
Dallas at Miami - A possible Super Bowl preview? It might not seem likely, but certainly not impossible. The Cowboys are trying to recover from a blowout loss at Buffalo. The Dolphins put on a clinic against the Jets last week, and remain tantalizingly close to a division title. But they need to keep winning. Dallas has been subpar away from home, while the Fins have been very tough at home. So that will make this a very difficult task for the 'Boys. Probably too tough, I suspect. My pick: Miami
Arizona at Chicago - Two teams who are basically out of the playoff picture. The Cards have Kyler Murray back, and have played better since his arrival. Meanwhile, the Bears were on a tear before their bitter loss to Cleveland last weekend. Still, December in Chicago can be pretty rough for visiting teams, but I am going with the Cardinals for this one. My pick: Arizona
Sunday Night Football - New England at Denver - The Pats have suffered through a humbling, disastrous season. They just cannot find stability. And going to Denver is a tough task, with the Broncos still in playoff contention. The Broncos have been very inconsistent this season, but they should still be able to take care of the Pats at Mile High. My pick: Denver
Christmas Day Games:
Las Vegas at Kansas City - The Raiders played a nearly flawless game against the Chargers last week, scoring a franchise record 63 points. Excellent. However, they will not do that, or even come close, against the Chiefs. The Raiders have been horrible on the road this season, and heading into Arrowhead hardly seems the likely place where they will overcome those road blues. The Chiefs are closing in on another division title, and should be able to clinch it with a win here. My pick: Kansas City
NY Giants at Philadelphia - The G-Men are done, having been embarrassed at New Orleans. Now, they head to Philly, to take on a team that went from enjoying the best record in the league by a two-game margin, to having dropped three straight games. That feels like it dos not bode well for the Giants, since the Eagles are hungry for a win. And traditionally, the Eagles have simply owned the Giants sin recent seasons. It has been especially rough for Big Blue at Philly, where they have not won now in ten years! I don't see much reason why that would change this weekend. My pick: Philadelphia
Monday Night Football: Baltimore at San Francisco - This has been a highly anticipated game. People were talking about this one weeks in advance. And it is a nationally televised game on Christmas, for Monday Night Football. The AFC's top seed versus the NFC's top seed. At least that is where both teams are at this moment. Some have suggested - not without some reason - that this even could be a Super Bowl preview. Indeed it may be. Right now, the 49ers look like the best team in the league. They are a physical team, with a very tough defense, and a bruising yet explosive offense. Expect them to win. My pick: San Francisco
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