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Jax at Tennessee – The Jaguars struggled at times this season, and looked like they might fumble a very promising opportunity. Still, despite all of that, they now find themselves in the position where if they beat a relatively weak team in this regular season finale, they will win the division and earn a home playoff game next weekend. So I expect the Jaguars to show up strong, and to win. My pick: Jax
NY Jets at New England – One of the games with absolutely no playoff relevance whatsoever. It could be Belichick’s last game in Foxboro, and with the Pats. Plus, they have been playing better. With all of that, I expect them to come out and play tough, and to pull off a minor upset – if it indeed would be an upset – over Gang Green here in this one. My pick: New England
Tampa Bay at Carolina – The Bucs have a shot at winning the NFC South here. They are on the road, but playing the worst team in the league. True, the Panthers would love to win this one and play spoiler, and get a rare win. But the Bucs really are the better team, and should be playing all out for the win in this one. My pick: Tampa Bay
Minnesota at Detroit – This game does not mean as much to the Lions as it probably does to the Vikings. Ironically, both teams seem to play better on the road this season. And since this game is in Detroit, the Vikings definitely have a shot. The two teams had a tough, close battle earlier this season, ultimately win by the Lions. Expect the Vikings to win this, and for the Lions possibly to rest their starters. My pick: Minnesota
Atlanta at New Orleans – Some playoff ramifications, as the Saints and Falcons both still technically have a shot at reaching the playoffs, I think. But it seems likely that, in fact, both teams will fall short. That said, expect both teams to come out with the intention of winning, needing this one for any postseason chances. It seems to me that the conditions are favorable for the home town team, though. My pick: New Orleans
Cleveland at Cincinnati – Another game with no real playoff ramifications. The Browns are locked into the fifth seed, and that will not change whether they win or lose. Predictably, they will do the smart thing and rest their starters. That should give the Bengals enough to get past them for a win in their regular season finale, before their offseason starts much earlier than they had hoped. Meanwhile, the Browns should be ready for next week’s Wildcard. My pick: Cincinnati
Philadelphia at NY Giants – The Eagles likely lost their chance for a division title last weekend. Yes, they could still win the NFC East, but they first need to win this one, and Dallas would need to lose their game, which seems unlikely. Still, Philly has to try and do something to build up their confidence after a shaky second half of the season. Since starting off red hot at 10-1, they have won exactly one game, against the G-Men. The Giants surely would love to end their dismal losing streak against Philly, and they just might do it. But given the stakes, I suspect that the Eagles actually show up and just do enough to win. My pick: Philly
Dallas at Washington – The Cowboys need this one to lock up the NFC East. And this should be a win for them, frankly. Yes, they are on the road. Still, they have battled from way back to now control their own destiny in the NFC East, and have a shot at the number two seed. That is extremely important to them, and they know it. Look for them to jump out early and leave no doubt in this game. My pick: Dallas
Chicago at Green Bay – Not sure that the Packers will qualify for the postseason or not. This will actually be a fairly tough game for them, as Chicago has been playing quite well in recent weeks. Still, the Pack have kind of owned the Bears in recent years - even recent decades, since probably the Brett Favre era onwards - so you have to imagine that they will likely win this one as well. But you never know. Still, expect that the Pack should win, and may clinch a playoff berth. My pick: Green Bay
Seattle at Arizona – The Seahawks may or may not reach the playoffs. But they need to win this one for any real hope of doing so. Clearly, the Cardinals are a tough and dangerous opponent intent on playing the role of spoiler, as the Eagles found out the hard way last weekend. Still, I suspect the Seahawks do just enough to earn the win here on the road in this one. My pick: Seattle
Denver at Las Vegas – Theoretically, there are possible playoff ramifications riding on the outcome of this game. But since both teams are on the outside, and it feels like way too much needs to be just so for the Raiders to sneak in, I suspect that, in fact, this will not have any playoff relevance. Still, the Raiders need to win for any chance, and they have been tough at home. Against a second string quarterback, since Russell Wilson has been benched, that Silver and Black defense should shine. My pick: Las Vegas
LA Rams at San Francisco – Both of these teams have clinched the playoffs already, and San Fran has clinched the number one seed. The Rams might still be able to earn a higher seed, giving them a chance at a lesser division champion next weekend, perhaps. Plus, they rarely ever beat the 49ers, and have a shot to do so while SF will be sitting most of their starters, and will not be at full strength. Yet having clinched, I believe that the Rams also sit their starters, they which likely would cost them a win. My pick: San Francisco
Kansas City at LA Chargers – KC has no chance to earn the number two seed, or drop down to number four. They are locked into the third seed. Given that, with nothing to gain or lose, they will surely rest their starters. The Chargers have endured a terrible season, but this will be a chance to best a division rival that has tormented them in recent seasons, even if the win is mostly hollow. My pick: LA Chargers
Sunday Night Football: Buffalo at Miami – Not surprising that they picked this as the marquee match-up. This game had huge ramifications. Buffalo had high expectations entering this season, but then stumbled at times along the way. But they have been one of the hottest teams in the second half of the season, and now, improbably, find themselves with a chance to steal the AFC East division title in the last minute against the Dolphins. Miami seemed to own the division for most of the season, and their high-powered offense looked unstoppable. Still, against the best opponents, they have actually struggled. I suspect that the Bills enter this game hotter than the Dolphins, and do just enough to win this one and earn the number two seed in the AFC playoffs. My pick: Buffalo
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