Atlanta at NY Jets - The Jets have returned to losing after a brief reprieve. This weekend, they have what likely looks and feels like a winnable game against Atlanta. However, the Falcons probably view the Jets as a game that is winnable for them. And you know what? Both teams are right. Still, I expect that the Falcons pull this one off to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, at least for one more week.. My pick: Atlanta
Houston at Indy - What a game this one should be! If the Colts win, they likely have the division locked up. However, if the Texans win, what once seemed like a laughable divisional race suddenly grows uncomfortably tight for Indy. It does not feel like home field is much of an advantage here, because familiarity could help or hurt either team. The Texans feel like they have more momentum entering this game. Could go either way, should be tight. My pick: Indianapolis
New Orleans at Miami - The Dolphins seems to be making a run for the playoffs, suddenly. After a disastrous start, they sure seem to be making a late push to achieve something which seemed impossible not long ago, and still frankly seems unlikely. Not sure if the Fins will do it or not, but they should at least beat the lowly Saints when they host this game this weekend. At least they better, or they might as well forget the playoffs. My pick: Miami
San Francisco at Cleveland - The 49ers still have almost no room for mistakes if they hope to take the NFC West. Even if they were perfect the rest of the way, they might not win it. However, they will be going to the playoffs, and could prove dangerous once there. They are the far better team in this game, and expect them to prove it this afternoon. My pick: San Francisco
LA Rams at Carolina - The Panthers seem to really ride the wave of momentum, don't they? Up or down, it seems like they commit and look either surprisingly good or astonishingly bad. Not sure which version will show up this weekend, but the Rams are a very good team, and they are coming to town. It will take a near flawless performance by Carolina to win, and I am not sure that they can even do it. Los Angeles likely manages to do just enough to win on the road in this one. My pick: LA Rams
Arizona at Tampa Bay - The Bucs have been reeling for several weeks now. They have dropped four of their last five, in a stretch that saw them seemingly drop from the ranks of the elites. Still, they are in front in the NFC South race. In order to stay that way, they desperately need a solid win to get themselves back on track. Enter the lowly Cardinals, who should give the Bucs every opportunity to get that all important win to help the Bucs get out of their funk. My pick: Tampa Bay
Jacksonville at Tennessee - The Jaguars travel to Tennessee to take on the team with the worst overall record, the Titans. Tennessee has managed only one win so far this season, although they have proved a tough challenge for a number of teams. That could be the case again today, although the Jaguars absolutely need to win to keep their position among the likely playoff teams. Expect the Jaguars to do whatever they have to do and win. My pick: Jax
Minnesota at Seattle - The Vikings feel like a huge disappointment. In the seemingly revolving door pattern of impressive seasons followed by disappointing ones, Minnesota seems like they are enduring a terrible season right on time. Going to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seahawks will -prove a tough challenge, one that it seems unlikely the Vikings will be up for. My pick: Seattle
Las Vegas at LA Chargers - The Chargers have been good overall this season, although inconsistently. The Raiders, meanwhile, have been very consistently bad. I expect the Raiders to play tough, especially on defense. However, they will likely fall short to the Chargers nonetheless in the end. My pick: LA Chargers
Buffalo at Pittsburgh - Both teams have produced play that gives rise to question marks in recent weeks. Yet, both teams absolutely need this one. The Bills need to win in order to try and stay within striking distance of the first place Patriots. The Steelers have a chance to reclaim first place in the AFC North, after the Ravens were stunned by the Bengals. This could go either way, but I expect the Bills to do just enough. My pick: Buffalo
Sunday Night - Denver at Washington - The Broncos are red hot while the Commanders are pretty cold at this point. Yet, the Ravens and Bengals proved that you still cannot simply pick the obvious choice, because upsets do happen. Still, it would likely be a big upset if Washington finally manages to snap their losing streak by ending Denver's unbeaten streak. I'm not brave enough looking at this one to actually predict that the Commanders will be the ones to do it. My pick: Denver
Monday Night - NY Giants at New England - I have said this before, but it bears repeating: the Giants would probably have a better record if they did not have such tough games, relentlessly, week after week. My suspicion is that they are better - possibly even far better - than their rather dismal 2-10 record suggests. Now they go to New England to face the hottest team in the league. Figure that the G-Men can make it close, perhaps even look like they are going to win. But in the end, it seems like their big problem is that that cannot seem to close games out right now. So the Pats will likely take this one in the end. My pick: New England
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