So this is it.
One way or another, all playoff scenarios will be played out, and all division titles and seeds will be locked up by the end of the day.
Finally, we will know, once and for all, who ultimately won each division, and also what next weekend's wildcard weekend schedule will look like.
There are several games which have playoff ramifications this weekend. That includes one game where neither team will actually qualify for the postseason, which is a first in my memory.
Let's take a look:
New Orleans at Atlanta - These two teams got hot right at the end of the season. Indeed, both the Saints and the Falcons started playing their best football when the playoffs were officially already out of reach. Yet, there they are, both teams playing their hearts out. This game means something, and will be one of the most important games people will be watching this weekend. Yet the irony is that it means little for either of these teams, other than pride. I like the way that the Falcons, specifically, have been playing lately. That, coupled with home field advantage, leads me to believe that they will win. My pick: Atlanta
Dallas at NY Giants- Big Blue has not beaten Dallas since forever. In fact, the 'Boys have won the last nine in this particular rivalry, although it feels like it has been more. It would be nice, admittedly, to see the G-Men actually take a game from the Cowboys, although I would actually also admittedly prefer them losing and the Raiders winning, so that Big Blue can get the first pick in the draft. This game does not mean much to either team. Still, the Cowboys seem to rule this rivalry. My pick; Dallas
Tennessee at Jacksonville - Unless the Titans really play well and play the ultimate spoilers, the Jaguars should win this one to finally capture the AFC South title. This has been the most successful season for the Jaguars in almost two decades. They even still have a remote - very remote - shot at being the number one seed overall in the AFC. More realistically, either the number two seed (I think the Chargers can beat Denver today) is within reach. Most importantly, however, the Jaguars have to take care of business at home today against the Titans. There really is no reason to think that they will fail to do so. My pick: Jacksonville
Indianapolis at Houston - The Texans have won eight in a row entering this game, while the Colts have lost six straight. The Texans have a historically dominant defense, one of the best which we have seen in years. Also, they still have a chance at the AFC South title, although they need some help for that. Even if they do not achieve that, they do have an excellent shot at the number five seed, which would give them a date next weekend on the road either at Baltimore or Pittsburgh. And that is a game which the Texans should feel confident that they can win. After all, they demolished the Ravens in Baltimore earlier this season, and sure seem like a better team than the Steelers. Look for the Texans defense to smother Rivers and the Colts "O" and clinch this one fairly early and convincingly. My pick: Houston
Green Bay at Minnesota - These two teams have been heading in opposite directions in recent weeks, with the Packers having lost three straight and the Vikings having won four straight. With Jordan Love not expected to play and the Vikings having home field advantage, and with the Pack having frankly little to play for at the number seven seed, with no chance of moving up or down, this should be a victory for the Purple and Gold. My pick: Minnesota
Cleveland at Cincinnati - Here we go with another chapter in the Ohio rivalry. Once again, neither of these teams are relevant or heading to the playoffs. However, the Bengals have been playing much better lately with Joe Burrow at the helm, and so should win this one, possibly handily. My pick: Cincinnati
Arizona at LA Rams - For Los Angeles right now, they want to get back to winning. They lost two straight games, and both have been costly. They lost the big showdown at Seattle, giving the Seahawks control of their own destiny in the NFC West (spoiler alert, Seattle won the division title). Then the Rams lost last week at Atlanta. So the Rams don't want to back into the playoffs stumbling. A win today and they will have the number five seed, and will head to either Tampa or Carolina, with both the weather and the teams feeling a lot less harsh to face than what they will have to deal with if they settle for the sixth overall seed. Luckily, they are home against the Cardinals, one of the worst teams in the league. The Rams still have to win, though. I believe they will. My pick: LA Rams
Kansas City at Las Vegas - The Raiders can lock up the number on overall pick in the draft with a loss in this one. However, the Chiefs have been struggling mightily in recent weeks. KC has dropped five straight and are down to their third string QB. It might be tough for the Silver and Black to lose. Yet, thy have been so consistent at it this year, that you have to figure that they'll get it done. My pick: Kansas City
Miami at New England - This game really does not mean much of anything for the Dolphins. For the Patriots, a win would mean earning home field throughout the playoffs, and getting a bye week to rest next weekend with one less playoff game than every other AFC team. That is pretty enticing. The Pats are hot, and the Fins in the cold weather? Not a good combination. Not a difficult game to make a pick for. My pick: New England
Detroit at Chicago - Detroit is not the same team that they have been in the past two seasons. This year was a wakeup call, and it makes you wonder if already their championship window has closed or not. This game means nothing to them as they are not headed to the postseason. But it means a lot to the Bears, who could still potentially earn the second seed in the NFC playoffs with a win. That alone should be motivation enough for Da Bears to win. But they also would love to avenge the 52-21 rout they suffered in the Motor City earlier this season. My pick: Chicago
Washington at Philadelphia - The Eagles are the first NFC East team in two decades, almost, to repeat as division champs. Now, they are at home with a chance to earn the second overall seed with a win and a Chicago loss. But they are resting their starters, trying to get them healthy again for the playoffs. So a win here might not be so automatic. Still, the Eagles are the better team and have incentive to win. Hard to pick against them. My pick: Philly
NY Jets at Buffalo - The Bills will either be the number five, six, or seven seed. If they lose, they are number seven. If they win, they can be five with help, or six. One way or the other, they should be able to take care of Gang Green and head into the playoffs with a bit of momentum. My pick: Buffalo
LA Chargers at Denver - You might think that the Chargers would be fired up to win. Apparently, however, they are resting their starters to get them ready for next week's playoff game. With that, and with the Broncos still possibly hoping to win the overall number one seed in the AFC (not likely, since the Pats hot the Dolphins and likely will win), or at least to hold off the Jaguars (also likely to win) and hang on to the two seed, this could be a convincing Broncos win. One way or the other, it feels like this one should go in favor of the Broncos. My pick: Denver
Sunday Night Football: Baltimore at Pittsburgh - A huge showdown and de facto playoff game. The winner survives to take the AFC North title and earns a home game in the playoffs next weekend. Meanwhile, the loser simply goes home, their offseason starts much earlier than expected or desired. The Steelers won the first meeting a couple of weeks ago in Baltimore, but they still feel a bit suspect. Both teams, frankly, feel suspect. But I suspect the Ravens will return the favor and beat the Steelers in front of their home fans to win the AFC North title. My pick: Baltimore
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