Three weeks left, and it's a mad dash to the playoffs! Only a couple teams have officially clinched, and even then, there's still all the seeding left to work out. Let's do this.
GAME OF THE WEEK - New England Patriots (11-2) at Denver Broncos (8-5), NE by 3 - The Broncos fumbled what should have been a winnable game against Tennessee last week. Now they find themselves in must-win position against a Patriots team playing like the best in the league. The Wild Card competition remains hot in the AFC, with the Ravens, Steelers and Dolphins all in hot contention for that sixth slot. A loss here, and Denver is going to be in major trouble, especially considering they still play Kansas City and Oakland again. While the Broncos have historically given the Pats a lot of trouble in Denver, this seems like a game prime for the taking for the Pats. Patriots 27, Broncos 20
THURSDAY NIGHT - Los Angeles Rams (4-9) at Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1), SEA by 14 - The Seahawks have not been embarrassed like they were against the Packers in the entire Russell Wilson era. But now they get to play a team that just fired a coach at home on a short week. Should be a romp. Seahawks 27, Rams 6
Miami Dolphins (8-5) at New York Jets (4-9), MIA by 2.5 - Playing without Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins still have a shot to get into the playoffs. They need to take advantage of these easier matchups if they hope to get there. Fortunately, Matt Moore is one of the more capable backups in the league. Dolphins 20, Jets 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) at Dallas Cowboys (11-2), DAL by 7 - One of the biggest games of the week for the playoff picture (who'd have seen that coming before the year started?). The Bucs need a win to stay ahead of the Redskins, Packers and Vikings in the Wild Card hunt, while the Cowboys need a win to clinch the top overall seed. Expect a tough, low-scoring game but a Cowboys win on the basis of their running game and ball control. Cowboys 17, Bucs 14
Detroit Lions (9-4) at New York Giants (9-4), NYG by 4.5 - The Lions begin their absolutely brutal closing stretch to the season, when they play the Giants, Cowboys and Packers in successive weeks. They won the game they needed to win, and can even afford to lose at least one of the next two. But the Giants are a matchup problem for the Lions. Their secondary is playing really good football, as is their defense in general. Meanwhile, Matt Stafford is playing with torn ligaments in his throwing hand. I can't say I have any confidence in them to be able to pick up a road win outdoors in the cold against a Giants team priming itself for a playoff run. Giants 23, Lions 16
Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) at Baltimore Ravens (7-6), BAL by 6 - The Ravens need this game to stay in the playoff race. A loss would be a crushing blow to their postseason hopes. With the way the Eagles are playing right now, expect Baltimore to come out ahead. Ravens 24, Ravens 17
Green Bay Packers (7-6) at Chicago Bears (3-10), GB by 6.5 - Where was this Packers team in October and November? They're suddenly looking the part of the contender everyone thought they would be before the season started. It seems inevitable that they'll run the table at this point, which means Detroit had better keep winning if it wants to avoid choking away its first division title in nearly 25 years. Packers 33, Bears 13
Indianapolis Colts (6-7) at Minnesota Vikings (7-6), MIN by 4 - The Colts are going to require a lot of help to get to the playoffs at this point, but they still have the talent to play spoiler, especially against flailing teams like the Vikings. The Colts have been alternating wins and losses each week for a couple months now, so there's no reason to think they can't keep the trend going against a Vikings team that's dead in the water. UPSET! - Colts 27, Vikings 23
Cleveland Browns (0-13) at Buffalo Bills (6-7), BUF by 10 - Browns. Bills 30, Browns 10
Tennessee Titans (7-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-3), KC by 5.5 - Another huge game in the AFC, as the Titans are in a fight for a division title for the first time in December in recent memory. The Chiefs should get the win, but expect a challenge from this upstart Titans team. Chiefs 23, Titans 20
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) at Houston Texans (7-6), HOU by 6 - The Jaguars aren't beating anyone as long as Gus Bradley remains their coach. Texans get a crucial win to improve their division title hopes. Texans 20, Jaguars 13
New Orleans Saints (5-8) at Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1), ARZ by 2.5 - At this point, I never know how to pick games for either of these teams. Fuck it. UPSET! - Saints 27, Cardinals 24
San Francisco 49ers (1-12) at Atlanta Falcons (8-5), ATL by 13.5 - Lol. Falcons 34, 49ers 10
Oakland Raiders (10-3) at San Diego Chargers (5-8), OAK by 3 - Huge game in the AFC West. The Raiders need a win to keep pace with the Chiefs, and going on the road in the division is never an easy task. But still, they are the better team here. Raiders 27, Chargers 21
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-7-1), PIT by 3.5 - Playing for a division title in the near future, the Steelers will keep their noses to the grindstone and pull out a tough road division win. Steelers 23, Bengals 20
