Does anyone else find this Saturday thing a little weird? The NFL used to do Saturday games at the end of the season all the time, but it's been so long that there's been one that it's a bit of a shock to the system. But it's definitely a welcome change, even if it is only for one week.
Thursday Night: Tennessee (Loss)
Eagles (9-5) at Redskins (3-11): Philadelphia-It's just one of those things, but it's almost unfair to think the Eagles could end up 11-5 and out of the playoffs, while one of the NFC South teams is guaranteed a home game. Back-to-back losses to Seattle and Dallas have moved Philly from a game up to a game down on the Cowboys...and out of the playoffs. So, basically, the Eagles don't have any other choice but to win. If they don't, next week's game against the Giants is essentially meaningless.
Chargers (8-6) at 49ers (7-7): San Diego-The 49ers are out and Jim Harbaugh is being courted by his alma mater, Michigan. San Diego is currently out and needs some help to get in. Like the Eagles, they've lost two straight--to the division-leading Patriots and Broncos. They know they no longer have any margin for error. I think they go into Levi's Stadium, get a victory, and set themselves up for a Week 17 clash with the Chiefs that could be for a wild card spot.
Lions (10-4) at Bears (5-9): Detroit-For all the talk about Green Bay and Seattle as the two "best teams" in the NFC, nobody has seemed to notice that Detroit isn't just currently in first place, but would have a bye. The silent assassins can even clinch the division if they win and the Packers lose this week. While that's probably not going to happen (the Packers are playing Tampa Bay), Detroit's at least going to keep up its end of the bargain, clinch its playoff spot, and make next week's showdown a winner-take-all battle for the NFC North.
Vikings (6-8) at Dolphins (7-7): Miami-The Dolphins and Vikings. Two teams playing out the string. They do both have a chance to finish the season at .500, though, which I don't think anyone would've expected about the Vikings after everything they've gone through this year. Before the season started, I thought the Dolphins could be a sleeper playoff team. They're not going to make the playoffs, but 9-7 is definitely possible. In order to be 9-7, they'll have to get to 8-7 first.
Falcons (5-9) at Saints (6-8): New Orleans-This is, amazingly, one of the most important games of the week. And it's probably going to decide the NFC South. If the Saints win and the Panthers lose, that's it, New Orleans clinches. At the very least, a Saints win puts them in a position to clinch next week. Meanwhile, a Falcons win means the NFC South "champion" will definitely be below .500, and it could mean that Atlanta-Carolina for the division title ends up as next week's Sunday night game. I think most people would agree, though, that New Orleans is the least-bad team in this division. They're also the only hope for 8-8, so how could I pick against the Saints?
Patriots (11-3) at Jets (3-11): New England-Rex Ryan's final home game as Jets head coach is against his nemesis Bill Belichick. A New England win clinches a bye, and could also mean home field if Denver loses. Maybe Rex can give Jets fans a Christmas present and beat the Patriots one last time. Yeah right.
Chiefs (8-6) at Steelers (9-5): Pittsburgh-This is a huge game for AFC playoff positioning. Pittsburgh's in with a win, while Kansas City sets itself up to clinch next week if they win. The loser also knows that they're most likely not getting into the playoffs. So, basically, it's a big one for both teams. So who's got the edge? I like Pittsburgh. They haven't been to the postseason in three years and can still win the division. They're hungry.
Packers (10-4) at Buccaneers (2-12): Green Bay-We all know that the Packers are incredible at Lambeau Field. It's winning on the road that's been a bit of a problem. Well, they're going to need a road win this week in order to make sure they don't have another one for a while. Fortunately for them, that last road game is in Tampa. Although, the Raiders and Titans have to hope the Bucs win either this week or next. Otherwise, Tampa Bay is a virtual lock for the No. 1 pick because of how bad the NFC South is.
Browns (7-7) at Panthers (5-8-1): Carolina-Bernie Kosar took some heat for publicly criticizing the Browns on a Cleveland radio station earlier this week. But you know what? Everything he said was 100 percent right. There was absolutely no reason for them to piss away the season by making a quarterback switch to Johnny Overrated last week. Somebody in the front office was watching too much ESPN I think. 30-0 is proof that they made the wrong decision. Carolina, meanwhile, has once again figured out how to win football games, and the Panthers, incredibly, can play for the NFC South title next week if they win and the Falcons beat the Saints. Carolina does its part. Because Cleveland is clueless.
Ravens (9-5) at Texans (7-7): Baltimore-The Ravens can clinch a playoff berth this week, but need some help to do so. The first step is beating Houston. Then the rest will fall into place (seeing as the teams Baltimore needs to lose are playing each other is very helpful). There's still a chance the Ravens win the division, too. While I don't think a win here is guaranteed (Houston is still mathematically alive), I do think they get it.
Giants (5-9) at Rams (6-8): St. Louis-Imagine if the Rams had a healthy Sam Bradford this season. They're without a doubt the best last-place team in football. The Giants have made their record a little more respectable after proving that there are two teams worse than them. St. Louis is better than them. I give the edge to the Rams.
Colts (10-4) at Cowboys (10-4): Indianapolis-Indianapolis has clinched the division and is basically guaranteed the 3-seed in the AFC. Dallas has a whole lot more to play for. The Cowboys have a one-game lead on the Eagles, but could also end up out of the playoffs entirely. We've got a good one for the national doubleheader game. Although, I'm sure undefeated-on-the-road Dallas would prefer if this game was in Indianapolis. They might have to play for all the marbles next week in Washington. Because for some reason, I'm feeling Lucky.
Bills (8-6) at Raiders (2-12): Buffalo-They're not going to make the playoffs, but there's still plenty to play for. Thanks to last week's upset of the Packers, they need just one win in their last two games to clinch a winning record for the first time since 2004. For a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 15 years, that's a big deal. Fortunately, their first chance at win No. 9 comes in Oakland. Because they're ending the season in New England.
Seahawks (10-4) at Cardinals (11-3): Seattle-NBC and the NFL did a great job setting the Sunday night schedule this year. Not a single game was flexed out. And this week, we've got the Cardinals and Seahawks in a huge matchup for NFC playoff positioning. Arizona has already clinched a spot and wraps up home field for the entire playoffs (including the Super Bowl) with a win. The defending champs, meanwhile, move into the NFC West driver's seat if they win this one to complete a sweep of the Cardinals. Seattle's on a roll and Arizona's down to it's third-string quarterback. It would be remarkable if the Cardinals managed to pull this one out, but I'm not sure I see it happening.
Broncos (11-3) at Bengals (9-4-1): Denver-The final game of Monday Night Football's 45th season is just as important as the Sunday nighter. Denver's basically locked into the 2-seed, but Cincinnati's in a dogfight for the AFC North title that won't be decided this week. Except a loss probably knocks them a half-game back heading into the finale in Pittsburgh (that might end on Sunday night). The Bengals' problem all year, though, has been how bad they've played in night games. Slaughtered by New England on a Sunday night. Lost to Cleveland on a Thursday night. They've gotta do something on their only Monday night if they want to avoid potentially being knocked out entirely next Sunday night. I think Denver takes care of its bye, though, and Peyton can take it easy against the Raiders.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 14-2
Season: 144-80-1
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