We're getting down to the nitty gritty in the NFL, and this week features some of the biggest games so far this season. What happens this week will probably go a long way in determining playoff seeding. It might even determine who's in and who's out. So, to call this the biggest week of the season so far would be an understatement.
As a bonus, there are no more Thursday night games! Instead, we've got two weeks with Saturdays, and the Saturday night game is one of those crucial matchups as the Chargers visit the Chiefs. They obviously didn't know how significant that game would actually be when they made the schedule, but it worked out pretty well for NFL Network, which has that AFC West tilt exclusively.
Bears (4-9) at Lions (7-6): Detroit-Saturday's first game is a Bears-Lions showdown that Detroit badly needs to win. I don't think the Lions are making the playoffs even if they win out. But if they lose to the Bears, they really have no shot. Fortunately for them, that doesn't seem likely, even if Chicago is coming off a win.
Chargers (7-6) at Chiefs (7-6): Kansas City-Talk about a bounce back! The Chiefs blew their entire lead in the AFC West, only to play one of their best games of the season last week against the Raiders. Now they need to follow it up with another win against the Chargers, who are among the hottest teams in football. The winner has the inside track at the AFC West crown, especially if it's the Chiefs, who won the first meeting. Did they get their mojo back? I think they might've.
Dolphins (6-7) at Bills (7-6): Buffalo-Can someone please explain to me why the first meeting of the season between Miami and Buffalo didn't come until Week 15? No blizzard this week, so the visual appeal won't be the same as last week's Bills game. But it will be cold, which is definitely advantage Buffalo (and why the Bills prefer to have their home game with the Dolphins later in the season). The Bills are currently holding on to a wild card spot and playing their final home game of the season. They know the importance of this one.
Ravens (7-6) at Browns (0-13): Baltimore-Buffalo may currently own that second AFC wild card, but the Ravens will actually be the ones who get it if they win out. And that's entirely possible, seeing as their final three opponents are the Browns, Bears and Bengals. The poor Browns, meanwhile, looked like they might get it last week, but, alas, they found a way to lose again. They've said Hue Jackson's job is safe, but how safe can it really be if he goes a combined 1-31 over two seasons?
Bengals (5-8) at Vikings (10-3): Minnesota-Thanks to the Panthers, the Vikings didn't clinch the NFC North last week. They also dropped from the top spot to the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Make no mistake, though, Minnesota is going to win the division. Their bye is no longer a guarantee, though, so it's paramount that they take care of business against a disappointing Bengals team. Marvin Lewis will only be their coach for three more games, right?
Jets (5-8) at Saints (9-4): New Orleans-The Saints have had 10 days to recover from that loss to the Falcons, and they still find themselves in first place. Their big one is the rematch with Atlanta next week, but the NFC South is the tightest race in football. And it means they can't afford to get upset by the Jets. A Jets team that admittedly mailed it in at the end of last week's shutout loss in Denver. Will they actually play a full 60 minutes in New Orleans?
Eagles (11-2) at Giants (2-11): Philadelphia-When these two teams met in Philadelphia, it took a 60-yard field goal for the Eagles to win by a field goal. Oh, how things have changed since Week 3! Philly has already clinched the division, and they could lock up home field if everything goes their way this week. The Giants (who actually resembled a real football team for a half last week), meanwhile, are three games away from wrapping up the No. 2 pick in the draft. The chances of an upset here seem pretty slim.
Cardinals (6-7) at Redskins (5-8): Washington-This one doesn't have any playoff significance, although some thought it might at the start of the season. Things just didn't quite turn out the way the Cardinals and Redskins would've hoped, though. Arizona did get that upset against Tennessee last week, but they're flying cross country for an early game this week. That doesn't usually bode well for them.
Packers (7-6) at Panthers (9-4): Green Bay-Aaron Rodgers returns this week, although it's not to "save the Packers' season." Green Bay still has visions of the playoffs, but their road isn't nearly as easy as it was last year. For example, they've got a visit to Carolina this week, then they play Minnesota and Detroit to finish the season. If they get in, they're gonna earn it. I do think they'll win this week, though. The allegations against Jerry Richardson may prove to be too much of a distraction for the Panthers.
Texans (4-9) at Jaguars (9-4): Jacksonville-Jacksonville can clinch a playoff spot this week. I repeat. Jacksonville can clinch a playoff spot this week. Last week's win over Seattle got ugly at the end, but it was definitely a statement game. And I think Blake Bortels was absolutely right. Teams aren't used to losing to the Jaguars. Well, it's their final home game of the regular season. They hope to have a home game or two in January, as well. A season sweep of Houston will go a long way towards making that goal happen.
Rams (9-4) at Seahawks (8-5): Rams-One of this week's most important matchups takes place in the Pacific Northwest, and it's a big one for both teams. The Seahawks are currently on the outside looking in of the NFC playoff picture, but they beat the Rams the first time, so they'll take over the NFC West lead if they complete the season sweep. The Rams looked mighty impressive against the Eagles last week, but they know that means nothing if they drop this one. For everything great they've done this season, they don't deserve to be fighting for a wild card down the stretch. They deserve a division-clinching win.
Patriots (10-3) at Steelers (11-2): New England-It's not just the game of the week. It's the most important game of the season in the AFC. And it's a game where Pittsburgh can really make a statement. The Patriots have had their number. They know that and the Patriots know it. New England's coming off that upset loss in Miami, which is actually completely irrelevant. They'll still have the inside track at the 1-seed with a win (while Pittsburgh will essentially lock it up if they win). Most fans expect a Patriots-Steelers rematch in the AFC Championship Game, with this one likely determining where that game will be. Expect that game to be in Foxboro.
Titans (8-5) at 49ers (3-10): Tennessee-Don't look now, but San Francisco has actually won three out of four. Although, those wins have come over the Giants, Bears and Texans, not exactly playoff contenders. The Titans, meanwhile, need to salvage their NFC West road trip if they want that Week 17 game with the Jaguars to be for the division title. Otherwise, they're looking at a wild card.
Cowboys (7-6) at Raiders (6-7): Oakland-On the other side of San Francisco Bay, the Cowboys visit the Raiders on Sunday night. This is the last game before Ezekiel Elliott returns from his suspension, and, after losing their first three without him, the Cowboys can actually get him back on a three-game winning streak. They're both still alive for the playoffs, although ever so slightly. The loser is essentially out. Oakland still has a chance at the division, too. They've got the motivation.
Falcons (8-5) at Buccaneers (4-9): Atlanta-Of all the wild card contenders in the NFC, Atlanta's in a better position than anybody. The Falcons have beaten the Seahawks, Lions, Packers and Cowboys, who just happen to be the four teams directly behind them for the 6-seed. Of course, they're just a game back in the NFC South, too, so defending their division title is definitely still a possibility. Especially since their last three games are all in the division. A Falcons win here, and we're set up for an exciting final two weeks in the division that looks to almost certainly produce three playoff teams.
Thursday Night: Denver (Win)
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 8-8
Overall: 130-79
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