The week’s worst and best games: Chiefs-Seahawks, Ravens-Chargers, & Steelers-Saints (best), and Raiders-Broncos, Patriots-Bills, & Rams-Cardinals (worst).
If nothing else, the NFL is full of surprises. It’s the time of year when losing teams fold and play out the string. This year, some of them didn’t, and that reality relegated me to an 8-8 week.
My year-to-date record now stands at 135-87-2 (.608). With two weeks to go, I’ll need to go 11-5 each week to tie last year’s win total of 157. The record of 169 wins is sadly out of reach.
(NOTE: All games will be played on Sunday afternoon unless otherwise noted.)
Tennessee 27, Washington 10 (Saturday afternoon): Just when the Titans needed to show some consistency, Tennessee has done just that. The timing couldn’t be better as the Titans try to break out of the pack and grab the AFC’s sixth and final playoff spot. With that in mind, the Redskins won’t find Nashville as accommodating as Jacksonville was.
Los Angeles Chargers 24, Baltimore 20 (Saturday night): The scheduling gods dictated that the Ravens had to play the Chargers in LA this year. But, for the Ravens, this game couldn’t come at a worse time. The Ravens don’t fare well on the road or against winning teams–especially teams that have had extended rest. Baltimore is coming off a short week. And in LAC, the Ravens are facing the best team they’ve played this year. There’s too much to overcome. Baltimore’s playoff chances will take a hit.
Cincinnati 20, Cleveland 16: The lackluster Bengals didn’t stand a chance against the rejuvenated Raiders last week (so I thought). But Cincinnati breathed life into its late-season fortunes with an unexpected win. This time ’round, they’ll go for a road win and a split in the annual “Battle Of Ohio.” The loser of this will likely finish last in the AFC North–a place that has been Cleveland’s second home.
Indianapolis 23, New York Giants 13: This game was cross-flexed by the league from Fox to CBS. The only question is whether fans in the nation’s biggest media market (New York, that is) will bother to watch. The Giants are coming off an embarrassing home shutout loss to Tennessee. The Colts surprised everyone by blanking Dallas. Indy is the choice here.
Miami 30, Jacksonville 10: As I expected, the Dolphins’ two-week run of luck ran out in a blowout loss at Minnesota. The Jaguars’ luck? Well, you know the answer. Neither of these teams is going anywhere, but the Jags are going there faster.
Dallas 33, Tampa Bay 13: Maybe it’s appropriate that Dallas will clinch the NFC East title (one that I thought it would win before the season started) at home against the inferior Bucs. If so, it will be the Cowboys’ 23rd division title, tied for the second-most in league history. Tampa Bay’s fate is preparing for yet another off-season of change.
Atlanta 27, Carolina 19: The Panthers suddenly forgot how to take care of the ball, let alone win a game. The Falcons may have dispatched a bad Arizona team, but winning is always better than losing, no matter the quality of opponent. Carolina has lost six straight. Falcons prevail.
Minnesota 24, Detroit 10: After taking care of Miami at home, the Vikings head on the road for an always entertaining NFC North Division clash with the moribund Lions–a team that found a way to lose to woeful Buffalo last week. But the Vikings have something to play for–they’re hanging onto a playoff spot by their fingernails–and can’t afford to misstep. The Lions are, well, the Lions.
New England 40, Buffalo 6: The Patriots get their last two division games at home. That’s good news as they try to salvage a top-two playoff seed and a first-round bye. While New England will need help to get that job done, they’ll satisfy their part of the bargain this week. Why? They play the Bills.
Green Bay 30, New York Jets 23: Aaron Rodgers has come up short this season in spots where he usually doesn’t. And even though he and his Packer teammates have been inept away from Lambeau Field, it seems improbable that they could lose to the Jets. But I also know Sam Darnold continues to develop. That’s why I think this will be a close game with GB prevailing.
Houston 27, Philadelphia 20: The Eagles and their fans have every right to be proud of that unexpected road win at LAR. But can Nick Foles catch lightning in a bottle for a second straight year? Probably not. I think a Dallas win will eliminate Philly from the playoffs. Besides, Houston isn’t the same old underachieving bunch.
New Orleans 33, Pittsburgh 30: As I predicted, the Steelers doggedly hung on to the AFC North lead by shaking off a December malaise and upending New England. Still, though, it’s asking too much for Pittsburgh to beat NO on the road–not with its wayward kicker, an injured running back, and a leaky defense.
Los Angeles Rams 37, Arizona 10: This is the NFC’s equivalent of the Buffalo-New England game. A host is playing for a high postseason seed while the visitors are one of the league’s worst outfits. Even with Jared Goff slumping and Cooper Kupp out, the Rams should win easily.
Chicago 26, San Francisco 17: The 49ers have found a way to surprise a few teams this year. Denver and Seattle will tell you that. But Chicago features one of the few defenses in the league and this team comes to play week in and week out.
Seattle 24, Kansas City 23 (Sunday night): It seems a tall task for the Chiefs to win at noisy CenturyLink Field until you remember that Arrowhead Stadium rivals Seattle for noise and distraction. While the Chiefs haven’t lost two straight all year, if it’s going to happen, then this is the week. No matter the outcome, though, this game is (by far) the week’s best contest.
Oakland 13, Denver 9 (Monday night): It’s Christmas Eve and the last Monday Night game of the year. The NFL celebrates by pitting playoff-eliminated teams in the AFC West. I’m not even sure fans in Oakland and Denver will be watching.
