Happy new year! Here are my picks for this weekend’s games but first we have a look at some playoff scenarios.
NFC
Niners clinch a First-Round Bye & Home-Field Advantage with a win + Eagles & Lions loss
Eagles clinch NFC East with win + Cowboys loss
Buccaneers clinch NFC South with a win or tie + Falcons loss
Rams clinch a playoff berth with a win + Seahawks loss
Seahawks clinch a playoff berth with a win + Vikings/Packers tie
Vikings eliminated from playoff contention with a loss + Seahawks & Rams win
Packers eliminated from playoff contention with a loss + Seahawks or Rams win
Bears eliminated from playoff contention with a loss
Saints eliminated from playoff contention with a loss
Falcons eliminated from playoff contention with a loss + Buccaneers win
Clinched: Niners, Cowboys, Eagles, Lions
Eliminated: Panthers, Cardinals, Commanders, Giants,
AFC
Ravens clinch the AFC North, a First-Round Bye, and Home-Field Advantage with a win
Dolphins clinch the AFC East with a win or Bills loss
Chiefs clinch the AFC West with a win or Broncos + Raiders loss
Jags clinch the AFC South with a win + Colts and Texans loss
Bills clinch a playoff berth with a win + Steelers and Bengals loss/tie
Steelers eliminated from playoff contention with a loss + Colts & Texans win + Broncos loss
Bengals eliminated from playoff contention with a loss + Steelers & Bills win
Texans eliminated from playoff contention with a loss + Colts, Jags, & Bills win
Raiders eliminated from playoff contention with a loss
Broncos eliminated from playoff contention with a loss
Clinched: Ravens, Dolphins,
Eliminated: Patriots, Jets, Titans, Chargers,
Last week’s score: 10-6
Overall Score: 174-66
Thursday Night Football: New York Jets (6-9) @ Cleveland Browns (10-5)
Trevor Siemian is starting just four days after the Jets had their glorified bye week against the Commies and the Jets are facing an old familiar face: The elite Joe Flacco. The Browns may have lost their second quarterback for the season, but they’re still in the driver’s seat of their own playoff destiny. That alone should get Kevin Stefanski some votes for coach of the year. And I’m sure he’ll get some votes after the Browns smack the Jets around on TNF.
My Pick: Browns
Detroit Lions (11-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
The Detroit Lions have finally done it. For the first time in thirty years they have clinched the NFC North and will host a home playoff game. But before that happens, they have to play the Cowboys. I think this will be a shootout between two elite and high powered offenses. But as much as I want to say the Lions will get the win here, it is a home game. And that dictates that Dallas is going to win because they’re undefeated at home.
My Pick: Cowboys
Miami Dolphins (11-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
The Dolphins have finally beaten a team with a winning record. It’s a Christmas miracle! But they have perhaps the toughest test they could face in the Baltimore Ravens, who have proven that they’re the best team not just in the AFC, but in the entire league.
My Pick: Ravens
San Francisco 49ers (11-4) @ Washington Commanders (4-11)
This is going to be a homecoming for former Commanders defensive end Chase Young, who was traded for pennies on Halloween. I hope he gets four sacks in the first four offensive plays for the Commanders because you and I both know that this will be a butchering of biblical proportions. I wouldn’t have any kids watching.
My Pick: Niners by 60
New England Patriots (4-11) @ Buffalo Bills (9-6)
The Patriots’ win last week on Christmas Eve screwed their draft position up, moving down one spot and allowing the Commanders to get to the #3 spot. But they’ll get back to their losing ways because they’re trying to get Drake Maye.
My Pick: Bills
Atlanta Falcons (7-8) @ Chicago Bears (6-9)
Things could be interesting in Chicago. Their recent wins may have been enough to not just keep Fields in town, but Eberflus as well and they still have the #1 overall pick.
My Pick: Bears
Tennessee Titans (5-10) @ Houston Texans (8-7)
CJ Strouf had been cleared from concussion protocol, which is great because the Texans have a chance to clinch their division with some help.
My Pick: Texans
Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
My Pick: Colts
Carolina Panthers (2-13) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
The Panthers need to just lose two more games and the #1 pick will be Chicago’s. I expect another strong performance from Bryce Young but the Jags should get this W.
My Pick: Jags
Los Angeles Rams (8-7) @ New York Giants (5-10)
The Tommy DeVito experiment was fun while it lasted. He sucked, got benched for Tyrod Taylor and the Giants came within a hair of upsetting the Eagles.
My Pick: Rams
Arizona Cardinals (3-12) @ Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)
At least the Eagles’ losing skid is over. It was a lot closer than Philly fans may have wanted but they could still clinch the division.
My Pick: Eagles
New Orleans Saints (7-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Maybe Todd Bowles should be getting votes for coach of the year too because everyone thought the Buccaneers would be ass but not only do they have a winning record, but they’re on the cusp of clinching their division thanks to a comeback performance from Baker Mayfield. And it’s a good thing they’re playing the Saints because they’ve just laid down and died. Tampa is going to punch their ticket to a home playoff game thanks to more Baker shenanigans.
My Pick: Bucs
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) @ Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
I don’t think anyone expected the Bengals to lay down and die, let alone Mason Rudolph ball out. But the Steelers still aren’t in control of their destiny, and will get eliminated after losing to the Seahawks. Gen I’d back so hey should cruise to a dub.
My Pick: Seahawks
Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) @ Denver Broncos (7-8)
The Broncos have benched Russell Wilson and are going to cut him in March. Russ isn’t having a bad season statistically, 3k yards and a 3:1 TD to INT ratio. But it’s been clear the Russ experiment has been a colossal failure.
My Pick: Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) @ Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
For just the second time since Patrick Mahomes has taken over as starting quarterback, the Chiefs won’t get the first-round bye. And they’ll take their anger out on the Bengals after Jake Browning crashed to reality. This game won’t be pretty. Chiefs by 25.
My Pick: Chiefs
Sunday Night Football: Green Bay Packers (7-8) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
The Vikings are making a QB change after the Asstronaut fell to Earth. Fifth round pick Jaren Hall out of BYU will be getting the start. I don’t know what to expect from Hall, but I do expect Jordan Love to ball out and lead the Packers to a big win.
My Pick: Packers
Breaking It Down With DKown 