Lions @ Packers - The Lions have locked up their first playoff berth since the 1999 season, but will still be playing for playoff positioning, while the Packers have the #1 seed in the NFC locked up. With their undefeated season now out of reach after their loss to the Chiefs, the Packers may rest some of their key starters at some point in the game. Even if they don't the Lions offense has been unstoppable of late, and the Packers have looked somewhat mortal.
Prediction: Lions 34, Packers 30
49ers @ Rams - With a win against the Rams, San Francisco can lock up the #2 seed in the NFC, completing a ridiculous one-year turnaround. The Rams have had a hugely disappointing season, and both Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator could be looking for new jobs after this week. The 49ers running game should have little trouble against a very bad Rams rush defense.
Prediction: 49ers 30, Rams 10.
Jets @ Dolphins - The Jets are barely in the AFC Wild Card race, and even if they win, will need help to reach the postseason. Outside of the Eagles, the Jets are probably the most disappointing team in the NFL, as Mark Sanchez hasn't progressed as hoped. The Dolphins have been playing very good football over the past couple of months, and with a runnning game clicking, they'll look to avenge an earlier loss to New York.
Prediction: Jets 23, Dolphins 20.
Bears @ Vikings - The Bears haven't won since they lost Jay Cutler to injury, dropping from what appeared to be a lock for a postseason berth to missing the playoffs all together. The one encouraging sign has been the play of Kahlil Bell, who has been effective in replacing the injured Matt Forte. The Vikings have struggled with consistency, and will be without Adrian Peterson, who tore his ACL and MCL last week. Toby Gerhart has run with more authority this season than last year, but may struggle through the air, as Christian Ponder is going through typical rookie growing pains.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Bears 20.
Bills @ Patriots - Buffalo snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Broncos, which was spear-headed by four interceptions (two of which returned for touchdowns), as well as a Leodis McKelvin punt return for touchdown. C.J. Spiller has been very good since taking over for an injured Fred Jackson, racking up 304 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns the past three weeks. The Patriots still need a win to assure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and for extra motivation, will look to avenge an early-season loss to the Bills.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Bills 17.
Panthers @ Saints - Carolina and rookie QB Cam Newton have exceeded all expectations this season, and have a top five offense, as Newton is breaking basically every rookie quarterback record there is. Speaking of record-breaking, New Orleans' Drew Brees now holds the single-season passing yardage record, breaking Dan Marino's mark of 5,084 in 1984. While their defense is still somewhat vulnerable, their ridiculously potent offense seems to be able to make up for their shortcomings, and with a win and 49ers loss, would lock up a first-round bye.
Prediction: Saints 38, Panthers 28.
Redskins @ Eagles - Washington will look to end the season on a two-game winning streak, and build towards next season. This game will likely be the last time Rex Grossman is the planned starter, as there's no doubt Mike Shanahan would like to either add an established veteran or potentially a rookie into the fold for 2012. The Eagles are trending upwards, but its too little, too late for their playoff hopes. With Michael Vick at quarterback, DeSean Jackson is a different receiver, as they are able to better stretch the field. LeSean McCoy will likely end up leading the NFC in rushing, and has scored 17 rushing touchdowns.
Prediction: Eagles 30, Redskins 21.
Colts @ Jaguars - Indy is riding a two-game winning streak into their season finale, knocking off division foes Tennessee and Houston at home in consecutive weeks, though both were in the friendly confines of LucasOil Stadium. Even with a win, the Colts could still end up with the #1 pick, provided the Rams beat the 49ers, which isn't exactly likely. Jacksonville has new ownership, and should be able to run the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew against a bad Colts rush defense.
Prediction: Jaguars 27, Colts 17.
Titans @ Texans - Tennessee will need a win and some help to make the postseason, as their week fifteen loss to the Colts is looming large. Chris Johnson has played better, and needs just 14 yards to break 1,000 on the season. Matt Hasselbeck has struggled some with turnovers lately, and will likely be playing behind Jake Locker (who has played well when called upon) next season. The Texans have locked up their first division title and playoff berth in franchise history, but will look to avoid a three game losing streak to close out the regular season. Look for heavy doses of Arian Foster and the Houston rush offense, but will need to throw the ball more with T.J. Yates in order to keep the Titans defense honest.
Prediction: Texans 24, Titans 20.
Buccanneers @ Falcons - Raheem Morris badly needs a win to have a chance to keep his job, as his team has regressed in almost every statistical category this season. Atlanta can still slide up to the #5 seed in the NFC, and would like to bounce back after a poor defensive performance against the Saints in New Orleans last week.
Prediction: Falcons 31, Buccanneers 16.
Ravens @ Bengals - Both teams have a lot on the line, as the Ravens can lock up no worse than the #2 seed with a win, and the Bengals clinch a Wild Card spot with a home win. The Ravens need to play better on the road (3-4), and could struggle against a good Bengals defense. If the Bengals are to win, they'll need to avoid turnovers, and need at least one big play in the passing game.
UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!! Bengals 24, Ravens 21.
Steelers @ Browns - The Steelers still have a shot to win the AFC North and get a first-round bye with a win and Ravens loss, and would like to perform better in a re-match from week fourteen. The Browns have been playing better of late, but the Browns offense has been very inconsistent, and will need Seneca Wallace to have a big day passing, as Peyton Hillis will likely struggle against the Steelers defense.
Prediction: Steelers 27, Browns 13.
Chiefs @ Broncos - The return of Kyle Orton to Denver is huge, as he has an opportunity to knock Denver out of the playoffs. Dwayne Bowe has had another good season, but could struggle against Champ Bailey, who is still a very good cornerback despite having his best years behind him. The key to the game will be turnovers, as Tim Tebow threw four interceptions against the Broncos 40-14 loss to the Bills.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Chiefs 20.
Chargers @ Raiders - The Raiders need a win and Broncos loss to win the AFC West, but have struggled on defense as of late. The Chargers and Philip Rivers have a statistically solid offense, but struggled mightily against the Lions in Detroit last week. Rivers has 19 interceptions on the season, and the offensive line has struggled to protect him. Carson Palmer of the Raiders has also struggled with turnovers, averaging over about two turnovers a game since arriving in Oakland mid-season. Whichever quarterback can protect the ball better will see his team win.
Prediction: Raiders 28, Chargers 27.
Seahawks @ Cardinals - Marshawn Lynch continued his touchdown streak this past week against the 49ers, becoming the first player to both rush for a touchdown and crack 100 yards against the San Francisco defense, but the Seahawks fell in a hard-fought contest 19-17. The fact that Lynch was not in the Pro Bowl is a travesty. The Cardinals rallied late last week against the Bengals, but couldn't erase an early 23-0 halftime deficit. A win for the Cardinals would move them to 6-2 with John Skelton under center, and could create an interesting decision for management, who traded for Kevin Kolb and gave him a very lucrative six year deal.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Cardinals 17.
Cowboys @ Giants - In a game that will determine the NFC East title, the Cowboys will look to bounce back from last week's loss to the Eagles, and Tony Romo will play despite having an injured throwing hand from the Philadelphia game. The Giants got a big win over the inter-city rival Jets, are playing at home, and are playing better football as of late, but NFC East games are almost always toss-ups.
Prediction: Giants 31, Cowboys 29.
Last Week: 11-5 (.688)
Season: 161-79 (.671)
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