(6-9) Cleveland Browns @ Washington Commanders (7-7-1)
The Washington Commanders suffered a second successive loss last week (in San Fran) and their play hopes are living on a tightrope. As it stands, the Commanders sit bottom of the NFC East and if the season ended today, they would just get in as the number 7 seed. As for Cleveland, their very small chance of making the playoffs turned into no chance after they lost at home to the New Orleans Saints. As it stands, the Browns sit bottom of the AFC North and if the season ended today, the Browns would finish as the 4th worst team in the AFC. Overall, I am going to pick the Commanders. When it comes to making the playoffs, it’s all in Washington’s hands. They take a big step in making the postseason with a win here over a Browns team that are just waiting for the season to end.
(7-8) Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (2-12-1)
The Houston Texans can finally smile as they went to Tennessee and punished the Titans 19-14. As it stands, the Texans still sit bottom of the AFC South and if the season ended today, they would take the number 1 seed. As for Jacksonville, they managed to beat the New York Jets on the road (19-3) to extend their winning run to 3 games. As it stands, the Jaguars now sit top of the AFC South and if the season ended today, they would take the number 4 seed. Overall, I am picking the Jags. Even though Jacksonville don't need to win this game, a fourth straight win going into next week’s “Winner takes all” bout with the Titans would surely set them up for success. Let’s see what Houston have got left.
(11-4) San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders (6-9)
The Las Vegas Raiders’ playoff hopes were all but ended by the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-13). As it stands, the Raiders sit third in the AFC West and if the season ended today, they wouldn’t come close to the playoffs. As for the 49ers, they made it 8 wins in a row with a comfortable performance over the Washington Commanders. As it stands, the 49ers are sitting top of the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would take the number 3 seed. Overall, I am picking the 49ers. San Fran are on a roll right now; their offense looks super difficult to stop and their defense doesn’t allow much past them. It’s going to take something special to stop them.
(7-8) New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks (7-8)
The Seattle Seahawks host the New York Jets in a game in which if you lose, your playoff hopes are over. The Seattle Seahawks lost in Kansas City last week and they come into this game off of the back of 3 straight losses. As it stands, the Seahawks sit second in the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would miss out by a tie. As for New York, they were comfortably beaten at home by the Jacksonville Jaguars and they come into this game off of the back of four straight losses. As it stands, the Jets sit bottom of the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would also just miss out on the playoffs. Overall, I am going to say that Seattle win this game. Both teams have had really similar years; they both exceeded expectations for the first half of the season and now they are both coming back down to earth. I’m going with Seattle because I just think they have enough about them to get the victory. However, it’s worth mentioning that Robert Saleh knows how to beat the Seahawks in Seattle.
(12-3) Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers (7-8)
Somehow, the Green Bay Packers’ season is still alive! They went to Miami on Christmas day and came out 26-20 victors over the Dolphins. As it stands, the Packers sit third in the NFC North and if the season ended today, they wouldn’t quite make the playoffs. As for Minnesota, they earnt a good win over the New York Giants to keep them in the fight for the number 1 seed. As it stands, the Vikings sit top of the NFC North and if the season ended today, they would take the number 2 seed. Overall, I’m actually going to go with the Packers. When the Packers play good stuff, they are very hard to beat. Yes, Minnesota have been much stronger this year but in a game as big as this, I expect the Packers to turn their home back into a fortress.
(5-10) Los Angeles Rams @ Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
The Los Angeles Chargers secured a spot in the playoffs with a comfortable win in Indianapolis (20-3). As it stands, the Chargers sit second in the AFC West and if the season ended today, they would take the number 6 seed. As for the Rams, they thumped the Denver Broncos 51-14 to give themselves a little bit of hope for next season. As it stands, the Rams sit third in the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would finish as the fourth-worst team in the NFC. Overall, I expect the Chargers to win this game. They are playing with a lot of momentum right now and it’s important that they keep that up going into the playoffs. Also, they could still get the number 5 seed.
(7-8) Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
The Baltimore Ravens were able to get back into the winning column last week with a 17-9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. As it stands, the Ravens sit second in the AFC North and if the season ended today, they would take the number 5 seed. As for Pittsburgh, they managed to beat the Las Vegas Raiders 13-10 to keep their playoff hopes alive. As it stands, the Steelers sit third in the AFC North and if the season ended today, the Steelers would finish as the 10th-best team in the AFC. Overall, I am going to say the Steelers. Pittsburgh clearly don’t want to give up on their playoff dream and for me, I can see them at least taking it to the final week. Also, Baltimore have lots to play for and that could end up messing with their minds a bit.
(12-3) Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)
The Cincinnati Bengals host the Buffalo Bills in a game that has massive implications for both teams’ playoff runs. Cincinnati were able to get over the line in New England and their winning run is now up to 7 games. As it stands, the Bengals sit top of the AFC North and if the season ended today, they would take the number 3 seed. As for Buffalo, they stuffed the Chicago Bears (35-13) and their winning run is now up to 6 games. As it stands, the Bills sit top of the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 1 seed in the AFC. Overall, I am going to go with the Bengals. It’s crazy to think that as of right now, Buffalo are getting a bye to the Divisional Round. However, if they lose to Cincinnati, there’s a very good chance that they will end up finishing the season as the number 3 seed meaning they would probably have to go to either Cincinnati or Kansas again. Also, I’ve said for a while that if the Bengals are on form, there really aren’t many (if at all any) teams that can beat them. Let’s see if that statement holds out to Week 18.
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