Ten teams are participating in the NFL playoffs. Eight others are competing for the last four places. The play-off photo will…
Ten teams are participating in the NFL playoffs. Eight others are competing for the last four places.
The play-off picture will become clearer in week 17.
The Eagles-Bills matchup is a potential Super Bowl preview. Texans-Chargers, Bears-49ers and Seahawks-Panthers could eventually play in the playoffs again.
Pro Picks aims to continue the good series:
DENVER (12-3) at KANSAS CITY (6-9)
Line: Broncos minus-12 1/2
The Broncos are playing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC after their 11-game winning streak was snapped by the Jaguars. The Chiefs will play their first game at Arrowhead Stadium since announcing they will be leaving for Kansas State after the 2031 season. Denver’s defense could make this ugly for third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun.
BEST BET: BRONCOS: 27-6
HOUSTON (10-5) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-4)
Line: Chargers min-2
CJ Stroud and the Texans are still in the race for first place in the AFC South. Houston’s top-ranked defense has something to prove after an underperformance in a win over the Raiders. Justin Herbert wasn’t fired last week for the first time this season, but the Chargers won’t face the Cowboys this week.
SPECIAL DISTURBED: TEXANS 23-20
DALLAS (6-8-1) and WASHINGTON (4-11)
Line: Cowboys minus-7
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are playing to avoid a losing season. The Commanders are proud of a dismal season that started with high expectations after reaching the NFC title game.
COWBOYS: 27-22
DETROIT (8-7) and MINNESOTA (7-8)
Line: Lions minus-7
The Lions need to win and Green Bay needs to lose twice to get in. The Vikings defeated them in Week 9 with JJ McCarthy. He’s injured again.
LEONS: 24-16
BALTIMORE (7-8) at GREEN BAY (9-5-1)
Line: Packers minus-3
The Ravens are eliminated with a loss. Lamar Jackson is dealing with a back injury. Jordan Love is trying to return from a concussion and backup Malik Willis hurt his shoulder. If Jackson plays, the desperate Ravens have a chance.
RAVENS: 22-20
ARIZONA (3-12) and CINCINNATI (5-10)
Line: Bengals minus-7
The Cardinals could be headed for a coaching change after Jonathan Gannon’s third straight losing season. The Bengals could be in a similar spot to coach Zac Taylor, and quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t seem happy in Cincinnati.
BENGAL: 27-23
PITTSBURGH (9-6) and CLEVELAND (3-12)
Line: Steelers minus-3
Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers could have clinched the AFC North by kickoff if the Ravens lose to the Packers on Saturday night. Myles Garrett is one sack away from breaking the single-season record of 22 1/2 shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt.
STAALERS: 23-17
NEW ORLEANS (5-10) at TENNESSEE (3-12)
Line: Saints minus-2 1/2
The Saints are 4-3 with rookie QB Tyler Shough and look to finish strong in a weak division where they are 3-2. Rookie QB Cam Ward is having his best game and another win would hurt Tennessee’s draft position.
SAINTS: 20-16
JACKSONVILLE (11-4) at INDIANAPOLIS (8-7)
Line: Jaguars minus-6 1/2
The Jaguars will clinch the AFC South if the Texans lose to the Chargers or win. They’re still playing for the No. 1 seed. Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL has been impressive, but the Colts are 0-2 and would be eliminated if Houston wins.
Foals: 24-23
TAMPA BAY (7-8) at MIAMI (6-9)
Line: Buccaneers minus-5 1/2
The Buccaneers have gone from 6-2 to possible elimination this week if they lose and the Panthers win. But Tampa Bay controls its future. Two wins and the Bucs are in. Quinn Ewers makes his second start for the Dolphins. He is faced with a shaky defense.
BUCKANIERS: 26-23
NEW ENGLAND (12-3) at NEW YORK JETS (3-12)
Line: Patriots minus-12 1/2
The Patriots are coming off an impressive win over the Ravens and still have a chance to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Jets, as usual this time of year, are playing for the top draft pick.
PATRIOTS: 30-13
SEATTLE (12-3) and CAROLINA (8-7)
Line: Seahawks minus-7
After a thrilling comeback victory in overtime to take over first place in the NFC West, the Seahawks need to win to stay on top and hold onto the No. 1 ranking. They could finish as low as sixth in the NFC. The Panthers could clinch the NFC South with a win and a loss to the Buccaneers. But if Tampa Bay beats Miami, this game is meaningless for Carolina. The Panthers should still beat the Buccaneers next week.
SEAHAWKS: 24-19
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-13) at LAS VEGAS (2-13)
Line: Raiders minus-1
This is the NFL’s version of a toilet bowl in fantasy football leagues. The winner is actually a loser, because he loses the No. 1 overall pick. Jaxson Dart had a tough game against the Vikings. But he is the quarterback of the future for the Giants. The Raiders need a franchise quarterback, so a loss would be beneficial. They should bench Ashton Jeanty – they won’t – to increase the odds of losing.
SUBSIDIARIES: 23-21
PHILADELPHIA (10-5) at BUFFALO (11-4)
Rule: Bills minus-1
The Eagles are all but locked into No. 3, although they could move up to No. 2 or drop to fourth. Jalen Hurts led them to an overtime comeback victory against Buffalo in 2023. Josh Allen and the Bills still have an outside chance to win the AFC East.
ACCOUNTS: 26-24
CHICAGO (11-4) and SAN FRANCISCO (11-4)
Line: 49ers minus-3
Caleb Williams and the Bears continue to find ways to win. They make a late comeback against the Packers. The 49ers, despite a depleted defense, can secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed with two wins. Christian McCaffrey is 151 yards away from his second career 1,000/1,000 season.
49ERS: 26-24
LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-4) and ATLANTA (6-9)
Line: Rams minus-8
Matthew Stafford and the Rams fell from first place in the NFC West to sixth in the conference with a loss to Seattle. They need to win to have a chance of getting back on top. Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson won’t make it easy for Los Angeles.
RAMS: 30-20
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Last week: Straight up: 11-5. Against spread: 11-4-1.
Overall: Straight up: 169-70-1. Against spread: 127-106-7.
Primetime: Straight up: 30-22-1. Against spread: 24-29.
Best bet: Straight up: 11-5. Against spread: 8-7-1.
Angry Special: Straight Up: 12-4. Against spread: 12-4.
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Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks: head here.
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