WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL

1:00 PM Kansas City Chiefs (8-7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8)

Hard Luck Steelers in Desperation Mode. NFC West "Champs" Trying to Get Set for Playoffs

   The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a tough out all season long. Unfortunately, while being extremely competitive, they have lost too many white knucklers and now are in a desperate situation. They will almost certainly have to win their final two games versus these Chiefs and then defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in week 18 to have any shot at all and, even then, will probably still miss the playoffs. The Chiefs continue to have major problems and have not been able to get things squared away. They have, nonetheless, clinched the AFC West and will be the conference's 4th seed barring a late season collapse by the Miami Dolphins.

   KC lost another one in horrific fashion last week as they were destroyed by the Houston Texans, 62-31! QB Patrick Mahomes was hammered into the turf another 16 times bringing his season total to an incredible 153 sacks! The obvious pass blocking concerns have hit epidemic proportions and threaten to result in an early playoff exit. To be frank, nothing else will really matter if the Chiefs cannot get this problem corrected.

   Steelers' fans watched their team get into, yet another, close contest, this time against the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens. Trailing, 17-0, through three quarters, Pittsburgh would rally and close to within three. However, they could not close the deal and lost, 17-14. The defense played stellar ball once again sacking Raven QB Lamar Jackson 8 times and picking him off once, but the offense just could not get it done. They have scored 20 or fewer points in a game some 10 times this season going 3-7 in those contests. WRs George Pickens and Kadarius Toney have eclipsed the 1000-yard receiving threshold, but Pickens is averaging 12.9 YPC while Toney is at only 10 YPC! In addition, the longest pass play the Steelers have had all season long has been for just 67 yards...

 Final Analysis: Both teams have serious offensive deficiencies that have plagued them much of the season. The Chiefs simply cannot protect Mahomes, while the Steelers have been lacking vertical chunk plays out of their passing game as well as their running attack. The game will likely dissolve into a low scoring affair with quite a few negative plays. KC seems to score even as they give up points, while the Steelers have trouble scoring. Kansas City 27-20.

4:30 PM Baltimore Ravens (11-4) at Houston Texans (9-5-1)

Playoff Bound Teams Meet in Late-Season Test

  Both teams have been involved in numerous rugged games this season, so this is nothing new for them. Still, each club would like to play well in this one to build some momentum and confidence heading into the post-season. The Ravens are coming of a tough, 17-14, win over the Steelers and Houston is coming off an amazing, 62-31, rout of the Chiefs. They have now played games versus Tennessee (9-6), Jacksonville (11-4), and Miami (8-5-1) over three of their last four games beating the first two and then suffering a shocking last second loss to the Dolphins, 50-49, two weeks ago. they have shown they can play with many of the top teams in the AFC, thus far, and now would like to prove they can rock with the top ranked Ravens as well. 

   Baltimore has not quite clinched their division as the Cleveland Browns still have a chance to catch them in week 18, but a win here would seal the deal. They have not played particularly well of late losing to both the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants before edging the Steelers last week. Star QB Lamar Jackson has not posted a 100+ QBR game, now, in any of his last five games! Jackson has thrown six picks over his last four games and has absorbed  44 of his season's 87 traps (50.5%) over his prior six outings! One reason for the sack totals has to be the absence of a proven running game. HB Derrick Henry was expected to be a major weapon, but the power back has run for over 100 yards just once all year and has been held to 70 or fewer yards in nine games this season.

   The Texans have been playing solid ball for awhile now. They have won five of their last six as the play of QB CJ Stroud has emerged again. Maligned at the start of the year, Stroud has now piled up eight consecutive 100+ QBR performances and has  thrown 21 TD passes during that span. He threw for 5 touchdowns two weeks ago and followed that up with a 4 touchdown game last week versus KC. Meanwhile, the league's top rusher, Joe Mixon, keeps churning along. Mixon has run for 86 or more yards in each of his last six games and now has 1614 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns! In short, the Texans have one of, if not the, most exciting offense in all of football!

   Final Analysis: Baltimore just does not seem like they are running on all eight cylinders lately. Houston looks like a team that is on the vergse of dominance. Houston 27-22.

1:00 PM Denver Broncos (5-10) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)

Bengals Clawing at Door of Playoffs!

   The Cincinnati Bengals have been battling all season long in a gallant effort to secure a playoff berth. Despite an up and down campaign, they have positioned themselves to gain a place in the post-season party if they can win against Denver and then knock out the Pittsburgh Steelers in what could become a game of mammoth importance in the final weekend of the season!

   Cinci has kinda had a win one, lose one type of season. The departure of HB Joe Mixon to Houston was more impactful than anticipated and the backfield-by-committee approach has not been overly productive. Zach Moss is the leading rusher with only 667 yards and a 3.6 YPC average. WRs Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, along with TE Mike Gesicki, have been solid, but they also have 23 combined drops on the season. Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson, and Sam Hubbard have totalled 57 sacks, but the defense, as a whole, has recorded only 11 takeaways resulting in a -6 turnover ratio.

   Final Analysis: Cinci can do this, but will have to win here and then upset the Steelers on the road to do so! Cincinnati 25-18.

1:00 PM Indianapolis Colts (8-7) at New York Giants (10-5)

Colts in Jersey in Monster Game! Hot G-Men Seeking 5th Straight W

   The Colts had their six game winning streak halted last week, 32-19, in a loss to Tennessee. Now they hope to end another team's winning run as they visit the white-hot Giants. As an added incentive of course, Indy is right behind three other clubs (Houston, Cleveland, and Tennessee) for the final Wild Card Berth and simply cannot afford to lose this game here. The Giants are in the playoffs and are currently looking like the 5th seed. They do have a few teams to worry about as far as that seeding goes, but they control their destiny at this stage of the game.

   Indianapolis has generally ridden the success of second year quarterback Anthony Richardson all season long. The 6'4" 250 Lbs Richardson is one of football's largest players at the position and his dual-threat skillset has been a major weapon for the Colts. How he plays, though, is a serious barometer for the success or failure of the team. In games in which he has thrown 1 or less touchdown passes, the Colts have gone a miserable 1-6. The team has a very good 7-1 resume when he has had at least 2 TD passes! The Giants' defense has allowed an opposing signal caller to pass for 2 or more touchdowns in a game just three times all year and only Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield has had more than 2 (He had 3) in any game versus the Big Blue defense!

   The Giants have established a culture of running the football. This season has been no different than recent years when Saquon Barkley was toting the ball for them as the team leads the PFL in rushing averaging 129.1 YPG. The Colts rank 24th versus the run (96.6 YPG) and if they cannot stop the New York ground game it could be a long night.

   Final Analysis: A Must-Win for Colts in many ways. The Giants might want that 5th seed bad enough to keep playing their regulars. New York's defense is very good coming in #2 overall (260.3 YPG) and very good versus the pass (181.9 YPG). If Richardson cannot get TD passes, they lose.  New York 26-18.

1:00 PM Atlanta Falcons (5-10) at Washington Commanders (2-13)

Promising Future, Dismal Present

   The Falcons and Commanders have had some encouraging moments this season, but, for the most part, the year has been a real downer. Still, Atlanta is hanging its hat on QB Malik Willis, and the team's desire to have a running quarterback who can throw, surrounded by talented players. Washington has not won many games, but they do have QB Jayden Daniels and RB Brian Robinson as a building block...In short, both franchises seem rooted with sound footing and poised to be much improved come next season.

   Final Analysis: Not much to play for here between these two, but one can expect each team to battle hard. The off-season should be exciting for both camps. Atlanta 25-22.

1:00 PM New York Jets (6-9) at Buffalo Bills (7-8)

Jets' Season Over. Bills Still in Playoff Hunt!

   A long and disappointing Jets' season is winding down. The Aaron Rodgers' experiment seems to have failed with the team sitting 24th in passing (208.1 YPG) and 27th (284.5 YPG) overall on offense. It remains to be seen just exactly what the franchise will do in the off-season, but the inclusion of Rodgers remains in serious doubt. Buffalo, meanwhile, has easily enjoyed their most exciting season in quite some time and, at worst, the franchise has quite a few things to be motivated about in the future. They are, mathematically, in the playoff picture heading into the final two weeks of the season and this is uncharted waters for sure under the current organizational leadership! QB Josh Allen has taken a beating much of the season again (109 sacks), but the team has discovered a running game with RB James Cook (336-1257-7). The ground game has given the team some stabilty despite Allen being pummeled at least 10 times in four of his last seven games, and the Bills are on a three-game winning streak!

   Final Analysis: Buffalo will probably still miss out on the playoffs, but have to be happy with the season overall. Still, if they can ever find a way to keep Allen upright, they could be a real playoff contender come next season. Buffalo 23-17.

1:00 PM Green Bay Packers (10-5) at Minnesota Vikings (6-8-1)

Pack Tries to Close it Out. Vikes Play for Pride

   Green Bay can wrap up a playoff berth with a win here. However, they are in a precarious position as losses to Minnesota and then the Chicago Bears in week 18, could see them knocked out of the playoffs as they would lose the tie-breaker to the Arizona Cardinals if it came to that! Therefore, this is one they see as a Must-Win type event. Minnesota can play free and easy having been eliminated from playoff contention following their narrow, 24-21, loss to the Seahawks last week. The best they can do is 8-8-1 and they lost to the Rams so they would lose the tie-breaker there.

   The Packers slowly piled up a 23-0 lead on the Saints last week and then nearly made a fatal decision and began slowing it down just a bit too early. Had New Orleans been able to convert a 2-point try in the fourth quarter, the score would have been 23-16 and anyone's game. The offensive line was excellent allowing just 1 sack and the backfield duo of Josh Jacobs and rookie MarShawn Lloyd combined for 26 carries for 102 yards.

   The Vikings will need to find a way to effectively run the football as the Packers come in with the NFC's top pass defense (176.6 YPG) and sack total (110) as well as the league's #3 overall defense (269.7 YPG).  Green Bay won the first meeting between these two clubs, 41-6, as the D popped 10 sacks and 2 picks on then QB Sam Darnold. JJ McCarthy, however, has taken over the reins since then and poses a very different challenge. He has a sparkling 111.6 QBR on the season and has flipped 9 TD passes and averaged 361 YPG passing over his last four games!

   Final Analysis: This is a much better Minnesota team than the one Green Bay faced earlier in the year. The Packers made the decision to include Lloyd in the offense much more and the experiment seemed to work last week. They will need to run the ball well in order to open up the field for QB Jordan Love and Co.. Green Bay 28-21.

1:00 PM Las Vegas Raiders (4-11) at New Orleans Saints (7-8)

Saints Praying for Some Divine Intervention

    At 7-8, the odds the Saints can find a way into the NFC playoffs are slim. They will need to win both of their final games (Which would include a win over Tampa Bay) and get some help in order to make it. The Raiders are running out the last few granules of sand on a lost season and can only look to the future as consolation. A quarterback, almost certainly, will be one of the club's top off-season priorities.

   Final Analysis: The Saints should win this one. They staged a nice combat effort last week in their, 27-14, loss to Green Bay. Trailing, 23-0, the team opened it up and went mostly empty set which seemed to confuse the Packers. The team got to within 23-14 and went for two but came up short. QB Derek Carr did not turn it over and that was a key to the comeback.  New Orleans, 26-17.

1:00 PM Carolina Panthers (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4)

Bucs Prepping for Playoffs

    The Carolina Panthers have quite a bit of work and decision making facing them come this off-season. QB Bryce Young has been given several opportunities to convince ownership that he is the right guy for the job, but his future in Charlotte remains up in the air, so to speak. Tampa Bay, conversely, seems to have found a diamond in the rough in QB Baker Mayfield. He has thrown 34 TD passes with just 8 interceptions on the season while being sacked only 50 times! HB Rachaad White had had a fine campaign, as well, rushing for 1319 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Panthers do have a few playmakers on defense, but the lack of takeaways is a concern. Their 8 total is tied for last in the league and will be an off-season focus for sure. The Bucs do not have such a problem with 21 takeaways and a robust +12 turnover margin.

   Final Analysis: Tampa Bay has clinched the division and will likely be the #3 or #4 seeded team. They have things to work on and will be seeking to get the team to the playoffs healthy and ready to roll. Still, they have an outside chance at the #2 seed and will play hard in this one. Tampa Bay 30-18.

1:00 PM Tennessee Titans (9-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)

Critical Game for Titans' Playoff Aspirations!

   While Tennessee has played well much of the season, the reality is they now have two remaining games versus these Jaguars and then the Houston Texans. They can win both, obviously, but they could also easily drop both and that could find them outside of the playoff loop. Therefore, this game becomes one of paramount importance. Jacksonville still has Houston in their rear view mirror and has a week 18 date with the Indianapolis Colts scheduled, so they are also in a bit of a precarious position as far as the divisional crown is concerned.

   Jacksonville and Tennessee come in ranked #1 and #3, respectively, in the PFL on offense. The Jags are averaging 383.2 YPG while Tennessee is right behind rolling along while averaging 348.2 YPG. So, obviously, this one shapes up as a potential shootout. However, Jacksonville's QB Trevor Lawrence has been sacked 55 times while Tennessee's Will Levis has been blasted 114 times and that is a major factor in this one. In addition, the Jags have a +4 turnover margin compared to the Titans' -6 ratio and, if that is not enough, consider that Jacksonville is tied for 3rd in all of football with a staggering 109 sacks!

   Final Analysis: The defensive pressure could prove decisive especially when one takes into account that Tennessee is ranked 31st in the league in rushing (57.2 YPG), and if they cannot run the ball versus the Jags, then that means Levis will probably be exposed to the ferocity of the J-ville pass rush. Jacksonville 26-19.

4:25 PM Dallas Cowboys (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (13-2)

Is Big D-one? Top Bird Eagles Flying to #1 Seed

    The Dallas Cowboys still have an outside shot at the playoffs, but would need to shock these Eagles, win their week 18 game against Washington, and get some help. Dallas actually could have won the first meeting between these two clubs, but QB Dak Prescott threw four interceptions and Philly FS Reed Blankenship would take two of those back to the house as the Eagles won, 25-17. Philly comes in #2 on offense averaging 354.1 YPG and #5 on defense allowing 291.5 YPG. They are #2 in scoring (28.9 PPG), are #2 in takeaways (21), and have a +7 turnover margin on the season.

   It would be hard to see the Cowboys winning this game, but it is a bitter rivalry that has, often, led to unexpected results. Dallas has gone 7-2 in games in which Prescott has completed at least 62% of his pass attempts. The Eagles have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete at least 60% of HB Saquon Barkley and DT Jordan Davis back to the nest and, well, that is bad news for the Pokes.

   Final Analysis: Prescott has throw an interception in only five games this season. Four of his nine picks came in the Eagles' loss and he has not had any game this year, outside that one, where he has had more than 2 interceptions. If he can avoid the TO, Dallas has a chance at an upset. Philadelphia 29-18.

4:30 PM Arizona Cardinals (8-7) at Los Angeles Rams (8-6-1)

Monster Game at SOFI! Cards/Rams in Big Time Clash

    This is one of those games few saw coming at the commencement of the regular season. The Cardinals have slowly climbed up both the offensive and defensive statistical board and enter this contest rated 12th (337.3 YPG) on offense and 8th (300.3 YPG) on defense! Their 14 defensive interceptions are tied for 4th in the league. The Rams have 102 sacks and a +7 turnover margin to their credit, but the D has slipped to 29th (345.4 YPG) and is a major concern. They have gone 2-5-1 over their last 8 games. In short, this appears to be a matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions. Arizona looks like they are ascending, while LA feels like a team on a downward trend. Nonetheless, none of that will matter here as the victor will almost certainly take a huge step towards earning a playoff berth.

   Final Analysis: There really is no noticeable offensive trend that signals succuss or failure for the Rams. Arizona has gone 6-1 in games in which they have scored at least 24 points and the Rams have allowed at least 24 points in a game six times. Mmmmm.  Arizona 27-23???  

GAME OF THE WEEK

8:15 PM Seattle Seahawks (12-3) at Chicago Bears (9-6)

Rugged Foes Butt Heads at Historic Soldier Field

    Seattle continues to win close games by not making mistakes and eventually cashing in on the other teams' errors. They nipped the Vikings, 24-21, last week winning their seventh game by 5 or fewer points! The Bears are eying an NFC North championship if they can KO Seattle here and then beat the Packers next week at Lambeau Field. They could still claim the division with a loss here should Green Bay get dropped by the Vikings this week.

   The Seahawks play terrific defense and are one of football's most steady clubs. Their ability to disrupt offenses by getting into the backfield is well documented. They amassed 23 TFLs in last week's victory in a trend that has been ongoing for much of the season. They have now totalled 267 TFLs on the season! In comparison, Chicago has posted 181 TFLs on the year. The two teams are pretty close in several categories, but the Seahawks hold a huge edge in sacks (105-74), and in turnover margin (+6 to -6). A developing story has to be Seattle's red zone inefficiency as they come in ranked 31st inside the RZ with just a 26% number.

   Final Analysis: This is a significant game for both clubs. The Bears could both win the division and knock the Packers out of the playoffs next week should Green Bay lose to Minnesota this week! The Seahawks sitll can claim the top seed and bye, but at least want to hold onto the #2 seed, Seattle 23-21.

8:20 PM Miami Dolphins (9-5-1) at Cleveland Browns (8-7)

Will Weather Ground Fish in Dog Pound?

   The Miami Dolphins have wrapped up the AFC East and are hoping to take their high powered offense and improving defense deep into the playoffs if not all the way to the PFL title and hoist the coveted Pete Russo Trophy. They poured it on against the 49ers last week and appear primed to make a serious run at the AFC Crown. QB Tua Tagivailoa has a bevy of speedsters to throw it to and the Mercurial Da'Von Achane has proven to be an eleusive and explosive ball carrier. The Browns will need to get a good game out of QB Deshaun Watson and the let bruising Nick Chubb power his way over and through a vulnerable Miami front 7 if they are to win this critical game.

   Chubb's running could be the key here especially if the weather is cold and wet at, what is now called, Huntington Bank Field and the howling 67,431 members of the Dog Pound get revved up. The Miami offensive line is not overly fearsome and that could allow DE Myles Garrett to have a big day. Still, in the end, the play of Watson will need to be excellent and, even if it is, the Browns will need to find some way to slow down the Dolphins' scoring.

   Final Analysis: Cleveland really is in, essentially, a Must-Win deal here. They can pull off the upset, but a number of things must go their way. Not sure they have enough firepower or defense to get this one. Miami 30-20.

8:20 PM Los Angeles Chargers (2-13) at New England Patriots (5-10)

Maybe Next Year?

   Two teams with little to play for except pride. The Patriots will try to keep developing their young QB Drake Maye while the Chargers will have to look back upon the failures of their veteran QB Justin Herbert. Maye has shown promise with 19 touchdown passes, but clearly needs to improve over his 3124 yards and 12 interceptions. Herbert has been a turnover waiting to happen with 20 picks compared to 18 touchdowns!

   Final Analysis: Really not much to write home about on this one, The Patriots, though, do feel they have a bright future while the Bolts need to find a way to get Herbert firing on all 8 cyclinders come next season. New England 26-17.

8:15 PM Detroit Lions (2-13) at San Francisco 49ers (7-8)

Toothless Lions in California. No Gold for Niners?

   The Detroit Lions have endured a very long season after starting the year with such lofty expectations. The offense, that was suppsoed to be a big time hi-octane unit, never really materialized and the defense was not good enough to offset the lack of offensive punch. The Niners could not double up on their big win over the Rams from two weeks ago and were soldily routed by the Dolphins last week. Barring a bit of good fortune, the odds are high they will miss the playoffs.

   Both teams have had defensive woes much of the year. San Fran is ranked 21st and Detroit 28th in the league on defense. The Niners are 19th in sacks (75) and Detroit sits at #30 with just 66 traps. Then, on offense, neither club has been able to protect their quarterback very well. San Fran's Brock Purdy has been crushed some 112 times, the third most in football, and Detroit's Jared Goff has been clobbered 98 times which is the ninth most.

   Final Analysis: The inability to protect the quarterback has stifled too many drives and put too much pressure on the defenses for either of these two teams to find consistent success. The Lions have had, at least, a decent running game averaging 100.4 YPG, but the Niners are dead last in the league rushing averaging a meager 42.2 YPG! Both teams have been porous versus the pass on defense so this one looks like it will get down to which team can absorb the fewest sacks and get their passing game going. Gonna say San Fran?  San Francisco 32-24.