THURSDAY 8:20 PM: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-7) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-8-1)

DOOR STILL OPEN FOR INDY PLAYOFF RUN. NINERS ON VERGE OF ELIMINATION

    The Colts are still very much in the playoff hunt after some competitors were upended last week. There are, now, no fewer than six teams within one game of each other in the loss column in the AFC making for an exciting, but muddled, final few weeks of the season on tap. Indy has, arguably, the easiest route to a berth, but will need to avoid an upset to these Niners or the Jets and then take care of business versus divisonal rival Tennessee and the Vegas Raiders in week 18. They have won five of their last six games. They won last week, 27-19, over the Chargers with an offensive game plan that eskwed the running game and leaned, heavily, on the defense to carry the day. The Niners did get 84 yards rushing out of HB Christian McCaffrey last week, but on just 13 carries, and the team would drop its sixth in a row, 51-24, to the front running Cardinals. QB Brock Purdy would be dropped 9 more times and picked off twice in the lopsided defeat.

   Final Analysis: Colts playing solid ball, overall, should have little problem with the Niners. Indianapolis 31-17.

                                                     SUNDAY 1:00 PM: CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-10) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-12)

LOST SEASONS WINDING DOWN IN OHIO INTRA-STATE RIVALRY

    Two lost seasons are coming to a conclusion in Ohio. The Bengals were never able to get another one of their well known second half runs to glory going, while the Browns grappled with quarterback decisions and a running game that never truly got to expected levels. Cinci gave up 30+ points for the fourth time in its last five games and QB Joe Burrow would equal his season high by getting sacked 11 times as the team lost, 31-10, to the Houston Texans last week. The Browns became the latest victim of the talented Baltimore Ravens as HB Nick Chubb suffered the fate virtually every back has had to endure when facing Baltimore. Chubb would finish with just 43 yards on 18 carries (2.4 YPC) in the dreary defeat.

   Final Analysis: Both teams have had rough years and would want to finish on a high note if possible. Cinci has the better quarterback and that might be the edge they need. Cincinnati 22-18.

GAME OF THE WEEK

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: ATLANTA FALCONS (9-4) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-4)

FALCONS LOOK TO WRAP UP DIVISION AS PATRIOTS' SLIP MAY HAVE COST THEM

   There really has not been much of a challenge in the NFC North to the Falcons this season, although the Saints are still within striking distance should Atlanta falter. They lost a narrow, 21-18, game to the Dolphins last week in which they held the statistical edge. But QB Malik Willis would fumble twice and Dolphin OLB Bradley Chubb would recover one in the endzone for a touchdown that, ultimately, led to the final margin. The defense played excellent ball, yet again, shutting down the Dolphins' offense much of the day and holding the Fish to just 209 total yards of offense! The Patriots may have suffered a fatal blow to their divisional aspirations last week as they were upset by the Titans, 21-14! QB Drake Maye had an uncharacteristic game getting sacked a season high 9 times and throwing a pick for only the third time all year! In a remarkable stat, Tennessee did not run the ball a single time in the contest! Both of these teams play a conservative styled game in efforts to limit sacks and turnovers. The Patriots average 26.1 PPG scoring and have been giving up 23 PPG while Atlanta has been scoring at a 21.6 PPG clip and ceding just 17.15 PPG on defense. 

   Final Analysis: The Falcons are second in the league with 18 takeaways, but also have fumbled it away six times which is tied for the third most in the PFL. New England has turned the ball over just 4 times all year long, which is the third fewest in the league trailing only the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals with 3. That makes this matchup a likely defensive battle where a key mistake or two could be the difference. The Patriots have rookie back Ashton Jeanty to compliment Maye. The Falcons use Bijan Robinson to aide Willis. Willis, though, will run more than Maye and could be a factor one way or the other in this one. Tight game here. New England 22-18.

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: DALLAS COWBOYS (7-6) AT WASHINGTON COMMNADERS (3-10)

COWBOYS BATTLING FOR PLAYOFF BERTH. IMPROVED COMMANDERS IN SPOILER ROLE

    It has been a roller coaster season, thus far, for the Dallas Cowboys. The team can look good one week, flop the next, and then look good the following week after that. They got 112 yards rushing on 25 carries out of rookie back Dylan Sampson in last week's key, 37-30, win over the Denver Broncos. However, QB Dak Prescott would hurl two more interceptions that included not one, but two, pick six's by Bronco CB Patrick Surtain and an electric 55 yarder by SS Jahdae Barron! Prescott has now thrown a stunning 8 picks in his last three games and 9 in his last four! Washington keeps taking positive strides forward despite losing games. In last week's eventual, 33-28, to the Kansas City Chiefs, it would take a big 13 point 4th quarter rally by KC to erase what was a, 28-23, Commanders' advantage after three quarters of play!

   Final Analysis: The erratic play of Prescott has become a major worry in Big D. Washington is a very dangerous team right now and could pull out the stunner here should the Cowboys have too many miscues. Do expect Dak to play better and the running of Sampson could be enough. Dallas 28-21.

                                                               1:00 PM CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-12) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-6)

                                                                    SURGING SAINTS EYE PLAYOFFS! PANTHERS EVALUATING FUTURE

    A late season uptick has the Halos in serious playoff contention. They pulled off a big upset of the Giants, 25-21, last week and have now won four out of their last five! The defense played excellent led by DE Chase Young.  Young would record 5 sacks of New York QB Daniel Jones including one for a safety. The D got to Jones 12 times (A season high for him) and forced him into three fumbles on the day. The Panthers are coming off their bye week. Their lack of offensive scoring has been well documented and will have issues scoring on the suddenly stingy New Orleans' defense.

   Final Analysis: Could be a closer game than expected due to the Saints' offensive style. Still, New Orleans is currently sitting as the 7th seed and could find their way in with a couple of more wins and maybe another loss or two by the Dallas Cowboys and/or Giants. New Orleans 24-18. 

 1:00 PM: TENNESSEE TITANS (6-7) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (6-7)

MAJOR CLASH IN AFC SOUTH!

    A huge game in the AFC South as well as the conference here folks! The winner will stay right in the middle of the playoff hunt and could easily find themselves even challenging for the divisional crown, while the loser will need some help and maybe have to run the table in order to have a playoff shot. Tennessee shocked the Patriots last week, 21-14, and did so by not running the ball a single time! However, it was a fine defensive effort that sacked Patriot QB Drake Maye a season high 9 times and intercepted him once that earned the garlands. Houston, meanwhile, was busy dismantling the demoralized Bengals, 31-10, as the Texans won their third straight. QB CJ Stroud continued his fine play of late throwing 2 TD passes while completing 12 of 19 pass attempts for 242 yards while only getting sacked twice. The Texans had nice balance as rookie tailback Treveyon Henderson rushed 25 times for 89 yards on the day. DE Wil Anderson had 5 sacks as part of a furious 11 sack assault on Bengal QB Joe Burrow.

   Final Analysis: Both teams playing well enough to be playoff contenders. This one could get down to the play of the quarterbacks. Will Levis tends to take sacks and the Titans' running game, well, was literally abandoned last week completely! Houston and Stroud seem to be hitting a nice rhythm and the running of Henderson gives them a bit more balance to their attack. Houston 27-20.

                                     1:00 PM: BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-0) AT NEW YORK JETS (4-9)     

                             RAVENS ZEROING IN ON UNDEFEATED SEASON. JETS TRYING TO CONCLUDE YEAR ON UPSWING                  

    There has been little resistance to the power and might of the Baltimore Ravens this season. Their run defense has been virtually impregnable all season long making it difficult for any team to sustain offensive success. They blanked the Cleveland Browns last week, 34-0, as they rushed for over 150 yards, sacked Browns' QB Kurtis Rourke 9 times, and held another opposing tailback to less than 50 yards on the ground! The Jets upset the Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-24, with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers throwing for 279 yards and 4 touchdowns. He will need to be razor sharp in this one as it is probable Gang Green will have no success running the ball.

   Final Analysis: Nobody can run on Baltimore and that makes every Raven opponent one-dimensional. Baltimore 30-13. 

    1:00 PM:  MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (8-5)

DOLPHS ON CUSP OF ANOTHER AFC EAST CROWN! WILL ROUGH END TO SKED UNSADDLE BILLS?

    PFL regular seasons are always full of unexpected ups and downs. The annual viscissitudes appeared to snag the Dolphins after their week 10 loss to the New England Patriots. Since then, however, Miami has reeled off four straight wins, while the Pats and these Buffalo Bills floundered a bit. The Bills, coming off their bye week, may have salvaged their season with a convincing, 35-14, rout of the New Orleans Saints that ended a short, but pivotal, two game losing run that likely cost them any real shot at winning the AFC East. At this point, though, winning the division is not nearly as significant as making the playoffs and the Bills need to rack up a few wins down the stretch in order to nail down a wild card berth. The running of tailback James Cook has become the latest positive barometer for the club. Buffalo has a perfect 6-0 record in any game in which he runs for over 100 yards and the 5'11" 190 Lbs back has had two 200+ yard outings this year! 

   Final Analysis: Miami is on a roll. Buffalo has played well enough to be a genuine playoff team. but they have games against the Dolphins, Patriots, and Giants left on their schedule and would need to upset at least one of those teams to have a chance at a 10 win season. Miami 30-20.

                                                                        1:00 PM: PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-6) AT DETROIT LIONS (2-10-1) 

                                     DESPERATE PITTSBURGH NEEDS A WIN BADLY                   

    An upset loss at this point in the season can prove disastrous. The Pittsburgh Steelers can only hope that last week's, 28-24, defeat at the hands of the New York Jets does not prove to have been a fatal wound. The team has the Lions and Bears left on their schedule, but also has games against the top running Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins slated yet, thus clouding the playoff scenario quite a bit for the franchise. As of now, they would be outside the playoff window and have a host of teams that are lurking within 1 game of them.

   Final Analysis: The Lions are without ownership and the Steelers should get the much needed W here. It is beginning to shape up that 10 wins will be the magic number for a playoff berth in the AFC. That would mean the Steelers will probably need to find some way to win three of their last four games. NO LINE

                                                            4:05 PM: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-3) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-11)

WITHOUT STAFF EAGLES STUMBLE AGAIN AND LEAVE TOP SEED DOOR OPEN TO CARDS! LOW ENERGY BOLTS HOST AT SOFI

    For the second time this season the Philadelphia Eagles played a game without their coaching staff intact. And, for the second time this season, the club endured a humiliating defeat that will likely hand the Arizona Cardinals the top seed in the NFC. Philly would drop a, 38-32, stinker to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as HB Rachaad White powered his way to 108 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns for the Bucs. Eagle CB Darius Slay did have a 33 yard pick-6 to help the Philly cause, but it proved not to be enough. With the loss, the Eagles fall 1 game behind the Cardinals who will be favored in each of their final 4 games. An earlier, 21-7, loss to the Dallas Cowboys under the same circumstances has tipped the playoff picture dramatically.

   Final Analysis: A ton might have been lost last week for the Eagles. They could, now, end up as low as the 4th seed in the conference with another loss combined with the results of the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings! They are just a half game ahead of Minnesota and a game ahead of Atlanta, but the Falcons have, at the moment, the better conference record. However, Minny and Atlanta face each other next week in a game that should settle the likely playoff seedings. Philadelphia 35-10.

     4:05 PM: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-5) AT DENVER BRONCOS (6-7)

KC STILL IN LINE FOR ANOTHER AFC WEST CHAMPIONSHIP. BRONCOS IN FREE FALL?

    The Kansas City Chiefs are accustomed to easily winning the AFC West. An early season challenge by the Denver Broncos seems to have subsided, but the stubborn Las Vegas Raiders are still offering resistance. KC lost a dramatic game three weeks ago to the Eagles, but were able to rebound last week, albeit with plenty of suspense again, with a, 33-28, win over the vastly improved Washington Commanders. It would take a big 4th quarter rally to secure the victory. The defense did see Washington second year QB Jayden Daniels connect for 4 TDs, but the unit also recorded 8 sacks and two interceptions and the offense would score 30+ points for the eighth consecutive time! Denver would lose its sixth game out of its last seven, 37-30, to the Dallas Cowboys. The defense came up with some huge plays as CB Patrick Surtain and SS Jahdae Barron each had pick 6 plays off Cowboys' QB Dak Prescott. The plays distorted the stats as the offense was not on the field as much as a result. Still, Dallas would be able to put up 37 points as TE Jake Ferguson took a page out of the Indianapolis Colts' playbook and would complete two passes for 123 yards and a touchdown!

   Final Analysis: The Broncos seem to have fallen apart in the second half of the season. They would need to run the table in order to get to 10 wins. They are currently in pack of six teams all vying for a wild card berth with all three AFC South teams still competing for their divisional title! KC can catch the Raiders, again, if they win here and the Raiders lose to the Jaguars. Kansas City 35-17.

  4:15 PM: NEW YORK GIANTS (6-6-1) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-9)

G-MEN IN PRESSURE COOKER STATUS! RAMS PLAYING UPSET ROLE

    A big loss last week to the New Orleans Saints has imperiled the Giants' playoff odds. They still have a solid shot at the post-season, but any hiccup along the way will likely be fatal. That makes this game versus the Rams a must-win event. New York got into some uncharted waters last week as QB Daniel Jones would suffer 12 sacks and an interception. The dozen traps easily outdistanced his prior season high of the 8 he absorbed in a week 2 loss to the Raiders. Rookie HB Jaydon Blue carried the ball 22 times for only 75 yards (3.4 YPC) as Big Blue had an off day from their normal MO. The Rams' game against the Seahawks last week was a microcosm of the LA season. They took, what seemed an insurmountable, 21-0, first quarter lead only to see Seattle storm back and eventually edge the Rams, 29-21, as the club did not score a single point after the initial quarter! QB Matt Stafford, who has been known to be erratic at times, had a horrific outing getting sacked 8 times and throwing an uncanny 5 interceptions! The Rams' run defense was a bright spot, though, slowing HB Kenneth Walker to 97 yards on 33 carries (2.9 YPC).

   Final Analysis: The Rams can win this game if they can duplicate their defensive effort versus the run and limit Daniels. Stafford cannot possibly have another game nearly as bad and should rebound. This one could be closer than many may guess and an upset is possible. Still, the Rams' 407 points allowed is the most in football and the Giants should put up enough to win. New York 30-16.

 4:15 PM: ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-5)

CARDS LOOK TO CLINCH DIVISION AND TAKE #1 SEED IN NFC. 'HAWKS BATTLING FOR PLAYOFF SPOT

    It seems inevitable that the Cardinals will secure the NFC West crown, but it is a good bet the Seahawks would prefer they do not get to celebrate the feat on their home field. Arizona is very much in line to take the top seed in the NFC as well, following an upset loss by the Eagles, while the Seahawks' playoff hopes are just as much in jeopardy. A loss to the Cardinals could see them fall into a tie with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints at the end of the week with identical 8-6 records. That would make the final few weeks of the season tenuous at best, especially considering their week 17 game will be against the Saints and the final week's game will be versus the Baltimore Ravens! Obviously, this one has implications and ramifications for both teams. The two teams met way back in week 1 in what proved to be a wild shootout that Arizona won, 40-38! Seattle HB Kenneth Walker rushed for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns and QB Geno Smith threw for 302 yards and 2 scores in the loss.

   Final Analysis: Both teams have come a long ways since week 1. The Cardinals under Coach Mike Kleinknecht lead the league in everything. They are #1 in scoring (32.9 PPG) and on defense (15.62 PPG) and are tops with 18 interceptions. Kleinknecht is, obviously, up to his old tricks yet again. The Seahawks lead the PFL with 116 sacks and are second in the league with 15 picks. Arizona also has the best turnover ratio in all of football (+14) and have truned it over just 5 times all season!  Seattle is a +3, but the team has also thrown 12 interceptions on the year. Arizona 30-24.

                                                   4:15 PM: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-6) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (9-4)

JAGS HOLDING THE DIVISION AT BAY. ARE RAIDERS FEELING PRESSURE AS SEASON WINDS DOWN?

    An up and down season in Jacksonville has not allowed the club to pull away from the rest of the division. They enter this game with a narrow 1 game lead over the Colts, Titans, and Texans and play the Titans next week before ending their year against the Miami Dolphins. They are coming off their bye week and have won two of their last three outings including a, 31-13, demolition of the 49er's before the break. QB Trevor Lawrence has had a fine season, but the team has gone 0-4 in any game in which he has finished with a QBR below 100. Rookie LB Lander Barton leads the team with 17 sacks. The Raiders saw a solid first quarter defensive effort go by the wayside in their, 34-20, loss to Minnesota last week. Several defensive breakdowns led to numerous big Viking plays. The defense would be ripped for 218 yards rushing by HB Aaron Jones and another 292 yards passing and 2 TD by QB JJ McCarthy in the loss. QB Cam Ward was knocked out of the game and TE Brock Bowers was lost for 4 weeks.

   Final Analysis: The Vegas' defense was exposed again last week. Jacksonville has the superior talent and should find ways to move the football on the Raiders. Ward will need to bounce back. Vegas could leave this game in a tie with the Chiefs within the divison, but KC has the better divisonal record. With remaining games slated versus Dallas, Denver, and Indianapolis the Raider season remains in the balance and they are the most vulnerable team to fall out of the playoff window. Jacksonville 30-21.

   The Green Bay Packers were in a free fall just prior to their much needed bye week. But they were able to get by a red hot Seattle Seahawks' team, 23-13, two weeks ago and restore a bit of order to their season. The offense, though, was in disarray yet again as backup HB Marshawn Lloyd would muster a woeful 14 yards on 15 carries and QB Jordan Love would complete just 53% (15-28) of his pass attempts. The defense did record 8 sacks and supplied the O with solid field position much of the game. Tampa Bay would shock the league with a stunning, 38-32, win over the flightless Eagles last week! The win has jostled the playoff scenarios in the NFC and paved the way for some unexpected seasonal results.

   Final Analysis: Rookie tailback Nicholas Singleton finally returns to the Packers' backfield and that might revitalize an offense that has had issues ever since he went out. Tampa Bay is very capable, even without a steady coaching staff, of pulling off the upset should Green Bay continue to have offensive problems. Green Bay 26-20.

8:30 PM : MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-3-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (5-8)
DANGEROUS BEARS WELCOME VIKES TO WINDY SOLDIER FIELD

    Soldier Field can be a rude host this time of year. Wind and snow can be the norm and the Chicago Bears are an improving team that enters this one on a three game winning streak. After a slow start, second year QB Caleb Williams has thrown for over 300 yards in four of his last six games with 16 touchdowns and just 1 interception! He has completed an eye-popping 82.5% (80-97) of his passes over his last three games with 8 TDs! The Minnesota Vikings, though, are playing excellent football under the leadership of Coach "Prof Buck" and the team is coming off a lop-sided, 34-20, rout of the Las Vegas Raiders in which HB Aaron Jones romped for over 200 yards rushing and QB JJ McCarthy threw for 292 yards and two scores. McCarthy has now thrown 10 TD passes over his last four games!

   Final Analysis: The Vikings won the first meeting between these two clubs, 24-5, as Caleb Williams threw for just 137 yards. That pass total was Williams' second fewest yards he has had all year long. Both teams have an identical -2 turnover ratio as the two defenses do not take the ball away much. Minnesota has just 6 takeaways while the Bears have 8. The Vikings are on a bit of a roll right now, but the Bears could prove sticky. Minnesota 30-22.