THURSDAY 8:20 PM: HOUSTON TEXANS (6-8) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-12)

LAST STAND FOR TEXANS?

    Time is running out on the Texans. They desperately need a win here and some help in order to make the playoffs. Making the post-season might be a tall order considering they have games versus the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals remaining after this one. The Bolts lost their charge quite awhile ago and are looking forward to the off-season.

   Final Analysis: Houston is a long shot to make the playoffs after their tough, 34-31, loss a week ago to Tennessee, but they are still a formidable team. Houston 27-17.

                                                                SUNDAY 1:00 PM: DETROIT LIONS (2-11-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-12)

DREARY TIMES FOR MOTOWN AND OHIO FANS

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-9-1) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-6)

HALOS KEEP CHUGGING ALONG...

    The New Orleans Saints have been a model of persistance. Thought to be dead in the water a few weeks ago, the Saints have now reeled off five wins in their last six games and are, currently, sitting as the NFC's sixth seed! They have done it by getting back to their tried and true roots of running the football, solid defense, and strategic passing. New Orleans has crept up the charts and now own the NFC's #2 rushing attack and a defensive pass rush that is in the top five in the league with 98 sacks! San Francisco never embraced any thoughts of trying to have a balanced offense. While the team might lead the league in passing yards, the club is also dead last in rushing and QB Brock Purdy has been sacked a league most 127 times.

   Final Analysis: The Saints' pass rush will almost certainly sack Purdy numerous times and their offensively conservative, but effective, style should carry the day. New Orleans 26-20.

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-7) AT NEW YORK JETS (4-10)

DOES SCHEDULE HAVE COLTS IN LINE FOR PLAYOFF RUN?

    With games left versus the Jets, Titans, and Raiders the Colts seem to be in control of their fate. The AFC South has proven to be a division where no team has been able to separate, setting up an exciting last few weeks of the year. Indy has had a couple of big wins this season including victories over the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas Ciy Chiefs, and a season sweep of the Jaguars. But they also have losses to the Rams, Broncos, Titans, and were swept by the Houston Texans. However, the team has now won six of its last seven games and is one of the hotter teams in the league. The Jets have gone a quiet 3-3 over their last six games. Despite a loss to the powerful Ravens last week, they have been playing solid ball, overall, recently. HB Breece Hall became the latest victim of the over-powering Ravens' front seven as he ran 15 times for just 16 yards in last week's defeat.

   Final Analysis: Dangerous game here for the Colts. Jets playing better ball than their record would suggest. Still, Indy seems to be on a bit of a roll. Indianapolis 28-21.

                                                                    1:00 PM LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (10-4) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (7-7)

VEGAS EYES PLAYOFF CLINCHER. POKES HOPING FOR SOME HELP

    The Raiders can clinch a playoff berth with a win here in Dallas. They have gone 7-2 over their last nine games mostly behind the play of their rookie QB Cam Ward. Ward played error free football, yet again, last week absorbing just 4 sacks and completing 75% (21-28) of his throws as Vegas nipped the Jacksonville Jaguars, 23-22. Dallas suffered a damaging loss to the rival Washington Commanders, 38-31, as a furious 4th quarter rally came up a shade short. The defeat left the team outside the playoff window. Still, they are just 1 game behind the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints and have the same conference record (4-6) as Seattle, so the team needs to keep winning and hope to get some help along the way.

   Final Analysis: Dallas is among the league leaders in takeaways with 18, while the Raiders are among the top teams in terms of fewest giveaways (6). Vegas is 3rd in scoring (30.8 PPG) and second in rushing touchdowns (15) in the AFC. Both teams like to run the football and both clubs have not been overly dominant at stopping the run. This one should get down to mistakes. Las Vegas 30-24.

 1:00 PM: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-9) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-13)

PANTHERS' "ALMOSTS" HAS TEAM LOOKING UP

    Last week's heart breaking overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints would have left most teams in utter despair. But the Carolina Panthers came away, although disappointed, in an upbeat mood as the team has continued to show defensive grit and slow improvement offensively. The optimistic outlook for a bright future is there and real. If the team has a successful draft and off-season, they could contend in the NFC South as soon as next season. The Bucs, still, are without ownership.

   Final Analysis: It would be nice to see the Panthers get a W here. QB Shedeur Sanders is coming off one of his best games of the year throwing for 398 yards and 3 touchdowns. But, sadly, he was sacked an incredible 17 times by the Saints' defense and fumbled the ball 3 times. His third fumble, in the OT session, took away a likely scoring chance and set the Saints up for the game winning field goal. Nonetheless, Sanders is getting better and the defense has played well much of the year, NO LINE 

                                     1:00 PM: NEW YORK GIANTS (6-7-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-3)   

                                              G-MEN GRASPING FOR HELP. EAGLES LIKELY #2 SEED                  

    A stunning, 31-7, upset loss to the LA Rams a week ago may have doomed New York's season. They can still find their way into the dance, but will probably need to win their last three and then hope to get some help along the way. QB Daniel Jones would be intercepted twice and sacked 8 times in the defeat. The team has now lost its last two including a crucial loss to the New Orleans Saints, who are one of the teams they now need to get past. The Eagles lost control of their destiny a couple of weeks back in an upset loss to the Buccaneers. They can still gain the top seed, but will need an Arizona Cardinals' major hiccup to do it.

   Final Analysis: Not sure how motivated Philly is these days. The Giants have their backs up against the wall and can only keep winning and hope something good comes their way. Philadelphia 24-21.

    1:00 PM:  DENVER BRONCOS (6-8) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-10)

TOUGH SEASONS DIM LIGHTS IN CINCI

    The season has not gone well for either of these two proud organizations. Denver made big noise early on in the year and looked like they could be a real Cinderella story, but they then faded in the second half. The Bengals were holding out hopes that they could have another one of their fabled second half runs, only to have things just keep going badly.

   Final Analysis: Denver can still win 9 games and maybe have a shot a the playoffs if a whole lot of things go their way. Cinci is playing out the year, but did have a good game last week versus Cleveland. Cincinnati 26-22.

                                           GAME OF THE WEEK I                                          

                  1:00 PM: MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-3-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (9-4-1)  

PLAYOFF BOUND VIKES PROWLING FOR NFC NORTH TITLE. FALCONS STILL TRYING TO NAIL DOWN NFC SOUTH                

    In many way this game has significance. The Vikings have clinched a playoff berth, but would love to claim the NFC North. The division has been dominated by the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers for years now, and a Minnesota title would be sweet music, indeed, in Minneapolis. The Falcons have not quite been able to put the nagging New Orleans Saints away. The team tied last week, 20-20, with the New England Patriots and lead the Halos by 1.5 games with three remaining. However, a loss here could open the door for a possible week 18 showdown against the Saints if New Orleans could then beat the Niners this week and upset the Seattle Seahawks in week 17!

   Minnesota has strung together eight consecutive wins. They struggled last week in the snow at Soldier Field before getting a mid-fourth quarter touchdown and then a late game interception to survive, 21-14. QB JJ McCarthy would be sacked 8 times and complete only 55% of his passes and HB Aaron Jones, who had a mammoth 218 yards rushing the week before against Las Vegas, was held in check for just 69 yards on 19 carries. SS Lathan Ransom would be the hero as he picked off Bears' QB Caleb Williams late to preserve the win. Atlanta QB Malik Willis threw for a season high 418 yards and would not be sacked a single time in his team's tie with the Patriots. However, he did not have a TD pass and completed only 55% (24-43) of his throws. The running game was shut down with HB Bijan Robinson suffering his worst output of the year with 27 yards on 21 carries (1.3 YPC). The defense continued to play at an elite level, though, holding an opponent to 21 or fewer points for the ninth straight game! 

   The Vikings enter this game ranked fifth in passing yardage (4138). The defense only has 7 takeaways on the season and just 1 fumble recovery, Atlanta leads the PFL with 20 takeaways and 8 fumble recoveries! Neither team has been superior on third down. Minnesota has converted a 15th rated 37% (76-205) of the time, while Atlanta has converted a 23rd rated 34% (64-183) of the time. Willis has enjoyed a slight edge over McCarthy with a 106.1 to 104.8 QBR rating. The Falcons signal caller also holds the edge in sacks (48 to 79). Both QBs have tossed an identical 23 touchdowns, but McCarthy has been picked off 7 times compared to Willis' 9. Minnesota's 101 sacks is 4th in the league, but Willis has been the fifth hardest QB, among regulars, to trap this year.

   Final Analysis: Tough one to call here. The Falcons seem to play the better overall defense, but the Vikings' pass rush, if it gets going, can be disruptive. Do see Atlanta avoiding the sack much of the day and that could frustrate the Minnesota defense a bit. Viking kicker Will Reichard has booted a 63 yarder this season and he has hit 7 treys from 50+ yards out. Only the Raiders' Daniel Carlson (10), the Packers' Brayden Narveson (8), and the Seahawks' Jason Myers (8) have kicked more then he. The Falcons have gone 0-1-1 in their last two and might be feeling a bit of heat from the Saints. The Vikings have no room to roam in the NFC North either, but the Packers have big time foes in the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles over the next two weeks. Only one team (The Giants) has gone for it on fourth down more then the Falcons. Atlanta's 34% conversion rate, though, is the worst of the top five teams in terms of attempts. Atlanta 24-22.

                                                                 4:05 PM: CHICAGO BEARS (5-9) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-10)

TWO TEAMS WHO HAVE NOT PACKED IT IN 

    The grit of these two teams was on display last week. The Bears would drop a close, 21-14, game to the visiting Vikings in the snow and cold of Soldier Field, while the Commnaders were upsetting the Dallas Cowboys, 38-31. Both teams have little to play for outside of pride, but these two clubs refuse to quit and keep competing. QBs Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are the ones to watch in this one.

   Final Analysis: Expect both teams to battle hard as they have all year long. Washington seems to have the better offense and their D has been developing. Washington 27-21.

     4:05 PM: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-7) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (7-7)

HAIL TO THE VICTOR!

    This is one of those truly important late season games that will, more than likely, have serious playoff ramifications. The Jags simply have not been able to distance themselves from the division all year long and, now, are embroiled in a near Must-Win deal. The Titans have battled through all types of adversity and, in so doing, have put themselves in position to control their playoff destiny. As of this writing, the Titans are, technically, the AFC South leaders, but they will need to win some big games in order to claim a playoff berth. With the Jaguars and next week's clash with the Colts on tap, Tennessee has the route to the divisional title clearly in front of them. Jacksonville lost a tight game against the Raiders last week, 23-22. They have now dropped three games this season by 3 points or less and have gone 2-4 over their last six outings. The team has shown a willingness to gamble. Their 26 fourth down attempts is the fourth most in football with a 53% (14-26) success rate. Conversely, the Titans have been much more conservative going for it just 16 times and converting 56% (9-16) of the time. The biggest difference has to be in the turnover department. Jacksonville owns a middle-of-the-pack +1 margin, but the Titans have the worst ratio in all of football (-12) turning it over a league high 24 times including a stunning 21 interceptions! QB Will Levis has 37 TD passes, but he has also found the opposing uniform 21 times and been sacked a league most 127 times!

   Final Analysis: The Titans are as dangerous as any team in football. However the team goes as Levis goes. The Jags have 11 interceptions on the season. Still, Tennesee won the first meeting between these two clubs, 16-14, as Levis did not throw a pick. It was one of just three games all year in which he has not had at least one interception! Despite tossing two picks and being sacked 16 times last week, the Titans still beat the Texans, 34-31, and the team has won three of its last four. Just feel it is kinda J-Ville's turn to get the turnovers this time around. Jacksonville 29-20. 

  4:05 PM: PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-6) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (12-2)

STEELERS ON VERGE OF PLAYOFF MISS? CARDS TOP TEAM IN NFC?

    The Pittsburgh Steelers are in one heckuva pickle. With games slated against the high flying Cardinals and then next week against the AFC East leading Miami Dolphins, the odds are getting slimmer that they are going to make the post-season. They really need to find some way to knock off Arizona or Miami in order to have a solid shot at the playoffs. Arizona has cruised to the NFC West title and are likely to be the top seed along with the first round bye! They have scored 40 or more points in a game an incredible six times and tallied 30+ points some ten times this season! Wily coach Mike Kleinknecht is up to his old ways in 'Zona rolling up big numbers with well conceived plays. The Cardinals are football's #1 scoring machine averaging 33.8 PPG and are near the top in defense as well giving up only 16.4 PPG! QB Kyle Murray, in vintage Kleinknecht style, leads the league with 43 TD passes and a PFL best 130.5 QBR! He will almost certainly get the NFC OPOY and MVP awards. Then, as if that is hard to believe, consider that HB Trey Benson (yea that guy) leads the league with 1735 yards rushing and 5th round draft choice Jae Jenkins (yea that household name) leads the team with 81 receptions for 1183 yards and 10 touchdowns! Jenkins will likely garner tons of IP at the end of the year as he is the top rookie WR in the NFC! In short, the Desert Dwellers have had a terrific season under the leadership of football's #1 coach. Kleinknecht's three PFL titles and four NFC championships are more than the entire league combined among active coaches!

   Final Analysis: Pittsburgh can win this game, but will probably need 30-35 points to do it. They have scored 30+ points in a game four times this year, so it is possible, but the odds are still not in their favor. Arizona 32-22.

 4:15 PM: BUFFALO BILLS (8-6) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-4-1)

BILLS HEAD TO FOXBORO FOR BIG TIME BASH VS PATS

    Another key late season game on the menu this week. The Bills are fighting like crazy to return to the playoffs and establish themselves as a legit franchise within the league after several seasons of under-whelming play. They upset the Patriots back in week 8, 37-21, but have lost three of their last four. However, the team lost all three of those games by four points or less and the squad almost stunned the Dolphins last week before bowing, 21-17. New England looked like it was in line to end the Dolphins' short reign in the AFC East after they dumped the Dolphins, 23-20, in week 10. But they have gone 2-2-1 since that game and fallen out of first. They also have a game scheduled next week against the undefeated Baltimore Ravens.

   Final Analysis: This game has the feel of a slight upset to it. Buffalo has played solid ball much of the year and their record is a bit deceiving. If they can pass protect for QB Josh Allen and maybe get some running out of top back James Cook, they can pull off the big win. Buffalo is 8-2 in games in which Cook has averaged at least 4.5 YPC! Tough one to call but...Buffalo 26-24???

                                                                         4:15 PM: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-6) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-9)

SEAHAWKS IN CONTROL OF THEIR DESTINY, BUT FACE MENACING RAMS IN SOFI

    Seattle is in control of their fate and needs to just keep winning games. They have a tough finishing three games, though, starting with this one versus a Rams' team that can play spoiler for sure. They then have a monster game against the Saints next week before wrapping up the regular season up with the Baltimore Ravens who could very well play their starters in an effort to conclude a possible undefeated regular season! Seattle fell behind, 21-0, just two weeks ago when these two teams met the first time, and then rallied for a 29-21 win! A repeat performance this time around could prove fatal and the Rams are coming off a shocking, 31-7, whipping of the New York Giants! In otherwords, LA is playing solid ball right now and have the weapons to pull off the upset here. 

   Final Analysis: Seattle leads the league with 122 sacks and are second in football with 15 interceptions. Ram QB Matt Stafford can be erratic at times, but he can also be very good. This could be a closer game than anticipated. Seattle 28-23. 

    Classic case of two teams going in opposite directions. Kansas City has scored 30+ points in nine consecutive games and are rolling along. Green Bay has really struggled the back half of the season and have gone just 3-4 after starting the year 7-0. QB Jordan Love has recorded sub-100 QBR games in three of his last four games after having only one such game over his first nine outings! KC is one of the top scoring machines in the league, while  the Packers have seen their offensive efficiency decline as the year has wore on. 

   Final Analysis: Green Bay likely does not have the firepower to outgun the Chiefs and Love's second half issues will probably continue. Kansas City 32-23.

GAME OF THE WEEK II

8:30 PM : BALTIMORE RAVENS (14-0) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-3)

CAN THE FISH SINK THE RAVENS' UNDEFEATED ASPIRATIONS?

    This is a big time showdown in the AFC. The Ravens are trying to take their place in history by completing a perfect regular season. Nobody has been able to dent the Baltimore defensive front 7 with the running game. Miami does not boast an elite running game and do not sit in the top ten in the league in terms of scoring. However, Baltimore and the Dolphins both rank near the very top of the league defensively and the Miami defense could keep this one close. Miami has won five in a row, but have scored 28 or fewer points in seven of their last eight games. The Ravens, on the other hand, have scored 30 or more points in six of their last seven. Miami has gone 3-3 whenever QB Tua Tagovalioa has finished with a sub-100 QBR.  Baltimore has held half of its opponents (7) below a 100 QBR making the Tagovailoa statistic significant. 

   Baltimore runs the ball prolifically. They have rushed a PFL most 446 times. Despite not having outstanding rush numbers (3.94 YPC) the Ravens control the clock and lean heavily on their defense. Miami is allowing a shade over 100 YPG versus the run and needs to prevent Baltimore from getting into easy down and distance situations. They will also need to contain QB LaMar Jackson who has found room to hurt teams with his 393 yards rushing.

   Final Analysis: Baltimore has made every team this year become one-dimensional. Tagovailoa has thrown for 250+ yards in a game just five times this season and the club has needed the balance from HB De'von Achane in order to consistently move the ball. The Dolphins' 35% third down conversion rate ranks 22nd in the league, so the team cannot get into too many third and longs which may compel the team to throw more on first and second down. Hard to beat a team if running is out the window. Baltimore 28-21.