Neither team has mush to play for, but the Lions would mlike to finish strong. Thery upset the Falcons last week, 38-31, as they rushed for over 150 yards. NO LINE

1:00 PM-Atlanta Falcons (8-7) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-10)

Falc Coming Off Loss But Should Wrap Up Division Anyway

  The Atlanta Falcons figured they will win the NFC South regardless of the outcome against the Detroit Lions last week. In the, 38-31, upset loss TE Kyle Pitts would be thrown the ball over and over again leading to a 17 reception, 155 yard outing. The Saints' dismal season continued as they were drubbed, 30-3, by a Green Bay Packers' team that is the odds on favorite to end the season as the 5th seed! 

   Final Analysis: The Falcons need to win a game versus the Saints or Browns or have the Buccaneers drop a game to the Bears or Rams in order to claim the division. Atlanta 30-15.

1:00 PM-LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-13) AT BUFFALO BILLS (8-7)

Surging Bills On Cusp Of Playoff Berth!

   Once considered an afterthought, the Buffalo Bills, like their counterpart the Packers in the NFC, have hung around all season long and now are on the very doorstep of making the post-season!  They are currently the 7th seed and are in control of their destiny. A win here in frigid Buffalo versus the SOFI stadium Rams would assure a 9-8 record at the worst and could be enough to get them in.

   Final Analysis: The Bills have been running under the radar much of the year. They now have a huge opportunity and will not miss it. Buffalo 30-20.

  1:00 PM-TENNESSEE TITANS (9-6) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (6-9)

Titans Set To Charge Into Playoffs. Texans' Disappointing Campaign Winding Down 

   The Titans have enjoyed much more success than the Texans have. Tennessee has been pretty consistent much of the year and that consistency is about to manifest itself as a playoff entrant. Houston just could never seem to get settled and eventually fell out of playoff contention.

   Final Analysis: Tennessee is basically in the playoffs and can focus on the post-season. Houston will have to reflect upon a season that simply did not go well at key times. Tennessee 27-20.

1:00 PM-MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-10) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-8)

Chiefs Set to Reclaim AFC Top Spot! Dolphs Coming Off Stunner of Jets

    The Kansas City Chiefs have battled all season long and, with a win here in Arrowhead against a warm-weather Miami squad combined with a Los Angeles Chargers' loss to the Seattle Seahawks, would set up a week 18 showdown for the division between KC and LA! The Dolphins could do no wrong last week and decimated the Jets. The Chiefs saw the Raiders completely abandon their MO and go to the air almost exclusively. That led to Vegas' QB Dante Moore heaving the ball some 58 times and top back Ashton Jeanty rushing just 2 times! Moore would finish with 538 yards passing, but would be picked off twice (once for a pick-6) and sacked 9 times as KC pulled out the key W, 38-31.

   Final Analysis: The Chiefs cannot look past these Dolphins. Miami remains a dangerous team and could pull off the upset here. Still, the KC defense was ferocious last week with the 9 sacks led by Chris Jones' 3.5 traps. Kansas City 31-23.

1:00 PM-DALLAS COWBOYS (10-5) AT WASHINGTON COMMNADERS (8-7)

Can Pokes Avenge Blowout Loss To DC Gang And Claim Division?

    It has been quite awhile since the Cowboys won the NFC East. They have a golden opportunity to claim the crown if they can find a way to stop the Commanders at FedEx. Dallas had, arguably, its best performance of the season last week as they dismantled the Seattle Seahawks, 55-28. Rookie QB Diego Pavia completed 28 of 32 attempts (87.5%) for 262 yards. But it was the improving running game that stole the show as Dallas ran for 265 yards paced by Jaydon Blue's 17-224-3 day. Washington was dropped, 37-27, by the Colts marking their third loss in a row.

   Final Analysis: Dallas appears to be rounding into form. However, they were completely dominated in the first meeting between these two clubs, as backs Austin Ekeler and Antonio Gibson combined for a staggering 253 yards rushing on just 19 carries! If the Cowboys cannot slow down the Washington ground game it will be lights out...Washington 28-23.

    The Bucs are in serious trouble and, barring a major upset here, their season will come to an end. They were beaten by the Steelers last week, while the Falcons were losing to Detroit, allowing an open door to slam shut. Chicago is the most talented team in football led by the best quarterback in the game, Caleb Williams.

   Final Analysis: Bears too tough for just about any team to deal with. Chicago 37-16.

1:00 PM-PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-9) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-8)

Browns Crossing Fingers And Seeking Help. 

   The Steelers' season is over, but they have been basking in the spoiler role of late upsetting the Baltimore Ravens and, last week, probably ending any hopes for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South, Now they face a Browns' team that will need to win its last two games and then get some help in the form of the Bills slipping. The Browns hold the tie-breaker over Buffalo and could still get in with just a modicum of good fortune.

   Final Analysis: Cleveland has its chance here and needs to earn the win. Pittsburgh is playing good ball at the moment and will not be an easy out by any stretch. The Browns won the first meeting, 30-17, but must avoid putting QB Shedeur Sanders into too many passing situations. Cleveland 24-22. 

1:00 PM-GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-6) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-13)

Hard Charging Pack On Verge Of Playoff Lock!

1:00 PM-JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-11) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-4-1)

Ravens in Playoffs. Now Seek Another AFC North Crown

4:05 PM-SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9-6) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-6)

Major Clash In SOFI!

   This is one of the bigger games of the season for both clubs. The Seahawks are trying to secure the #5 seed , but also have to worry about possibly missing the playoffs altogether should they lose this one and then drop their week 18 matchup against the Detroit Lions. The Chargers are in a much more precarious position. They can clinch the AFC West for the first time in many years with a win here, but a loss would set up a likely week 18 showdown with the Kansas City Cheifs in which the loser will almost certainly miss the playoffs! Seattle was blown out by the Dallas Cowboys, 55-28, last week in a game that was atypical for the Seahawks. The defense could not stop the Dallas running game at all surrendering over 200 yards on the ground and also allowed rookie QB Diego Pavia to complete 28 of 32 passes. The secondary has played well all year long and could prove decisive if the front seven can slow down the Chargers' running game led by Omarion Hampton.

   Final Analysis: Seattle can win this one if it can run the ball effectively with Kenneth Walker while slowing down the rushing of Charger back Omarion Hampton. If they can get LA quarterback Justin Herbert into passing situations, then the secondary should prevail. Tough one to call here. Seattle 28-24.

4:05 PM-SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-9) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (6-9)

Two Clubs Concluding Disappointing Seasons Meet

  Both teams have been eliminated from playoff consideration. The Niners could not capitalize on their early season success and slowly reverted back to their MO of passing the ball too much. QB Brock Purdy would, yet again, be a top sack target and comes in having been dropped a league most times. The Giants' Jaxson Dart has just 16 TD passes compared to 12 interceptions and the running game was not able to consistently dominate games. In their past, the Giants were able to combine a rugged ground game with a stiff defense, but the D has allowed 27.8 PPG thus far and that has put too much pressure on the offense.

   Final Analysis: Feel the Giants' defense could get after Purdy and allow the G-Men to run the ball effectively. New York 27-20.

4:15 PM-ARIZONA CARDINALS (12-3) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-9)

Cards Likely #2 Seed. Raiders' Defense Of AFC West Crown Denied As Playoff Hopes End

   The Cards seem resigned to the #2 seed and a first round game against the NFC's 7th seeded team in the Wild Card Round. The Raiders could not win the close games it won a season ago and saw their season end last week in a, 38-31, loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Vegas went totally off their normal script and threw the ball all game long while ignoring the running of back Ashton Jeanty. QB Dante Moore would throw the ball a season high 58 times (20 more than he had attempted in any other game this year!) for 538 yards and 4 touchdowns, but he would also be intercepted twice (one a pick-6) and be sacked a season most 9 times.

   Final Analysis: Not sure either team has much to play for, so will be interesting to see how each plays this one out. Arizona 30-14.

4:15 PM-NEW YORK JETS (13-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS (4-11)

Stunned Jets Probably Set As #2 Seed After Upset Loss to Dolphins!

    This is a big game for both franchises. The Colts have clinched their division and the only issue now is the top seed battle with the Jets. A loss in this one could throw the Colts and Jets back into a potential complex tie-breaker as both would have the same 15-2 records, have the same conference records, and have not played each other. The Colts also have a tough week 18 game on tap versus a very good Bengals' sqaud so the entire situation is very fluid. The Eagles are 1 game behind the Dallas Cowboys and have a week 18 clash with Washington still on tap. A victory here could send them on their way to the division crown should Dallas lose to Washington this week and Philly then beats the Commanders in week 18. In that scenario, the Eagles would claim the division by virtue of having the better divisional record. On the flip side, should the Eagles lose this game, Dallas would be NFC East Champs!

   Final Analysis: Huge game for both teams. Philly ranks in the lower half of the league at stopping the run and the Colts are the #1 rushing team in the PFL. Conversely, Indy ranks 4th at defending the run and could limit Philly tailback Saquon Barkley. That would force Eagles' QB Jalen Hurts to the air and that has not boded well for Philadelphia this year. Indianapolis 31-21.

8:30 PM-CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-4-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-11)

Bengals Are So Close!!!