Five each in the AFC and NFC are locked up and it comes down to a few football games to determine which two teams will make it to the post-season which begins next weekend with the Wild Card round.
In the AFC, the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers are 8-7 and if the Titans can beat the Houston Texans (in Houston), they are in as the sixth seed in the AFC. However, if they lose and the Steelers can beat the Baltimore Ravens (13-2) on the road, then the Steelers make it in. Keep in mind also the Ravens are resting many starters this Sunday because they have already clinched "home field advantage" throughout the AFC playoffs.
The Oakland Raiders (7-8) still have a shot at the sixth seed as well, but that would take a four way tie at 8-8 between them, the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. The odds are definitely stacked against them, but stranger things have happened on the final Sunday throughout the years for teams to qualify for the NFL playoffs.
In the NFC, it's really simple . . . if the Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) beat the New York Giants (on the road) they will win the NFC East division title and get the fourth seed. If they lose, the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) would have to beat the visiting Washington Redskins to get in.
The capsule previews offer a look at every game for the final Sunday of the 2019 NFL season and are followed up by the Heftyinfo game picks.
N.Y. Jets (6-9) at Buffalo Bills (10-5) - The Bills are already in (fifth seed) the AFC playoffs, so look for a mild upset as the Jets look to finish the season on a high note.
L.A. Chargers (5-10) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) - The Chiefs could still get a second seed in the AFC and a first round bye, so they should beat the Chargers like a drum.
New Orleans Saints (12-3) at Carolina Panthers (5-10) - Panthers have lost seven straight games and the Saints can still get the top seed in NFC, so look for them to get after it this Sunday.
Cleveland Browns (6-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-14) - Bengals could spring a surprise here as the Browns are already out of the playoff chase and the Bengals have locked up the top draft pick in 2020 so they have nothing to lose.
Miami Dolphins (4-11) at New England Patriots (12-3) - Patriots definitely want the first round bye in AFC playoffs, so look for them to crush Miami.
Green Bay Packers (12-3) at Detroit Lions (3-11-1) - The Packers can lock up the top seed in the NFC playoffs with a win against the Lions, who have dropped eight straight games. Book It !
Chicago Bears (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (10-5) - Vikings are already in the playoffs and the Bears are hoping to avoid a losing season.
Atlanta Falcons (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) - This should be a shootout . . . Bucs win a wild one at home.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-2) - Steelers could pull this one out, but they could still miss the playoffs even if they do win. Ravens are looking toward the playoffs with "home field advantage" guaranteed as long as they keep winning in January.
Tennessee Titans (8-7) at Houston Texans (10-5) - If the Titans win this road game then they are in the AFC playoffs. The Texans can still get a third-seed spot in the AFC if they win this game and the K.C. Chiefs somehow lose at home vs. the L.A. Chargers, so both teams have incentive here.
Washington Redskins (3-12) at Dallas Cowboys (7-8) - MUST WIN game for Dallas.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) at N.Y. Giants (4-11) - Eagles have too much at stake to cough up this game to the lowly Giants.
Indianapolis Colts (7-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) - The Colts can finish at .500 this season with a win. Not bad considering how things started this season with quarterback Andrew Luck's sudden retirement.
Oakland Raiders (7-8) at Denver Broncos (6-9) - The Broncos are looking to finish strong after a dismal start this season. Raiders have to win and get a lot of help to make the playoffs.
Arizona Cardinals (5-9-1) at L.A. Rams (8-7) - Don't be surprised if the Cardinals win this game. Rams have been a huge disappointment this year.
San Francisco 49ers (12-3) at Seattle Seahawks (11-4) - This game is for all the marbles in the NFC West division in the "prime time" Sunday night game. Plus, the Seahawks have "Beast Mode" (running back Marshawn Lynch) back in the fold against a strong 49ers defense. This game should go down to the wire and could very well go to overtime just like the game in San Francisco back in November.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Seventeen . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
N.Y. Jets over Buffalo
Kansas City over L.A. Chargers
New Orleans over Carolina
Cincinnati over Cleveland
NEW ENGLAND over Miami
Green Bay over Detroit
Chicago over Minnesota
Tampa Bay over Atlanta
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Tennessee over Houston
Dallas over Washington
Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants
Indianapolis over Jacksonville
Denver over Oakland
Arizona over L.A. Rams
Seattle over San Francisco
Last Week's Record - 10-6
SEASON RECORD - 160-79-1
Lock of the Week Record - 14-2
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