The New England Patriots host the Buffalo Bills in a battle for the top spot in the AFC East division. The Patriots (11-3) have struggled of late, but did win a tight game in Buffalo back in September. The Bills are 10-4 and have been playing well on both sides of the ball and could pose a challenge for the mighty Patriots, who have dominated the division for the past decade and then some.
Two other Saturday games include the Houston Texans (9-5) playing at Tampa Bay (7-7) and the Los Angeles Rams (8-6) facing the San Francisco 49ers (11-3) in the Bay area.
The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are both 7-7 and face off in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon to decide the division winner. The Cowboys blasted the Eagles in Dallas back in Week Seven and could clinch the division title with a road win. The Eagles have been up and down all season and need this game or they will be eliminated from post-season contention.
One other key game with huge playoff implications will feature the Tennessee Titans (8-6) hosting the New Orleans Saints (11-3) on Sunday. The Titans lost at home last weekend to the Houston Texans and face them again next week in the season finale, but they need this game against the Saints if they want to make the playoffs at all. They will know whether or not they will face possible elimination from the AFC playoffs because the Texans play on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Saints have already locked up the NFC South title, but would like to get a first round bye in the NFC playoffs. Along with Green Bay, San Francisco and Seattle, the Saints have the same 11-3 record but right now it is Seattle and Green Bay enjoying the number one and two spots respectively and those byes.
The final Monday Night Football game of the 2019 season should be a great game as the Minnesota Vikings (10-4) host the Green Bay Packers (11-3) in a huge game in the NFC North. A win for Minnesota or a loss by the L.A. Rams on Saturday will clinch a playoff spot for the Vikings. If Green Bay wins, they would clinch the NFC North title and at least maintain the number-two seed in the NFC playoff race.
The rest of the games are previewed in the capsule style and the Heftyinfo predictions for all the games follows up.
Detroit (3-10-1) at Denver (5-9) - Two teams finishing up the 2019 schedule. Take the Broncos at home.
Oakland (6-8) at L.A. Chargers (5-9) - Two disappointing teams face each other. Toss up in this one.
Jacksonville (5-9) at Atlanta (5-9) - Falcons won an exciting game last week on the road against the 49ers while the Jaguars stunned the Oakland Raiders in the closing minutes in the Raiders last home game in Oakland. Falcons should win this one.
Baltimore (12-2) at Cleveland (6-8) - With a win, the Ravens not only get some revenge for an early season loss to the Browns, but they would also clinch home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
Carolina (5-9) at Indianapolis (6-8) - Two teams trying to shake lengthy losing streaks.
Cincinnati (1-13) at Miami (3-11) - The Bengals can lose this game and guarantee they get the top pick in next year's NFL draft.
Pittsburgh (8-6) at N.Y. Jets (5-9) - The Steelers need this game to stay in the last playoff spot in the AFC race. Jets would love to play spoilers in this one.
N.Y. Giants (3-11) at Washington (3-11) - The winner of this game avoids the NFC East basement this season.
Arizona (4-9-1) at Seattle (11-3) - The Seahawks should roll in this one.
Kansas City (10-4) at Chicago (7-7) - The Chiefs could still get a first round bye in the AFC playoffs, so they have late season incentive. Bears are reduced to possible spoiler role in the final two games.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Sixteen . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Tampa Bay over Houston
New England over Buffalo
San Francisco over L.A. Rams
Atlanta over Jacksonville
Baltimore over Cleveland
New Orleans over Tennessee
Indianapolis over Carolina
Miami over Cincinnati
Pittsburgh over N.Y. Jets
Washington over N.Y. Giants
Philadelphia over Dallas
SEATTLE over Arizona
L.A. Chargers over Oakland
Denver over Detroit
Kansas City over Chicago
Minnesota over Green Bay
Last Week's Record - 10-6
SEASON RECORD - 150-73-1
Lock of the Week Record - 14-1
No comments:
Post a Comment