The game between the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday is a huge one for both teams with playoff impact to be sure. Prior to that one, there will be four other games already played as three games are on tap for Saturday as well as the Minnesota Vikings (6-8) traveling to face the New Orleans Saints (10-4) on Christmas Day.
The Miami Dolphins face the Raiders in Las Vegas on Saturday evening with playoff implications riding high, especially for the Dolphins (9-5) who are trying to stay in the seventh and final AFC wild card spot. The Raiders are 7-7 and basically hanging by a thread to make the post-season after losing four of their last five games. On a historical note, these two teams played an epic AFC playoff game in 1974 known as the "Sea of Hands" game in which the then Oakland Raiders beat Miami, 28-26 on a last ditch pass play for a touchdown with just 26 seconds remaining.
The 2020 version of this one could go either way as Las Vegas is hoping to have starting quarterback Derek Carr back after he had to leave last week's game in the first quarter with a groin injury. Marcus Mariota is a more than an adequate backup signal caller and should he get the call, the Raiders could still very well beat Miami in this one. The Dolphins strong defense will look to prevent that from happening. A wild game with lots of scoring is likely in this one.
Two other games on Saturday include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing at the Detroit Lions as they look to extend their win streak to three games and stay in the thick of the wild card chase in the NFC. The Lions have been done for quite awhile now as far as post-season hopes are concerned, but they could play spoiler against the Bucs, so Tom Brady and company better be ready. The third game on Saturday has the Arizona Cardinals playing host against the depleted San Francisco 49ers (5-9), who are looking to get this miserable season over with. The Cards are 8-6 and holding down the final wild card spot and need to win this one to keep the good times going. Look for QB Kyler Murray and company to win this one and make it three in a row for Big Red this weekend.
Back to the Steelers and Colts now as they will go at it in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon. The Steelers (11-3) won their first eleven games but are struggling big time after dropping three straight games since then, including that embarrassing 27-17 loss last Monday night in Cincinnati to the lowly Bengals. The Colts beat Houston, 27-20 last week and have won three in a row as they look to hold off the surging Baltimore Ravens (9-5) in the AFC wild card chase. The Colts are currently tied with Tennessee (10-4) in the AFC South division race, but the Titans hold the tie breaker edge at this point, so the Colts have to win.
As long as Indy QB Philip Rivers continues to play well and limit any mistakes, the Colts should get this game, but then again the Steelers are wanting to win the AFC North division and have the Cleveland Browns (10-4) breathing down their necks. Pittsburgh has already clinched a playoff berth, but would rather play at home so they also need to keep winning. By the way, the Steelers face the Browns in Cleveland in the season finale next week.
Two other games of big interest on Sunday include the Los Angeles Rams (9-5) playing the Seahawks (10-4) in Seattle with first place in the NFC West division on the line. The Rams won the first meeting between these teams by a 23-16 score six weeks ago. Seattle (already a playoff team) can clinch the division with a win and QB Russell Wilson seems to be back on track after a rough stretch when Seattle dropped three out of five games after a 6-1 start this season. This game could go down to the wire and the Rams definitely want to atone for their loss to the previously winless New York Jets last Sunday.
The Sunday Night Football game features the Tennessee Titans (10-4), the leaders of the AFC South, traveling to play the Green Bay Packers (11-3), who are looking to clinch home field advantage in the NFC playoffs if they can win out the rest of the season. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has been excellent this year (40 TD passes and only four interceptions) while completing just under 70 percent of his pass attempts. The Titans will look to control the ball with Derrick Henry and the rushing attack to keep the potent Packers offense off the field. This one could come down to the final possession.
The rest of the Week Sixteen action is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo predictions follow up.
Minnesota (6-8) at New Orleans (10-4) - Saints looking to rebound after two straight defeats and keep quarterback Drew Brees healthy. Vikings are playing out the string the last two weeks.
Atlanta (4-10) at Kansas City (13-1) - Chiefs can clinch home field throughout the AFC playoffs with a win. Count on it.
Cleveland (10-4) at N.Y. Jets (1-13) - Can the Jets make it two wins in a row? Not if the Browns have anything to say about it.
Carolina (4-10) at Washington (6-8) - Washington Head Coach Ron Rivera faces his former team with a chance to win the NFC East as well. Look for a good game that should go down to the wire.
Chicago (7-7) at Jacksonville (1-13) - The Bears should win this one and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Jaguars looking to end a 13-game losing streak.
N.Y. Giants (5-9) at Baltimore (9-5) - The Ravens are rolling and should make it four consecutive wins this week.
Cincinnati (3-10-1) at Houston (4-10) - The stinker game of the week.
Denver (5-9) at L.A. Chargers (5-9) - The Chargers will be looking to get some measure of revenge after blowing a 21-point lead and losing against the Broncos on the final play of the game in early November.
Philadelphia (4-9-1) at Dallas (5-9) - The Eagles seem rejuvenated with rookie Jalen Hurts at quarterback. Dallas still has a slim shot at winning the weak NFC East division. Toss up in this game.
Buffalo (11-3) at New England (6-8) - The Monday night game and the Patriots will try to avoid a losing season for the first time in 20 years, but the Bills are a team on a mission these days.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Sixteen . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
New Orleans over Minnesota
Tampa Bay over Detroit
Arizona over San Francisco
Las Vegas over Miami
KANSAS CITY over Atlanta
N.Y. Jets over Cleveland
Indianapolis over Pittsburgh
Chicago over Jacksonville
Baltimore over N.Y. Giants
Houston over Cincinnati
Carolina over Washington
L.A. Chargers over Denver
Dallas over Philadelphia
Seattle over L.A. Rams
Green Bay over Tennessee
Buffalo over New England
Last Week's Record - 11-5
SEASON RECORD - 157-66-1
Lock of the Week Record - 12-3
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