The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders will square off on Sunday night in Vegas with a "win and you are in" scenario for both teams. The Chargers and Raiders are both 9-7 and the Chargers beat the Raiders in Los Angeles, 28-14 on Monday Night Football back in October. The Raiders have been the hotter team, winning three straight games to get to this point while the Chargers won last week against Denver to snap a two-game skid and get back into the number seven playoff spot in the AFC.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) and the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) still have hopes to make the playoffs, but they will need help after they play each other in Baltimore this Sunday afternoon. The winner of their game obviously has a shot to make it while the loser will be out. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts (9-7) control their own destiny. If they beat the 2-14 Jacksonville Jaguars (on the road) they are in. The Colts should win the game, but the Jags have been a thorn in the side for the Colts in recent years. As long as Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has a normal game and does his thing, the Colts should finish the season 10-7 and be playoff bound.
Over in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers (9-7) will look to lock down the final playoff spot when they face the Los Angeles Rams (12-4) in a road game. They will likely be without injured starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, meaning rookie Trey Lance will get the call. The Rams have a lot to play for as well. If they win this game, they are the NFC West division champions. The Arizona Cardinals (11-5) play at home against Seattle, so the Rams know they would be better off taking care of business.
The New Orleans Saints (8-8) can still make the playoffs if they beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road and the 'Niners lose to the Rams. The six teams already in the NFC playoffs include Green Bay (already clinched number one seed and the bye week), Tampa Bay, Dallas, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona and Philadelphia.
Those are the games that have the biggest importance this week, but the other games being played around the NFL will impact both playoff positioning and the final NFL Draft order. The following offers a capsule style preview of all the games with the Heftyinfo picks following up.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) at Denver Broncos (7-9) - Take the Chiefs in this one. They can still get the top seed in the AFC with a win and some help.
Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Both of these teams are already in the NFC playoffs, so it's a matter of how many starters will see game action. Toss up in this one.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) at Cleveland Browns (7-9) - The Bengals will rest some regulars while the Browns are backing up the U-Haul trucks. Another toss up game here.
Green Bay Packers (13-3) at Detroit Lions (2-13-1) - Packers should roll in this one, but they have already clinched a bye in the NFC playoffs. The Lions would love to end a miserable season on a winning note.
Tennessee Titans (11-5) at Houston Texans (4-12) - The Texans beat the Titans in Tennessee earlier this season, so this is no gimme for the Titans, who currently are the top dog in the AFC playoff race.
Chicago Bears (6-10) at Minnesota Vikings (7-9) - Will either of these teams head coaches still be around for next season?
Washington (6-10) at New York Giants (4-12) - Giants have lost five straight while Washington has dropped four games in a row. Something has to give.
New Orleans Saints (8-8) at Atlanta Falcons (7-9) - The Falcons would love to prevent their rivals from having a shot at making the playoffs.
Indianapolis Colts (9-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) - It's simple for the Colts . . . win and they are in the playoffs.
New York Jets (4-12) at Buffalo Bills (10-6) - The Bills need to win this one to capture a second consecutive AFC East division title. The Jets are woeful.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) at Baltimore Ravens (8-8) - Can Big Ben and company make one last playoff appearance before he hangs 'em up? The Ravens are looking to snap a five game skid and ruin the Steelers chances to get into the playoffs.
New England Patriots (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (8-8) - The Dolphins have nothing to lose and can go all out to keep New England from possibly winning the AFC East.
Carolina Panthers (5-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) - The defending Super Bowl champs want to go into the post season in high gear.
Seattle Seahawks (6-10) at Arizona Cardinals (11-5) - The Cards had a big win in Dallas last week, so they better be ready for a nothing to lose Seahawks team that usually gives them fits.
San Francisco 49ers (9-7) at Los Angeles Rams (12-4) - The Rams want to remain the number two seed in the NFC playoffs while the 49ers are looking to make the post season party. Toss up here.
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) at Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) - Whoever wins this one is in the AFC playoffs. Chargers rate a slight edge, but they tend to lose in big games. Toss up in this game.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Eighteen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Kansas City over Denver
Dallas over Philadelphia
Cincinnati over Cleveland
Green Bay over Detroit
Tennessee over Houston
Minnesota over Chicago
N.Y. Giants over Washington
Atlanta over New Orleans
INDIANAPOLIS over Jacksonville
Buffalo over N.Y. Jets
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Miami over New England
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Arizona over Seattle
L.A. Rams over San Francisco
L.A. Chargers over Las Vegas
Last Week's Record - 12-4
SEASON RECORD - 161-94-1
Lock of the Week Record - 12-5
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