But that is the case for these two teams as Week Sixteen gets going around the NFL with many games taking place on Saturday this time around. Christmas Eve will see eleven games taking place and among them will be the battle between the Dallas Cowboys (10-4) and the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (13-1) as the visitors look to lock up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The Eagles beat Dallas back in October and will not be starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in this one (he suffered a shoulder sprain last weekend against Chicago) while the Cowboys are still smarting after blowing a 17-point lead in a road loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. If the Eagles do rest some other players, who could blame them? They want to be 100 percent healthy when the playoffs start next month. Dallas could come away with the win here as they need to maintain their status as the fifth seed in the NFC post-season standings, which they should because they are not going to catch the Eagles in the NFC East race.
The Minnesota Vikings, fresh off their historic come from behind victory last Saturday, will host the New York Giants (8-5-1) and would like to improve on their 11-3 mark. They already have clinched the NFC North division, so it's just a matter of maintaining the second spot in the NFC. The Giants finally won for the first time in five weeks and are the sixth seed right now in the NFC playoff picture. They might have to win out if they want to get in the playoffs because the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions are looming. Minnesota rates the edge at home for this one.
The Detroit Lions (7-7) are winners of six of their last seven games and they will face the Carolina Panthers (5-9) in Carolina in what could be dubbed as an "elimination game" with the log jam of teams battling it out. The Lions won a big one on the road against the New York Jets last weekend while the Panthers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but are just one game behind Tampa Bay for first place in the putrid NFC South division. Toss up here in what should be a good game.
The Cincinnati Bengals (10-4) have won six in a row and control their own destiny in the AFC playoff chase. They lead the AFC North division by one game over the Baltimore Ravens and will square off in New England against the Patriots (7-7) who really let one get away in Las Vegas last Sunday. The debacle of the laterals as time expired will be discussed for many years to come as they literally threw the game away to the Raiders. Look for a close game here with the visiting Bengals getting their seventh straight win.
The red hot San Francisco 49ers (10-4) will be looking to extend their winning streak to eight games when they host the Washington Commanders (7-6-1) in what will likely be a defensive battle. The Commanders desperately need to win out if they want to get in the NFC playoffs while the 49ers are looking to leap frog Minnesota for the second seed in the conference race.
The Saturday night game in Pittsburgh should be a special one indeed as the Steelers (6-8) face the Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) in a game that will be wrought with emotion following the death of Steelers legendary running back and Hall-of-Fame player Franco Harris this week. Of course, these teams met in the playoff game that featured the most famous play in NFL history as Harris scored the winning touchdown 50 years ago with "The Immaculate Reception" in that playoff game at old Three Rivers Stadium.
The Steelers are not going to lose this one to the Raiders and would also be keeping their flickering playoff hopes alive with a win. The Raiders stole a game from the New England Patriots last week as Christmas came a week early for them with that gift as time ran out. Take the Steelers in this one on Christmas Eve, which is also one day after the 50th Anniversary of Franco's historic catch that eliminated the Raiders from the playoffs in that historic game.
Three games take place on Christmas Day and the only one that matters is the early game in Miami where the slumping Dolphins (8-6) host the Green Bay Packers (6-8), who are looking for a continued miracle as they attempt to get into the NFC playoffs. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers going against Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa should provide an exciting game, but the edge has to be with the Dolphins as they have a better offense and are not likely to lose a fourth straight game.
The rest of the NFL action for this week is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks will follow up.
Buffalo Bills (11-3) at Chicago Bears (3-11) - Brutal cold weather conditions are expected at Soldier Field in Chicago on Christmas Eve, but that shouldn't have much impact on either team. Take the Bills in what will be a closer game than the team records might indicate.
New Orleans Saints (5-9) at Cleveland Browns (6-8) - Hard to believe both of these teams still have a chance to make the playoffs, but that is the truth. Take the Browns in snowy Cleveland in this game.
Houston Texans (1-12-1) at Tennessee Titans (7-7) - The Titans need a win in the worst way as they have dropped four in a row. The Texans have battled both Dallas and Kansas City very tough in their last two games and could spring an upset here as the Titans will be without starting QB Ryan Tannehill, who needs ankle surgery.
Seattle Seahawks (7-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) - Chiefs roll !
Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5) - Ravens should win this game, but the Falcons will not just roll over as they are still in contention in the NFC South battle.
Denver Broncos (4-10) at Los Angeles Rams (4-10) - Who cares?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8) at Arizona Cardinals (4-10) - The Bucs still lead the weak NFC South division, but if they lose to the Cardinals and third string starter Trace McSorley, they should just pack it in. Look for QB Tom Brady and company to get it done in prime time this Sunday night.
Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) at Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1) - The Monday night game between a team that suddenly is getting healthy and is in a playoff spot in the AFC right now and the other team that made dubious history by blowing a 33-point lead and losing last week. The Chargers win in a tight one here.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Sixteen . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
N.Y. Jets over Jacksonville
Buffalo over Chicago
Cleveland over New Orleans
Tennessee over Houston
KANSAS CITY over Seattle
Minnesota over N.Y. Giants
Cincinnati over New England
Detroit over Carolina
Baltimore over Atlanta
San Francisco over Washington
Dallas over Philadelphia
Pittsburgh over Las Vegas
Miami over Green Bay
L.A. Rams over Denver
Tampa Bay over Arizona
L.A. Chargers over Indianapolis
Last Week's Record - 13-3
SEASON RECORD - 142-80-2
Lock of the Week Record - 13-2
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