The Dallas Cowboys have a 15-game home winning streak going and are playoff bound while the Lions just clinched the NFC North division, so this game has big implications in the NFC playoff picture. Dallas has dropped two straight games and trail the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East race. The Lions are still in the chase for the top spot in the NFC playoffs.
The Baltimore Ravens sent a strong message they are the team to beat after they throttled the San Francisco 49ers last Monday night in the road win. The Miami Dolphins beat Dallas last week and could clinch the AFC East with a win, but the Ravens defense should make things difficult for Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and company. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is staking his own claim as the premier offensive player in the NFL and could very well have his team score a lot of points against an improving Dolphins defense.
The game between Tampa Bay and New Orleans should be an interesting one. The Bucs have won four in a row and the offense is clicking with QB Baker Mayfield enjoying perhaps his finest season as a pro. The Saints are in a must win game on the road and quarterback Derek Carr needs to be at his best if they are going to win this one. The Buccaneers beat the Saints 26-9 back in October and could very well do it again in this one.
The rest of the action is featured in the capsule style format (except for the N.Y. Jets at Cleveland game, which took place Thursday night with the host Browns winning, 37-20) . . . The Heftyinfo predictions for all the games follows up.
Los Angeles Rams (8-7) at New York Giants (5-10) - Rams need this game and should win, but the Giants at home won't be an easy task.
New England (4-11) at Buffalo (9-6) - The Bills are rolling and would love to avenge a loss to the Patriots suffered earlier this season.
Atlanta (7-8) at Chicago (6-9) - The Bears looking to play spoiler to the Falcons playoff hopes.
Las Vegas (7-8) at Indianapolis (8-7) - The loser of this game will be out of the AFC playoff picture. Toss up.
Carolina (2-13) at Jacksonville (8-7) - The Jaguars will be without starting QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder injury) in this game, but need to snap a four-game losing streak as the AFC South division is now up for grabs.
Tennessee (5-10) at Houston (8-7) - The visiting Titans don't dare wear the throwback Houston Oilers uniforms in this game. The Texans should have starting quarterback C.J. Stroud back for this game and need a win to keep pace in the AFC South race.
Arizona (3-12) at Philadelphia (11-4) - The Eagles should be flying high in this one.
San Francisco (11-4) at Washington (4-11) - The 49ers got their butts kicked last week and need a quick rebound to maintain the top seed in the NFC playoff race. Washington will likely put up a fight in this one on their home field.
Pittsburgh (8-7) at Seattle (8-7) - This game should be a tight one between two teams fighting for their playoff lives. Toss up.
Cincinnati (8-7) at Kansas City (9-6) - The two teams that battled in the last two AFC Championship games go at it. The Chiefs rate the edge at home, but they have not been good in recent weeks. The Bengals must win or else they are out of the AFC playoff chase.
L.A. Chargers (5-10) at Denver (7-8) - Two also ran teams just playing out the string this season. Broncos starting QB Russell Wilson has been benched the rest of the way. How about that?
Green Bay (7-8) at Minnesota (7-8) - The Sunday night tilt between two teams with very minimal shots at making the playoffs. They couldn't flex this game out of "prime time" for a more important one?
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Seventeen . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Cleveland over N.Y. Jets
Dallas over Detroit
L.A. Rams over N.Y. Giants
Baltimore over Miami
Buffalo over New England
Chicago over Atlanta
Indianapolis over Las Vegas
Jacksonville over Carolina
Houston over Tennessee
PHILADELPHIA over Arizona
Tampa Bay over New Orleans
San Francisco over Washington
Pittsburgh over Seattle
Kansas City over Cincinnati
L.A. Chargers over Denver
Minnesota over Green Bay
Last Week's Record - 10-6
SEASON RECORD - 154-86
Lock of the Week Record - 13-3
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