Ten teams play in the NFL playoffs. Eight more are vying for the final four spots.
The playoff picture will become clearer in Week 17.
The Eagles-Bills matchup is a potential Super Bowl preview. The Texans-Chargers, Bears-49ers and Seahawks-Panthers could be back in the playoffs.
Pro Picks aims to continue its successful streak:
DENVER (12-3) – KANSAS CITY (6-9)
Line: Broncos minus-12 1/2
The Broncos are playing for first place in the AFC after the Jaguars had their 11-game winning streak snapped. The Chiefs will play their first game at Arrowhead Stadium since announcing they were heading to Kansas State after the 2031 season. Denver's defense could make things difficult for third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun.
BEST BET: BRONCOS: 27-6.
HOUSTON (10-5) – LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-4)
Line: Chargers minus-2
C.J. Stroud and the Texans are still fighting for first place in the AFC South. Houston's top defense has something to prove after a subpar performance in the win over the Raiders. Justin Herbert wasn't sacked last week for the first time this season, but the Chargers won't face the Cowboys this week.
SPECIAL DISORDER: TEXANS 23–20
DALLAS (6-8-1) — WASHINGTON (4-11)
Line: Cowboys minus-7
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are playing to avoid a losing season. The Commanders are proud of their dismal season, which began with high expectations after reaching the NFC title game.
COWBOYS: 27-22
DETROIT (8-7) – MINNESOTA (7-8)
Line: Lions minus-7
The Lions must win and Green Bay must lose twice to enter. The Vikings beat them in Week 9 with J.J. McCarthy. He's in pain again.
LION: 24–16
BALTIMORE (7-8) at GREEN BAY (9-5-1)
Line: Packers minus-3
The Ravens are eliminated with a loss. Lamar Jackson is recovering from a back injury. Jordan Love is struggling to recover from a concussion, while backup Malik Willis injured his shoulder. If Jackson plays, the desperate Ravens have a chance.
CROW: 22-20
ARIZONA (3–12) – CINCINNATI (5–10)
Line: Bengals minus-7
The Cardinals could make a coaching change after Jonathan Gannon's third straight losing season. The Bengals could find themselves in a similar position with coach Zac Taylor, and quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't seem to be happy in Cincinnati.
BENGALS: 27-23
PITTSBURGH (9-6) – CLEVELAND (3-12).
Line: Steelers minus-3
Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers could have won the AFC North right away if the Ravens had lost to the Packers on Saturday night. Myles Garrett is one sack away from breaking the single-season record of 22 1/2, shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt.
STEELERS: 23-17
NEW ORLEANS (5-10) – TENNESSEE (3-12)
Line: Saints minus-2 1/2
The Saints are 4-3 with rookie QB Tyler Shaw and looking to finish strong in a weak division in which they are 3-2. Rookie QB Cam Ward is playing his best game and another win would hurt Tennessee's draft position.
SAINTS: 20-16
JACKSONVILLE (11-4) – INDIANAPOLIS (8-7)
Line: Jaguars minus-6 1/2
The Jaguars will win the AFC South if the Texans lose or win the Chargers. They are still fighting for the No. 1 seed. Philip Rivers' return to the NFL has been impressive, but the Colts are 0-2 and would be eliminated if Houston wins.
COLTS: 24-23
TAMPA BAY (7-8) — MIAMI (6-9)
Line: Buccaneers minus-5 1/2
The Buccaneers improve to 6-2 this week, facing possible elimination if they lose and the Panthers win. But Tampa Bay is in control of its future. Two wins and the Bucs are in the game. Quinn Evers makes his second start for the Dolphins. He faces shaky defenses.
BUCANEERS: 26-23
NEW ENGLAND (12-3) – NEW YORK JETS (3-12)
Line: Patriots minus-12 1/2
The Patriots are coming off an impressive win over the Ravens and still have a chance to grab the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Jets, as usual this time of year, are vying for the top pick in the draft.
PATRIOTS: 30-13
SEATTLE (12-3) — CAROLINA (8-7)
Line: Seahawks minus-7
Coming off a thrilling overtime win and clinching first place in the NFC West, the Seahawks need to win to stay on top and hold on to first place. They could finish in sixth place in the NFC. The Panthers could clinch the NFC South with a win and a loss to the Buccaneers. But if Tampa Bay beats Miami, the game is meaningless for Carolina. The Panthers will still have to beat the Buccaneers next week.
SEAHAWKS: 24–19
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-13) – LAS VEGAS (2-13)
Line: Raiders minus-1
This is the fantasy football leagues version of the NFL toilet. The winner is actually the loser because he will lose the number one overall pick. Jackson Dart had a tough game against the Vikings. But he is the Giants' quarterback of the future. The Raiders need a franchise quarterback, so a loss would be beneficial. They should replace Ashton with Jinty (they won't) to reduce the likelihood of defeat.
RAIDERS: 23-21
PHILADELPHIA (10-5) – BUFFALO (11-4)
Row: Accounts minus-1
The Eagles are all but locked into the third seed, although they could move up to second or fall to fourth. Jalen Hurts led them to an overtime win over Buffalo in 2023. Josh Allen and the Bills still have an outside chance to win the AFC East.
SCORE: 26-24
CHICAGO (11-4) – SAN FRANCISCO (11-4)
Line: 49ers minus-3
Caleb Williams and the Bears continue to find ways to win. They make a late comeback against the Packers. The 49ers, despite a depleted defense, can secure first place in the NFC with two wins. Christian McCaffrey had 151 yards after his second career 1,000/1,000 season.
49ERS: 26-24
LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-4) — Atlanta (6-9)
Line: Rams minus-8
Matthew Stafford and the Rams fell from first place in the NFC West to sixth place in the conference with a loss to Seattle. They need a win to have a chance to return to the top. Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson won't make things easy for Los Angeles.
RAMS: 30-20
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Last week: Straight: 11-5. Against the spread: 11-4-1.
Overall: Straight up: 169-70-1. Against the spread: 127-106-7.
Prime Time: Live: 30-22-1. Against the spread: 24-29.
Best bet: Straight: 11-5. Against the spread: 8-7-1.
Special Disorder: Straight: 12-4. Against the spread: 12-4.
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Pro Picks is a weekly column in which AP football writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. All previous pro picks can be found here.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
