The Broncos beat the Chargers last week 16-9 to improve to 8-8 but with all the other results that day they were eliminated from playoff contention. Denver heads to Las Vegas this week to take on the Raiders and although they will be missing the playoffs for the 8th consecutive year, there are some things to play for. First, they have lost seven straight games to the Raiders and have not beaten them since 2019. Next, they have a chance to have a winning record for the first time since 2016. That would be a significant achievement for this team under Sean Payton's first year as head coach. I would really like the Broncos to win this game and knock off the Raiders and finish 9-8. I think they could serve as a building block into next year. We have seen this happen with teams in the past (2022 Lions). I'm not too worried about draft positioning. If the Broncos want to move up a few spots in the draft to get their guy, then they will do it regardless. It might be meaningless in the playoff race, but this game means a lot in my opinion.
Prediction: Denver (+3.5) over LAS VEGAS
Final Score: Broncos-19 Raiders-17
Now, onto the picks for Week 18...
Last Week's Record: 7-8-1
Overall Record: 130-107-18
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
BALTIMORE (+3.5) over Pittsburgh: The Ravens have locked up the #1 seed in the AFC and are not playing Lamar Jackson and other starters. The Steelers need a win and help to get into the playoffs. I can see the Ravens keeping it close with their backups, the Steelers eventually winning, but missing out on the playoffs due to other results.
Houston (-1) over INDIANAPOLIS: The winner of this game clinches a playoff berth. I think Houston wins this game and gets a surprising berth into the AFC playoffs.
Tampa Bay (-4) over CAROLINA: The Bucs win and clinch the NFC South and the 4th seed.
CINCINNATI (-7) over Cleveland: The Browns have nothing to play for and are locked into the 5 seed. They are resting starters, and the Bengals want to win to finish 9-8 and look ahead to next year when Joe Burrow comes back.
DETROIT (-3) over Minnesota: The Lions play in the early window on Sunday, so they will play hard not knowing what Dallas and Philly do later in the day. The Vikings are barely hanging onto playoff hopes, but the Lions will take care of business and be the 3 seed in the NFC.
NEW ENGLAND (-1) over Jets: The Pats are 4-12 and playing for a top draft pick but with all the uncertainty surround Bill Belichick's future, I see them playing hard to win for him in Foxboro. Plus, he hates the Jets and wants to make sure they finish 6-11.
NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Atlanta: The Saints can make the playoffs with a win and TB loss or losses by the Packers and Seahawks. They will win, finish 9-8, but just miss out.
TENNESSEE (+3.5) over Jacksonville: This game is hard to predict with the status of Trevor Lawrence up in the air. I think it will be close and come down to the wire. The Titans will play hard, but I think Jacksonville finds a way to win and clinch the AFC South.
ARIZONA (+3) over Seattle: Seattle blew a huge opportunity with their loss to the Steelers at home this week. They need to win and have Green Bay lose to make the playoffs. The Cardinals have played hard all year long, and I think they will find a way to kill Seattle's chances on Sunday.
GREEN BAY (-3) over Chicago: A lot of people like the Bears to win this game in Lambeau. At 7-9, the Bears have played well the last month. The Packers need a win to clinch a playoff spot. I think it is a close game, but I have a feeling the Packers will find a way to grab that 7 seed in the NFC.
Kansas City (+3.5) over CHARGERS: The Chiefs are locked into the 3 seed and resting Pat Mahomes and other starters, but I think their backups will play well and defeat the Chargers anyway.
GIANTS (+5.5) over Philadelphia: I think the Eagles will win this game, but they will pull some starters once they see that Dallas is beating Washington and Philly won't be able to win the NFC East. Philly gets the 5 seed in the NFC.
Rams (+4) over SAN FRANCISCO: The Rams have little incentive to play hard, and they are resting a lot of starters, but they could secure the 6 seed with a win. The 49ers have the #1 seed in the NFC locked up and will rest starters.
Dallas (-12) over WASHINGTON: Dallas is playing for the 2 seed, so they will play hard this week. Washington is playing for one of top 2-3 picks in the draft. The Cowboys will roll, clinch the NFC East, and lock up the #2 seed in the NFC.
Buffalo (-2) over MIAMI: The last game of the entire 2023 NFL season is in Miami as the Bills need a win to get a playoff spot. Miami is all banged up, and they already clinched a playoff spot. The Bills are desperate, and I could see them putting their best effort of the season here in this spot. The Bills win, clinch the AFC East, bump all the way to the 2 seed and knock the Dolphins down to the 6 seed.
Playoff Seeds and Matchups Based on My Predictions:
AFC
1-Baltimore
(2) Buffalo vs (7) Houston
(3) Kansas City vs (6) Miami
(4) Jacksonville vs (5) Cleveland
NFC
1-San Francisco
(2) Dallas vs (7) Green Bay
(3) Detroit vs (6) LA Rams
(4) Tampa Bay vs (5) Philadelphia
Wild Card Weekend Schedule Predictions
Saturday 1/13
4:30pm EST (NBC) Cleveland at Jacksonville
8:00pm EST (Peacock) LA Rams at Detroit
Sunday 1/14
1:00pm (CBS) Houston at Buffalo
4:30pm (FOX) Green Bay at Dallas
8:15pm (NBC) Miami at Kansas City
Monday 1/15
8:15pm (ESPN) Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
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