Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
In the first of two games that will be played Saturday, the Texans (9-5) will look to hand Kansas City (13-1) its second loss of the season. Houston has locked up the AFC South but is attempting to climb the AFC leaderboard and finish as the 3-seed. The Chiefs have a two-game lead on Buffalo for the 1-seed but have a tough three-game stint to end the season. Patrick Mahomes is set to play despite injuring his ankle last weekend, and we don’t think his potential limitations will impact the game much.
Prediction: Kansas City Wins 20-17
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
The biggest game of the week features one of the league’s best rivalries. The Steelers (10-4) enter the week with a one-game lead on the Ravens (9-5) in the AFC North and also hold the tiebreak at the moment due to their win in the first meeting of the season. While Baltimore would match Pittsburgh’s record with a victory, the Steelers would still hold an edge due to their record in conference play. Baltimore will be without receiver Nelson Agholor and may also be without WR Rashod Bateman. Can Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry do enough to make up for the lack of receiving depth?
Prediction: Pittsburgh wins 23-21Â
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders
From the AFC North to the NFC East — this showdown features two teams hoping to make noise in the postseason. The Eagles (12-2) have clinched a playoff spot and would clinch the East with a win over Washington. The Commanders (9-5) currently hold the 7-seed but are far from a lock to make the playoffs. With Seattle and Los Angeles both 8-6 — LA currently leads the West — Washington has two teams capable of taking the final playoff spot away. Saquon Barkley rushed for nearly 150 yards in Philadelphia’s win over the Commanders earlier this year, and we expect another elite performance this time around.
Prediction: Philadelphia wins 33-23
Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks
This is a massive game for both teams. The Vikings (12-2) have clinched a playoff spot but they are still pushing for the 1-seed. Minnesota controls its destiny as it pertains to the NFC North race. With three wins to close the year, the Vikes would jump Detroit for the division crown. As for the Seahawks (8-6), a second loss in a row would diminish their odds of winning the West or claiming the 7-seed. Seattle currently trails Los Angeles due to losing the first matchup of the year. A loss coupled with a Los Angeles win could end Seattle’s dreams of securing the 4-seed. Amazingly, the Seahawks are 1-5 in their last six home games — that troubling trend will continue this week.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 28-23Â
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
Can the Cowboys (6-8) make a shocking run to end the season and steal the 7-seed? Probably not. However, that doesn’t make this game any less interesting. The Buccaneers (8-6) hold a one-game lead over Atlanta in the NFC South but must finish with a better record than their rival due to losing both head-to-head matchups this season. Dallas has won three of its last four — albeit against middling teams — and Tampa Bay has won four in a row. Last week, Tampa waltzed into SoFi Stadium and dropped 40 points on the playoff-bound Chargers. A similar output this weekend is certainly on the table.
Prediction: Tampa Bay wins 41-28
