NFL fans, we are two weeks away from the conclusion of the 2024 season and it has been a historic campaign from high flying rookies to faces on new teams, with some surprise performances by several ball clubs to what everyone expected from the get go…the Kansas City Chiefs gunning for a first-ever “three-peat” in the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs are already in the playoffs as are the Buffalo Bills the only team to hand Kansas City a loss this season…far. Other teams already qualifying are the Steelers, Ravens, and the Texans. Three wild cards are up for grabs but either Pittsburgh or Baltimore already owns one of those. We kick off the picks after a stellar week by yours truly (I nailed 12 of 16 games last week) with what else? Those 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City at Pittsburgh: With a win the Chiefs secure the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye with a divisional playoff game at home having to win just two games to go back to the Super Bowl. As much as I want the Steelers to win, I don’t like their chances. The Chiefs just continue to win no matter what. My brain says Chiefs my gut is feeling a little of an upset. Chiefs 31 / Steelers 24. I sure hope I’m dead wrong.
Baltimore at Houston: The Ravens still have a shot at winning the AFC North given their victory over the Steelers last week which gives them the same record of 10-5 as Pittsburgh. But they need the Chiefs to defeat the Steelers and for the Ravens to do their part and win. While the Ravens finally beat the Steelers, it was more of poor play on Pittsburgh’s part than outstanding play by Baltimore in my opinion. The problem here for Steelers faithful is the Texans have already clinched their division and given their record, it’s unlikely they will be at home for the wild card round. So, the question remains, how hard will they play? If they ball out against Baltimore, I believe they can win. So, I’ll go on with the assumption that the Texans are coming to play. Texans 30 / Ravens 27
Seattle at Chicago: The Bears have nothing to play for but pride. The ‘Hawks still have a shot at not only their division but a playoff spot. Something tells me Caleb Williams has his best game yet in his rookie season. Bears 28 / Seahawks 21
Los Angeles Chargers at New England: The Chargers are on the cusp of a wild card entry while New England has just three victories. I’m going with my gut. Patriots 24 / Chargers 21
Denver at Cincinnati: Denver and the Chargers have equal records. One of those two teams could be a wild card team. But they must win to do so. The Bengals have been playing as they were expected to at least on offense. At home, the Bengals will not lose this game. Bengals 35 / Broncos 24
Arizona at Los Angeles Rams: The Cardinals were embarrassingly eliminated from playoff contention last week losing to Carolina. The Rams control their own destiny and with Matthew Stafford barking out the signals, Arizona is a loser. Rams 37 / Cardinals 13
New York at Buffalo: The Bills want to at least secure the #2 seed. Bills fans will be watching the scoreboard hoping for a Steelers victory over Kansas City. If the Bills can win their next two and the Chiefs lose twice, Buffalo assumes the top seed. Think the Jets have a chance here? Ha ha ha. Bills 40 / Jets 17
Las Vegas at New Orleans: The New York Giants hold the current top spot in the 2025 NFL draft. But there are a handful of teams with only three victories, one better than the ‘Gints. It’s a surprise to me that New Orleans only has five wins but after this one it will be six. Saints 23 / Raiders 14
Indianapolis at New York Giants: The New York Giants are this season’s punching bag. They are awful. Lawrence Taylor must be sitting at home hiding his New York jersey. This is embarrassing. But somehow, someway, I think they find a way to get it done in this one. Giants 24 / Colts 20
Dallas at Philadelphia: The Eagles finally lost after 10 straight last week to Washington. If Dallas can pull an upset and the Commanders win their final two, crazy enough Washington and Philly will finish with identical record if the Eagles lose next week and here. But that won’t happen. Eagles 37 / Cowboys 9
Carolina at Tampa Bay: The Panthers have been waking up in the second half of the season and winning. Now with four wins, the Buccaneers are still trying to secure the NFC South division and after licking their wounds with a game in Dallas they should have won, they will take it out on Carolina. Bucs 33 / Panthers 16
Tennessee at Jacksonville: Living here in Jacksonville, let me tell you firsthand that Jags fans here are not happy. With only three wins after being so successful two seasons ago, there is heavy duty frustration in Jag town. But the Titans are not much better. In fact, this game is to decide who spends the offseason in the basement of the division. Tennessee also has just three wins. That’s where it stays. Mac Jones has a big day. Jaguars 17 / Titans 13
Miami at Cleveland: Heading into this next to last weekend, the Patriots, Browns, Jaguars, Titans, and the Raiders all have just three victories. Then a step above are the Jets, Bears, and Panthers with four wins. The Giants are stuck on two. So, for Cleveland, they were thought to be a good team in 2024. NOT. I think the Dolphins who have an outside shot at a wild card will prevail here. Dolphins 35 / Browns 17
Green Bay at Minnesota: The game of the day no doubt. The Vikings have a shot at winning their division currently tied with Detroit. The Packers would like to improve their seeding. Sam Darnold has wowed the entire world with his play this season after an earlier lackluster career. He should be this year’s “Comeback Player of the Year.” This is a definite “pick em” game. So, who do I pick em? Vikings 30 / Packers 27
Atlanta at Washington: Michael Penix Jr. won his rookie debut last week, but the competition gets much tougher this week. Both teams are in playoff mode with the Falcons having to win out and seeing what Tampa does while the Commanders play for seeding and a very slim chance at winning the division. Commanders 28 / Falcons 20
Detroit at San Francisco: While Brock Purdy was supposing to be playing for a big contract this season the results of his team probably hurt his chances for that as well as his own play. Riddled with injuries, San Francisco has had a very down year. It gets worse against the always hungry, always hard-hitting Lions. Lions 38 / 49ers 9
Running Pick Record from Week to Week
Week 1: 12/15
Week 2: 8/16
Week 3: 8/16
Week 4: 11/16
Week 5: 7/14
Week 6: 9/14
Week 7: 9/15
Week 8: 11/16
Week 9: 10/15
Week 10: 5/14
Week 11: 11/14
Week 12: 7/13
Week 13: 13/16
Week 14: 8/12
Week 15: 8/16
Week 16: 12/16
Week 17: TBD
