PATRIOTS (11-2) AT BRONCOS (8-5), 4:25 p.m.
Outlook: The Patriots are trying to lock up the No. 1 postseason seed and the defending champion Broncos are just trying to get into the playoffs. Give Denver a medium-sized home-underdog upset shot, but a loss is likelier. Denver is imbalanced, with not much offense to complement its quality defense. Tom Brady has 21 TDs vs. two interceptions in his last 10 starts vs. Denver, and the conditions in Mile High won’t bother him.
Television: CBS
Prediction: Patriots, 24-20
STEELERS (8-5) AT BENGALS (5-7-1), 1 p.m.
Outlook: The Steelers are the better all-around squad and beat Cincinnati 24-16 in September, but I like the Bengals with nothing to play for but spoiler. These teams do not like each other, call each other dirty, and the Bengals will be amped to damage Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes. Andy Dalton has five TDs, zero picks and a 102.4 rating in his last three vs. the Steelers, and could get A.J. Green back.
Television: CBS
Prediction: Bengals, 27-23
LIONS (9-4) AT GIANTS (9-4), 1 p.m.
Outlook: Each team can clinch a playoff berth if other results fall right. Detroit has won five in a row; the Giants counter with seven wins in their last eight. But Matthew Stafford’s middle finger on his throwing hand isn’t right, Theo Riddick is iffy to play, and Eli Manning tends to be stout at home.
Television: FOX
Prediction: Giants, 24-21
BROWNS (0-13) AT BILLS (6-7), 1 p.m.
Outlook: A continuous loop of this game piped into cells should be part of the sentencing for convicted murderers. As disappointing as Rex Ryan’s Bills have been, I cannot see them adding the ignominy of being the first to lose to the woebegone Browns.
Prediction: Bills, 24-16
PACKERS (7-6) AT BEARS (3-10), 1 p.m.
Outlook: The Packers have won three in a row to give themselves a bit of life in the playoff chase, and they’ve won 13 of the last 16 in this rivalry, including six in a row on the road. Beware, though. Chicago has beaten Detroit and Minnesota at home. Matt Barkley has been pretty good and gets Alshon Jeffery back off suspension. Zero-degree conditions could keep the score nearly as low as the temps.
Prediction: Packers, 19-16
JAGUARS (2-11) AT TEXANS (7-6), 1 p.m.
Outlook: Houston is trying to win a bad division and certainly can’t abide a home stumble against a team whose forsaken season can’t end soon enough. Brock Osweiler is almost as turnover-prone as Blake Bortles, but the Texans tend to take care of business. They’ve won nine consecutive division games, including four this year. Meanwhile, the Jags have lost eight in a row.
Prediction: Texans, 24-13
EAGLES (5-8) At RAVENS (7-6), 1 p.m.
Outlook: The Eagles are playing out the string with four losses in a row, while the desperation-mode Ravens are trying to stay in playoff contention. Baltimore has its hands on the wheel, though; it wins its division with a 3-0 finish. Joe Flacco has completed 73 passes the last two games, and Philly’s pass defense is average.
Prediction: Ravens, 27-20
TITANS (7-6) AT CHIEFS (10-3), 1 p.m.
Outlook: Kansas City has extra rest and prep time after playing last Thursday, has won eight of its last nine and is energized by playmaker Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs also are a strong home team that will be better suited to the freezing cold than the fellas from Nashville. Tennessee is solid, but winning at Arrowhead in December is a big ask.
Prediction: Chiefs, 23-17
COLTS (6-7) AT VIKINGS (7-6), 1 p.m.
Outlook: It’s a quarterback duel between No. 1 overall picks Sam Bradford (2010) and Andrew Luck (2012), though both are hampered by sore shoulders and disappointing seasons. The playoffs are an uphill climb for both. Adrian Peterson is back practicing but won’t play Sunday. Minnesota’s stout defense vs. a shaky Colts O-line should be enough, but Luck has won three in a row on the road and should keep it close.
Prediction: Vikings, 20-17
SAINTS (5-8) AT CARDINALS (5-7-1), 4:05 p.m.
Outlook: Drew Brees has zero TDs and six interceptions in his last two games but can’t stay that awful. Carson Palmer is averaging 299 yards in his last seven at home. The Cardinals are a better-balanced team that plays a little defense, and they’re decent in the desert, so make it a venue call.
Prediction: Cardinals, 30-27
49ERS (1-12) AT FALCONS (8-5), 4:05 p.m.
Outlook: Julio Jones is out because of a toe injury, but the Falcons still have ample firepower to dominate the hapless Niners at home. No coasting for Atlanta, either, because the Falcons are in a scrum with Tampa Bay in the NFC South.
Prediction: Falcons, 41-10
RAIDERS (10-3) AT CHARGERS (5-8), 4:25 p.m.
Outlook: Oakland officially ends its 14-year franchise playoff drought with a victory. I give the Chargers a fair upset shot, but RB Melvin Gordon’s injury creates a huge absence that will allow Khalil Mack to really tee it up and wreak havoc upon Philip Rivers, who is oops-prone with 17 interceptions.
Prediction: Raiders, 28-17
BUCCANEERS (8-5) AT COWBOYS (11-2), 8:30 p.m.
Outlook: Dallas is still aiming for a first-round bye and Tampa Bay is fighting for a playoff spot. It’s with defense that Tampa Bay has surged to five wins in a row. Even with Dak Prescott feeling a bit of pressure for the first time, give me the home team.
Television: NBC
Prediction: Cowboys, 24-20
MONDAY’S GAME
PANTHERS (5-8) AT WASHINGTON (7-5-1), 8:30 p.m.
Outlook: The home team is desperate for a win in a game decorated by CB Josh Norman’s first appearance vs. his former team. This could be an air show. Kirk Cousins is having a Pro Bowl year, and Cam Newton has seven TDs, zero picks and a 122 rating in three career meetings.
Television: ESPN
Prediction: Washington, 27-23
– By Greg Cote, Miami Herald (Last week 12-4, Season 130-76-2)
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