It’s been a tumultuous season in the NFL to say the least.
From off-the-field issues, to anthem protests, to an almost comical string of high-profile injuries, the league has taken its lumps this season. It was more of the same last week as not one but two games came down to the implementation of a pair of extremely unpopular rules: the non-catch at the end of the Steelers-Patriots game, and the fumble out of the back of the end zone that ended the Cowboys-Raiders game.
But despite all of these factors that would seem to take away from the league’s attractiveness, this is the time of the year when these issues take a back seat to the product on the field.
Obscured by all the hubbub about what is and isn’t a catch was a fantastic game between two teams that may very well meet again a few weeks down the road with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
The final two weeks of the regular season ought to provide more fascinating matchups with playoff berths on the line. And it goes without saying how much excitement every playoff game generates.
While fans may have had to suffer through more distractions during this regular season than almost any in recent memory, the thrill of December and January football is enough to push them off to the side and remind us why we love the game.
Well, assuming you’re team’s still in the hunt.
On to the picks:
Indianapolis at Baltimore
The Ravens enter the homestretch in control of their own destiny in the AFC Wild Card picture. They’ll have to be wary of falling into a classic trap game against the Colts.
Nick’s pick: RAVENS
Minnesota at Green Bay
It’ll be strange to see the Packers play late in December with Aaron Rodgers and be completely out of the playoff picture. Their NFC North counterparts are on a roll, and could wind up having home field advantage throughout the playoffs — all the way to the Super Bowl in Minneapolis.
Nick’s pick: VIKINGS
Cleveland at Chicago
While both of these teams are near the league’s basement, the Bears at least have a foundation for future success with an underrated defense and young difference-makers on offense. The Browns don’t have much of anything outside of Josh Gordon and Myles Garrett.
Nick’s pick: Bears
Detroit at Cincinnati
It’s been quite the circus in Cincinnati this past week, with longtime coach Marvin Lewis the definition of a lame duck coach simply playing out the stretch. You wonder how much motivation the Bengals will be able to muster against a Detroit team that absolutely needs a win.
Nick’s pick: LIONS
L.A. Rams at Tennessee
Has there been a more impressive performance this season than the Rams’ demolition of the Seahawks last week? Sean McVay has authored one of the great turnarounds in NFL history, and that is no hyperbole. Tennessee, on the other hand, looks to be in freefall after seeming like a shoo-in for the playoffs not long ago.
Nick’s pick RAMS
Miami at Kansas City
The Chiefs seemed to have gotten their act together after an ugly losing streak. They should be able to take care of business at home against a Dolphins team that looked totally lifeless in their loss to the Bills last week.
Nick’s pick: CHIEFS
Buffalo at New England
The Bills will be hoping that they can score more than three points against the Patriots this time around. While a loss wouldn’t be devastating to Buffalo’s playoff chances, a good showing in Foxborough, even in defeat, would be an improvement over the Bills’ past efforts in New England.
Nick’s pick: PATRIOTS
Atlanta at New Orleans
A huge NFC South showdown between two high-powered offenses. Atlanta won the first meeting thanks to a late Drew Brees interception, but the Falcons might not be that lucky this time around.
Nick’s pick: SAINTS
L.A. Chargers at N.Y. Jets
Despite a tough loss to the Chiefs last week, the Chargers have two winnable games to close out the season that could very well propel them into the playoffs. The Jets likely have one eye on the offseason already, so that should work in L.A.’s favor.
Nick’s pick: CHARGERS
Denver at Washington
Kirk Cousins going up against a Denver defense that is still pretty solid could prove to be an interesting matchup. The Broncos’ disastrous QB situation, however, is an entirely different story.
Nick’s pick: REDSKINS
Tampa Bay at Carolina
I’ll admit that I’ve been a bit skeptical about how good the Panthers actually were. But they’ve shown in the past couple weeks that they can be a legitimate playoff contender. The Bucs have the talent to contend, but they just aren’t a team that knows how to win.
Nick’s pick: PANTHERS
Jacksonville at San Francisco
Jimmy Garoppolo going up against perhaps the league’s best defense will be a fascinating matchup to watch. Just as interesting on the other side is the ever-improving play of Blake Bortles, who hasn’t been performing like a punchline these past few weeks.
Nick’s pick: JAGUARS
Seattle at Dallas
Injuries on defense plus a shoddy offensive line have made the Seahawks a very difficult team to get a read on. They’ll have to face a Cowboys squad that gets Ezekiel Elliott back and still has a shot at a wild card berth.
Nick’s pick: COWBOYS
N.Y. Giants at Arizona
Not much to say about two teams that have suffered through nightmare seasons. Both New York and Arizona could very well have new starting quarterbacks this time next season.
Nick’s pick: CARDINALS
Pittsburgh at Houston
I’m sure the Steelers will still be steamed about how last week’s game ended. But even without Antonio Brown these next couple weeks, Pittsburgh should have no problem against a Houston team that has cratered down the stretch.
Nick’s pick: STEELERS
Oakland at Philadelphia
It wasn’t pretty, but the Eagles were able to eke out a win against the Giants minus Carson Wentz. The Raiders will be a sterner test, but Nick Foles should still find success against Oakland’s awful defense.
Last week: 12-3
Overall: 125-68
